Author's Note: Thank you once again for all being so supportive of last chapter and even coming back in the first place. I was very worked up about writing Sherlock again. You all soothed that worry. As for this chapter – it feels a lot more like a classic chapter. Less thematic and more one topic to cover. Except its not ~2500 words. I don't seem to be able to do that anymore. I'm still compiling a list of missed/upcoming Firsts to cover whenever the whim strikes me to post here. Please read, review, and please enjoy!

P.S. Sound track this chapter – Not really thematic as much as the right tempo for this chapter. I listened to Sleepwalker by the Killers, Suzie Chapstick by Green Day.

The First Time They Went Public (Kind Of)

Anthea had made a decision!

Well…

Sort of.

Anthea had made half a decision.

She had decided that James, Mycroft, and Sherlock were right. The secrets were of no use to anyone anymore. In some ways they were a hinderance. They hindered Margot's protection for one and that might be the most important. The fact that they hindered Anthea's protection when that was the point of them to begin with was of equal importance to Mycroft.

Anthea had decided that yes, it was time to let the cat out of the bag. It was time to confirm that she and Mycroft were a thing. That Mycroft, Anthea, and Margot all lived in the same house.

What Anthea had yet to decide what to do about was the name situation. Anthea and Alice. Who lives and who dies. That was impossible to do, really. Both names felt integral to who the whole woman was. Anthea was one side of the coin and Alice was the other. They were not the same person and yet they were – like parallel lives from alternate universes in a way. To get rid of one or the other, or find a way to keep both… Well… Anthea had until she actually got married to decide what the go was there and at this point that was a non-specific time somewhere in the future. Mycroft had accepted it, too. Her names, her choice.

He very much approved of her choice regarding disclosure. Funny, given that dreaded NDA back in the day. Anthea could tease him about that and she would later but not now.

To prove how very much for this he was and how much he'd already thought about it, when Anthea asked about what they should do Mycroft dismissed her. He had a plan.

In fact, he had a 'simple' three-part plan.

Three little steps.

Three little slips of information that would lead to anyone who was anyone in their day to day working lives finding out one or two pieces of the truth. Eventually, after some time, everyone would have the whole truth whether they believed it all or not.

It sounded suspiciously easy but Anthea knew better that to question Mycroft Holmes when it came to this type of thing. This is where he thrived.

The first part to the simple three-part plan did not seem at all elegant or clandestine to Anthea. It rather felt like informing HR and asking if there was a legal form that needed to be filled in or something. When Anthea voiced this later Mycroft smirked in that stupid 'I'm better than you' way he does and said it was more elegant than that. It would lead to no one putting a shut down on any rumours they heard. It was akin to opening the floodgates. To that Anthea could not argue with that for who shut down more rumours than P-A-L-L? Then there were the ones they let roam because they either did not care or it benefitted them.

There was also another element at play.

Anthea was carrying a large stack of folders when she reached just outside of the meeting room. Mycroft had sent a text asking her to bring a bunch of files that they didn't keep on computers for reasons down to the P-A-L-L meeting. He'd sent a rather large list which was fine but just a little annoying. You'd think those three people could plan ahead.

Outside the meeting room sitting in one of the chairs lined up in a row besides the door was Langdale's assistant. A woman in her late twenties, short and sweet looking with her brown hair with blonde streaks. Chosen specifically for her face she got away with sitting in a lot of places looking innocent. Anthea had known better than to underestimate her when she started a few years ago and watched what she said in front of her carefully. Carol was always surprised but what the young woman knew when they had to interact.

Funny that she was sitting outside the meeting room…

Hayley's eyes looked up from her phone to see Anthea carrying the files. She tucked her phone into her handbag and jumped to her feet.

"Here, let me help you." Her voice was sweet too. Anthea smiled a small practiced smile and let Hayley take the top half of the folders.

"Waiting on an important call?" Anthea asked. She had to be here for that. If something important was pending she'd need to get Langdale as soon as possible. She nodded.

"You know how it is." She smiled. When Anthea snorted her smile grew bigger and yet darker. There it was – the thing that made them all survive in this world. Anthea nodded to the door to indicate that's where they were going and quite frankly Anthea was not one for small talk. The younger woman nodded and let Anthea take the lead.

