Author's Note: Hello, hello! How are we doing? Thanks for the lovely reviews last chapter. It's always fun to have Sherlock in it, and you guys think so too. This chapter has been on my list for a while and I had the perfect opportunity to do it. I've been busy with uni and work, I'm either writing lesson plans or studying! So I didn't spend much time editing this, so I'm sure I'll have to go back and edit it during some procrastination in study week next week. 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 They Stayed In Bed

Buuuuzzzz

The alarm on Mycroft's phone woke Anthea up. She opened her eyes to look at the time on her own phone only to be blinded by the light flooding through her still open curtains. Why were the curtains open? Why had no one bothered to shut them? She pulled her blanket over her head and decided to ignore both the annoying noise and the disgusting light. She hid underneath the warmth of her blanket. What made it even better was just to her side she could feel the extra heat radiating off of Mycroft's body. That always made her feel more relaxed and warm. It made her want to never get out of bed.

In fact that was a good idea…

The warm body next to her shifted and turned away, and the noise stopped. Mycroft must have turned off his alarm. Good! That noise was starting to turn her deaf. Noises that loud should not be allowed in the morning.

Anthea felt the mattress shift and the warm figure move further away. Anthea popped the top of her face out of the covers so only up to her nose was showing. She had one eye shut to try and protect herself from the light. Mycroft was sitting on the edge of Anthea's mattress already playing with his phone. Answering a text or an email, probably, or making sure nothing important happened in the very few hours they ended up sleeping last night.

"What are you doing?" Anthea asked. Her voice crackled in dryness and lack of use. She cleared her throat to try and fix it. Mycroft looked over his shoulder at the personal assistant. At first her frowned at the sight of her messy brown hair and the top of her head just popping out from the blankets, but then it turned into a smile as he rolled his eyes. He turned back to his phone.

"Getting out of bed." Mycroft hummed in response. Anthea scrunched up her nose.

"Why?" She asked like a petulant child.

"It's what one does in the morning." He chirped with a little bit of venomous sarcasm. Not enough to sting.

"It's the weekend." Anthea argued as she watched Mycroft's back. The man agreed with a small noise.

"You still wake up on weekends, my love." Anthea sighed at that nickname again as she buried her eyes under the blanket again. He should not be allowed to say that this early, it was manipulation. She peaked one eye out the covers again.

"You didn't want to get up last night." She would have made some sort of gesture, like nodded or pointed at him, had she not been so comfortable in her bed. He was the one last night when she heard a noise that didn't want to move and pulled the covers over his head. He was being a hypocrite now. Mycroft shifted his positioning so he could look at Anthea better. Amusement shone in those steels eyes.

"Yes, but as you recall I did eventually get up and therefore have had far less sleep than I would have liked." Anthea took a deep breath.

"Come back to bed then." She shrugged. Mycroft quirked an eyebrow and looked like Anthea had just insulted him. She pulled an arm out of the covers and patted on the mattress next to her. "It's the weekend and you want to sleep more. Come back to bed." Mycroft silently sighed to himself as he shook his head.

"You're the one who likes to waste time cuddling, my dear, not me." Anthea could have laughed at that. She had proof that this wasn't the case. As much as Mycroft wanted to argue and pretend like the Ice Man cared for no one and nothing he was certainly in a cuddly mood when they got back together. He'd certainly wanted her close to him then. Arguing with that fact wouldn't help her now. She'd need to barter. She needed leverage and she needed a bribe. Well, she had the leverage in her spare bedroom right now.

"Well your brother broke my bookshelf and made me hurt my wrist, I think I've earnt some sentimental time, don't you?" Mycroft pursed his lips, his eyes narrowing. It wasn't enough, he wasn't going to buy it. "And…" Anthea bit the inside of her cheek as she paused. She needed a bribe. What could she use to get him to come to bed? She just wanted to snuggle and hide away from the sun for a little bit longer. "You can use this for a reason to get out of seeing Jamie one time." His eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched. He was considering it. Steel eyes glanced down at his phone. Anthea groaned. "AND I'll take your parents out next time they're in town. Just me, you don't have to come." The phone was automatically placed back down on the bedside table.

"Fine." Mycroft nodded. "You have yourself a deal." Anthea rolled her eyes.

