Author's Note: Hello, hello! Thanks for all the great feedback last chapter. I'm so happy it went down as well as it did. Now this chapter… This chapter was HARD! I had so much season 3 episode 1 content that I had to write around because I'm not going to just copy what happens right into it. I really had to push myself a little here and I'm sorry if it suffers for it. I only finished it a bit ago. Anyway, I hope it's still good. Read, review, and enjoy!

Disclaimer: Clearly I don't own Sherlock. The show is the baby of Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, while Sherlock Holmes itself is the creation of Arthur Conan Doyle.

The First Days Of Sherlock's Return

After the half-day at work on Friday, Anthea drove straight to Jamie's to spend the weekend with her. This would be their third weekend just the two of them. They were rotating – last weekend had been at Anthea's flat, so they were going to be at Jamie's house this weekend. Of course, Anthea had to take a lot more phone calls and a couple of emergency skype calls, making her far busier than Jamie was used to, but at least it gave the two girls some constant company.

Anthea sat on Jamie's new suede couch, waiting as the blonde went to fill up their bowl of chips. Anthea leaned over, placing her glass of wine down, to pick up her phone and look at the screen. She silently sighed to herself as she placed it back down and leaned back on the couch, one hand absentmindedly playing with her hair. She heard the immediately recognisable sounds of Jamie giggling behind her, and before Anthea even had a chance to whip her head around and look, Jamie was in front of her. The makeup artist placed the bowl down on the coffee table in-between the two glasses of wine, smiling smugly as she too sat back down on the couch. Anthea pulled a face at her best friend, wondering what she was laughing at.

"Look at you, checking your phone like a worried girlfriend." Jamie smile turned into a toothy grin. The way it might have when they talked about boys in boarding school. Anthea, still somewhat frowning, shook her head. She had no idea where Jamie was getting this from.

"My phone is my life. I always check it." Anthea asked, her voice both defensive and confused. Jamie's smugness didn't falter as the blonde leaned over to pick up her wine, raising her darker eyebrows and nodded sarcastically.

"Yeah, but you've been doing a lot lately." She widened her eyes and dropped her register on 'a lot', putting far more emphasis on it that it would have needed to make her point. "And you should see the look on your face. You look like a separated long lost lover from a really bad romance movie." The blonde looked wistfully off into the distance with puppy dog eyes, clearly trying to do an over the top expression of what she thought Anthea looked like. Another time Anthea might of laugh. Right now she just groaned and rolled her eyes, grabbing a potato chip.

"Yeah whatever, Jamie." She mumbled with a half full mouth. "I'm sure that's exactly how I look."

"Alright, fine." Jamie pouted with a large shrug. "Maybe not, but I know when you're thinking about him." Anthea said nothing, she went for another chip. "So if you miss him so badly, this understanding weirdness must be good." Anthea waited until she finished eating, then went for a ship of wine.

"Yeah, I guess." She answered as she leaned back on the couch once again. "I mean, it was before this mission." The brunette bit her bottom lips. Confusion flashed in the hazel eyes of the woman to her side, as her brow fell.

"What's that supposed to mean?" She asked, almost sneering. Anthea wanted to talk to Jamie about it, she really did. She wanted to mention all these questions and doubts that had flashed in her mind more and more as the mission went on and the reality of Sherlock Holmes possibly coming home settled in. But telling Jamie meant explaining… So instead the PA pursed her lips and shook her head.

"It doesn't matter, Jay. It's nothing."

"Oh, it's so not nothing." She scoffed as she placed her wine back down, scooting closer to Anthea. "I can deal with all these secrets you and James keep from me. I get it, it's about public safety and stuff." Anthea couldn't help but sniff a laugh as Jamie rolled her eyes at the idea of public safety. "But when it effects the people I love on a personal level, then I need to know stuff." She folded her arms across her chest like a stubborn little girl might. Because really, isn't that what she was? "That goes for Einstein, too. You and James, you've made him and I stuck with each other. I've got to be in the loop for personal stuff."

She had a point. It was flawed, had loopholes, and Anthea really shouldn't listen to her, but she had a point and she was the only person Anthea told anything to for so many years. Yet, Anthea wasn't really in the mood to be yelled at because they all lead her to believe that someone was dead for two years. That she was the only one out of five core people who didn't know. No, she'd leave that headache to James. She'd just deal with few days of cold shoulder. So what to say? Anthea took a deep, steadying breath.

"Alright, so here's the thing." Anthea breathed as she repositioned herself on the couch to better face Jamie, one leg on the cushions. "The person they've gone to locate." Anthea frowned to herself. "His opinion means a lot to Mycroft, like way more than Mycroft would ever admit."

