Sherlock Imagines

Thank You (Adlock)

Day Four of SHIPPING HELL
Ship suggester: IreneElizabethHolmes
A/N: ALLUDES TO MYSTRADE. Hints of sisterly/brotherly relationship between Irene/Mycroft developing. So... yeah. Also: MARRIED ADLOCK. YES. THEY ARE THE WED. Moriarty IS THE FEAR!

She'd made him where the damned costume, dragged him to the damned party, and now everyone was forcing him through haunted house after haunted house while she was off doing something on her own. If he wasn't there with his partner, what was the point of being there? He couldn't leave her, obviously, but he wished he could just ditch the entire silly thing.
He remembered when he was young, while these things were still fun. He dressed as a pirate every year- annoyed Mycroft to no end. Even so, the elder brother would take him from house to house, helping him collect all sorts of sweets.
He wished he knew were Irene was. This silly little party was practically killing his brain cells. Despite this, he felt George pulling him towards another ridiculous function meant to frighten the detective.

The little boy giggled endlessly as she began tickling him. Mycroft has been unsure on whether or not to leave Gregory's youngest boy in her care, but his partner had assured him it'd be alright. Still, he kept a watchful eye. He had to admit, however, she was doing a rather excellent job, gaining the boy's trust far faster than most had.
"Hello, Samuel, glad to see you're enjoying your time with Ms. Adler." Irene's eyes fell dark, her lips pursing slightly.
"Mrs. Holmes." She corrected pointedly. Mycroft's jaw twitched, a moment of aggravation taking over his features before they returned to their normal calmness.
"Terribly sorry, my mistake. How's my brother dearest?" He inquired, interrupting the playful session. Irene lifted the boy to her hip as she stood, a firm smile on her face. Mycroft and her... well, they didn't see eye to eye, but they both respected each other in the fact that they cared for the younger Holmes brother very deeply. Besides, if Irene made Sherlock happy, well... he'd have to get used to her as his sister in law.
"He's been well, really... come out of his shell." She said, voice implying something the boy couldn't possibly understand. He sighed softly, a tad irritated that she'd bring up sex in front of his- erm, Gregory's son.
"I'll suppose that's a good thing, then." She coddled the boy slightly closer as he said this, sparking a hint of intrigue. He went to inquire further when John interrupted.
"Quick- we need something Sherlock's afraid of." He panted, breath gone from him as he looked between the two that knew the detective best. In an instant, there was one, clear, joined answer.
"Moriarty."

Irene kept up with babysitting while Mycroft prepared the cameras. He didn't exactly see the point in helping with this plot, but it gave him a reason to further examine his brother's spouse, and watch over Samuel. The boy was the most important person in his own partner's life, after all, and he'd do anything to keep him safe. Though, if his suspicions were correct, he had nothing to fear with the boy being with her. Actually... she was doing wonderfully with him.
"Is there a problem, Mycroft?" She inquired, the sarcasm evident in her tone. His eyes glanced away from his work, an admitting sheen to them.
"I fear I may've misjudged you before. I apologize for any inconvenience." And with that, he went back to work, leaving her in a state of awe- thoughts in a storm of different phases.
"Thank you." It was all she could manage to actually say, but neither commented any further. They simply went back to their duties, and continued on as if it hadn't happened in the first place.

The stage was set. Even Mycroft had to admit, the plan was articulated beautifully, the only thing that could still even go wrong was if Sherlock could see through Irene's acting. It was doubtful, though. They all watched as Irene rushed to his side, swinging her arms around his neck and shaking like a leaf. He immediately grew alert, doing what he could to calm her, searching for some sort of explanation.
That's when her phone came in. Mycroft had to admit, she had a knack for forging messages. If he hadn't known any better, he would've suspected Moriarty himself sent the message. And, just as everyone suspected, Sherlock did.
"H-He says he's coming- to repay my debt... Sherlock-" Tears we're falling from her face like Niagara Falls. He kissed her lightly.
"No, I won't let him hurt you." He vowed, but there was something hidden behind his eyes- in his voice.

Fear.

To any passerby, it'd be obvious. He was genuinely terrified, even as he began collecting up the few people he'd have to back him, he was practically trembling.
No one bothered to break the act until after Sherlock was practically crying from the screen's flicking on, "Moriarty's" message spewing from every speaker at the party.
"I owe you~, I owe you~..." Again and again, a record on repeat, more twisted every time it went around. Irene had to turn it off before she could get Sherlock to calm down enough to listen to her, despite the boisterous laughter coming from John and Lestrade.
"I'm sorry, love- it was a joke, just meant to frighten you..." He clung to her, holding her tightly as he came down from the fear. Once he had, though, he had a few choice words for his "friends."
"Mrs Holmes?" Mycroft inquired hesitantly. Irene smiled the faintest bit, turning towards him.
"This may not be my place to say," Oh dear, she thought, "but I do think you'll make a wonderful mother. And I believe my brother will be very well off, with you by his side." Once again, she was left agape, Mycroft's admission? Compliment? It didn't matter what it was, she needed a few moments to let it sink in. The general kindness foreign from him..
And now it was her turn to say, "Thank you."