Author's Note: Hi! Can I say that last chapter was the LEAST hate that Tim has gotten since his introduction. I don't know if it was his attitude or that Magnussen is a worse threat, but people weren't cursing him out in the reviews! It was fun to see. This chapter… It's okay. I've had some real blocks this week that I tried to write through so I hope there's cohesion… as much cohesion as I normally have in my scene like writing… Anyway, please 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 Time Violet Came To See Anthea In Particular

Anthea was in the middle of processing all the information Tim had given them on Magnussen, classifying it, and filing it away safely but accessibly. It was a stressful time, and this was a stressful job for all of them. There was one light in the situation for Anthea, and that was being CC'ed in the email conversation between Mycroft and Tim. It felt a little like being in high school and it was hilarious.

Mr. Burgess,

I have someone looking into the validity of these blueprints of yours. If they turn out to be false and an Appledore Vaults does truly exist I hope you understand that I will require you head as payment.

If it turns out to be true, however, I do have a little piece of information of my own that may assist you in your lawsuit. It will not get you that win you crave to keep your record spotless, but it will make your loss far less devastating.

Mycroft Holmes.

Mr. Holmes,

I'll take your threat as a thank you for my cooperation. You're welcome.

They are real. I'm not stupid, despite what you may think. I know how to do my job just as well as you know how to throw your power around.

That information would be very helpful and my client would be thankful. I hope you can get off of the throne you've created for yourself for long enough to deliver it. Or not. You have a competent assistant to do that for you.

Tim Burgess.

Mr. Burgess,

I understand that you view yourself as competent, and my assistant does indeed vouch for you. While I trust her fully, I cannot simply accept someone at their word. I do hope you understand. Magnussen is far smarter than you'd ever dream to be.

No, I don't think I'll be getting off my throne any time soon, thank you. I didn't craft it, the Queen and the Prime Minister did, as well as a few people that you don't know exist. I think I'll have the woman who lives with me deliver the information.

Mycroft Holmes.

Mr. Holmes,

Oh, there's the Ice Man! I was wondering when he'd show up. An ex-girlfriend of mine used to complain about him all the time. Apparently he didn't quite realise how people acted.

Do you like to insult all the people working for you? James is a big guy. He doesn't need to take that.

Tim Burgess.

Mr. Burgess,

James knows his place. He also doesn't throw away relationships he values simply because the woman isn't ready for the next step.

Who else do I know took it very calmly when a woman wasn't ready to make a big step? Oh yes. The Ice Man.

Mycroft Holmes.

Hello boys,

I would like to remind Mr. Burgess who he is messing with and to remember his place.

I would like to remind Mr. Holmes that he promised a certain woman to play nice.

That's all,

A.

Anthea had to stifle her laughter as she read over the emails for the third time. In person it wouldn't have been funny to her, in person it might have been a little distressing to see the two of them arguing. In text form, however. Anthea liked to think of them both quietly fuming over the email they received and concocting the best response they could. It would have taken Tim minutes to Mycroft's seconds but it was still a funny thought. The fact that Mycroft clearly won also made Anthea feel a little smug. Like all her victories over Charlotte, it felt good to see Mycroft win over Tim. Especially with that comment about throwing relationships away. It really made her proud of her boyfriend and feel a little sorry for her ex… Only a little.

Anthea deleted all the emails, a smile firmly on her face. As funny and heart-warming as this was to her, it was probably a good idea not to have a record of these conversations. She'd simply say in the records that there was, or is, an ongoing conversation with Mr. Burgess. At least with her writing it the file would say Tim's name as opposed to the lawyer.

Buzz.

Anthea glanced over to her phone vibrating on her desktop. She was a little surprised to see that Violet Holmes was calling her. Anthea stopped in the middle of her work to answer the phone. Unlike Mycroft, Anthea always answered the phone to his parents.

"Hello." Anthea answered.

"Hello Anthea, dear." Violet's warm and welcoming voice rung through the phone and even managed to warm Anthea's heart a little.

"Hi." Anthea chirped back. She turned to the computer and saved her work as she spoke on the phone. "If you want to speak to Mycroft he's meeting someone right now and I can tell him to call you later. If it's about Sherlock, I haven't seen him in a few weeks."

"Oh no, dear." Violet sounded something akin to hurt. It disappeared as soon as it appeared, though. "I was calling to speak to you."

"Oh!" Anthea leaned back into her chair and pouted her lips. "Well… Here I am." She smiled as if Violet could see her after she joked around. Violet had the kindness to chuckle lightly.

