Author's Note: Hey! Thanks for all the feedback last chapter! As for now, I'm trying to do a few more chapters before we get to the nitty gritty of season 3 episode 3. I went for a pretty popular choice of chapter based on what I get from people on Tumblr. I really hope you enjoy it. 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 James Was Seriously Hurt

It always felt like a reoccurring nightmare when something like this happened to Anthea. It felt like she was stuck in the past and couldn't get out.

Whenever she got a call from anyone in that panicked voice the teenager in her freezes. The panic hidden behind a calm voice always reminded her of her parent's accidents. It reminded her of being called into her year co-ordinator's office to be told that she was being picked up by her grandmother and to pack a bag because she'd probably be out of school for at least a week. She remembered how distraught the teacher looked. As if she'd been told something horrible about her own family. Maybe she was one of those teachers who cared about their students that much – working at a boarding school there's probably a greater chance of caring deeply. Anthea could just remember the look on the teacher's face when she asked why her grandmother was coming. The way she told her with that forced calm tone.

That tone was the same tone used when Violet called about Siger, and when she was called about Mycroft. It was used by Carol too when she'd called Anthea that afternoon.

"There was an explosion." She spoke over speaker phone. Anthea looked over to Mycroft, her eyes clinging to his gaze. His face was in a tight line, eyes cold. Anthea said nothing, she wasn't supposed to.

"Where?"

"One of the cars at the shooting range. There were trainees there." Anthea closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The trainees? What had they done to anyone? Why target the sinless? Wait until they've actually done something wrong.

"Number of casualties?" Anthea opened her eyes to see Mycroft staring the phone.

"Five trainees, two instructors, and an agent." Mycroft rubbed his mouth then his chin. Anthea ran a hand through her hair and felt the weight in her chest. Such a waste. The trainees were new, fresh. The instructors were retired. She might have known that agent. Probably at least met him.

"And how many injured?"

"Ten trainees and four agents…" She took a breath. Carol was calming herself. Carol never calmed herself. Anthea and Mycroft both looked at each other at the same time. Anthea's gaze was full of fear, Mycroft's of concern.

"And you called me instead of your boss because?"

"I couldn't call James because James was there." Anthea's eyes widened, Mycroft clenched his jaw.

"Details?"

"I don't know." Anthea clenched her fists. "He's on his way to the hospital." Mycroft leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes once more.

"Go look after you men, Carol. I'll send Jamie and Anthea to the hospital and I'll come help you."

So as Anthea sat in the hospital waiting room with Jamie she had that feeling. That gut feel, that throat feeling, that feeling in the back of your eyes, that all-consuming feeling of dread covered by a strange wave of calmness as if that was what was holding all these dread filled pieces together.

They held hands tightly as they waited and in reality they didn't wait long. They had waited longer to hear about Siger when he had a problem with his heart, but waiting in hospital rooms always felt like an eternity. Even when you were waiting for nothing terribly dreadful or exciting, or already knew what your news was to be, the waits felt like they'd never end. Sometimes Anthea like to think that time flowed differently in hospitals. Mycroft and his vast experiences with waiting for his brother most certainly liked to think it was some cosmic sick joke. If he was here and not off helping Carol with the business sides of things he'd probably scoff and makes some comments about hospital staff.

Jamie closed her eyes and leaned against the pale white wall behind her. She squeezed Anthea's hand to get her attention.

"Repeat Mycroft's last text message to me again?" Jamie was holding her breath as she spoke.

"James wasn't close to the bomb site." Anthea repeated for maybe the fifth time.

"Which means?" She knew what it meant, she just needed to hear it again. Anthea obliged.

"He's one of the lucky ones. It's probably taking a while because they're dealing with the ones who need immediate help first." And Jamie sighed out that breath. She squeezed Anthea's hand again and looked down the hallway.

"Where the hell is Carol?" She hissed bitterly. "If she was here she could tell us what happened." The blonde looked so tired and Anthea had never seen those hazel eyes so dim before.

