Author's Note: Well, hello, my friends. Thank you for all the reviews last chapter. Siger and Violet always seem to go down well, Mummy in particular. It's always such a joy to write for them so it's awesome that you guys like my versions of them. This chapter has been stirring in my brain for a while and again, I've just been waiting for the right time. It's… well… it's a chapter. Haha. It's a bit of a gamble but it needed to be captured in a chapter and not 'off stage', if you will. It should be mentioned that I broke a large block of dialogue into paragraphs to make it easier to read. I hope its 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 In James' New House

Anthea waltzed into Mycroft's office in the Diogenes Dungeon, heels echoing on the cold floor, phone clutched in her hands. As Mycroft looked up from his desk Anthea smiled warmly at the steel gaze.

"Good afternoon, sir." Anthea sung happily as she came to a stop half a meter from the dark wood desk.

"Good afternoon, my dear." Mycroft hummed back, placing down his pen and folding his hands together on the desk before giving Anthea one of those carefully constructed fake smiles. "How can I help you?" Anthea unlocked her phone and brought up her list.

"I have three organisational items, sir." She glanced up to see him nod. "First thing is regarding the meeting at Downing Street. If you wish to keep that, then we'll need to move your walkthrough of the MI6 office until next week."

"That's perfectly fine." He waved his hand. Anthea ticked off the issue, flicked open her calendar and moved the event.

"Secondly, I can't put off New Zealand anymore." Anthea pursed her lips, looking over her phone at Mycroft. He rolled his eyes in response. "They really want you to give them a slot to call you." Mycroft clicked his tongue.

"Fine." He sighed. "Next Wednesday before lunch, that's all I can give them."

"Very good sir." Anthea chirped with a nod. She filled that into her calendar before locking her phone and putting it into her jacket pocket. The phone being put away before the last item on her agenda being discussed was enough to earn Anthea a quirked eyebrow from Mycroft. Anthea smiled coyly.

"Finally, James needs to know if you're coming to his housewarming." Mycroft's eyebrow fell as his face went flat. He took a deep breath, looking Anthea up and down very slowly. Then man tilted his head to the side.

"Anthea my dear, are you asking me this as my personal assistant or as something else entirely?" Anthea bit her thumbnail and scrunched up her nose.

"Both." Her voice high, trying to be playful. It wouldn't work with Mycroft Holmes, but it was her natural reaction. It was only slight, and anyone else might have missed it, but Anthea saw as Mycroft looked away he very faintly shook his head. He took another deep breath as he looked down to his hands.

"Tell me, why should I attend this silly little event?" He already sounded exasperated with the conversation. It may be disheartening for some; they may feel like they've already lost, Anthea knew she still had a chance.

"Because they're only inviting close friends and family and despite what you say, James considers you a friend." She began her list, speaking down to him, because to her this was all obvious. "Because you owe James for taking Jamie out of my house." At the very least that one earned her a small sniff that might have been a laugh. "And because the girl you're spending time with is going, and I have it on good authority that she'd very much like your company." Mycroft raised his eyebrows, and Anthea matched his expression. He was challenging her, and she was meeting it.

"You want to drag me to your friend's house warming?" He scoffed.

"You drag me to your parents." She answered flatly.

"You like my parents."

"You like James." Mycroft opened his mouth, but Anthea held up her hand in a stop signal. "Don't pretend you don't. He might not be your friend, but you like his loyalty and don't find him horrible." Mycroft closed his mouth and sneered again. He knew she was right, but still his brain ticked away trying to think of a way out of this. Anthea stepped forward. "Please, Mycroft." Anthea breathed. "There's not many people going. It'll be small and quick." Mycroft met Anthea's eyes – searching them.

"What about the issue of your identity?" Anthea shook her head.

"Jamie's already told her family and her friend that they have to call me 'A' she told them it was for a complicated reason she didn't really understand." She nodded, folding her hands across her chest. "I heard her on the phone, she blabbed like she always does. It was all very believable, I was impressed." Mycroft's brain was still ticking fast as he continued to look upon Anthea.

