Author's Note: Thank you so much for the feedback last chapter! Jamie is always a hit and so is Mummy, so I'm not surprised to see joy for them to be back. I think it's not only that they're great characters but that they make Anthea feel warm and happy. So there's a delay on the Myc POV chapter, more about that at the end. But 600 reviews, guys! WHAT! Thank you all for being amazing. As far as this chapter goes… It's not as fun as last chapter but I'm certain you'll still like it. Okay! 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 She Bought Him a Gift Just Because

James and Anthea sat in the back of James' car watching footage off of Anthea's laptop as it sat precariously on the console between the two front seats. A newspaper cone full of chips from the fish and chip store two streets away sat between them.

"Remind me again why we're getting paid to watch the front door of a doctor's surgery?" James asked as he searched for the crunchiest and crispiest chip he could find. As soon as he found and ideal chip he went to pick it up only to have it snatched up by Anthea. Anthea raised her eyebrows and smiled cheekily in victory at the agent's shocked expression before eating the chip.

"We're keeping an eye out for Doctor Watson." Anthea hummed, turning back to the screen. "Making sure he doesn't go home too early." James nodded slowly in recognition.

"Is this their second meeting on the subject?" He asked, settling for what he deemed to be a second rate chip. Anthea nodded. "How did the first one go?"

"Not great."

The meeting in discussion – the one they were trying to keep John Watson from disturbing – was between Mycroft and Sherlock. The brothers were talking about what to do with Moriarty. This was take two. The first attempt – where Mycroft broached the subject of sharing family secrets on Sherlock in exchange for information – had not ended well. Items were thrown, names were called, and feelings were most definitely hurt. Even Anthea felt sadness at Sherlock's feelings of betrayal and Mycroft's guilt and anguish. Guilt was not a good look on Mycroft – not on a man who made huge decisions on a day by day basis and had to believe in his choices full heartedly despite the consequences. It hurt to look at him in the car that day. Mycroft was over at 221B today to attempt this conversation again. He wanted to explain rationally that anything he may have done he did because he had to and now he wanted to help Sherlock out of the hole they had both made. And maybe, just maybe, two genius minds could outsmart one genius criminal mind and they could beat Moriarty for hood.

If today was successful the next meeting would be at the Diogenes Dungeon. No one to hear the details of a well thought out plan there. No one expect Anthea and maybe James once they decided it was necessary to consult and plan with a top agent. The agent in question was currently chewing on his lip.

"That sucks." His voice was low and full of compassion. "Holmes likes to pretend he doesn't care but-"

"I know." Anthea nodded, looking over to the blonde man. He nodded in return and gave Anthea the smallest smile that reeked of melancholy. James was one of those few people who seemed to have a vested interest in Mycroft. Possibly because Mycroft was the reason James was so high up and so well respected at a relatively young age. Mycroft and Walter had always talked about James' potential. Apparently he was still going places. Anthea and James both turned back to the screen.

Anthea began to watch the people enter and exit the surgery in silence as she ate the chips. She began playing Mycroft and Sherlock's deduction games just to entertain herself. A young couple walked out looking excited but terrified at the same time – She just confirmed that she was pregnant. An old man hobbled into to the surgery with a big envelope in his hands – I was going to say something was wrong with his leg but maybe it's his hip. A mother walked out holding the hand of one of her sons while the other trailed behind them looking very bored and very annoyed. Anthea bit the inside of her lip to stop herself from smiling at the image and all the flashes of young Holmes brothers it put in her head. James cleared his throat.

"So, A. This friend of yours…" Anthea rolled her dark eyes at the pure cocky tone in James' voice. "When are you going to give me her number?"

"She doesn't live in London, James." Anthea answered in a monotone, face flat as she picked up another chip.

"And why does that matter? I have resources." Anthea turned to James and tilted her head.

"What? Am I not good enough for you anymore?" She mocked. "Are you over brunettes?" The man laughed and threw a chip at Anthea's face. It hit her nose causing her to blink a few times in surprise.