"She has to step up and take James' role cleaning this up." Anthea winced at her own choice of words. She'd been doing this for too long, she was used to talking to other people in the field. Jamie pulled a face. It was bitter, and angry, and hurt at the same time. It wasn't directed to Anthea though – it was to Carol, and Mycroft, and all the people in Jamie's head who should be here and not wherever they were. Anthea had to almost virtually pry Jamie's phone out of her hands to stop the blonde calling even one of James' sisters. They couldn't know until they'd gotten the bombing sorted out and came up with an official story.

"You know he doesn't need to work with the newbies." Jamie shook her head. "He only does it because he wants to be approachable and he loves people." Anthea cocked her head to the side.

"Do you think that's why he likes Mycroft so much? The ultimate challenge to a people-person?" Jamie snorted and tried to hide her smile behind her free hand as if smiling at a time like this was shameful.

"Nah, I think Carol is his greatest challenge."

"His magnum opus." Jamie hit Anthea in the arm as if chiding her best friend for making her laugh. Soon though the blondes smile faded and she leaned forward to glance over at every single door she could see in the space.

"Why is this taking so long?"

"We've been over this, Jay…" Multiple times.

If it wasn't for his scent and the distinctive clack of an umbrella added to the walk cycle Anthea might not even have noticed as Mycroft walked past her and Jamie. The brunette woman looked up just in time to catch the back of Mycroft as he waltzed through a door. Anthea blinked. She turned to look at Jamie who had apparently missed it.

"Mycroft just went through there." She nodded at the white double doors that opened upon a press of a button. It took a few seconds for the words to register before Jamie frowned and sat up. She too looked over at the doors.

"There?" She asked. "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Honestly it could go either way. If he had come down here it could either mean he was done with cleaning up and was now here to boss people around, or it could mean he got an urgent phone call about something or someone.

"It's a good thing." Was the answer Anthea gave to her best friend of a lifetime. Jamie took one hard look at Anthea and stood up. She walked over to a staff member.

"Excuse me," She said to the male nurse. "My husband is back there somewhere. Can I go see him?" Then man looked apologetic as he shook his head.

"We've been given instructions not to let anyone without clearance back there yet." Anthea felt mildly guilty as she heard this. Government secrets and keeping everything under wraps was her job and that was exactly what was keeping Jamie from James right now.

"Our friend just went back there." Jamie argue. The nurse, looking vaguely lost, shrugged.

"He must have had clearance then." He answered in a nice calm tone. Jamie waved back in the general direction of Anthea. Anthea rubbed at her brow, preparing for what was coming.

"She has clearance. Can't we go back?" Jamie looked over. "You came from work, you have your ID?" Anthea nodded solemnly, knowing Jamie wouldn't like what she was about to say.

"That means I can go in but I can't take you." Jamie looked like she had been slapped in the face. "Only James or Mycroft could let you back there."

"James is my husband!" She pushed her lips together, shaking her head to herself. She pulled out her mobile and began typing. Anthea jumped to her feet and in one quick sweeping movement got to Jamie and snatched the phone out of her hand.

"No outside phone calls." It was the voice of Mycroft's assistant.

"I'm calling Carol, you idiot." Jamie tried to take her phone back only to have Anthea hold it out of reach.

"Jamie, Carol has deaths to deal with. She has a threat to deal with." Anthea reasoned. "And even if she wanted to she couldn't let you in. These go beyond her Jamie."

"Then what am I supposed to do then?" Jamie raised her voice. Anthea clenched her jaw as she stared at those doors. She handed Jamie back her phone hoping the blonde will behave and shrugged.

"I can text Mycroft. That's it. That's all I can do." Jamie nodded. She allowed herself to be lead back to the seats with Jamie.

Next time you're between calls and have a moment come by and see us. – A.

Jamie is freaking out that you're back there. – A.

Sir, I have a hysteric spouse here. I would also like an update. – A.

Oh, sorry dear, I couldn't stop to talk. No further casualties. A few people need to be paid off or reassigned once they recover. – M.H.

And James? – A.

Myc, what about James? – A.

