(Third person POV: )

 Sometime later Mycroft had brought the three to his residence/office. The older brother sat at the dining table with Irene seated opposite him. Sherlock was in the armchair near the fireplace a few yards away, half turned away from the pair of them. The fingers on his right hand were repeatedly clenching as he listened to the other two speak. Alice was at the head of the table, bent over her mobile and pretending to not care. They all knew how much she did though. Mycroft pointed down at the camera phone which was lying on the table in front of him. There was no aggression or threat in his voice as he spoke.

 “We have people who can get into this.” He said calmly.

 “I tested that theory for you. I let Sherlock Holmes try it for six months.” Irene replied smugly. Sherlock closed his eyes briefly in pain. Alice quickly looked up at him. “Sherlock, dear, tell him what you found when you X-rayed my camera phone.” Irene requested. Sherlock glared and then looked at Alice pointedly. She sighed and rolled her head back.

 “There are four additional units wired inside the casing, probably containing acid or a small amount of explosive.” She explained flatly. Mycroft lowered his head into his hand in despair. “Any attempt to open the casing will burn the hard drive.” She added.

 “Explosive.” She looked at Mycroft. “It’s more me.”

 “Some data is always recoverable.” Mycroft said hopefully, lifting his head and looking at her again. Alice scoffed.

 “Take that risk?” Irene tested.

 “You have a passcode to open this. I deeply regret to say we have people who can extract it from you.” Mycroft said, sounding truly regretful.

 “Sherlock?” Irene asked calmly.

 “There will be two passcodes: one to open the phone, one to burn the drive. Even under duress you can’t know which one she’s given you and there will be no point in a second attempt.” Sherlock sighed.

 “He’s good, isn’t he? I should have him on a leash – in fact, I might.” Irene flirted. Alice scowled in disgust and gave Irene the finger when she thought no one was looking. Irene gazed at Sherlock intensely but he remained turned away from her and couldn’t see her expression much to Alice’s relief.

 “We destroy this, then. No-one has the information.” Mycroft reasoned.

 “Fine. Good idea... unless there are lives of British citizens depending on the information you’re about to burn.” Irene threatened.

 “Are there?” Alice asked, stealing Mycroft’s question.

 “Telling you would be playing fair. I’m not playing anymore.” She said savagely. She reached into her handbag on the table in front of her and took out an envelope which she pushed across the table to Mycroft. “A list of my requests; and some ideas about my protection once they’re granted.” Irene explained. Mycroft took the sheet of paper from the envelope and started to unfold it. “I’d say it wouldn’t blow much of a hole in the wealth of the nation – but then I’d be lying.” He raised his eyebrows in amazement as he read through the demands she has listed. “I imagine you’d like to sleep on it.”

 “Thank you, yes.” Mycroft said, still reading through them.

 “Too bad.” Irene said. He looked up at her. In the armchair, Sherlock snorted in almost silent amusement. Alice smiled at the same time he snorted.  “Off you pop and talk to people.” Irene added, still talking to the older brother. Sighing, Mycroft sank back in his chair.

 “You’ve been very... thorough. I wish our lot were half as good as you.” Mycroft complimented.

 “I can’t take all the credit. Had a bit of help.” She said. Alice chuckled.

 “Seems fitting.” The redhead scoffed. Irene glared at her for a moment then looked across to Sherlock.

 “Oh, Jim Moriarty sends his love.” She said sweetly. Sherlock raised his head.

 “Yes, he’s been in touch. Seems desperate for my attention...” Mycroft mentioned. His voice became more ominous. “...which I’m sure can be arranged.” Unseen by the others, Sherlock’s gaze began to sharpen as Irene stood up and walked round the table to sit on its edge, nearer to Mycroft.

 “I had all this stuff, never knew what to do with it. Thank god for the consultant criminal. Gave me a lot of advice about how to play the Holmes boys. D’you know what he calls you?” Irene began. “The Ice Man...” She said softly. She looked across to Sherlock. “...and the Virgin.” She concluded. She looked to Alice. “And you, dear. Well, your name is not appropriate for the children’s ears.” Alice’s eyes narrowed while Sherlock’s eyes were on the move, though it was not yet clear whether in reaction to what Irene was saying or whether he was working something out. “Didn’t even ask for anything. I think he just likes to cause trouble. Now that’s my kind of man.” Irene said happily. Sherlock closed his eyes, sighing softly.

 “And here you are, the dominatrix who brought a nation to its knees.” Mycroft said. Sherlock’s eyes snapped open again. He was definitely working something out. Mycroft stood and appeared to bow slightly to Irene. “Nicely played.” He complimented. He turned away, about to go and begin meeting her demands. Smiling in satisfaction, she stood up, confident that she had won.

