Author's Note: Thank you so much for your kind words regarding last chapter. I am so excited you liked it! It was a bit of a gamble on my part. You know what else I'm excited about? This chapter. Why? You'll see. I've had this one planned since just after the kiss and I finally felt like it was the right timing for it. I hope this one is met with good reception *fingers crossed*. The title might seem weird, but I've gone all pretentious on you and chose something not explicit in the text. 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 She Wasn't Jealous

To Anthea, sitting at her desk reviewing documentation, this was a common sight. Mycroft entering the office, taking off his coat while juggling his mobile. Anthea smiled at the man as he argued on the phone and hung his coat up, and was returned a warm smile from her boss. She liked those, those were hard to earn. She turned back to her screen and began typing as Mycroft slotted his umbrella into the coatrack.

"Look, I'm very busy that day. I am aware I owe you for having to pull out at the last minute last time, but I'm an extremely busy man." A pause. "Are you accusing me of making up excuses? Well, I never." Anthea looked over from her screen to her boss and raised an eyebrow. We make excuses all the time you liar. She thought with a knowing smile. Mycroft rolled his steel eyes again, this time at his assistant's sass. Suddenly he turned his head slightly as he regarded Anthea, pursing his lips. His eyes were calculating something, planning something, you could tell by the way they flickered around her. Anthea cocked her head to the side in a questioning manner. Mycroft smirked, looking rather superior and smug, as he waved his assistant off. "On second thoughts, I may be able to sneak by for an hour or two. Would that suffice?" Anthea heaved a sigh and opened the calendar on her computer, ready to add in a new event. "Excellent, I'll have Anthea fit it into our schedule. I'll see you then."

Click.

"What and when?" Anthea asked flatly, not even turning to face Mycroft as she heard the soft footsteps approach her desk.

"Saturday evening. It starts at seven so let's say eight." Mycroft mused as he placed his phone back into his breast pocket. Anthea's head did not move but her eyes flickered up to her boss' face. He still had that smug smile on his face as he quirked an eyebrow at Anthea.

"You've already got me for a pick up and drop off around noon on Saturday, sir." She stated flatly.

"And?" He tilted his head, acting all innocent. Nice try, Mycroft Holmes, but your tricks don't work on someone whose been working closely with you for years. Anthea folded her arms on the desk.

"Half days on Saturday, remember? You can't do that." Mycroft's smirk grew faintly, perhaps a millimetre, as he chuckled quietly.

"My dear," He sighed, adjusting his cufflinks. They were the plain gold ones today, with one of the brown suits. "You'll want to make an exception for this weekend." Anthea's eyes narrowed on her boss' face. She could smell it in the air when he was up to something underhanded. The room stunk.

"Mycroft Holmes…" She hummed, the name dancing on her tongue. "What exactly are you up to?"

"I'm merely making a point." And with that he walked away as smoothly as he ever did, into the inner sanctum that was his office. Anthea's eyes still narrowed as she stared at the wooden door, biting her lip.

She believe him when he said he was making a point, but he had that smugness he gets when he pulls something over on someone. Usually Anthea was in on these.

Anthea turned back to the computer and entered the event for Saturday at 8pm, and then got back to work.

When you're told not to dress up too much but to make sure you look your best by your boss, one becomes very confused as to where you're supposed to be going and why. Anthea never did find out. So she'd chosen a dress, nicer than the ones she wore to work, classier than the ones she wore out at night, and more casual than the ones she'd wear to galas and charity balls. She'd gone for a trademark dark blue colour, but a tad more muted then she'd wear to work. She considered that somewhere between work Anthea and normal Alice – who really wore similar colours but had a bit more fun. Simple black heels with a chunky heel, and silver jewellery. Her bracelet had a black stone that Anthea felt brought the whole thing together. Naturally curled hair and soft make up but with the effort she'd put into galas.

Anthea looked into her long mirror in her walk in wardrobe and nodded, pleased. Now, if Anthea was trying to impress a date who'd chosen something not too dressy to go to, this is what she'd look like. Hopefully this would be appropriate enough for whatever it was Mycroft Holmes was up to. The thought honestly made the hairs on her neck stand up. That man told her almost anything, with prompting of course, but they got there eventually. Sighing to herself, Anthea grabbed her black clutch and left to her flat to go downstairs, where she knew the town car would already be waiting by the side of the road.

As the car drew near to their destination a sinking feeling fell over Anthea. She looked around the approaching scenery and realised how very much it looked like some kind of campus. Such as a prestigious high school, or a university. She practically gulped as she thought of the only person she knew who currently attended or worked at a university. Anthea rubbed her forehead as she took a few preparation breaths. She needed to watch her tone and reactions here, if she were to speak up.

"Sir," Anthea turned to look at her boss, eyebrows raised, mouth in a stern line. "Where are we going?"

"Is that important?" Mycroft hummed as he winded up his pocket watch. Anthea's eye twitched as she watched her boss' hands before she turned to the seat in front of Mycroft.

