Failing Upward

Chapter 12 (part 2): Sweet Dreams

"Good morning," Mycroft said, kneeling down and petting Toby. He nuzzled his hand, coaxing him to continue tail thumping. Doggy hair was all over his clothes; he'd been here awhile.

"Shit! What are you doing here?! And what the hell are you wearing?!" I said, in an effort to keep my voice down but not succeeding. I heard the gurgle of water running down the drain from the shower.

"This is, in part, to illustrate how easy it is to get to you."

"Of course it's easy, for you! You put in the security! What is this really about? Why are dressed like that?" I gritted my teeth.

"I'm here to protect you. You needed this little lesson. You aren't safe here. No alarm, deadbolt or flimsy chain is going to stop Moriarty and his followers."

"So I'm supposed to follow you, trust you, just like that."

"You have before. You have even less of a choice now. I also have my brother's safety to consider. If you stay here, you put Sherlock at risk. That knife Moran stuck in you could easily have been in him."

I hesitated. Sherlock was calling me from the bathroom. "That still doesn't explain your clothes."

"A disguise. No one would recognize me in these." He sat down at the kitchen table, sipping the tea he'd made.

"You're right about that."

"There is also Mrs. Hudson to consider."

"Mrs. Hudson?" The water turned off in the bathroom, and I heard the shower curtain rings scraping against the rod. Guess the opportunity to scrub Sherlock's back just disappeared. Thanks, Mycroft .

"I think it is best if you and my brother come with me to Lestrade's. While you are here, she is also in danger. No need to pack anything. I can send some men to bring your things around later. Now would be good."

"The water started getting cold waiting," Sherlock said. "I thought I heard..." He stopped, robe flopping open, his naked body pink from the hot water. Confusion washed over his face as he stepped forward again, sensing the tension. As Sherlock eyed his brother sitting at the table from the ball cap to tattered sneakers, he smiled and crumpled his robe together in laughter.

"Why'd you let him in," he gasped, "dressed like that ?"

"I didn't. He let himself in," I said. "Need I remind you that you're the one who lets in people you shouldn't. Like Moriarty."

Sherlock's confusion surprised me. Mycroft blinked with realization.

"He used a subliminal suggestion on you, dear brother."

"It won't happen again. Fool me once, shame on him. Fool me twice, shame on me."

To Sherlock's irritation, Toby's head still rested contentedly in Mycroft's lap even after Sherlock came into the room.

"I was just explaining to John the facts of life and death, as it were. He needs protection. You need protection, it seems, from yourself. Painful as it is for me to admit, my services are not enough under the circumstances."

"Are the cameras on in this room, because I would love to replay this moment for you," I said.

"I had these turned off along with those in the living room. I'm afraid we've been compromised. Moriarty and those like him have an unnatural influence."

Compromised? That was concerning. Also the fact that that our makeout session on the couch was captured on camera.

Sherlock squinted in thought. His gaze fell onto Toby.