Touch Him = Death

Ch. 13

After about three hours of driving we finally hit a dirt road and the entrance to the forest. We would be arriving at our destination shortly so I decided to explain to the boys some ground rules. 

"Alright," I said waiting for John and Sherlock's attention,"So this house we are going to, well its large, I made sure to ensure that it would provide us with very comfortable living accommodations." 

"Damn right she did.." I heard Mycroft mutter, but I ignored him and continued explaining. 

"So I already have the room arrangements, we are all in the same hallway, and I have tried to resemble each of our bedrooms to those at home, but there are other bedrooms in the house if there seems to be an issue. I have also made sure that we will not be idle during our time away. Yes I want this to be like a vacation but knowing you two and your life style I know you will get bored so I set some things up that I will just have to show you when we get there.  Oh and communication, there will be satellite phones for all of us and the satellite emails and what not, I need to make this absolutely clear that we must not be discovered and this location stays a complete secret. This leading me to my last and most important point, While it may feel that we are on vacation keep in mind the main reason we are here. I need you two to stay on high alert, I am not yet sure what we are up against, and that makes this even scarier for me. I will not enforce a lock down rule, but I do ask that you please inform me of your location any time you plan on leaving the house. Understand?"  I took a breath after my long harangue and they both nodded solemnly. 

"Okay then, well now that we have that out of the way cheer up this will be fun, I promise." I said with a wink making Sherlock smile and John laugh.

Finally after what felt like an eternity (like 5 minute) we pulled past a mailbox and then through some trees and the car stopped. I was the first one out of the car. I probably looked like a kid on Christmas jumping and clapping, but I just couldn't help myself, it was perfect. 

It looked like a house out of a story book. It was big, but not goddy. It had cottage-like windows with a little walk way lined by rose bushes and plants. I heard Sherlock snicker at me then when I turned to glare at him I saw keys fly though the air and then I snatched them up out of the air. I gave him a big smile and raced down the walkway jamming the key into the door. 

When I opened the door I found something totally unexpected. It looked like a teenage dream hangout house. Walking in in you see a huge spiral staircase. then to the left was the living room. There was a huge flat screen on one wall and then a big corner couch with a big lazy boy next to it. Then there was a little hallway that led to a Kitchen. The Kitchen was huge and there was and Island with a sink in the middle and a small table big enough for four. I opened the fridge and it was like a dream come true it was completely stocked with anything you could think of from pudding to any variety of vegetable. 

Then I ran upstairs and checked the rooms. Each one looked the exact same as the original. Well except mine, I didn't have much in my room anyways so I told Mycroft not to bother anyways. Then I heard the boys shuffling through the doors downstairs and totally forgot that I ditched the boys with the bags(not that we had many). I rode the railing down and found Sherlock at the door with my purse on his shoulder and I couldn't help but giggle. He snorted at me and gave me a look. 

"Please just take it." He said with an exasperated look. 

"Oh no no I really think it looks better on you." I said with a wave of my hand. He just rolled his eyes and dropped the bag in my hands. 

After we had settled in and put things away Mycroft announced that he must be off. 

"Ohhh so soon?" Sherlock said with false sincerity. I nudged him with my elbow and he looked down at me and gave a simple, innocent shrug. 

"Mmmhhmm yes well then I suppose that is my cue, take care little brother. John." he said shaking John's hand, who then turned and walked into the kitchen familiarizing himself with what was in each pantry. Sherlock turned and slowly walked down the hallway towards John. 

I stuck my hand out to Mycroft who took it and I surprised him by pulling him into a hug. I heard him make and awkward grunt noise, but I held my ground arms around his neck, and he finally placed one arm around my waist giving me a light, quick squeeze. 

"Thank you for doing this." I whispered. 

"Oh uhm yes, I was happy to. I do care about him you know, Please do take care of him." he said with a pleading tone.  I smiled and nodded. 

"I promise I will not let anything happen to him." I said with a reassuring smile.  Mycroft nodded and said a small goodbye before turning and leaving. 

After the door shut I turned around and saw Sherlock staring curiously at me. 

"What?" I asked with a shrug. 

"I have solved multiple crimes, beat a 'consulting criminal', the only one in the world, and I have faked my own death, but I am still confused on how you could have such an effect on my brother." He said in a cautious tone. 

"Maybe if you tried being nice to him, showing him that you really care, not just respect, or tolerance, but actual genuine concern you may see who he really is. I have known Mycroft and I know how people treat him. They may be respectful, but Mycroft is an ass and they know that which for some reason they can't seem to get past so they don't really care for him." I said looking up at him as I walked closer.

"I may try that one time, but I honestly don't really know how to show him I 'care' about hi, in a way that he will also understand." Sherlock said, and for the first time I saw Sherlock really did care, that under all that rude, bastard personality he showed everyone, Sherlock actually had some real nice quality inside. 

I gave him a smile and said "In your own way and in your own time you will learn how to show it." 

Then, breaking the moment, John yelled at us and I brightened up remembering the big surprise I had for Sherlock and John in the basement. 

"Oh john no! don't go down there yet!" I called, then grabbing Sherlock's hand I dragged him over to John. 

"Alright! Get ready I think you two are gonna love this!" I said excitedly, then I giggled at the worried glance John and Sherlock shared with each other. 

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                                                           Pic of the house to your right -------->