"The Happiest Holmes"

It was warmer than usual the next day. Everyone was in a pleasant mood and as much as the men in the isolated cabin refused to show it everyone was excited for that night. It was the final day of the year and that night they planned to sit around the fire pit and watch the fireworks. For David and Genesis it was tradition; when they were younger New Years Eve was spent in this cabin and when the hour struck midnight fireworks would be set off in the far distance. The lights big and loud despite being miles away.

Genesis woke up later than she would have liked. The smell of bacon lingered in the corridors from David and Sherlock's breakfast earlier in the day. When she finally trudged into the kitchen still decked out in her fuzzy pyjamas Mycroft was sat at the table with a bowl of cereal and a book open in his hand. Patting down her hair with a tight smile she pours herself a bowl of cheerios and milk before sitting at the head of the table beside him. For a moment she watches the book in his hand for a moment and spoons some of the milk soaked cereal into her mouth. Mycroft looks up and she diverts her gaze from the book to his own.

"The Great Gatsby." He states and turns the book to show her the cover while her chewing slows, shocked for some reason at being caught staring. Mycroft was no stranger to her and her curiosity was no stranger to him. Yet the flush in her cheeks told them both differently. "I've read it too many times." Sighing, he closes the book and slides it across the table to her. "You'll enjoy it, I think." Swallowing her mouthful, she places her spoon down and picks it up. Briefly flipping through the first few pages she smiles softly and nods. Mycroft purses his lips and stands from his seat to discard of his bowl. "I'm going to that cafe you mentioned last night. I'll, uh, see you later." Nodding, she begins reading the first page and continuing her breakfast.

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Due to the warmer weather Genesis sat herself on the bench swing in the back yard, wearing a pair of slippers matching her pyjamas, and immersed herself in Mycroft's book. She read for hours on end only ever taking one break to grab a drink or use the loo.

After Mycroft had been gone for a few hours and David had yet to speak to or even see his sister the glass doors slid open and Sherlock stepped outside in his usual suit.

"Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears!" Smiling and closing her book she looks up as Sherlock buries his hands in his pockets and shuffles over to the bench. As he takes a seat and breathes deeply through his nose Genesis lowers her head to mask the smile.

"I have come bury Caesar, not praise him." Tilting her head to look at him she drops her smile. "You seem troubled, Sherlock." His hands steeple together and he rests his elbows on his knees and balances his chin on his fingertips.

"I can't stop thinking about the day you left." A teasing smirk graces her features and she swings them slightly.

"Did you miss me?" He shakes his head. Scowling at him she allows him to speak and simply takes in his troubled features. Her eyes narrow at him and she attempts to hide the hurt she was feeling at his motion.

"No, I didn't. I can barely remember it. I remember seeing you leave and I remember Mother having to tell me you'd gone but I can't remember why." Clearing her throat and fighting back the tears gathering along her lower eyelids, Genesis looks away.

"You wouldn't understand if I told you. Apparently you replaced your memories." She spat her words out, regretting ever coming back now. None of the experience was turning out how she had imagined. He didn't miss her like she did. He didn't need her like she did. He didn't mourn for their friendship like she did.

"Remind me." His voice was faint whisper, he could tell he'd upset her but didn't quite understand how.

"Redbeard." She whispers and looks up in order to blink back the tears, she refused to cry for Sherlock any more. He inhales sharply at the name.

"You left because of Redbeard... because of a dog?"

"Friend." Genesis looks up in shock. They had said the last two words simultaneously. She knew he had replaced Victor Trevor however it hadn't occurred to her that he had replaced their best friend with a dog. Furrowing his eyebrows, Sherlock turns to face her.

"So why did you come back?"

"I missed you. I needed you." She watched him hoping, wishing he had a response she knew her Sherlock would have given. He stared at the grown, watching as he pushes the sludgy snow with the toe of his dress shoe. It takes a moment for him to respond.

"I don't need you, Genesis." That was the last straw. She stood, clutching the book tightly in her hands and speeding away to her bedroom. Once the door was closed she threw the book on the bed and slumped onto the mattress. For a moment she sobbed dryly, still refusing to let the tears fall.

Forcing herself to her feet she wipes the damp puddle around her eyes before tugging a rucksack from under her bed. It's old and worn, a dirty pink colour, possibly about eleven years old. It was large enough. She forces a few essentials into the bottom of the bag along with her clothes before throwing her purse, her passport, the photograph from the night of the Christmas Mayhem, the book Mycroft gave her and the parcel Miss Murdock had given her seven years ago. Placing her phone on her bed she leaves the room, cradling a dirty white skull in her hand. Slipping into Sherlock's designated room she fits the skull snug on the pillows.

Moving to Mycroft's room she plays with a small figurine. It was one of a set of three, completely sentimental to her and those who knew Her and Victor Trevor on her Eleventh birthday. The figurine wore a blue playsuit and held a small wooden sword a smile painted on her face. It was one of three Victor Trevor had gifted her for her birthday along with a hand crafted pirate ship- she carried the three figurines everywhere with her but now, she was leaving the figure of her behind for Mycroft. The only Holmes child who was happy to see her as much as he didn't show it.

David had plenty to remember her by, yet she did leave behind a small note telling him not to worry before slipping on her jacket and boots and leaving the cabin.