"If I agree to go, then you owe me." He stated.

"Definitely. One big favour." He sighed, shaking his head and turning back to his computer.

"Okay." He agreed dejectedly. "I'll go for a short time only." Anthea grinned.

"Excellent." She chirped. "You'll be picking up your date at seven, sir."

"Will I now?"

James' house was lovely – it felt straight out of a romantic comedy. Still within London, it was wall to wall with two other houses, three stories high, with a very small backyard. With the country style kitchen, and the really nice bathroom, it was clear that he'd bought it with Jamie in mind. The small bedroom on the third floor was going to be an office for James, now he was important enough in his own estimation to have a home office. Anthea and Carol were certain that it was just because he wanted to feel more like Mycroft.

The party itself… well… It was fine, introducing Mycroft to people was a little more difficult. James' university friend was easy and the two of his three sisters that turned up were easy, neither of them knew these people. Carol's family was well known by both of them and was therefore no issue, Jamie's university friend who Anthea didn't particularly like was a bit harder. Then there was Jamie's family…

Mycroft and Anthea had only been there for about ten minutes. They were mostly just looking around the place at the moment, Mycroft telling Anthea whether James had paid a good price or not, when someone began approaching them. From that scruffy brown hair and hazel eyes that matched his sister's Anthea would recognise Stephen anywhere. As he approached he outstretched his arms. Anthea turned to him with a big smile.

"Stephen!" She exclaimed as she was pulled into a hug and patted on the back. "It's so good to see you, how are you?"

"Great." He answered. Stephen pulled out of the hug, holding onto Anthea's elbows. He bent his head to look deep into Anthea's eyes. "Now what's this I hear about you seeing some douchebag who thinks he's too good to date you?" Anthea felt the cold wave rush over her as her smile turned into more of an embarrassed smirk, as the man behind her cleared his throat. Anthea pulled her arms free and gestured behind her.

"Stephen, this is Mycroft." She sighed. "My douchebag…" She could just picture the condescending smile on Mycroft's face, just by the tone in his voice.

"Charmed, I'm sure." Stephen didn't get it, you could tell by the lack of intimidation in his eyes. That was never a good thing, not at all, and it made Anthea's throat tighten. Stephen shrugged.

"Dude, I'm sorry for that." Anthea winced at the casual speech. "But really, what's you problem?" Mycroft turned to look into the crowd and chuckled. He looked down at his umbrella, smirking, before looking over Stephen with that icy look of his.

"What was it you do, again?"

"He fixes cars with his stepdad." Anthea mumbled.

"Ah, explains a lot." Mycroft nodded. Stephen pulled back and folded his arms.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, nothing against you stepfather, I assure you. Due to the lack of genetic relation to you I' sure he's a nice enough person, and unlike you and your equally rude sister, he chose to do something like that because he was intelligent, not just because he couldn't do anything else." Anthea closed her eyes. Of course he went straight for Stephen's weaknesses, of course he plays on Stephen's insecurities. Anthea opened her eyes in time to see Stephen take a step forward. Heart thumping in her chest, Anthea looked for someone, anyone nearby to be a distract.

"Speaking of Bob, there he is." Anthea took hold of Mycroft's hand and began dragging him towards Jamie's stepdad. "Bob!" She called out. The man, beer in his hand, turned around! "How are you?" She asked, laughing nervously.

"Hello, doll. I'm good. Yourself?" She nodded, tucking a curl behind her ear.

"Very good." She patted Mycroft on the arm. "Bob, this is Mycroft Holmes." The older man's eyes light up.

"Right! The one Jay calls Einstein." He guffawed, holding his hand out to shake Mycroft's. Mycroft eyed it as if someone was trying to hand him a poisonous snake. "Great to finally meet you, the girls talk about you all the time." With an inward sigh Mycroft took the man's hand and faked a smiled.

"I'm sure it's all exaggerations." Mycroft hummed. Anthea felt herself relax. Thank God for Bob being extremely personable. Bob pointed at Mycroft with the top of his beer bottle.

