Chapter Text
She had known, for some time, that John was bored. Bored of the sedate life they led, or maybe bored of her….she didn’t know. But the phone messages from another woman were enough to tell her that even if he hadn’t strayed physically, emotionally he was already gone, or close to it.
It had been a depressing thought, but one she hadn’t been able to dwell on for long. After the incident in the aquarium, she had known that there was nothing left to truly salvage. He had been heartbroken that she had been shot, but he hadn’t tried to save her. A good thing, she mused now as she sipped tea in Mycroft’s study, her body aching from the bullet’s impacts, but still. It was a damning piece of evidence that there wasn’t much more to salvage.
Mycroft studied her for a long moment. “I did as you told and let Molly in on your plan. She is trustworthy, but...”
“I know,” Mary said. “It’s going to be hell for her to be put through pretending I’m dead, just as it had been with Sherlock. And this time, she has to lie to Sherlock.”
“Still, if we are to make sure your daughter is well taken care of--”
“And I can see her,” Mary piped in.
“--then she should have been informed. So I suppose I can’t fault you. But you know Rosie will not be able to go with you when you leave.”
“I know,” Mary said quietly. “But if there’s a threat, still?”
“Ms, Hooper and Rosie will stay here for their protection, as I think John is at a complete loss to parent properly. If he ever had been.”
A sad smile crept on her face. “So. You noticed. He does love Rosie, he just wanted...more.”
“Or different,” Mycroft said in a huff.
“You don’t approve?” Mary asked, tilting her head.
“One of the few secrets we have managed to keep just between us is we have known each other for some time. I knew you when you were Rosamund and you were the CIA’s shining example of their ‘shadow ops’ program.” He picked up his own tea. “Though the lies were important at first, I believe if you had had the chance and John had met you knowing your full background, he never would have married you. As much as he craves adventure and adrenaline, you would have been better than him in every aspect and he would not have let that stand. Though...you might have been a suitable paramour for my brother, had he not been so enamoured with Ms. Hooper for all these years.” He had some of his tea. “John seems to think he’s attracted to Ms. Irene Adler, which shows how considerably unobservant he is.”
Mary snorted a slight laugh. “I suppose she would have been perfect for my husband?”
“You never encountered her?” Mycroft asked, surprised.
“Never had the pleasure.” She had some more of her tea. “And I’m sure it would have been a pleasure.”
“Yes, well...” He trailed off. “We’ll keep you well hidden on the property, and I will keep an eye on Sherlock to make sure he doesn’t do anything foolish, as we know he’s prone to. Ms. Hooper will be here tomorrow for you to spend time with Rosamund. Eleven o’clock is what she said, I believe.”
“Good. I need to take a nice long soak and then curl up and get warm. I feel...cold.”
“The loss of adrenaline, perhaps.” He had more of his tea. “I’ll make sure that the pyjamas in your room are flannel to help the process.”
“Thank you, Mycroft.” Mary finished her tea and then stood, moving closer to Mycroft before leaning over and kissing his cheek. “For doing this, for letting me stay here for a time...I appreciate it.”
Mycroft flushed slightly and looked down at his cup of tea. “I owe you as much for what you have done for me, in the past.”
“No, you don’t. You don’t owe me this much.” She patted his cheek and then turned and walked away, heading towards the stairs to go to her room. She paused at the top landing and took a deep breath. This was going to be, quite honestly, the hardest thing she had ever done. But if she could get through it, she could have her life back...or at least, whatever remained of it.