For John Watson

[howdull]

[Sherlock is still finding pieces of the melted laptop in the carpet.

It had actually been quite an ingenious booby trap to be devised by a fourteen year old boy with only household chemicals to work with but, as Sherlock surmised, rather overkill to keep his mother from finding his extensive porn collection. Not one of their more illustrious cases, but it had been quite entertaining to watch both the boy and mother's faces as he revealed that he did know the how and why. He lost interest after the mother started shouting and John started shouting and the whole thing turned tedious.

He rather thinks John won't actually be doing a full write-up of this one on his blog.

It's been two days since their last case and he's beginning to get more than a little antsy. Lestrade has sent him nothing, just a boring hit and run that he refused to even leave the flat for, and nobody interesting has appeared through the blog. Said blog he is currently scrolling through on John's laptop, having borrowed it again.

He did ask, it's not his fault John hadn't been in the room at the time.]

Bored, John.

[He doesn't even know if his flatmate is even in, but that's hardly a necessity for him to actually speak to John. Frustrated, he throws the laptop across the room to hit the wall, where it summarily breaks. Which is where he can be found whenever John appears, sulking amidst pieces of laptop, both from the melted one of their last case and John's poor broken one.]

Comments

[jumpthegun]

[John frowns as he searches for a parking spot along the street.]

Right? About what?

[He's pretty sure Mycroft is an arsehole who is right about very little in this world at the moment.]

[howdull]

He hypothesised that Caroline Matthews was a foil, being used by someone to get at me through you.

[He hates it when Mycroft is right, especially about things that he just hasn't seen the pattern in.]

If that is true, then I'm sorry, John.

[jumpthegun]

[That just deepens his frown. The thought that this wouldn't have happened if he hadn't been connected to Sherlock is an uncomfortable one.]

We're both targets. I think we can each make up to the other by not dying and solving this.

[He parks the car and carefully moves out of the driver's seat. He'll wait for wait for Molly and Sherlock to untangle themselves, drawing Molly a little ways away for a moment.]

Listen, Molly, I know you've got to get back to work and... your phone's probably being tapped. But if anything happens with Jim and you need our help, I want you to call me and just say 'Vatican cameos' and your location. That's all we need. You understand?

[howdull]

[She might not understand, but she nods all the same, impulsively reaching up to give him a brief (and very gentle) hug.]

Take care of him.

[She can say it, because John knows. Because John won't tease her and judge her, because he loves Sherlock too in his own way and understands. She steps back towards her car, taking the keys from him.]

Yourself too.

[Baker Street itself doesn't look too bad now that the cleanup has begun, thanks to the efforts of Mycroft's influence and the insurance company being persuaded that it had been a gas leak and therefore to pay out. Reconstruction has already begun, and the walls have been scrubbed of the marks of the explosion. Speedy's is already open again.

Sherlock stands impatiently in front of Mrs. Turner's door, knocking sharply.]

Mrs. Hudson! [A shout after she hasn't answered the door in all of three seconds.] Mrs. HUDSON!

[jumpthegun]

[Molly receives a soft 'I will,' and smile before John heads to the door to stand with Sherlock.]

Bloody hell, give her a minute. She is entertaining a guest, y'know?

[howdull]

A guest who could potentially be even now hurting her.

[Sherlock moves as if about to start ramming the door with his shoulder, when it opens to reveal Mrs. Hudson looking flustered.]

Honestly, you two, I've got a bad hip, you know, can't you be more patient?

[jumpthegun]

Sorry, Mrs. H. [But not so sorry that John isn't hurriedly moving inside, either before or after Sherlock. He takes the stairs two at a time, hand twitching, wanting for his missing gun. He needs another weapon, and he'll try to take at least a moment to pause before entering the living room to look in and see if it actually is James.]

[howdull]

[John makes it in ahead of Sherlock, mostly because he's examining Mrs. Hudson in one swift glance from top to toe in order to make certain that she's okay. She is. That increases the likelihood that this is Major Sholto.

It is.

He stands up stiffly when John enters the room, posture an automatic military stiffness despite having been discharged some time ago now.]