Sir, do you need some help? – A.

Another call. Reassignment won't be necessary. – M.H.

Anthea let out a heavy sigh. Jamie turned to peer into Anthea's skull.

"What!?"

"Reassignment isn't necessary." She breathed, not taking her eyes off her phone. "That means James will be okay."

"Oh, thank God!" Jamie slid down the plastic chair, staring up at the roof.

That's excellent news. – A.

Do you know if Jamie can see him yet? – A.

Myc… - A.

Mycroft walked through the doors, phone in hand. He peered around until he caught both girls looking at him like deer caught in headlights.

"Jamie wasn't given clearance? Miss James, this is a large oversight." Before Anthea could even laugh at Mycroft's playful tone Jamie had jumped to her feet and was speed walking to the door.

They walked through the labyrinth of hospital corridors and stopped for directions once – since apparently Mycroft had yet to see James himself, in order to find the right room. The head of the agency was obviously given a private room. Jamie and Anthea walked in together, Mycroft behind them.

James looked okay. Not great, but a lot better than the images flying around in the girls' heads when they heard the word explosion. He was far enough away that he got away with a variety of burns. Most of them were first degree and easy to look after, but his left side had second degree burns on his shoulder, waste, and outer thigh. His left forearm including his wrist and his hand, were wrapped up tightly. According to James later he had "gross and seriously painful" third degree burns under there. That was the main reason for him being in the hospital. Awake when they arrived James smiled through the pain of the burns.

"If it isn't the two most beautiful women in the world." Anthea's laugh came out breathy and silent, but the smile of relief was all over her face.

"Aw, my poor baby!" Jamie approached James with her arms outstretched. She carefully embraced him and planted a long heartfelt kiss on the top of his head. "I hate you and I hate your job." She kissed him again.

"You're still alright to look at too." Anthea teased as she entered the room properly. Mycroft followed hesitantly a few steps behind her.

"Sir." James greeted him. Mycroft's mouth was taught as looked James up and down. He glanced down at the end of the bed and raised his eyebrows as he caught sight of the chart. He picked it up and read over. Mycroft clicked his tongue.

"Oh, you're fine." He hummed as he placed the chart back and walked out of the room.

The next day Anthea only had a half day at work. She and Mycroft dealt with a lot of the paperwork from the clean-up and met with Carol a few times. After that Mycroft had a meeting at the club and then had to deal with various day to day tasks – like checking up on Baker Street. So Anthea asked Jamie if she was home and if so did she want a lift to go see James. Jamie had been at the hospital until the early hours of the morning. She came home to have a shower and accidentally fell asleep on the couch. So yes, she very much did want to go to the hospital with Anthea and she was very thankful for Anthea's phone call waking her up. So Anthea took her own car to pick up Jamie and they headed there.

"So they're just waiting to see how it heals and keep an eye on any infections." Jamie explained as they walked the maze of halls once more. "They don't know if they'll need to operate on his arm or not yet, it might be okay." She pushed her blonde locks out of her face as Anthea nodded.

"I think Carol wants to give him a month paid off work." Anthea told Jamie what she'd heard today.

"He deserves it." Jamie pouted and Anthea nodded. He did deserve it. He worked hard and even through everything kept his sunny disposition. It wasn't easy running an agency, being on call for Mycroft Holmes, and trying to start a family all at the same but he made it seem fun.

As they approached James' door they noticed it was askew and could hear talking inside.

"You know this isn't fair." They heard James' voice. Anthea stopped Jamie by holding a hand out, wanting to listen.

"Too bad." It was Mycroft's voice. Anthea and Jamie both turned to look at each other, frowns on their faces. Mycroft had come here? And why? What were they talking about? Surely Mycroft wouldn't be giving James some form of bad news right now, especially not before telling Anthea about it.

"You could take it easy on me." James again followed by a chuckle.

"Would you rather something intellectual where you really would be disadvantaged?"

"No."

"Then deal with it."

Silence.

Jamie went to take a step but Anthea held her back again.

"Jamie was really freaked out yesterday." James sighed.