"Listen love," She sounded like she was about to prepare for a long story. "Siger, the dear, booked us tickets to see Cat on a Hot Tin Roof the same weekend he's meant to go to a cricket game with some friends, such a forgetful man. I thought to myself 'Who do I know in London who'd like to go see this with me?' and you were the first name to pop into my head." Anthea looked down into her lap, the warm feeling in her chest growing. "What do you say, dear?"

"I'd love to go with you." Anthea answered in an honestly cheerful tone. She loved Mycroft's parents and she'd never seen this particular play. It sounded wonderful to her.

"That's just wonderful!" Violet exclaimed. "We don't even need to tell the boys, this is just for you and me. I can stay with you, or if that's imposing, I can rent a hotel, and we can spend the weekend together. How does that sound?" Anthea closed her eyes and took a breath. She didn't know? Mycroft hadn't told her. Of course Mycroft didn't tell her. He didn't want anyone to think he was human… Anthea rubbed at her forehead with her free hand.

"Well…" She sighed heavily. "There's a problem. I've moved into the house."

A beat of silence.

"Really?" It was as cold as if Mycroft or Sherlock had said it.

"I'm sorry you had to find out this way-" Anthea scrunched up her nose.

"No, darling, it's not your responsibility to tell me these things." Anthea moved her hand from her brow to run it through her hair. "It looks like we'll have to tell Mycroft after all. I don't mind seeing my little boy, since it's apparently the only way he'll tell me anything." Violet's tone alone made Anthea laugh.

"I'll make sure the room is ready for you."

"Okay, dear. I'll see you on Saturday morning."

"Bye Violet."

"Your mum called today." Anthea brought up over their lunch break. With Mycroft trying his best on his diet right now Anthea had made them a simple chicken salad to bring to work today. They were eating at his desk with a bottle of water. While Anthea, who often ordered salads, was enjoying her food Mycroft was picking at his a little. When she spoke he looked up from stabbing a piece of lettuce.

"I spoke to her two days ago." He complained. "What did she want?" Anthea rolled her eyes in both annoyance and amusement at Mycroft's attitude.

"Your dad can't make it to a play this weekend so she asked me to go with her." Anthea explained before taking a bite of her salad.

"I see." Mycroft answered with a curt nod, still playing with his food. "Did you tell her I was busy?" Her mouth still full, Anthea covered her mouth with her hand and shook her head. She swallowed and took a sip of water.

"No, she just asked me." Mycroft's eyebrow quirked. He looked down at his salad.

"Oh." He pouted and began stabbing at his food lightly again. Anthea raised her eyebrows and watched him quietly for a moment.

"Mycroft," She laughed. "Did you want to go?"

"No." He answered, shaking his head. "Obviously not. Hence why I asked if you said I was busy." She didn't believe his short words for a second. Or more like it, she believed that he wouldn't want to go, but she didn't believe that he didn't want to be asked.

"Your mum knows you don't like the theatre and I do…"

"I know." Still pouting. Anthea sniffed to stifle a laugh.

"Myc, if you want to go-"

"Of course not, my love." He dismissed her. "You'd actually enjoy the event." He lightly shook his head. Well, if he said so. Anthea smiled at him and went back to eating her food. Mycroft sort of ate.

"This needs dressing." He bemoaned quietly.

"You always say that dressings are added calories." Anthea noted.

"They are. That doesn't change the fact that it needs dressing."

He was so weird.

Anthea was still dressed in her old pyjama pants and band tee when she heard the doorbell. She made her way downstairs and happily pulled open the door. It was always a pleasure to see one of Mycroft's parents. Violet, looking as bright and on the ball as always, had a small bag with her. Presumably her supplies for the weekend.

"Hello." Anthea chirped as brightly as she could on a Saturday morning. Violet clicked her tongue and cocked her head to the side.

"Look how cute you look in your pyjamas." She cooed, outstretching her arms. Anthea laughed breathlessly as she step forward and accepted the hug gratefully. Violet squeezed her while Anthea rubbed the woman gently on the back. Anthea was released when the sound of footsteps were heard down the stairs. "Oh, there's my boy!" All of Violet's love for her children was audible in her voice. Anthea turned around to see Mycroft reach the bottom of the stairs, mouth in a tight line, rolling his eyes.

"Yes, hello Mummy." He muttered.

"Oh," Violet clicked. "Come here." Mycroft took one step closer as Violet walked into the room to hug her eldest son. As Mycroft begrudgingly hugged her back Anthea brought in Violet's bag and shut the front door, locking it. Mycroft let go first and, getting the hint, Violet let go of him. Not before stroking his face warmly. Mycroft sneered a little as he stepped backwards.