Anthea used the tip of her shoe to knock on one of the double wooden doors. Without waiting for a reply, she used her back to push the door open.

Sitting as far away from each other as they could at the large meeting room were all the members of the secret organisation. Lady Smallwood and Mycroft were across from each other. Langdale was to Mycroft's left and Porlock was across from Langdale.

Steel blue eyes were immediately on Anthea and all other eyes followed as she held the door open with her foot to let the other assistant through. Everyone remained silent until Anthea stepped out of the way and let the door shut on its own accord. Porlock spoke first.

"Prompt as always." He praised her. Anthea's eyebrows danced up and down with humour.

"Did you expect any less?" She teased. The man had the curtsey to look amused. Anthea placed the stack of documents on Mycroft and Lady Smallwood's side of the table in between them.

"Thank you." Mycroft's voice sung softly. Anthea stopped herself from melting and held her work persona. Hayley followed Anthea's lead and placed her folder stack next to Anthea's.

"Thank you, ladies." Lady Smallwood added politely but with a stern expression that meant they were both being dismissed. As if Anthea hadn't been allowed in many of these meetings and as if she didn't know what happened in most of them anyway. Without looking at their actual bosses for approval, the assistants nodded in unison. The soft carpet muted any heels clicking as they headed towards the door.

"Actually, Anthea," Mycroft called out, sounding bored. Anthea stopped and turned around enough to be able to glance over at him. Hayley stopped and silently watched. With a lazy flick of his wrist, Mycroft summoned Anthea to his side. "While you're here we might as well broach a topic I tended to put forward after the ticketed items." Anthea's brow's furrowed slightly as she pushed her lips together. Mycroft's eyes sparkled as he looked up at her. Amusement was gone as quickly as it was there as he turned back to look at his colleagues. All of them had a practiced expression on their faces but all of them distinct in their own way. Lady Smallwood's mask was one of a woman who was not interested in your words but listening out of curtesy. Porlock's expression had some anger to it like you were wasting his time. Langdale's was like when you were trying to listen but clearly focused on something else.

"Quite recently," Mycroft folded his hands together on the desk and watched his own thumbs. "Anthea and I decided to follow convention and… got engaged." His breathy sarcastic voice as he pulled one of his mildly disgusted expressions.

Those practiced expressions all shifted. Perhaps not that surprised given she had actual confirmation of the state of their relationship prior to the engagement, Lady Smallwood's mouth pulled into a gentle smile. Langdale, clearly actually listening, craned his neck and leaned forward, curiosity and some level of surprise present. Porlock seemed confused. Anthea wondered if he had no clue of their relationship or was just stunned that it was made so official by the member of the group who most liked his shadows, solitude and mystery. Out of the corner of her eye Anthea could make out the change in Langdale's assistant's posture as she straightened up.

"Due to this," Mycroft continued flatly. "I would like to discuss a change in Anthea's security protocol with James and Walter." His blue eyes scanned the room. He sniffed and rolled his eyes before adding "Although knowing their fondness for Anthea, I am sure James and Walter already have a plan to be put into place once given the greenlight." Lady Smallwood's lips pulled up and Porlock sniffed something akin to what passes as a laugh here.

"Naturally." Lady Smallwood nodded. Langdale looked between her and Mycroft.

"Not existing is hardly effective once you're attached to a high-profile family." Langdale said with some kind humour. He looked at Anthea and she offered him a wry smile. All eyes fell onto Porlock who waved them off roughly.

"Of course." He gave his permission, not that it mattered when three out of four already voted. Mycroft cleared his throat and straightened his posture in his office chair.

"Good." He hummed. "Anthea, would you go give James a call and inform him, please?" He asked with such detachment you would think it didn't involve his relationship with the woman he was ordering around.

"Yes, sir." Anthea nodded.

"Thank you, dear." Mycroft offered her a small but genuine smile. Anthea left the room with Hayley on her tail.

Hayley closed the door and watched it for a moment, making sure it was truly shut and the assistants were safe from the inhabitants in the room. Hayley's blue-green eyes snapped to Anthea, bright and shining with curiosity.