"Because he'd like everyone to believe he's a stone wall." Jamie interjected sarcastically. Anthea's lip twitched up.

"And I haven't had to deal with that because I haven't seen this guy since this started up. I know, Jamie, I just know that Mycroft isn't going to want him to have a whiff of this." Anthea searched her best friend's eyes, trying to push how seriously she believed this. Mycroft would not want all the teasing that would come with it. Jamie chewed on her lip rather than making a comment about Mycroft. This alone showed that she understood.

"So you think he's going to go icy again?" Jamie tilted her head as Anthea nodded.

"At least for a little while, and I told him if it feels like it's not going anywhere I'm out because I don't want games."

A pause.

"But Ali, you don't want it over."

"Yeah I know that." Anthea bit. "But what do I do?" The blonde stared at the coffee table, not really seeing it, as she thought. "There is no way I'm going to sit in the corner for what could be forever."

"Do what he's trained you to do." Jamie answered. Anthea pulled a face as her best friend turned to face her with a playful shrug. "You're always talking about being prepared. Prepare. Play the game." Anthea's face fell flat.

"Jamie." She rolled her eyes. "Were you not listening when I said I don't want to play games?"

"We've played games our entire lives, Ali. It's what you're good at." She smiled. "You don't want to sit in the corner quietly, then take away the privileges that go along with it." Anthea scoffed.

"I don't know what you think we do, Jamie, but I can tell you it's nothing." Jamie huffed and shook her head.

"I know that!" She bemoaned. "I mean like, remember when you used to call him Mr. Holmes all the time?" Jamie nodded.

"Go along with it?" Anthea asked, looking down at her foot on the couch. She nodded to herself. "That could work."

"Yeah, but don't like flirt with waiters or anything." Jamie added, picking up her wine glass once again. "You don't want to kill him. That only works with real jerks." Anthea cocked her head to the side and clicked her tongue.

"Aww, that's cute." She sung, smiling. "You don't think Mycroft's a real jerk."

"He can be if he wants to be."

The agency planes arrive about an hour before there was to be any sign of Mycroft's plane. Anthea knew it the moment it touched down just by how obvious discreet it was. She was already grinning to herself, leaning on Walter's town car, as the plane came to a halt. When the doors opened James and Carol were third and fourth out. Anthea wanted to run up to them, she wanted to pull James down to her height to give him a huge hug, but that would be bad for her persona. Instead she slowly walked towards them with a big grin plaster on her face, since it wouldn't come off.

Straight away she noticed something slightly off with James. The tall blonde agent tried his best to give her a large smile as he approached but he just couldn't seem to get it big enough to look like his natural goofy grin. It was enough to make Anthea's own smile falter as she got closer.

"Hey." She greeted lightly once within a metre of the two agents.

"Hi, beautiful." James placed his hands on Anthea's arms and gave her a light rub. Again, he was trying to force his happy-go-lucky persona. Anthea touched his elbow gently.

"You okay?" She asked.

"Peachy." He shook his head. "As long as you and Jay are fine, I'm fine." He glanced behind Anthea. "I've got a lot of work to do." He pulled out of her reach. "I'll catch you later, yeah? Maybe come over for dinner soon?" Carol came to stand besides Anthea as they watched him walk off towards a waiting car. Anthea felt Carol lightly rub her back.

"Hi." She turned her head to smile at Carol, and the agent nodded in return. As always her hair was neatly tied back in a practical manner and she looked as tall and fearsome as ever. "Welcome home."

"It's nice to be home, A."

A pause.

Anthea turned to completely face Carol.

"Do you know what's up with him?" The woman's expression softened as she looked towards the town car her partner had disappeared into.

"An intelligence agent." She stopped to fix the collar of Anthea's jacket. "He was sure he could get more information. I knew he was being over confidant and just wanted to show off to his new commander. James approved it, sure the man could do it. He died and as a result a few civilians died too." Anthea winced inwardly as she turned to look in the direction James had disappeared in.

"You two have seen so much death, though."

"Neither of us have ever given orders that have led to it." Poor thing. Anthea shook her head as Carol sighed. "He'll have to get used it. It happens, and Holmes thinks he's up for it."

Ah, Holmes. Anthea turned to look at Carol. The woman's façade cracked to show a little smile.

"They're both okay. Holmes the junior needs patching up and a grooming, but both are returning and have sufficient security on their plane. We just thought it was for the best that James not be the security while he's distracted." Anthea nodded. Fair point.

Hey, fair warning. James is a little shaken up. – A.

OMG is he okay? – Jamie xx.

All limbs still attached. Expect an emotional hug. I predict tears. – A.

Thanks for the heads up, Ali. How's Grumpy Pants? – Jamie xx.