"Walter, are we going to a university?" Walter's eyes flashed at her through the rear view mirror. He was hesitating, and that only fuelled Anthea's suspicions.

"Yes, Miss James, we are." Anthea leaned back in her car seat and turned to give Mycroft a deadpan stare. He looked at her, seemingly nonplussed by her reaction, and looked out his window.

"Mr. Holmes, are you taking me to Charlotte Cunningham's university for an event?" Anthea had to stop herself from seething at the name. She was scratching her palm with her painted nails.

"Well done, Anthea. What an astute observation." Anthea was so tempted to roll her eyes at the sarcasm that came easier than breathing to a Holmes. She sighed and closed her eyes momentarily.

"Let me try again. Why are we going to Miss Cunningham's university for an event?" Finally Mycroft turned from the window to meet Anthea's eyes with a blank expression.

"I told you, to prove a point. Do try to listen." Anthea tilted her head to the side faintly.

"Yes, but to her? Or to me?" The side of Mycroft's mouth pulled into a smile as he looked down at his umbrella.

"Perhaps both of you." He mused. "All that matters, my dear, is that you try and play along." Anthea's upper lip twitched, threatening once more to sneer.

"Yes, sir."

It was some kind of anniversary or the like for the University. Ex-students and influential people from the surrounding area were invited. Since Mycroft was probably the biggest name anyone at the university knew, even the dean, it's no wonder that Miss Cunningham was so eager to get her claws into Mycroft and get him to attend.

The event was in a function hall in the older section of the university, and boy was it obvious. The old brown carpets and beige walls, with initials scratched into the wood of banister of the staircase. Apparently they'd missed the tour of the facilities, what a shame. What was there to see? Old lecture theatres, new lecture theatres, a black box theatre with the black paint peeling of the floorboards? No thanks. Both Mycroft and Anthea had been to university, Anthea to one of about this standard and Mycroft to a far better one, neither were interested in seeing what the university tavern looked like.

As they entered the room Mycroft held his arm out for Anthea. The brunette stopped, cocked an eyebrow, and stared at her boss.

"Do you want me to take your arm? You hate people invading your space." She almost laughed at the absurdity.

"Miss James, you were told to play along." It was an order – it betrayed that he did indeed not want to do this, but it was clearly part of his plan. Anthea shrugged with one shoulder then gentle linked her arm through Mycroft's. She'd ignore how nice it was and how tempted it made her to rest her head on the Ice Man's shoulder. She always expected him to be cold to the touch, but he was always warm.

As expected Mycroft sought out Charlotte. The tall blonde woman was in a figure hugging black dress that went to her knees. Her hair was tied in a styled to look messy, bun, showing off her shapely neck. Her thin frame with her long legs, it all just made Anthea happy she'd chosen a dress that wasn't black and was flowing. She had to stop herself from smoothing out her dress, at such a close proximity Mycroft would surely catch onto her insecurities when it comes to this arrogant woman. As they approached her, Charlotte turned around to face them. Her hazel eyes practically glowed with excitement when they landed on Mycroft, and she began approaching Mycroft with a small, sophisticated smile. It faulted for a moment as she noticed Anthea, but she quickly placed it back – must not look human apparently. Anthea was beginning to get a sense of what was happening.

"Charlotte." Mycroft hummed, plastering on one of his sickly fake smiles that didn't reach his steeled eyes. "I must apologise for our tardiness. You see, Anthea and I had a prior engagement." His free hand patted the hand Anthea had resting on his arm. She willed herself not to flinch as she smiled innocently at Charlotte. The woman's eyes were all over that warm gesture. Her eyebrows raised briefly as she tried to hold any emotions from crossing her sharp face.

"Mycroft." Miss Cunningham breathed. "I didn't realise you were bringing… company." She flashed a toothy grin as Anthea looked her up and down with a faint look of disdain. Mycroft frowned, looking between Anthea and Charlotte once, feigning confusion.

"Miss Cunningham, why would I not bring Anthea? She's constantly by my side, after all." Charlotte chuckled lightly.

"Quite." The annoyance was flickering through the blonde's voice. Anthea pulled herself closer to Mycroft as she smiled smugly. Play along, indeed.

"Anthea, dear." Mycroft patted Anthea's hand again. "I need to go talk to someone in attendance. Why don't you tell Charlotte about Mummy's latest findings? You remember, the equations she showed you when you went to that cricket game with Father." The innocent look on Mycroft's face was almost believable, that Anthea was on the verge of laughing.

"I'd love to." She practically beamed. Charlotte looked as if she'd turn to stone as Mycroft walked away and she was left with the date of her date. Anthea hated to admit how much she enjoyed that. As Mycroft disappeared off into the crowd Anthea turned away to collect a glass of red wine from the plastic foldout table full of free alcohol. How quaint. Much to Anthea's annoyance, the click of Charlotte's heels followed behind her. As Anthea turned to face the woman she gave her an exasperated sigh and took a sip of her wine. Charlotte folded her arms across her chest and looked Anthea over, from the bottom of her shoes to the last hair on her head. Anthea rolled her eyes at the scrutiny.