"Of course not, beautiful." He winked. "But I'm not deluding myself – I know you only have eyes for moody weirdoes with a weird umbrella obsession." That was supposed to make her laugh, she could tell by his tone, but it didn't. Anthea froze.

"How did you get that idea?" James faked appal.

"I am perceptive, A. I'm a secret agent spy." He grinned. Anthea rolled her eyes again.

"You're a special operative agent with a specialty in raid planning and weaponry. The one time you came undercover with me you almost blew it." James through another chip at her. This one landed in her shoot and she had to fish it out.

"Fine, Carol noticed. She told me." He shrugged.

A pause.

"It doesn't matter anyway, he's told me to forget about it and it will pass." James scoffed.

"Yeah, easier said than done." He shrugged. "Though I guess we're good with each other." Anthea gave James a wry smile.

"Oh yeah, we're best buddies." She said sarcastically. Her face dropped into a serious expression. "Jamie is like my little sister, James." She pointed at him with a half-eaten chip.

"I know." He nodded.

"If I give you her number to talk to her then you can't be a typical playboy guy. Keep any promises. You're not allowed to so much as touch her in anyway until you've gone out on at least three dates in person – even if it takes you a year to see her that many times."

"Oh yes, mum. I'll have her home by ten, too." She threw the half-eaten chip at him.

"No, I'm serious, James. One misstep and I'll make sure you see only red traffic lights for the rest of your life."

"I'll be good, 'Thea." James sounded like he was making a solemn oath. "I promise."

Silence.

"Fine, give me your phone." Anthea outstretched her hand and waited. James pulled his phone out of his trouser pocket and placed it in Anthea's hand. With a loud huff, Anthea went into James' contacts and began entering Jamie's number. She hoped neither of them gave her a reason to regret this.

"A, your target is on the move." Anthea looked up to the screen. Sure enough, John Watson was leaving the surgery down the street from where they now sat parked.

"Shit." Anthea tossed James' phone at him. She picked up her handbag and opened the car door at the same time. "I'm going to distract him. I'll be back when we get the text from M."

Anthea waited on the corner of the street against a building, pretending to watch her phone as she waited for Doctor Watson to catch up to where she was. She could see him approaching through the crowd out of the corner of her eye. He was keeping his head down so he'd yet to even notice Anthea's presence. Anthea pouted and stayed focused on her phone, blending in. She waited for John to be right in front of her before she spoke.

"Hey." She smiled to the screen of her blackberry. Almost jumping out of his skin, John carefully turned around, looking for the source of the voice. You can really forgive Dr. Watson for being so jumpy considering the adventures he and Sherlock went on.

"Anthea?" He asked in confusing. Realisation crossed his features as he looked up to the shy and shook his head. "What does Mycroft want?" He asked flatly, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jacket. Anthea kept her small smile in place as she slipped her phone into her handbag.

"Nothing." She answered neutrally. Technically it was true.

"Then why are you here?" His brown eyes questioning her. Anthea tilted her head coyly and shrugged.

"A coincidence." She offered. John laughed.

"Right as I'm getting off work? It's a bloody good coincidence."

"Yeah, it is." Anthea agreed, much to John's chagrin. Mycroft didn't believe in coincidences, perhaps that's what made her excuse more amusing to her. "While we both just happen to be here why don't we get that cup of coffee you wanted ages ago? We can walk around the shops for a bit. We can even play whose Holmes is more psycho." John tossed the idea around in his head, eyes narrowing faintly on Anthea – still doubting her reasons for being here. "Come on, I'm buying." This broke John as he looked to the ground and back up with a softer facial expression.

"I can't let you pay, I'm the one who asked you out for coffee." They began walking down the street in the direction John had come from in hopes of coming across a café or diner.

"But I make more money than you. And I also have a work credit card from Mr. Holmes."

A pause.

"So, Mycroft's treat then?" Anthea chuckled.

"Sure, Mycroft's treat it is."