"Yes they do that." Mycroft hummed.

"Women?"

"No. people." Jamie pulled a face, Anthea rolled her eyes.

"I don't want to even think of what the family of the others are going through." James' voice sounded lost. Anthea felt it too, felt that dread again as she thought of the people finding out their kid or loved one died. It's not easy, it's the worst actually. It tears your world apart.

"We all go through it eventually." Mycroft gave the only response he was conditioned to give.

"But-"

"There is no blame to be placed on the agency on this one James. Wipe it from your mind. We all lose people eventually. No one is going to blame you or Carol."

"Can I get some extra budget to build maybe a flower garden? Dedicated to trainees or something? They were good kids." That stung Anthea's heart like nothing else. One look at Jamie and she knew she felt the same.

"Sure." Mycroft answered flatly. "Snap. I win." Jamie's eyes widened and she looked like she was about to begin laughing. Anthea had forgotten that Jamie wasn't entirely familiar with the whimsical side of Mycroft and Sherlock with their games. Anthea smirked and nodded. Yes, this is real. She pulled her hand back away from Jamie and let the blonde walk in in front of her.

"Hey James!" She chirped as she skipped forward and once again planted a very careful kiss on the hurt agents.

"Hey dollface." James laughed. Mycroft plucked the cards from James' hands and put all of them in a neat pile on the trey in front of James. He was standing up as Anthea walked into the room. "Hey 'Thea." James added upon seeing her.

"Hey." She smiled warmly. She and Mycroft looked at each other. He forced a small smile and nodded, she nodded back. She let him keep this professional mirage on in front of her. If he wanted to act like he was always working then she'd let him. If he was just working they wouldn't have been playing with the cards though. Mycroft only ever gets playful around people he trusts. His parents, Sherlock, Anthea, Walter, and maybe John Watson if he asked. James too. It wasn't that surprising, not given how Mycroft reacted to James taking his anger out on Mycroft. There was something here between the two. Neither of them would call it friendship, but the only reason James avoided the term was because he knew Mycroft. Anyone else might use that term. Maybe.

"Einstein, I didn't expect to see you here. Thea said you were at the club today." But obviously Jamie wasn't going to let him keep his detached pride. Mycroft's expression pulled down like he'd just tasted something horrible.

"I was." He answered flatly. "And now I should really go back. Things to do, people to see." He looked at Anthea again. She walked closer to him and stroked his arm.

"You sure?" She asked. He pulled out his pocket watch and looked at the time.

"Anthea, dear. I don't have time to socialise." He spoke with exasperation is his voice. Ever hiding behind his shields. James didn't even crack a smile let alone give away that they weren't just talking about work. The dog protected the master, after all and even injured James and Anthea were the best trained dogs. Likewise Anthea didn't question Mycroft's words she just brought attention to the deck of playing cards.

"What were you playing before? Maybe we can play?" She was gentle, trying not to poke the lion too hard.

"Snap." James answered. Anthea looked up at Mycroft.

"Oh that's why you want to go. You know I have faster reflexes than you." She cocked her head to the side and crinkled her nose.

"Please." Mycroft scoffed.

"I'd like to take you both on." Jamie added from next to James. "Better this than some weird card game." Anthea's hand slid down to take hold of Mycroft's hand.

"One game. Then you can get back to work." Watching her carefully, Mycroft scowled.

"Fine. One."

They played five.

Mycroft won three.

Anthea won one.

Jamie won the last one.

James claimed it was unfair.

Author's Note: So people on my Tumblr really like James and Mycroft's relationship and a number of people have asked me for a chapter where James' kindness is at least acknowledged by Mycroft if not a tiny bit reciprocated. This is what I came up with while discussing it with ovejalucifer (who is still WAY behind on reviews). I hope you all liked the chapter even if you're not one of these people who wanted it. Thanks to our guest reviewers; Sophie, Carlene, LittleSchoolgirl, Eva's dreaming, and B. Thanks to everyone who reads and particularly reviewers. Let me know what you thought of this chapter.