"I'd have never of known." She breathed. Anthea quirked an eyebrow. She crinkled her nose then pulled her phone out of her suit jacket pocket to check the time. Hayley took a breath. "I mean we knew it was possible…" whose we? Her and her boss? Most likely. Other assistants and all the government secretaries?

Ah. And that's where the other part of this step of the plan became clear to Anthea. He'd somehow made sure Hayley was here, hadn't he? He knew what she would do. That sly fox. No, it was an insult to his skills to compare him to a fox.

"But to get Antarctica to give out a ring?" She shook her head. "You really are some assistant." Anthea laughed breathlessly once into the screen of her phone.

"I am." Anthea's eyebrows danced up as she put her phone away and looked at the younger woman. "But he has a lot of really good help he hasn't proposed to." She crinkled her nose. Hayley hid a smirk behind the back of her hand.

"Congratulations." Hayley offered. She stepped forward and her arms twitched forward like she was considering offering a hug but thought better of it. Anthea cocked her head to the side.

"Thanks." Anthea answered. Something flashed across Hayley's eyes. Her brow furrowed and suddenly her own assistant persona was on as she looked Anthea's face over.

"Your infant daughter?" She let the other half of her question unanswered. The side of Anthea's mouth pulled up.

"I'll see you later." She said to Hayley. Before a response could come Anthea strutted in the direction of the office.

What was slyer than a fox?

The next part of the three-part plan was more clandestine but less sly. But maybe the clandestine levels only felt higher because anything involving the silent Diogenes Club made Anthea feel like she had to walk of eggshells and tiptoe.

It's well-established Anthea hated this place. She hated the people here, she hated having meetings here, and she especially hated the type of people who had their meetings here. Even knowing his reasoning, Anthea could no comprehend why a ray of sunshine like James wanted so badly to belong here now the idea had been put into his head. But hey, if it meant he could join in on some meetings here then maybe that would make some of them more tolerable.

As it was Anthea was barely tolerating this particular meeting, which was fair because the men barely tolerated her. If it weren't for Mycroft, Anthea would burn this place to the ground just to see the men's faces.

Luckily the meeting was wrapping up and freedom was but mere moments away. As men stood up, briefcases clicked shut, and small talk began, Anthea could practically feel the safety of the leather seats of the town car only moments away.

"One moment, Arthur." Mycroft stopped one of the men before he could make a step away from the table. He would have been the third person to leave and now Mycroft had halted him. Anthea could have cursed Mycroft out for making this last even seconds longer. They safety of the town car now further away. Although Anthea could enjoy the fear that flashed through the man's eyes as he must be wondering why he was being stopped. "Your wife has an in with many prestigious schools in and around London, does she not?" Mycroft cocked his head faintly to the side. Arthur's eyebrows furrowed. He had to clear his throat before he spoke. The two other remaining men in the room stopped their small talk to listen in.

"She does." He gave a nod that was as hesitant as his tone. Anthea let a hint of a smirk play on her lips at the discomfort. Mycroft pitched his fingers together like a tent, resting his elbows on the table.

"Forgive my ignorance on the topic, but how young is too young to register one's interest with these schools?" Mycroft asked with tempered curiosity. Arthur looked at Anthea, searching for guidance. Anthea shrugged her shoulders, smirk growing.

"Well," Arthur took a focusing breath. "Rachel would say you're never too young." Mycroft shot Anthea a quick look. It was a stubborn, pompous, I told you so look. Anthea shot him a few daggers. He smirked and turned back to his colleague with a bit of that entertained look still on his features. "Some schools get applications for children not even born yet." Anthea clicked her tongue. How ridiculous.

"If that's so, then Anthea here had better get to it." He hummed. Anthea scoffed and rolled her eyes. Without even looking she knew Mycroft was radiating smugness. "She has yet to register Margot for consideration anywhere." Because it was stupid to put that type of expectations on a kid, that's why. Ridiculous and pathetic, really. Spoke of what wealth could get you and it was gross. A game, Mycroft would argue, that had to play if they wanted the options and the best for Margot. "Perhaps you and Rachel could be of assistance and place her on a list or two?" The man looked at Anthea. Anthea quirked an eyebrow, daring him to judge her social standing.