John and Anthea got mediocre coffee from the first place they came across. It happened to be a diner not too dissimilar to the one her old flat was located near. The coffee, though odd tasting, was hot and caffeinated so really, that's all that mattered. John and Anthea talked and laughed as they looked around at various storefronts. They talked mostly about people they both knew, from Molly and Lestrade, to Irene Adler and Moriarty. A joke was said about every single person - it couldn't be helped, that was the type of mood Anthea was in.

"Hey, Anthea," John threw his empty cup of sludge out. "Are you going to tell me why you're stalling?" Anthea looked John up and down in one smooth motion before turning to look into the window she was currently standing in front of.

"Wow, this store has some weird stuff…" Anthea hummed, eyes darting from object to object.

"Right, that's a no, then." John nodded to himself. He walked over and joined Anthea's side. "Wow, yeah. Sherlock might like some of these. Kind of goes with the skull."

It was some type of antique store, that much was clear. However, it wasn't pretty furniture that was displayed in the front window, it was various strange odds and ends. There was an old telescope, some old and now out of use medical instruments that Anthea had to ask John about, even a loom. There was also a pair of weird blocks of wood, bookends, delicately carved with images and writing on them… It was-

"No way!" Anthea exhaled sharply.

"What?" John asked. Anthea leaned in closer to the window in order to get a better look at the bookends.

"Are they what I think they are?" It was rhetorical.

"Bookends?" John questioned, face full of confusion. Anthea read the text on the beautifully dark carvings again. Yep, it was definitely what she thought it was.

"Oh, I have to buy those."

Anthea returned to the office sometime after Mycroft. That was to be expected, considering the fact she was delaying Doctor Watson until Mycroft sent her and James the all clear text. She placed her handbag on her desk, kept the plastic bag in her hand, and walked over and knocked on the door to Mycroft's inner office. She waited, as per usual, to be invited in before entering.

As she entered Anthea saw what she saw at least a few times every day – Mycroft sitting at his desk, writing in a file. Mycroft placed his pen down as he heard his personal assistant approach, his blue eyes sparkling at her.

"Hello, my dear." He hummed. Anthea smiled back, out of habit and out of appreciation for the term. She stopped just short of Mycroft's desk.

"Hello, sir." She spoke lightly. "I trust the meeting with your brother went well." Mycroft pursed his lips and briefly broke eye contact. Pursed lips was better than a scowl or a scoff.

"As well as could be expected." Poor Mycroft. This whole scenario must be difficult for him. If only he'd show it to more people.

"Well," Anthea breathed, changing the subject. "While I forced Doctor Watson to shop with me I was these and thought of you." Anthea held out the plane plastic shopping bag. An eyebrow raised suspiciously as Mycroft took the bag. Carefully, as if whatever was in it might bite his hand off, Mycroft took the two relatively heavy wooden blocks out of the bag. One was carved with the image of a man in a dense forest. The text engraving around the sides read 'Inthe middleof the journey of our life, I came to myself, in a dark wood, where the direct way was lost.' The other picture angels in cloud as if a depiction of heaven. This one read 'My desire andwillwere rolled, like a wheel that is turned, equally, by the Love that moves the Sun and the other stars.' Mycroft placed them carefully on his desk and studied every detail of the meticulous carvings. Someone had done these by hand, perhaps as a gift for someone a long while ago. He ran a slender hand through his hair.

"That's the first and last like of The Devine Comedy, right?" She asked, sifting her weight from foot to foot. "Your favourite story or book or whatever."

Silence. Mycroft's eyes still studying the carvings, trying to comprehend something deep within himself.

"Alice. These are astounding." Mycroft's voice was more breath than anything. Anthea gained a light smile as her heart swelled.

"I saw them and I knew they were made for you."

"You didn't have to, Anthea."

"Of course I did." Steel eyes shot up suddenly.

"Why?" Anthea frowned.

"Because as much as you loath the idea, you're my friend and I saw something one of a kind that you'd like."

"Is that the only reason?" Mycroft tilted his head. His eyes were search Anthea, deducing her, trying to some her thoughts and feelings up in simple to understand bullet points. Anthea folded her arms across her chest.

