A/N: I had this weird idea while I was writing my story, "What Goes Around," and I decided to make this into an AU of that one. If you haven't read it, why not? Just kidding;) This is based on a dream Sherlock had, but I turned it into reality.

The premise is: What if Mycroft isn't quite as forgiving of his family's treatment of him? What if he decides to act in a very different manner than he always has?

Please let me know what you think of this. I will even accept criticism graciously-as long as it is done in the same manner! XD

The day after the Fateful One, which was how Sherlock privately termed the one they had spent at Sherrinford, the detective placed a call to his brother, privately termed the Unbearable One. (He somehow seemed slightly less unbearable than before, Sherlock mused, recalling their adventures. On the other hand, he had a lot to answer for.)

"Sherlock, are you alright?" Mycroft Holmes sounded exhausted.

"Peachy keen, brother mine," Sherlock drawled. "We have some business that needs to be discussed."

"Of course." Sherlock couldn't deny that his brother's conciliatory response made him smugly satisfied. It was nice to be calling the shots for a change.

"We need to inform them, Mycroft," Sherlock said. It came out a tad harsher than he had intended.

"I will. Don't worry. I merely need another couple of days to finish up some urgent work."

"I can't believe you, Mycroft! Our parents are grieving a daughter they believe dead, and all you can think of is your work?!"

"It's not exactly like that. There are major security concerns regarding Sherrinford, and the staff that has been compromised. My involvement is needed."

"Fine, take your time," Sherlock snapped, annoyed. Here he was, all ready to be forgiving and supportive to his brother, and he was getting brushed off.

"How is Dr. Watson?" The British Government inquired solicitously.

The inquiry felt like an invasion of privacy to the younger brother, who was feeling extremely solicitous of his friend, after the latter had nearly drowned in a well. "As well as can be, considering he was chained to the bottom of a well for hours, and had nearly drowned by the time he was rescued," he spat. The implied accusation, "No thanks to you," was heard as clearly as if it had been said.

"I'm sorry that he had to go through that," Mycroft said, sounding sincere. "I'm sorry about everything that went wrong yesterday. It was all my fault."

Sherlock softened a bit at hearing the genuine regret in his brother's voice. "Yeah, well, you messed up, but you didn't mean for all of it to happen. Let's move on. Will you ask Mummy and Dad to meet us personally?"

"I'll ask them to meet us in my office. I'll send you the details. Please do give my apologies to Dr. Watson."

"Alright. And Mycroft, you're not off the hook. You lied to me again yesterday regarding Redbeard. If you want to ever regain my trust, you will have to work for it. Hard." With that parting shot, he ended the call.