"She can try, absolutely." Arthur uttered. He placed he suitcase back down on the table with a soft thunk. He clicked it opened and pulled out a pen and a note book. "I can't promise anything, it's highly competitive." He flipped the notebook open to a blank page. He wrote something and then paused. Arthur looked between Mycroft and Anthea. "Beg your pardon, what is the child's surname?"

Anthea got it then and there. She looked at the other two men watching with interest and a bit of fear. Anthea looked down at the shiny wood of the table and chuckled a dark laugh. The dangers of asking Mycroft Holmes' assistant for what was either her own last name or her partner's name. If only they knew they were pieces on a chessboard. Mycroft's expression dropped. His blue eyes steely dark. Oh, he was playing this like it should be obvious. He was playing this like he was insulted. Anthea sniffed another laugh as she crinkled her nose.

"Holmes, Arthur." Mycroft's voice was deadly low. "Her name is Margot Holmes."

Anthea let her whole grin break out onto her face as she leaned towards Mycroft, her shoulder touching his. She relished in the shocked face of Arthur and the other two turning their backs to not show their entire faces. Maybe this is what it would be like to burn the places down or maybe this was even better.

After a fleeting moment Arthur spluttered to life.

"Oh, ah, yes, of course it is." Fumbling over his words, he scribbled the name down quickly.

"What did you think it was?" Anthea teased further. She had to bite the inside of her cheek as she watched Arthur turn a shade of pink as he closed the notebook and quickly deposited it and his pen back into his suitcase.

"I'm sure Rachel will be able to slip Margot onto a few lists." He mumbled as he closed his briefcase. Funny how the tune had changed. Mycroft and Anthea exchanged a look.

"That would be greatly appreciated Arthur, thank you." Mycroft nodded.

A pause.

"Say thank you, Anthea."

"Thank you, Arthur." Anthea said in a singsong voice. Arthur looked between the two, heads cocked inwards towards each other looking almost like mirror images except for the steely expression on Mycroft's face and the absolute amusement on Anthea's.

"You're quite welcome."

Once they were safely out of the building Anthea burst into a joyful laughter. As she settled, she tucked a curl behind her ear. Mycroft, looking briefly behind him at the building, put his hand on the small of Anthea's back and ushered her towards the town car. Walking together, Anthea elbowed Mycroft's side.

"I don't care if it's part of your disclosure plan, that was just a gift for me." She smiled up at him. Mycroft looked less amused as he looked down his long nose at her and hummed. "You can do that again for my birthday, if you like."

"It's not a habit of mine to embarrass my peers in a place of peace and solitude, my dear." He scolded. "Rather, I only do so in order to increase the effectiveness of the play." Anthea rolled her eyes playfully. Mycroft opened the town car door and gestured for her to enter. Once she had slid in Mycroft leaned in and added "Although if you enjoy it so much, I'm sure it's easily replicable. On a special occasion only." He smirked dangerously at her. Anthea matched his energy as she leaned in towards him.

"Is my birthday special enough?" She asked.

"No." Mycroft replied before he stepped back and closed the door. Anthea cackled.

The last step was perhaps the simplest and most elegant of the three. It might have been Anthea's favourite for those facts alone if she didn't love disturbing the equilibrium of the Diogenes Club with all her being.

Mycroft came back from what he described as an unnecessary and tedious meeting with two of his fellow government officials in tow. The first was Charles Warwick, grown larger and greyer over the years. The other was Jonathon Wright, close to age with Anthea (and used to look it) but looked far older than her now with the lines between his brows and the hollow of his eyes. Anthea liked both men. Following Mycroft into his office, Mr. Warwick offered Anthea a large grin and Mr. Wright a soft smile. See, that's why she much preferred working in this office.

Once the door closed Anthea sighed. She pushed out her chair and got to her feet. She went to the kitchenette and got the kettle in and began searching for the teapot. She knew how Mr. Warwick liked his tea but Mr. Wright was so rarely in here she'd never memorised it. With three people Anthea could get away with a tea tray and not make it look like one person was less significant to remember than the others.

Tea pot, tea cups, cream, sugar, and a couple of biscuits just to fill up the space on the tray. Anthea was pleased enough with her quick tea tray to take it into the office.

