Truth or Dare/ A BBC Sherlock Story

"Long Time No See."

The whole charade was slowly coming to a halt now. Having found the serial suicide, or murderer, cause the police would soon have more paperwork than cases.

     Bella's mind was else where as she talked to her brother in harsh, hushed whispers. She was chastising him about the smoking and he rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably. He was reminded of how their mother used to act when she would catch him doing something wrong.

     Bella was upset with him, he had told her he stopped, on multiple different occasions now. He promised her and she was fed up with it. It was a harsh end to a horrible night and she felt back out it but that feeling was buried deep inside where all of her other feelings lived through out everything. She would only ever let people see what she wanted them to and Greg was no different.

     "I'm just worried about you." She finally said raking a hand through her dark, wavy hair. Her nails scratched at her scalp only fueling her aggravation. She was itching for her own fix during this conversation. She would never admit to him that she started smoking because of him but she did and it was something she attempted to fight as to not be a hypocrite.

     "You're worried about me? That's rich Bella, I'm the older one, I'm the big brother, I'm supposed to worry bout you." They both sighed and gave each other sideways glances. "Come here."

     He opened his arms wide and pulled her into a hug. A bone crushing, spine bending hug that she only half heartedly returned. She was not one for hugging, in any situation. Hell, she didn't even hug him at their mothers funeral. He hugged her, he always hugs her. He is the initiator.

     She pulled away after a moment and brushed his shoulders off. Then smoothed down her shirt and brushed herself off. Her outfit was in perfect condition but, she was doing it for effect.

     "I'm quitting the police force." She blurted out, not meeting his eyes. This night had shown her she needed the action. She needed Sherlock Holmes and his action. Not running around handing out parking tickets or tracking down criminals with warrants out for their arrests. She needed the big, do or die situations.

      "What?" He was completely flabbergasted, shock on his face and his hands were lax against his sides in utter amazement. "You haven't even been on the force for a full twenty four hours!"

      "You don't need me there. Nor do you really want me there. You don't want to have to look over your shoulder watching your little sister all the time. Trust me, I do it enough with you." She smiled at him. A toothy shot eating grin that sent him into laughter for a moment.

      "If it's really what you want and your final decision I won't argue because I know it won't go anywhere but I wouldn't mind keeping you. We need some more competent people."

     "It's my decision and thank you for understanding that. I think you'll see me around thought. I might stick with Holmes for a while. See how things play out for him."

      "Are you sure that's a good idea?" She shrugged her shoulders not exactly having a response to his question. She knew that staying with him would put her into dangerous situations. Paint a target on her back but, she didn't exactly care in that moment.

     "I'll talk to you late Greg and I swear to god if I deduce that you're still smoking next time I see you, you will land in an early grave." With a twist of her body and spray of her long her in his face she was off. Walking past Sherlock and John and towards the police tape surrounding the area.

     "Where are you going?" Sherlock asked as we walked. John on one side and Bella on the other as she had slowed down to stand next to them upon his questioning. He was directing his current question toward her as she veered of from the group.

"Home, Mr Holmes." She stated before catching sight of a black car pulling up at the crime scene. Out stepped none other than Mycroft Holmes himself.

"That's him. That's the man." John told Sherlock pointing towards Mycroft. He had his signature umbrella in his hand and the other was grasping the top of the door. She could have sworn the grip only got tighter when he caught sight of her.

The trio walked up to Mycroft and he addressed Bella before anyone else. "Bella, what a pleasant surprise. I didn't think I would be seeing you on this one."

"Long time no see Mike. I didn't think I was getting a job let alone going on a case first thing." She stated, her name calling of Mycroft causing Sherlock to look at her like she had just signed her death sentence and John just looked at everyone very quizzically.

Mycroft only chuckled, not bothering to correct her on his name, as he knew it would be to no avail. "You're welcome."

"You got me my job?" She was becoming a little angry at this. She wanted to work for this herself, a chance to become something, on her own. She was also neglecting to tell him about her earlier conversation with Greg. Mycroft did not yet need to know about her. Importune reevaluation of her job and life choices.

"I pulled strings. It didn't guarantee a thing. You go this on your own. I merely, pushed your application to the top of the list."

"Can we cut into this conversation brother mine?" Sherlock asked rudely and abruptly ending the conversation here and there.

"Brother?!" John practically shouted the word like it was a hot coal in his mouth. "This, this is your brother?!"

"Yes." Both Sherlock and Mycroft answered unanimously. They then scowled at each other which caused Bella to laugh, a full hearted belly laugh which had her shoulders shaking.

"How do you two know each other?" Sherlock questioned pointing to Bella them Mycroft. Bella swallowed. It was not a memory she wanted to relive. It wasn't exactly the highlight of her life.

"It was a different one brother mine, I was younger, she was younger-" Mycroft was cut off by John and looked as if about to gag.

"Oh don't tell me. You two? You didn't?" What he was suggesting was something unspeakable between the two. A line of friendship neither would ever cross and both looked pale at his assumptions.

"Oh good heavens no!" Bella answered him a geeky at the accusation. John sighed in relief placing a hand in his chest and bending over dramatically. Mycroft rolled his eyes.

"I will bid you ado. I was merely checking on you two and just so happened to see an old friend. If that will be all, I would like to speak with Bella for a moment."

Sherlock and John nodded. John being the more trusting of the two started to walk away with no problem where as Sherlock kept looking over his shoulder being practically dragged away by John.

"How's life treating you? London now? What happened to Cornwall?" He has shut the door now and leaned against it, relaxed in her company. This was not new to either of them. Him just randomly showing up and starting conversations with her. Phone calls were not rare either.

"I'm alive aren't I? I'd say I'm pretty well. Cornwall was to boring for me. To many bad memories. How about you? How's life? Do you have a "goldfish" yet?" She put quotations around the invisible word with her hands as she had said it. He grimaced and looked at her judgtngly.

"Moving on. I'm alright. I might have a case for Sherlock in the near future. It would be nice to see you around more. You might be a nice puzzle for him to solve."

"I'm not a puzzle Mycroft," she was annoyed at his words which he quickly picked up on as he got uncomfortable in the conversation. She looked at the two figures if John and Sherlock in the distance seemingly now waiting for her. "I might stick around though. Might be fun."

      There was a longing sort of look in her eyes. A look that told Mycroft she craved the challenge. It, however, was not the challenge
he thought. Little did she know that the tables might have turned in her and, maybe for the worst.

     "Farewell Mycroft Holmes." She waved him goodbye before jogging to catch up with John and Sherlock, both of whom were a credible distance away now.

      Mycroft watched her as she jogged off towards them and he smiled. A real genuine smile. Bella was one of four people in the world who could make him feel, let alone smile like he was. He shook his head to snap out of it and climbed back into the back seat of his blacked out car.