"So I take it from your nickname that you're a genius like your brother."

"He's actually smarter than Sherlock was." Anthea boasted proudly, stroking Mycroft's arm again instinctively. Bob jutted out his bottom lip and nodded, seemingly impressed.

"Is that so?" He looked up at Mycroft. "Maybe you can help me with something I couldn't understand the other day when reading about one of your brother's cases." He gestured to the kitchen. "Let's get you a drink first. What do you drink?" Mycroft looked at Anthea wearily, the idea of going off with a stranger he has nothing in common with to talk about his brother not being idea of a fun time. But Bob was just trying to be nice, find a common ground with another one of the guys in attendance. He was rough around the edges, but Walter could be too. She nodded and hesitantly he followed Bob.

"Scotch or wed wine, preferably."

"Yeah, I took you for one of those." Bob laughed in his friendly manner as he led Mycroft away. "Say, is that your Bentley out the front?" Anthea sighed and rolled her eyes in relief. She was going to go find Carol.

The general chatter and laughter in the newly wallpapered living room was broken up by the clinking of a glass. A quick look over to the front of the room revealed James, Jamie standing next to him, awkwardly tapping on his glass with a spoon, looking like he'd just seen a ghost. He was pail and nervous. Anthea had never seen him like that, and she'd seen him staring down the barrel of a gun at point blank range.

"Uh, hey, everyone." James' voice cracked as he silenced everyone. "Can I talk to you all for a moment?"

"It's about time." Mycroft sighed in exasperation in Anthea's ear as he turned to face James. Anthea frowned to herself. Did Mycroft know something she didn't? Had he been told something or had he worked something out? Did he know what was up with James? The blonde man in question was putting down his glass, smiling at the group of people.

"I know it might seem weird to make a speech at a house warming." He pulled a face that looked like he was in pain but as if he were trying to smile, it was very odd. He was clearly nervous. "But, I just wanted to take a moment to say something important." Mycroft pulled out his pocket watched and checked the time as James took a second to smile at Jamie besides him. "I bet all of you thought it was weird when Jamie said I wanted a really small house warming. She probably complained about my super secretive job and might have even blamed my boss who's currently checking the time on his watch, wondering when he can leave." The group laughed, Mycroft rolled his eyes. The laugh seemed to relax James which was something. "But the truth is the people that are here are the only people who matter. Our family, obviously. You guys put up with us as annoying little kids. Our siblings. I know Jamie tormented her little brother the same way my big sisters tormented me. It's the job of a big sister, isn't it?" More laughter as Jamie smiled over at James' eldest sister, Liz. "Our university friends. Also known as the people who have probably seen us throw up the most."

"You bet." James' friend raised his glass, causing Carol and Mycroft to give each other a look, both wishing to get out of her. James nodded at his friend.

"But oddly enough, the most important people here are my work friends, because they're the reason I'm here, starting with Carol and her family. Carol who was my first and only partner and continued the trend of my life being filled with strong woman. I think I've heard the phrase 'I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed' more from Carol than I have from Mum. She's looked after me so well, even when she's wanted to kill me, and I owe a lot to her. Then there's Mycroft Holmes. If Mr. Holmes takes an interest in you, and as long as you don't screw up, you're guaranteed a great career. Somehow he took an interest in me. He's the reason I can afford to get a place like this for us. Holmes was always a loner. If he didn't like you, he got rid of you quickly. He never had an assistant for long, until A came along. Suddenly there she was – this awesome girl who turned out to be one of the most awesome people I've met. You all know her, she's the one whose been apologising for Holmes all night. Clearly Holmes agrees that she's someone special because any other assistant who asked him to come to an employee's housewarming would have been laughed at and sent to work for someone else."