John. Come in, I don't want to stay long.

[jumpthegun]

Major. [They're both out of the service and neither of them are in their military dress, but John salutes him on force of habit. Well, it's the major, certainly. John's on edge, though, to put it mildly. He checks the windows and the other doors to the room, trying to gauge if there's any other threat here before settling back on Sholto. Once Sholto salutes back, John will stand at an at-ease position, gaze steady on the other man.]

I'm taking it this isn't a social visit. Did Bill contact you about what's been going on?

[howdull]

No.

[He's not much of a one for light conversation these days, and he really doesn't feel comfortable out of his house. But he felt honour-bound to come when he couldn't contact John any other way.]

I'm here because of this.

[He holds out a neatly folded letter in an envelope bearing the crest of the army. It's a summons to attend a military police interview regarding the "possibly unlawful actions of Captain Watson while serving in Afghanistan".]

[jumpthegun]

[John reads swiftly through the summons, then looks up at the major, confusion and mild horror evident on his features. It's only 'possibly' right now. But what the hell are they investigating? Some sort of gross negligence claim from Caroline? He should have a medical board coming after his license for that, not the military police.]

What?

[His voice is smaller and he looks from James over to the entryway, searching for Sherlock.]

[howdull]

[Sherlock is there, of course, stood in the doorway looking over Major Sholto with interest. So this is John's friend? Easy to see why, honour practically radiates off him in a sickening fashion. He doesn't like him already.

He holds his hand out for the letter.]

Show me.

[Sholto looks over at Sherlock levelly, but he won't stop John handing it over.]

I don't know what mess you've landed yourself in, but you deserved a head's up. Couldn't get you on the phone, so I came down.

[jumpthegun]

[John's gaze is momentarily on Sholto, looking for him to affirm or deny the request. When there's nothing forthcoming, the doctor hands the letter to Sherlock.]

There's a woman. Carloine Matthews. She was married to Danny Matthews. He... committed suicide. She blames me for not getting to him sooner in the field. There were complications after I got him out of the field hospital. She murdered Harry a couple of days ago. My sister Harry. She's been stalking me. She blew up my flat. She kidnapped and tried to kill my flatmate.

[A glance toward Sherlock.]

Sorry, Major. This is Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective. Sherlock, Major James Sholto.

[howdull]

[Sherlock notices the glance at Sholto for permission and very nearly snatches the letter in his annoyance. He scans it quickly as John runs down the situation to an impressively composed Sholto, though he does nod and offer John a quick salute.]

Condolences on your sister.

[It needs to be said. He's about to deal with the formality of introduction when Sherlock brushes right past it, ignoring pleasantries altogether.]

Yes, very sad, but this is what we need to be focused on. Of course you'll go, but I don't see anything to worry about yet, your reports of John are sure to be exemplary.

[jumpthegun]

['Yet' is the operative word here.]

I know you'll be honest, James. I just... I'm sorry you're getting caught up in this now, as well. [And then a thought strikes him and John is very suddenly on high alert once more. Explosives. Could there be more explosives?]

Sherlock, why would Caroline go to the trouble of having Major Sholto summoned when they'd get nothing out of his testimony? [There's no reason. Not unless there's some bizarre way they're planning to twist the story.] Major, have you interacted with or seen anyone since you got here apart from Mrs. Hudson?

[howdull]

There are a number of reasons, impossible to narrow down. Most likely to kill him, though there's the possibility that it's just a formality if charges have been levied against you.

[Sholto doesn't look particularly worried about someone potentially killing him. He's good in the face of pressure, and he doesn't break down in hard situations.]

No.

[Simple, but true. He doesn't interact with anyone if he can help it.]

I won't stay, John. I've come to tell you what you need to know, give me your phone number or new address and I'll contact you with how the summons goes.

[jumpthegun]

[John takes the summons back from Sherlock, and returns them to the major before heading to a nearby table where he can see a pad of paper. His phone number and Sherlock's old flat address are written down. He wants to protest, to keep the other man close, but that's going to be difficult. He can at least warn him... warn Lestrade to keep some of his men on him.]