"Well, I best leave you two it then, shall I?" He muttered. The most intelligent person in the room the sulked out of the room, through the doors that lead to the living room. Anthea couldn't help but smirk a little at his attitude. He'd been pretty good all week but now his mother was here he was all hurt again. Violet pulled a face of derision after him that Anthea had seen on Sherlock's face multiple times. Her bright blue eyes landed on Anthea's face as she nodded in the direction her son had just walked off in.

"So what's got him moping around today?" Anthea's smirk grew and she folded her arms across her chest.

"Don't worry about him," Anthea shook her head. "He's just upset that you asked me to go to the play with you and not him." Violet clicked her tongue, her mouth falling into a disappointed pout, and she shook her head.

"Mycroft Holmes!" She called out as she began walking with purpose into the living room. Anthea followed Violet's long strides. They found Mycroft setting up his laptop at the kitchen bench. He looked somewhat annoyed but he also looked quiet… afraid. Violet walked right up to her son, crossing her arms against her chest and looking every bit the disappointed mother. "What is this I hear about you being upset that I asked Alice to see a play with me?" Mycroft licked his lips. Steel eyes lifted up and he looked over to Anthea. Anthea shrugged.

"Well-"

"No, I don't want to hear any excuse you've concocted in that head of yours." Violet cut him off before he could truly begin. His mouth shut and he looked back to his mother. "Do you think your father and I like to make you and your brother miserable? No." She paused and shook her head. "One of my boys finally has a wonderful person in their lives that actually enjoys some of the things we do that you don't. Are you trying to say you'd rather you and I have a shocking time together than for me to have a good time?" She stopped. Mycroft opened his mouth to respond. "And what about Alice? Your wonderful girlfriend hasn't had a mother to do things with for years. Do you want to rip this opportunity away from her?" Violet stopped once more.

Mycroft waited.

Silence continued.

It seemed she actually wanted a response this time. Mycroft pursed his lips.

"Of course not."

"Then please start behaving." She sounded disappointed. Mycroft looked up to the roof. He took a long and careful breath in.

"Sorry Mummy…" He mumbled.

"If you want to spend time with me so badly, then why don't we go to lunch together before the play this evening? Just the two of us." Violet rubbed her son's arm. Mycroft pouted, cocked his head to the side, and shrugged with one shoulder. Agreeing but still acting like the teenager he turned into around his parents. "And maybe you can tell me why I had to find in that Alice moved in from her?" Mycroft looked back at Anthea, something akin to panic in his face. Anthea smiled and tried not to laugh. "Honestly Myc, you're supposed to be the responsible one."

"It's Mycroft."

"No, that's a grown up's name." That's it. Anthea couldn't handle it anymore. She snickered into the back of her hand. Violet looked over with her bright eyes and smiled at Anthea. She was just as proud of that comment. Mycroft looked on the verge of sneering again, but he held it back.

"I don't suppose I need to apologise to you too?" He asked her. Anthea rubbed her own arm and shook her head.

"You never took it out on me. Just your mother." She hummed.

"Oh well, at least you behaved to one of us."

The play was wonderful, fantastic, and so much fun to see with Violet Holmes. Her brilliance and ease at picking things up that Anthea might have otherwise missed only made it more enjoyable. It was a shame that Siger had double booked the weekend and couldn't see it, but Anthea was so glad she got to. She loved this almost as much as she loved books, and Violet was always a wonderful person to be around.

When they got home Anthea found Mycroft in his study. The door was open a crack, giving her permission to enter. Anthea sat down on the couch in there with a contented sigh. She watched Mycroft dreamily as he continued to read, almost ignoring her presence.

"I love you mum." Anthea spoke wistfully. Mycroft let out a single laugh.

"You can have her." He said to Anthea, not for the first time and probably not for the last time either. Anthea bit her lip as she took him in.

"Somehow I get the feeling you wouldn't like that." She hummed. Mycroft looked up from his book to look at nothing in particular. He contemplated Anthea's words. The genius lazily shrugged and looked down at his book.

"You can share her then." He answered.

"Deal."

Author's Note: So? What did you think? Violet is always a joy to write for, even through blocks. Thanks to our guest reviewers this chapter; Guests x2, CM, Bumblebeeee, M, Guesswho, Wheezzy8, and Tadaa. Thanks to all my reviewers, I love you all so much. Please let me know what you thought of this chapter, and I'll see you in five days!