"I'm sorry, sir. Are you suggesting that I'm trying to buy your affection?" She scoffed. The intensity of the steely gaze broke away.

"No, of course not, Anthea." He shook his head.

"Then can I ask what's wrong?" Mycroft pinched the bridge of his nose and winced before he leaned back in his office chair. Again he studied Anthea before he chose to speak.

"Anthea, your best friend has met my parents, you've bought me a gift for absolutely no reason, I missed an important meeting to be at the hospital with you, you left a date to be at the hospital for my father." Mycroft finished his list. He looked exasperated. Anthea, arms still crossed, licked her lips and tilted her head.

"Your point, sir?" Mycroft swallowed a breath.

"I'm afraid I haven't done very much to dissuade your little infatuation." Anthea's head tilted to the other side.

"This wouldn't have anything to do with why you ran out of my flat, would it?"

"I didn't run." He rolled his eyes. "And no." Anthea smiled and laughed. Poor man really didn't know how to accept friends. Like James said about himself and Anthea being good friends, just because Anthea liked Mycroft, it didn't mean he had to worry about her taking any sign of friendship as some signal of hope. She was dealing with a Holmes, after all. What hope was there?

"I leap to help you because it's my job as your PA, sir. You help me because I'm your confidant, your assistant, and one of the closest things you have to a friend. And I bought you those bookends because you are probably my second best friend and I knew you'd like it. Knowing your favourite book means nothing. Jamie loves Jane Eyre, James has read Fight Club twice and he doesn't read, and how often do you tease me about Wuthering Heights?" A pause followed as Anthea's speech was digested. Mycroft half shrugged as he ran his tongue over his teeth.

"I apologize, Miss James. I do not quite comprehend the effects sentimentality has on the brain." Anthea scoffed. Yeah, clearly.

"If you're still worried, sir, if it would make you more comfortable we can spend less free time and breaks together." Mycroft nodded.

"I think that would be very wise, Miss James." Anthea pointed to the bookends.

"And I can take those back if you want…" A hand was placed over one of the in an almost protective manner.

"No, no. I have a few loose books in my room, I could use these." Anthea smiled to herself. Stupid, cute genius. Look at him trying to pretend he didn't have a deep seeded love of Dante's story since childhood.

"If that's all, sir, I was thinking of taking my lunch break after I answer a few emails."

"Oh." Hesitation. "Yes, good." Mycroft was curt and short. Anthea's smile grew wider.

"Did you still want to join me in walking to lunch, sir?" She kept her tone free of any laughter.

"Is that what you would like, Miss James?" Oh, no, no. He wasn't going to turn this around. She wasn't the one who had told him to back off.

"It's not my call, sir." She shook her head once. Anthea watched as her genius boss had an argument with himself in his head.

"We planned to do this days ago, I'd hate to suddenly change your plans, my dear." Anthea looked down to the floor as she held back her chuckle.

"Thank you, sir, that's very kind."

"My pleasure."

"It will give me a chance to tell you how I gave James Jamie's number."

"What!?" Anthea burst into laughter as she left Mycroft's office.

Author's Note: So, what do we think? How do we like where things are heading? Jamie's going to love it when Anthea tells her what happened. I hope you guys liked it! Guest reviewer thanking time! Thanks to: Guest x3, Britta, Corrine, purple star, Wheezzy8, Wink, and Scarlett. All of my reviewers are extremely appreciated and every review makes me happy. Thank you all for continuing to read and welcome to all newcomers.

600 Reviews Myc POV: If you follow me on Tumblr or Twitter you'd know that yesterday I walked straight into a wall and really hurt my bad arm (I have a nerve thing, usually it's perfectly manageable). I WAS going to do the POV chapter yesterday but considering I'm typing this with one hand it wasn't going to happen, I'm sorry. The good news is you get some time to choose the chapter. It will either be The First Time He Surprised Them Both or The First Time She Ran into Tim. Up to you guys! I'll will try to get it done by next chapter if my arm is feeling better in time.