My phone might be tapped at any time and that address has been compromised by the enemy, sir. [The doctor's voice is level as he looks up at the other man in grave concern.] It's the best we have at the moment, though. Will you consent to a police escort while you're in the city, at least? I have a friend at the Met I can inform of the situation. I've notified Bill to remain away from London and the UK for the time being, if he can. Anyone with any ties to me is in mortal danger.

[It might be a little dramatic to say it like that, but John's fairly certain it's true.]

[howdull]

[He's not planning to be in London long enough to need police protection. He already misses the solitude of his house and the safety it provides from the outside world, he's certainly not planning on hanging around to see how it all pans out.]

No, thank you.

[He's already heading towards the door, piece of paper folded neatly and put into his pocket with his own remaining good hand.]

The summons is nearer my home, military base, I won't be staying in London.

[He wouldn't have come at all, but his sense of honour demanded that he warn John of what could be coming.]

[jumpthegun]

Major... [There's a hint of pleading that John quickly scrubs from his voice. He clears his throat and stands to attention, saluting Sholto again.] Thank you, sir. Good luck.

[He wants to call in Lestrade, anyway. But there's not much to do here. When James has decided on something, he's like a dog with a piece of steak. Nothing is pulling him off of it. Sholto returns the salute and heads downstairs. John's still at a bit of a loss for what to think. He's also very aware that those salutes have cost him. His chest and shoulders are burning, and that vulnerability shines through more as he comes down from his rigid attention for his commander.]

Caroline said today is when the main event would be starting. You think this is it? Just ruining my service record? It's not like it'd matter. You're my employer. [And maybe they could get him arrested, but he can't think of anything they could actually pin on him for that.]

[howdull]

[John is like a dog wanting attention from his master, stood to attention and practically wagging his non-existent tail. It's pathetic. What does Major Sholto have that's worth such admiration and respect? Honestly, it was as though John forgot there was another person in the room at the same time.

Not that he's jealous. That would be ridiculous, jealousy is an emotion of sentiment, and that's not him.]

Hm?

[Oh, yes, of course, the letter.]

I thought you worked at that GP clinic? Something boring about not being paid enough to cover the rent just running around London solving crimes, I stopped listening after a while.

[jumpthegun]

[John hardly notices Sherlock's irritation.

The point does make sense, though. He does work locum, but Sarah's his employer there, and whatever rift he's put between them, he's fairly sure she won't just accept that he was some horrible criminal all along. She's seen him. She knows him.]

Sarah wouldn't believe it. And they're still... they'd have to go after my medical license for it to make a real difference there. You think that's next?

[howdull]

Doubtful. They'd need solid evidence of severe malpractice or criminal behaviour to strip you of your license, and there's no evidence of either.

[John isn't a perfect doctor, but he's a damn good one, and he clearly was a damn good soldier too. There's nothing there to go after.]

If they're questioning people you served with, the next logical step would be to question you. That will at least give us some idea of what they're playing with.

[jumpthegun]

I don't really have an address to get a summons at, Sherlock. [He frowns.] Unless... Mrs. Hudson? [It's called into the kitchen as John heads that way.] Have you been picking up the post somewhere? Or having it forwarded to Mrs. Turner's? I need to see if there's anything for me.

[howdull]

I'm your landlady, dear, not your housekeeper.

[But she does have some letters in her hand as she bustles back upstairs with two cups of tea for them both.]

You'd have got them before if you thought to call, you know?

[jumpthegun]

[They're never going to hear the end of that. John's fairly sure.]

Yes, sorry. I, uh... can you give me the number for the phone here? I'll be sure to keep you updated from now on.

[Maybe. When there's neutral or good news.

He'll sit down in the one of the chairs, nearby after taking the tea and letters. However, he passes by the chair Sholto had been sitting in, even though it's one of the closest. That's been mentally assigned as 'not my chair' without John even really noticing it.]

Have you been all right here?

[His voice is distracted as he goes through the mail checking for anything from the military and ignoring pretty much everything else... including the bills and whatever sympathy cards there might be.]