Iris Blue, Am I In Love With You? (Childhood/Teens)

Chapter 24

Chapter 24 (June 1866)

"Good night!"

"Au revoir!"

Street lanterns glistened in the darkness as the children clamored into the carriage, giggling excitedly and plopping down into the seats with excited comments and arguments. Even Sherlock was caught up in the intrigue and fascination of the play they had just watched, excitedly discussing with the other three as his brother Mycroft slipped in beside them.

"We'll see you lovelies when we get home. Be good now!"

Elsie smiled as Pierre closed the carriage door, Amelia smiling and waving to the children before Ivan lead her away to the adult's carriage. Stella and Anne continued their excited talk about the many things they noticed about the show and about their past week in Paris, while Sherlock and Jeremy listened and interjected their thoughts, beginning to wind down from the event. Mycroft watched out the window for a while as the carriage began to drift down the rainy Paris streets. 

Before too long, however, he noticed how still it had gotten around him. His eyes drifted over to find three of the children leaned on each other or the window, sleeping off their adventures of the day. Stella was the only one awake, and she tried to glance outside to hide the fact that she had been watching Mycroft.

"Why aren't you asleep?"

Stella's gaze darted back to the elder Holmes brother, her mind running wild with thoughts. Sitting in the play, watching the master plans of the villain unfold and be foiled had called to remembrance of her true mission in this era. How on earth was she going to manage thwarting the Moriarty's plan? Would anyone else but Anne and Jeremy believe her? 

"Thinking," Stella finally responded, glancing out the carriage window. Mycroft's eyebrow raised, slightly. 

"What are you thinking about? The play?"

Stella continued to gaze out the window as she thought for a moment. What would she tell him? Should she make him her ally now, or simply go with their being family friends for help in the future? He was the most powerful person in the British government, later, except for the queen....

"No...." Stella's mind raced as she tried to find the right words. Her eyes darted over to Mycroft, a curious look in his eyes. A small smile crept over his face as he watched her, not reflecting in his eyes. He must be trying to not seem so intense for some reason. "I... You have some French ancestors, don't you?"

The smile began to fade on his lips. "Yes, how do you know?"

"I..." Stella paused. Her eyes darted to Sherlock, sleeping peacefully on Jeremy's back as Jeremy laid against the carriage wall. "I know your secret."

Mycroft kept his smile, his eyebrow raising as he kept from laughing. "What secret might that be?"

Stella drew her gaze back to Mycroft and leveled at him. She had to get him on her side, had to get him believe she knew things about his life that only he and his father could know.

"I'm from a different world than this."

The elder Holmes' face melted into confusion, keeping an amused smile as he listened to these childish antics. "Another world? Is this a story of yours? I thought you were a clever girl, why are you-"

"Your ancestor was Sherrinford Holmes."

Mycroft stopped. All expression fell from his face, his gaze leveling on her, sparing a glance to his brother to ensure he was asleep.

"What about him?"

Stella took a deep breath.

"His other name was Maximilian Robespierre."

Mycroft tensed, shifting in his seat. Stella sensed anger rising in him, caution, maybe panic. He was still young, Stella wondered how long he even knew of this secret.

"The reason you are tied to the British government is because of his work in the French revolution. It was a social experiment by the British to see if they could transfer from a monarchy to a republic."

Silently, Stella hoped she had gotten that part right. She couldn't remember everything from the episodes, it was impossible. But she always remembered that huge plot twist in the story, even vaguely... and from the absolute fear that crossed Mycroft's face, she knew she had hit the mark.

"How do you-"

"I'm from another world." Stella repeated, not daring turn away form his gaze. She had to convince him of this, it was the only time she could get away with knowing British government secrets without having spent much time in England at all. "In my world, this is a story, a book, if you will. I know many things that will happen later, and I want you-"

She paused. Mycroft's expression was of fear, panic, and disbelief. The flashing of the streetlights going by ended and they plummeted into darkness, their eyes each trying to adjust to read the other. What should she ask? For him to be on her side? To tell him she is on his side? Were there sides in this?

"I won't tell Sherlock." Stella began, glancing over to the sleeping figure once more. "I know you are forced to take on this role-"

"I took on the responsibility so he didn't have to." Mycroft blurted out, his voice slightly higher in his shock. "Most of our family dodges the responsibility to the younger, if they can. That's how our father ended up in the role. But Sherlock.... he needs to live free of this burden."

Stella's eyes widened in surprise. She knew from the show that Sherlock had no clue about the past secrets of the family, but.... Mycroft willingly took this role?

"I heard your father telling mine that you claimed to be from another world. He thought it was strange, almost like a joke, but you were too serious. He asked counsel of my father.... I thought you were lying and being childish..."

Mycroft paused, Stella's eyes adjusting to see him glance over to his little brother beside him. His hand gently raised, pushing Sherlock's unruly cowlick out from in front of his face, only to have it bounce back immediately.

"What do you want from me?"

Stella paused, letting the silence bring Mycroft's gaze back to own before she voiced her demand.

"An ally."

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Hey guys! Thank you so much for sticking around! This is officially the end of the childhood chapters, the next official part is going to be a jump into their teen years for a look into their older life, and a mystery! I *may* have a surprise for you on Valentine's Day, too. Not sure. I'm trying to put something together, but, we shall see. See you again soon!