"Somewhere down the line, A allowed me to meet her best friend, her sister, Jamie. Jamie who's bubbly, and happy, and fierce, and sees the best in everything. Jamie who is so patient about all the secrets around her, who talks about how much she dislikes someone but then goes out of her way to buy the alcohol she knows he likes for a party. Who sends me and A the same texts so that were both up to date with what's going with her makeup client with the weird mole on her nose. Who worries about your sister's kids not having anything to do while here so she lets them play with her professional makeup. She's sweet, weird, and so understanding, and I'm so excited to live with her. A has given me fair warning that sometimes it'll look like there's been a storm in the house, but I don't care, I just want to live with the best girl I've ever met. But you know what? I don't think that's enough."

James stopped and swallowed nervously. He pulled a small box out of his trouser pockets and passed it to Jamie. You could feel the apprehension in the air. As Jamie opened the box, gasping and holding her hand to her mouth, Anthea took a step back into Mycroft's space, feeling his chest against her. The man shifted behind her, wanting to step back, but he didn't.

"Jamie Thompson, in front of the people responsible for making me so happy, will you marry me?" Hazel eyes shot up to meet his dark brown orbs, full of tears that threatened to fall any second. Jamie's hands were shaking now.

"Yes!" She leapt forward, pulling the tall man down to her level into a large hug. The small group gathered began applauding. Anthea, a mixture of warmth and fear filling her, slowly began clapping, holding the smile on her face the best that she could. Barely over the sound of the clapping you could hear James laughing and Jamie sobbing – the tears having escaped her eyes. Anthea was happy for them, really she was. Two of her best friends in the world had just gotten engaged… and yet… selfish thoughts flooded Anthea's thought's creating a panic that constricted her chest. As one by one people walked up to give James and Jamie a hug, Anthea's those closed up completely and she just couldn't breathe.

"Excuse me." She whispered in a low voice to Mycroft, not daring to look up at him, as she turned on her heels and headed for the back door.

Anthea stepped into James and Jamie's small backyard, hit with cool air that opened her lungs instantly. The brunette took a harsh deep, enjoying the air in her lungs. After that she carefully controlled her breathing – deep and slow, in and out – to make sure she didn't give herself a panic attack over nothing. This was ridiculous and very selfish of her, but she couldn't help it. Anthea had been alone her whole adult life, but she just had her best friend back only for her to be taken away forever. And what about James? Her favourite agent, the one who threw food at her during missions and made inappropriate jokes with her. He was going to be a married man, and the man who took her friend away. Being the one to introduce them, it just didn't feel right to be the one left behind in the dust. All alone again.

Anthea hadn't realised she'd been clenching her firsts hard until she heard the screen door open and close, and she forced herself to appear more relaxed. No one could know how selfish she was being at such a wonderful time. But the footsteps that approached her had an extra noise, a tapping, like the tip of an umbrella on pavement. It was just Mycroft. He probably wanted to leave. Anthea began nodding as he came to stand by her side.

"I know you want to go." She sucked in the air, putting on a brave face. "I'll meet you inside in a minute, okay?" She her the click of him tapping his umbrella into the ground again.

"I do want to leave." He nodded. "But that's not my reason for being out here. Your abrupt exit gathered my concern and I chose to investigate." Anthea looked down to the ground and sniffed a laugh. That was Mycroftian for 'I was worried about you'. She shook her head again, no, she was fine. She pursed her lips and kept shaking her head, okay no, she wasn't fine.

"I've been alone my whole life." She looked at the wooden fence very carefully, taking in every single detail to stop herself breaking. "I just wished they'd given me time to get used to living alone again before they withdrew into relationship status so completely." She looked at Mycroft. "Marriage changes things, you know?" Anthea shrugged. "I don't know. I was just spoilt having Jamie in London." She didn't know what she was expecting Mycroft to do after he finished searching her eyes, but she certainly didn't expect him to scoff the way he did. Her brow creased and she tilted her head. "Excuse me?"

"My dear, how can you be so stupid?" He chuckled. Anthea blinked. Mycroft turned to look out into the garden, twisting his umbrella into the pavement. "Marriage does change things," He nodded. "No doubt about that. But please try to look who were talking about. James comes to the office at least once a week just to chat." Mycroft sneered, making Anthea's lips almost twitch into a smile. "Do you think he's going to stop wasting work time because he's engaged, hmm?" He raised his eyebrows. Anthea shook her head.