As per usual she knocked, waited a few seconds, and let herself in silently. She stalked over to Mycroft's side of the desk and placed the tray on an empty space on his desk. The two guests voiced thoughtful thankyous. As Anthea straightened back up and straightened her clothes she smiled and nodded.

Mycroft held his hand out, elbow resting on the armrest of his chair, hand level with his head. It was the way he blindly asked for Anthea's hand if she was walking past him when the office was empty or if they were at home. Anthea looked around the room for a second, searching for what else it could be before she remembered the plan. She hesitated at first but placed her hand in his. Anthea didn't realise she had stiffened before Mycroft squeezed her hand and she felt the tension leave her body.

"Thank you, my love." He said those words so casually and without even looking her way. To hear them said so easily in mixed company gave Anthea goosebumps on the back of her neck. She bit the inside of her mouth to keep as neutral as possible.

"Anytime." She used her courage to squeeze his hand back. Anthea couldn't even bring herself to look at Mr. Warwick or Mr. Wright as Mycroft slipped his hand free of hers. She had to use all her composure to keep the shadowy assistant appearance on and walk out of the room.

Once she closed the door, she leaned on it and closed her eyes. She listened to her heartbeat until it decided to calm down.

Turns out Anthea was a sucker for P.W.A.'s – Public Words of Affection.

Mycroft would have to pay the cost for that later.

By the time the impromptu meeting had dispersed Anthea was hard at work on her computer. She barely noticed when the door opened and Mr. Wright left on his own. It was only when he walked past, catching Anthea's peripheral vision, did she notice and stir to life.

"Have a nice day, Anthea." He offered nicely.

"Thanks." She said, eyes following him through the office. "You too."

"Tell Mr. Baker I said hi." He said by the door. Anthea sniffed and crinkled her nose at the mention of James.

"I will." Anthea said, laughter catching on her words. Mr. Wright left without mentioning what happened. Smart man. Mr. Warwick would not follow suit. He'd been the one to tell Anthea about Mycroft's birthday all those years ago, after all. He was more of an open book and he wasn't frightened of Anthea. He was probably less afraid of Mycroft than he should be, too.

Mr. Warwick came through the door sideways, glancing into the room and bidding a warm farewell to Mycroft who was presumably still sitting at his desk. He smiled at Anthea as he slid all the way through and closed the door gently.

"Hi Anthea, how are you?" He asked.

"Good thank you, Mr. Warwick. How are you?" Anthea asked, locking her computer. When he came to stand in front of her desk, she folded her hands together on her desk and leant forward.

"Charles, please." He insisted. Anthea sniffed. "I'm doing very well."

"Good to hear, Charles." Anthea widened her eyes sarcastically as she emphasised his first name. Used to her, it didn't phase the government worker. Charles' eyes darted to the door. He put his large hands-on Anthea's desk and leaned forward.

"Love?" He asked. Anthea let a single laugh escape her mouth. She leaned in closer.

"Yeah," She whispered. "Love." Charles whistled He stood back up tall and put his hands into his trouser pockets.

"How long?" He asked. Anthea pushed her lips together and shrugged. She would not be so elusive with Charles Warwick – she is liked him a bit too much to completely wave him off.

"A while." She quirked an eyebrow teasingly. Charles jutted out his bottom lip and nodded approvingly. She looked at the door again.

"Good for Mycroft." He spoke. Anthea lowered her head and let a little laugh escape. When she looked back up Mr. Warwick was looking at her again. "I've always said someone like you would do him good."

"Someone like me?" Anthea asked, cocking her head to the side. Mr. Warwick rolled on the balls of his feet.

"Confident, attentive, not afraid to speak their mind." He explained.

"So, a good assistant?" Anthea asked.

"Does a good assistant speak their mind?" Mr. Warwick asked. Anthea leaned back in her chair.

"This one does." Her eyebrows danced. Mr. Warwick boomed a large friendly laugh. If Mycroft didn't know he was still here he did now.

"See?" He asked. They shared a smile. "I suppose it's too late to congratulate him on the birth of his daughter then, isn't it?" Anthea crossed her arms over her chest.

"Charles," She feigned insult. "What are you trying to insinuate?" Charles leaned forward.