"Just come here. It's cold without you." Mycroft slipped into the bed next to Anthea.

"Only for an hour, dear."

"Mmm." Anthea wasn't listening anymore. She'd scooted over to Mycroft's side of the bed and rested her head on his chest. She was already falling back asleep that she didn't even have time to consider that Mycroft had a side to her bed and how odd that was.

Anthea spent the next hour or so completely at peace with nothing but the soft rise and fall of Mycroft's chest to keep her thoughts company. And keep her thoughts company they did, for they were the only things on her mind. She considered herself blessed to finally find someone who she'd want to spend all morning in bed with – to not be the girl trying to keep herself a little bit away from her boyfriend. And Mycroft… Anthea doubted that anyone, not even one of his one night stands, had ever had the privilege of being comforted by Mycroft's steady breathing. She had to be the first. She had to be the first man or woman to conquer this mountain. She may not have everything she wants out of a relationship yet, but Anthea could say she was the first person who Mycroft ever wanted close to him for an extended period of time, and that gave her such comfort.

It's strange really, when she thought about it for too long. He was so skittish with touching and personal space. He hated people standing too close, he pulled faces when he had to shake hands and generally found a way not to shake that person's hand. Even when he initiated touches he always seemed to think about them for a great deal of time before he did it. But seeing him now you wouldn't believe it. Seeing him after they broke up, it couldn't be the same person. Sometimes Anthea wondered how these two sides of Mycroft could somehow equal the same person but they did.

Then again, who was Anthea to talk? The shadowy assistant who dressed to kill but sat at home in old clothes with holes. She pushed people away too, didn't she? She wouldn't take the blame for what happened but she'd certainly never intended to let Tim too close. She dumped Robbie twice, and was still avoiding meeting up with their friends from university sometime soon. The difference she supposed was when Anthea saw something good she clung to it with dear life, while Mycroft tried to flee from the feelings.

It didn't matter – they'd clearly reached some level of equilibrium to be doing what they were doing right now. That's all that mattered.

"Alright Ali, dear." Mycroft patted Anthea on the shoulder not too long after. "It was fun," sarcasm. "But I should like to get up now." Anthea rested her chin on Mycroft's chest so she was looking up at his face. She fluttered her eyelashes a few times.

"Why?" She breathed quietly. "This is so nice." Mycroft sniffed a silent laugh, the side of his mouth twitched as he threatened to smile.

"The day goes on and so must we." Mycroft shifted, sitting up forcing Anthea to sit up too. She quickly took hold of one of his hands and stroked his arm.

"What, like you've got a full schedule?" She smirked. "You're going to go sit at the club and stare into a glass of scotch just thinking." She widened her eyes and sighing in exasperation – making fun of her genius boyfriend's weird hobbies. "You can do that here. I know my bed isn't as expensive as their armchairs but it's at least as comfortable as one." Mycroft chuckled to himself.

"While I'm sure you'd be a great companion for solving all of life's mysteries," He mocked her. "I'm not one for staying in pyjamas all day." Anthea scoffed in response and rolled her eyes, pouting. Mycroft quirked an eyebrow. "My, you're in a childish mood." She couldn't decide whether the genius sounded amused or bemused.

"Please, if you could sit around all day, you totally would. Just in a suit and tie." She brought her free hand to clasp around her other one as she held to Mycroft's hand. Mycroft watched her incredulously.

"Are you trying to entice me or insult me?" Anthea shrugged. It was a bit of both. Mycroft clicked his tongue.

Mycroft stood up off the bed and tugged on his arm. Anthea refused to let go. Steel eyes landed onto her face. He was silently questioning her. As she looked back she was daring him to try and get away with an evil glint and a sly smirk. She'd done it now, though. Like teasing the venomous snake, Anthea knew she'd done the wrong thing when he too smiled back at her. Despite Anthea's grip on his arm Mycroft began walking away from the bed. Anthea yelped as she was dragged along with him, her duvet tangled around her legs came along. She had to let go of his hand with one of hers to grab the side of the bed so she didn't fall off.

"Mycroft, stop!" She squealed. "I'm about to fall off!" He stopped walk and turned around to face her. Stepping one step closer so she could actually perch on the end of the bed instead of dangle off.