"No."

"And your life long friendship with Jamie. So what if you see her once a week instead of every day? That's better than the once every few months, isn't it?" Bringing reference to all the years they used to live far away from each other and still made time for each other. Anthea looked down to the ground, honestly smiling now.

"I guess."

"And so you'll have to hear about her lunch that day over the phone instead of in person. Is that really a problem?"

"No."

"And don't get me started on how much I haven't missed the constant text messages you used to receive." Mycroft rolled his eyes, dramatically sounded exasperated like the drama queen he was. Anthea laughed.

"I see your point." She agreed, still laughing. Mycroft looked down at his umbrella.

"I also fail to see how you'll be at all alone when you see me every day." Anthea felt herself warm up again as her face softened.

"Mycroft…"

"And Jamie out of your house means I'll be far more willing to visit you spontaneously. Your flat is perhaps a little better decorated than the club. A much better environment." Anthea didn't answer straight away, she took a moment just to take in the sight of Mycroft Holmes trying to make her feel better. It was not something he was used to, nor was he fantastic at it, but his efforts filled her with such warmth and happiness. She could only imagine the lovesick look on her face.

"Thank you, Mycroft." She breathed. He pursed his lips and raised his eyebrows.

"I didn't do anything, I stated facts." That might have been all he did, but he stated the right facts. He knew exactly what to say to make Anthea feel better. He used his evil powers for good for once, and it made Anthea insanely proud of him.

"Let's go inside. I need to go congratulate them and see that ring."

"Oh, I've seen it. It's okay, given James' income. He could have chosen far better, but then I suppose Jamie wouldn't appreciate exquisite taste anyway."

A few hours later and Anthea, Mycroft, and Jamie's mum and stepdad were the only people left. Anthea currently had Jamie clutching her hand and prattling on excitedly to Anthea and her mum excitedly about the whole thing. It was very cute.

Mycroft approached from behind the couch, clearing his throat.

"Excuse me, ladies." He interrupted. "But Alice, I need to go, and I believe I was contracted to drop you off home." Jamie rolled her eyes, but the blonde was still smiling like an idiot. "If you wish to stay I can alert Walter that you may need a lift in an hour or so."

"No, it's okay." Anthea patted Jamie's hand. "I'm pretty tired, anyway."

Goodbyes were said, hands were shaken, hugs were given, and Anthea and Mycroft were allowed to leave. Only on the promise that Anthea would come over on Sunday to talk about it just the two of them, of course. Anthea couldn't have said no to that even if she wanted to, it was assuring just to have her best friend begging for her company so soon.

On their way to the car Mycroft spoke up.

"Am I dropping you home, my dear?" Anthea pouted as she thought. To be honest, she still was feeling a little raw, and a little scared of being left alone. The fear of finding herself with no one left to confide in still very fresh in her mind.

"Actually…" She sung. "I was wondering if I could come stay at yours tonight. I won't bother you, my place just feels emptier than yours is at the moment."

"I see no issues with that." He hummed.

A pause.

"You already knew that I was going to ask to stay tonight, didn't you?"

"I had the sheets changed in your bedroom during the week." Anthea laughed.

"You're so weird. I love it."

Author's Note: That happened. It didn't feel right not to cover that in a chapter, not when it effects Anthea so much. I hope you enjoyed it enough. Let me know. We get back to some Myc and Anthea stuff next chapter, and I know what I'm doing for the Christmas Day update. It's not romantic, but it'll be good. A big thank you to my guest reviewers who I can't thank personally; StephLopez, Corrine, Guests x2, Cumberkale, Wheezzy8, Tadaa, and Wink. Thanks to all the reviewers, even though I thank the rest of you personally, you all deserve a shout out.

1500 Review Special: So… How in the world has this reached that many reviews? That's insane. Really insane. Wow. Just. Wow. Anyway, the special is out and it's The First Time He Pulled Away in Myc's POV. Go give it a read, you can find it on my profile.