Not here yet. Apparently in one piece. – A.

That's what I mean. He's never in a good mood ever! – Jamie xx.

As Mycroft's private plane pulled up, Anthea allowed herself a quick natural smile before she toned it down to the appropriate size. Happy to see them, but with a small amount of sarcasm and disinterest present that had become her trademark as the shadowy assistant. This time, as the doors opened, Anthea stayed leaning on the town car and waited for them to come to her and Walter.

Out first was one of the security assigned. She knew this agent as one who Carol often employed as her temporary partner whenever James was busy with Mycroft. If Carol trusted this man with her life, that mean Anthea could trust him a little with the Holmes. Not too much, just a little. After this agent did a sweep of the area, during which she waved with two fingers raised, he spoke into his phone. Next off the plane was what could easily be forgiven for someone from an undiscovered tribe if it wasn't for the clothes he'd be given. Wild hair, facial hair, and various cuts and bruises. She was guessing that this was Sherlock, as Mycroft emerged only a step behind him, looking slightly concerned. Again, not too much, just a little.

As the brothers came close to the car, Anthea took two light steps forward so she was no longer leaning on the car. She took a quick look up and down the wild looking man, smirk on her face. Yes, this tall, lanky figure with the piercing blue eyes could only be one person.

"Look at you." She hummed, gesturing to his appearance with a nod of her head. Sherlock looked mildly annoyed.

"Yes, hello… Amy." He picked a name. Anthea scoffed.

"No, but nice try." Her smile grew. "I won't embarrass either of us by asking for a hug, but I'm happy to see you again."

"I'll say." Sherlock's eyes flashed all over her face, taking in everything. Okay, she didn't miss this. "You look relieved."

"You also look like you've lost weight." Mycroft added in his bored tone, stepping up to stand next to his brother. He had his neutral mask on his face, but there was a hint of concern in those steel eyes. "It makes you look older." Anthea widened her eyes and nodded. There he was, that was what spending even the faintest time with Sherlock did, bring out the sibling rivalry. Who could deduce facts better? She might be ready to give Mycroft space, but she wasn't going to be a pet in their games. He knew how she felt about that.

"Really, sir?" She tilted her head to the side. "If we're playing this, then you've lost a bit more hair." She placed he hand in her own hairline, emphasising her point. Sherlock laughed as Mycroft's masked faulted for the briefest second.

"I was merely reiterating Sherlock's point that you've been stressed, Miss James." Anthea fought the urge to roll her eyes.

"You're both so eloquent with your words." She sighed. "Welcome home, London isn't quite as snarky without both of you."

Sherlock Holmes, freshly cleaned up and as determined forever, had just stormed out of the Diogenes Dungeon, utterly determined to ruin John Watson's life. Of course he didn't realise he was about to rock his best friend's life in a horribly negative way, but who really expected him to know the difference between a good surprise and a bad surprise? And the Holmes brothers did love to be dramatic.

Anthea turned to Mycroft and shook her head with a heavy sigh. She picked up the file on John that Sherlock had left behind, ready to file it away.

"I don't know what I expected." Anthea laughed. "But he's exactly the same." Mycroft hummed, arms folded, still facing the door that his brother had left through.

"He's never been quick to learn a lesson." He hummed. The man turned to Anthea and raised his eyebrows as exasperation before he turned to lean on his desk, looking at the files on his desk. He plucked one up and began thumbing through it.

"I think you'll find everything in order, sir." She nodded, feeling a little proud at how well she'd kept the country afloat without her boss. Mycroft nodded as he continued to read.

"I expected no less." He flicked over a page. Anthea clutched the file in her hands slightly closer to her chest.

"As for the state of your fridge." She began. Mycroft looked up from his file. He seemed to take a long breath as he closed it and popped it back onto his desk.

"My dear." He began in a tone that sounded like it may have a hint of sadness to it. Anthea merely gave the man her trademark smirk.

"Don't worry, Mr. Holmes. I already know that you don't want to let Sherlock get a small clue that something is going on." She raised her eyebrows. "I'm right, aren't I, sir?" Mycroft pursed his lips, eyes narrowing. Hesitation? What?

"With John Watson moving on, it's better than we don't force so much change on him." Anthea gave a single nod.

"And that is exactly why I had your fridge stocked so you there's no temptation to go out for dinner." She was speaking in her professional voice. "I've also taken some more of my personal effects out of your house and the offices, in case it sets him off." Mycroft's position on his desk shifted. "And I won't join you for any walks or the like until you think he's ready, sir." She stopped and waited for an answer. As none came she turned to walk out of the office and get back to work. Behind her she heard a muttered voice.