"My, my." Mycroft spoke in a sing song voice full of confidence. "Looks like someone has gotten themselves into a little predicament here." He lightly tugged on his hand causing Anthea to yelp again and laugh as she tried to straighten up on the bed.

"I'd let go if you came back to bed." Anthea answered as she gripped to the frame of her bed. Mycroft raised his eyebrows and cocked his head playfully.

"Me?" He placed his free hand to his chest. "I am not the one with the issue here, dear. You are the one teetering on the edge of falling." Anthea's eyes narrowed on her boyfriend as he continued. "Now the way I see it, you can either let go and return safely to your bed while I go have a shower, or you can hold on and I'll keep walking anyway. In which case you'll fall out of your comfortable warm bed onto the cold floor." Anthea inhaled sharply.

"You're always prepared for war, aren't you?" She asked as she shook her head, feigning disappointment with him as she continued the game. Mycroft grinned dangerously.

"I like to stay one step ahead at all times."

"Were you thinking about possible outcomes while I was relaxing?" Anthea accused. Mycroft's eyes glittered.

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

"You're pure evil."

"I know."

"I love it."

"I know."

They watched each other carefully. Both looked deadly and dangerous as their eyes held each other. Mycroft's glittered confidently as he dared Anthea to make a move. Anthea held strong, defiant and strong as always. She was not going to let him get away with this.

"So what will it be, my dear?" Mycroft sung. "What is your next move?" Anthea chuckled as she took hold of the bedframe as tightly as she could.

"Try me, sir." She whispered.

Knock knock knock knock.

The knocks on her door were in quick succession and almost manic. Obviously they knew the source of it. Whatever was about to happen, wherever this weird war game was taking them, Anthea and Mycroft would never know. They let go of each other immediately and in unison. Anthea sighed as she shuffled back up to her bed.

"Come in." She called out. The door pushed opened and revealed the curly mop of hair that belonged to Sherlock Holmes. His bright blue eyes flickered across the room as he took in the sight. He looked over his brother and looked over Anthea. If he knew he interrupted something he didn't care, nor did he care what it was.

"If you two are done playing like children," He spoke fast and in a flat tone. "I would like to take this bookcase downstairs so I can leave." Mycroft sneered at his brother.

"Sherlock, you broke it. Do it yourself." He rolled his eyes at Anthea. The PA smiled at the interaction.

"The only reason I broke it," Sherlock sounded defensive. He took a step through the threshold. "Is because your girlfriend through me into it."

"And that wouldn't have happened if you'd acted like a normal person." Mycroft heaved a heavy sigh.

"Do you act like a normal person?"

"No, but I don't go breaking into people's homes."

"Actually." "Really?" Sherlock and Anthea began speaking at the same time. They looked at each other as they both stopped. Sherlock turned to Mycroft smugly while Anthea had the decency to look kind of sheepish about ratting out the elder Holmes. Mycroft rubbed his forehead and groaned in annoyance.

"Fine." He spat. "If it will keep you out of trouble for even ten minutes then I shall help you. At least let me shower first." Sherlock stood out of the way to let Mycroft pass him through the door. As soon as he passed him, Sherlock was only a step behind Mycroft.

"If you weren't playing house you'd be ready by now." Sherlock noted. "In fact, if you weren't playing house this wouldn't have happened."

"Oh, be quiet Sherlock!"

Anthea laughed to herself as the brother's banter faded down the hall. She looked down at the duvet pooled around her legs and took a deep breath. Well, she'd have to get up now. There was no reason to stay in bed, not that there was before but now there was no reason to even want to.

At the very least, at least she had some morning entertainment without even having to switch on the telly. Maybe she'd go make a pot of tea and some toast before the brothers killed each other.

Author's Note: So? Was it alright? It was a little silly but that made it a lot of fun to write. Let me know what you thought! Thanks to our guest reviewers; Tadaa, Wheezzy8 (who doesn't need to apologise for focusing on study), and ovejalucifer. The rest of you were registered members this time. I always find it intriguing who reviews when. Certain chapters bring in more, and certain topics bring in different people. It's kind of like watching ratings, I guess. Anyway, thank you to everyone who reads and/or reviews. See you in five days.