 “No.” Sherlock suddenly said. All three turned to him, a smile already beginning to play on Alice’s lips.

 “Sorry?” Irene asked, surprised. Sherlock turned his head towards them.

 “I said no. Very, very close, but no.” He repeated. He stood and started to walk towards her. “You got carried away. The game was too elaborate. You were enjoying yourself too much.” Sherlock scolded.

 “No such thing as too much.” Irene retorted, looking a bit shaken for the first time that night.

 “Oh, enjoying the thrill of the chase is fine, craving the distraction of the game – I sympathise entirely – but sentiment? Sentiment is a chemical defect found in the losing side.” Sherlock said cleverly, walking closer and looking down at her. He bared his teeth slightly as he finished the sentence.

 “Sentiment? What are you talking about?” Irene demanded.

 “You.” Sherlock said smartly.

 “Oh dear g*d. Look at the poor man. You don’t actually think I was interested in you? Why? Because you’re the great Sherlock Holmes, the clever detective in the funny hat?” Irene said, smiling calmly. Sherlock stepped even closer to her, their bodies almost touching. Alice was surprisingly calm, but then again, she had figured out what Sherlock was talking about.

 “No.” Sherlock said softly. He reached out and slowly wrapped the fingers of his right hand around her left wrist, then leaned forward and brought his mouth close to her right ear. “Because I took your pulse.” Irene frowned in confusion as Sherlock tightened his grip a little around her wrist. “Elevated; your pupils dilated.” He continued, speaking softly into her ear. He released her hand and leaned past her to pick up the camera phone from the table. “I imagine John Watson thinks love’s a mystery to me but the chemistry is incredibly simple, and very destructive.” Sherlock said in a more normal voice. He glanced at Alice, who was smiling broadly and not trying to hide it. He turned and walked a few paces away from her. She followed behind him until he turned and faced her again.

“When we first met, you told me that disguise is always a self-portrait. How true of you: the combination to your safe – your measurements; but this...” He tossed the phone into the air and caught it again. “...this is far more intimate.” He said, trying to not smirk. He pulled up the security lock with its ‘I AM ---- LOCKED’ screen. “This is your heart...” He trailed off. Without breaking his gaze into her eyes, he punched in the first of the four characters with his thumb. “...and you should never let it rule your head.” He finished. Irene stared at him, trying to stay calm but the panic was beginning to show behind her eyes. “You could have chosen any random number and walked out of here today with everything you’ve worked for...” He punched in the second character, his eyes still locked on hers. “...but you just couldn’t resist it, could you?” Her breathing became heavier. Sherlock smiled briefly and triumphantly. “I’ve always assumed that love is a dangerous disadvantage...” He hit the third character, still gazing at her. “Thank you for the final proof.” He finished his speech, Alice grinning madly, Mycroft just gazing at the two. Before he could type in the fourth character, she seized his hand and gazed up at him intensely.

 “Everything I said: it’s not real.” Irene said. “I was just playing the game.” She begged, her voice in a whisper.

 “I know.” Sherlock said, whispering as well. Gently pulling his hand free, he typed in the final character. “And this is just losing.” He said. Alice jumped up and punched the air very unprofessionally. Lucky for her, Mycroft was the only one who saw, and he didn’t care. Slowly he turned the phone towards her and showed her the screen. She looked down at it, tears spilling from her eyes as she read the sequence which said:

 ‘I AM

SHER

LOCKED’

 She gazed down at the screen in despair for a few seconds, and then Sherlock lifted the phone away and held it out towards Mycroft even as the phone unlocked and presents its menu.

 “There you are, brother. I hope the contents make up for any inconvenience I may have caused you tonight.” Sherlock said, his gaze still fixed on Irene.

 “I’m certain they will.” Mycroft said happily. Alice went to Sherlock’s side, smiling smugly at Irene as she passed. Sherlock turned and began to walk towards the door.

 “If you’re feeling kind, lock her up; otherwise let her go. I doubt she’ll survive long without her protection.” Alice said. Sherlock smiled at the redhead. Irene stares after them, her eyes wide with dread.

 “Are you expecting me to beg?” Irene demanded, shocked.

 “Yes.” He answered, flatly and calmly. He stopped near the door, his face in profile to her. She stared at him in anguish for several seconds, and then realized that she has no choice.

 “Please.” She begged. Neither of them moved. “You’re right.” Irene admitted. Now he turned to look at her. Alice kept facing the door, her face a blank slate. "I won’t even last six months.” She begged, staring at him pleadingly.

 “Sorry about dinner.” He answered ironically. He turned and walked to the door, opening it and walking through. She watched him go, her eyes full of horror as the door closed behind them.

Okay, two updates today, but maybe not on Monday. It depends on how much typing I get done. =) So enjoy, vote, and comment fun peoples!! =D