"You do know I didn't mean to offend you earlier, when I pointed out that you've been stressed?" Anthea sniffed a laugh.

"Yeah, I know." She said in a light tone and turned the doorknob.

Anthea didn't really notice the following days of their only professional behaviour towards each other. The woman had her hands full already, with her usual duties, spending time with James and Jamie to make James feel better, and monitoring Sherlock to make sure he didn't get into trouble while helping with the terror alert. She couldn't even tell you how many days it had been since the detective returned without looking at a calendar. Mycroft however, didn't know entirely how to act to her. It seems that 'my dear' had become more of a term of endearment than it used to be. He had called her such almost from the beginning, and now where it would flow naturally at the end of a sentence, he cut himself off awkwardly. Anthea allowed herself the pleasure of enjoying it a little – it was rather cute. Really, the PA could keep doing it for a while longer without being too effected.

Then one day, Anthea came with Walter to pick up Mycroft. She was doing nothing but answering emails, which she could do on the fly, so the brunette girl had offered Walter company for the ride. He'd happily accepted it. It would give him someone to talk to while the car sat outside Baker Street, waiting for the government official to leave 221B.

Anthea was typing away on her blackberry when she heard the car door closer to the pavement open and shut. She looked up, already to chirp a happy greeting, when she saw the distant look on Mycroft's face. He was deep in thought and clearly slightly confused. Anthea observed him for a good minute, lost in himself, after the car had taken off.

"Hello." She spoke tentatively. Roused from his thoughts, the genius looked over to her, and gave her a small smile before continuing to look at his umbrella. Anthea pursed her lips and put her attention back onto the email she was answering. Yet her thoughts wouldn't allow her to continue as she took another glace over at Mycroft. "Sir?" She asked, garnering his distracted attention once more. "Are you alright?" He pulled upper his upper lip, shook his head, and waved her off with a graceful flick off his hand.

"Fine." He assured. "Perfectly fine." His steel eyes landed onto the handle of his umbrella once again. "Something my brother said."

"Ah." Anthea turned back to her phone, finding that answer satisfactory enough. "He does know how to press your buttons." Who knows what Sherlock said to make Mycroft so pensive, but it was Sherlock. He was the only one that could get under Mycroft's skin like that. It could have been a jab at Mycroft's weight, it could be something about Mummy. There was a rather large list of possible exploits. She saw out of the corner of her eye as Mycroft turned to look at her. He regarded her for about ten seconds, opened his mouth to speak, before changing his mind and looking out his passenger window. Anthea locked her phone and placed it on her lap. "Sir?"

"Hmmm?" He glanced over quickly and back out the window.

"You don't want to tell me what Sherlock said?"

A pause.

"It was nothing." Mycroft shook his head. "He beat me at operation, it lead to a small thing. Nothing to stop parliament over." Anthea bit the inside of her cheek. She believed him, it sounded plausible, but she didn't like this pensive mood. She watched him for a minute longer, considering whether to press on.

"Okay, then." Anthea picked up her phone and finished another email before answering a text from Jamie.

Anthea continued to text with Jamie, talking about a client that one of the people Jamie worked with currently had. Anthea was getting whole quotes of ridiculous stories this client was clearly making up. Occasionally she'd even chuckle out loud before answering the blonde. At one point that had earnt her Mycroft's attention. He'd glanced over and then looked her over carefully before dragging his eyes onto his umbrella once more as he dug it into the floor of the car.

Eventually he'd looked over again on his own accord. This time he really took her in, but Anthea didn't dare to question him. The man still looked lost in his own thoughts as he watched her. It was almost like he wasn't really seeing her, as if she had something to do with whatever he was thinking about and he was using her profile as actual stimulus for his brain. Anthea just ignored him and kept to her business. Until.

"Anthea." She glanced over the screen of her phone.

"Yes?" She smiled lightly. Mycroft visibly winced as he prepared to speak again.

"Are you free for dinner on Friday night?" She locked her phone, tilting her head in confusion. What had this sort of thing have to do with anything?

"Friday I'm going to the movies with James and Jamie, but I can do Saturday." She could see Mycroft run his tongue over his teeth.

"Saturday will work." He nodded.

"Mine or yours?"

"I'll pick you up at seven thirty."

"Oh." Anthea turned back to her phone. "I look forward to it."

Author's Note: *Collapses into a puddle*. I don't know why it was so hard when I knew exactly what I wanted to do. Ugh! What do you think, anyway? Was it alright? I hope so. Next chapter won't be so hard for me to write. Anyway, time to that the guest reviewers. Thanks to: Guest, Corrine, Tadaa, Wink, and III. Thanks to everyone for sticking with it!