"How can I help you, Miss Cunningham?" Anthea sighed, using the neutral tone she used when picking up people for meetings in abandoned factories and the like. Charlotte pursed her lips as her eyes narrowed on Anthea. Anthea tapped on the glass and looked around the room.

"Don't act as if you're here as Mycroft's date." Finally, the older woman spoke. Anthea looked back to Charlotte, bemused.

"Why not?" She cocked her head. Charlotte unfolded her arms only to place her hands on her small hips.

"We both know the only reason you follow him is because you're nothing but a glorified secretary." She sneered. Anthea smiled dangerously and venomously. Excellent, Charlotte had landed the first blow. This could be called self-defence.

"I'm very aware of my standing as the glorified secretary, Miss Cunningham." Anthea nonchalantly placed her wine back down on the beige plastic table. She turned back to Charlotte and folded her arms across her own chest. "See, that's the difference between me and you." She smiled again. "I was chosen to be at his side constantly. You threw yourself at a first year and he thought 'why not see what all the fuss is about'. You were an experiment, you just happened to be there at the right time, when his curiosity got the better of him. Then you disappeared only to turn back up and latch yourself to him." Anthea took a step closer. "Me, I'm the loyal worker, the trusted friend. I go over his house for an hour of work and stay for dinner. You invite him to dinner and he attends for an hour." Anthea flicked her hair off her shoulders to behind her back as she sighed. "He's an amazing kisser though, isn't he?" She watched as Charlotte flinched. Anthea pouted and gave an expression of mock sympathy. "Oh, or was he cold as ice for you? Like the experiment you were." Charlotte clenched her fists by her side and Anthea could tell she was barely holding herself together.

"You'll never know him the way I know him." She whispered fiercely. Anthea chuckled and shrugged.

"You might be right." She nodded. "But I don't think I need to. I've made my point" Anthea picked her wine back up and took a sip victoriously. With his ever perfect time, he was probably eavesdropping for somewhere, Mycroft took this opportunity to emerge from the crowd and approach the sparring woman.

"Anthea, my dear." He said as he reached Anthea's side. "There is someone here I wish to introduce you to. After that, I'm afraid we'll have to leave." Anthea gave her boss a wry smile. She considered picking up a glass of wine for him, but thought better of it. Mycroft was unaccustomed to cheap wine and claimed he could taste the price difference, while it was all Anthea could afford in university.

"Sounds fine by me." She nodded. Steel eyes flickered over to the tall blonde still shaken up.

"Charlotte, I'll be sure to inform you when we're leaving." Charlotte lightly shook her head as she emerged from her Medusa-fide state.

"Absolutely..." She gave a shaky smile. Mycroft quirked an eyebrow at Anthea. Anthea shrugged sheepishly.

Only forty minutes later Anthea and Mycroft were in the town car, leaving the piddly little university event. Mycroft was busying himself with his umbrella, as Anthea texted Jamie to say she was heading home and see if James and her had cooked extra food her. She was starving. There had been no food, of course. Sometimes Anthea forgot what it was like to go to normal events, the ones you need to eat before attending.

As she finished her text, Anthea placed her phone down in her lap and turned to watch Mycroft. She smiled to herself as she watched Mycroft's eyes glued to his black umbrella as it twirled in his grip. After a minute Mycroft's gaze was removed from his beloved umbrella and landed on his assistant.

"Are you going to say something, or would you like to continue staring at me?" He spoke flatly. Anthea sniffed a single laugh, her chest raising and falling.

"You used my affection for you to get Charlotte Cunningham off your tail." Mycroft's eyes fell back onto his umbrella as he dug it into the floor of the town car, lips pursed.

"Is that a problem?" He asked. Anthea turned to look out the window. She should be offended that Mycroft had used something like that to his advantage. She should slap him for playing with women's emotions. She should be shocked at his coldness in using her like a tool. But he'd proven his point. Charlotte was nothing to be afraid of. Charlotte was a university lecturer, Anthea was an untouchable. Charlotte had Mycroft's social airs and graces, Anthea had Mycroft's trust.

So, was it a problem that she'd been used to scare off a self-defined ex-girlfriend that in actuality was nothing more than a one night stand? Was it a problem that Anthea, with her curves, her dark chocolate curls, and cute cheeky aura could be used as a weapon against a high society beauty?

"No."

"Good."

Author's Note: Okay, okay, okay, what do we think? Did you like it? Did you not? Ah! I can't wait to hear! I've just been dying to get to this chapter. Let me know! Also, I haven't gotten around to the next POV chapter because I've been given even more physiotherapy exercises and things to do. Seriously, I'm doing at least two things every hour, sometimes they overlap and I do four things in an hour. Anyway, time to thank the people I can't thank personally. Thanks to; Britta, bgeiner, Wink, Corrine, Guests x 2, Cumberkale, EggsBenedict, Wheezzy8, and my dear ovejalucifer. Every review left makes me smile like an idiot, and they're all read at least twice. Thanks for being awesome guys and reading my silly little fic as it goes!