"Your little girl you bring in sometimes, with the big blue eyes." He explained without explaining. Anthea tucked a curl behind her ear.

"Lots of people have blue eyes." She answered. Charles, still smiling, looked at her poignantly. Anthea laughed again and turned back to her computer, entering her password to unlock it. "Mr. Holmes would not turn up his nose at a late card." Charles chuckled.

"Have a nice day, Anthea."

"Thank, you too." She kept smiling but didn't look as he left the office. Once she heard the door close, she turned to observe it with a smirk on her face.

Charles Warwick. He was a good choice. A safe, friendly, choice.

The following Monday the results flowed in. Anthea's morning was interrupted by a few different delivery men dropping off flowers, chocolates, or a gift. A trip to collect the mail revealed way more mail than normal on a Mondays. More than half of the mail were cards. Some were 'Congratulations on your Engagement', some were a late 'It's A Girl', but many were generic 'Congratulations' cards to cover both items, depending on what rumour had made its way to the sender.

Anthea was brutal when it came to too much clutter on her desk. As the secretive personal assistant so many items relating to an aspect of her personal life would not do. The flowers were easy. She took the bunches into the kitchenette and cannibalised them. Anthea took all her favourite and all the healthiest flowers out of each bunch and arranged them in a pleasing fashion in a single larger vase. Anthea kept the one teddy bear and put it under the desk to take home to give to Margot. It was sweet enough – having a child was a good excuse not to throw it out. What was that about sentiment again? Chocolates or sweets were taken into the kitchen to be stored for later.

The cards, after Anthea had read them, were stacked into a neat pile. Pile of cards in hand, she followed her usual protocol when it came to letting herself into Mycroft's office, and swiftly walked up to the desk.

Mycroft looked up from his computer screen, steel eyes losing some fierceness as they landed on her. Anthea was certain her eyes did the same thing when their gazes met.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Mycroft practically purred, almost sending a shiver down Anthea's spine. Instead, she crinkled her nose.

"Your plan worked." She stated. Mycroft quirked an eyebrow, silently asking his fiancé to elaborate. "I've been inundated in well wishes all morning." She rolled her eyes. Mycroft's mouth pulled into an amused smirk. The way he looked at her sometimes, it made her feel so special. When had he started looking at her that way?

"What percentage of these well wishes were actually heartfelt?" He asked, taking his eyes off her to look at his coffee mug as he moved its position on his desk and angled it just so. Anthea bit her lip and hummed, considering the questions.

"About forty percent, I'd say." She offered. Eyes were back on her, both eyebrows raised.

"Really?" The genius' voice was high with curiosity. "That many?" Anthea sniffed.

"I know." She breathed, grinning. "I was surprised too." Mycroft made a noise somewhere between a scoff and a sniff. He leaned back in his chair and folded his hands together in front of him.

"I'm sure even some of the well-intended congratulations have ulterior motives." He pulled one of those disgusted looks.

"Oh, definitely." Anthea agreed. She came besides Mycroft and handed him the cards. He flicked through one or two, bemused, before handing them back to Anthea.

"See that anyone who was heartfelt or relatively important gets a reply." Mycroft sighed. Anthea nodded. She had already began creating lists in her head.

"I'll have two levels of replies based on importance." Anthea explained. Mycroft gave a curt nod as he turned back to his work. "Do you want to approve the draft responses or the recipients before I send them?" She asked.

"No." Mycroft hummed at his screen. He turned his head to look at Anthea and smiled at her. "I trust you." He spoke gently. Anthea smiled just as gently back. She got right to work.

Thank you for your well wishes. It was received and appreciated.

- M.H. and A

Dear [name],

We were happy to receive your congratulations. It was greatly appreciated. If there is ever a chance to return the kindness we will do so.

Thank you,

Mycroft Holmes and Anthea James.

Author's Note: How was it? Okay? I had a bunch of fun writing it but then my brain was like "Is it good enough, though?" but that's just my brain and I've learnt not to listen to it sometimes. Please give me your thoughts and feelings.

Like I said, I'm still around on Tumblr and I'm always happy for there or here you to help me keep my list up. I'll see you all next time, whenever that may be.