St Bartholomew's
Prologue
St Bartholomew's was a well-established hospital located close to central London, somewhere along the line the school had become a basis for teaching medical students, producing some of the best doctor's the world had seen. The building surpassed any expectations stretching further than would be anticipated, not five minutes away from the hospitals was an adjoining building of sorts, St Bartholomew's boarding school. The school was for those who could afford it or people who were lucky enough to earn scholarships, bringing in a diverse range of students.
The building itself was a large grey stone building, quite boring in fact. The most important and interesting part of the boarding school was by far the accommodation that was ten minutes away. A large rectangular building with a courtyard in the middle, containing a garden and drive way of sorts. The building was split in two, half for the girls and half for the boys with various different entrances that labelled the building's in sections for the students.
Sherlock Holmes sighed, bringing the cigarette back to his lips and inhaling the toxic fumes of the tar. He had been at St Bartholomew's for three years and had in that time become very settled into his routines of being alone and labelled the 'freak' by some of the more 'challenged' students like Anderson and Donovan. That was until two years ago when John Watson had been allowed into the school through a scholar ship programme due to his rugby playing and aspiration to become a doctor. In the last two years, the boys had been placed together in 221B in 'Baker Street' building and become the very best of friends. Greg Lestrade, who resided in room 221A which was basically opposite their room had also become close to the two of them, often seeking out their company instead of his idiotic friends Anderson and Donovan. The two years had been quite a blur of bad behaviour and close calls but somehow they had muddled through, they were even quite excited about having their finial year before the optional (in most cases) sixth form that the school provided.
Sherlock took another long drag from the cigarette that was positioned between two of his long pale fingers. The smoke filling his lungs as he inhaled, he smiled slightly, the fairly new lip piercing pulling slightly. He had after spending two weeks arguing with his older brother Mycroft gone and got a lip piercing, a black ring as a simple act of rebellion. It fitted in with his various ear piercings and the little tattoos he had. The wind blew his black curls into his eyes, he cursed under his breath knowing that it was most likely time for a haircut but the fact his brother had mentioned that last week made him reluctant to get one. He was in some black jeans and a black top with a blue scarf wrapped around his neck, the long grey coat he had become accustomed to sat perfectly on his tall, lean body.
"I thought that you had given up smoking, something about a smoking habit being impossible to maintain in London these days." John Watson said mockingly as he approached, obviously finished unpacking all his clothes and saying goodbye to his parents who had insisted on staying an extra day to say goodbye 'properly'. John was in simple jeans, a checked shirt and a brown jacket. His blonde hair longer than it usually was, the blonde slightly brighter as well due to the summer sun.
Sherlock smirked slightly. "That was before I spent two weeks with my brother, followed by three weeks with my parents, followed by another week with Mycroft before coming back here." He said in explanation. John laughed as he lent on the building labelled 'Baker Street' where he had been living with Sherlock for the past two years. "Good break?" Sherlock asked, partly interested but mostly out of mock curtsey.
John smiled, his face lighting up with the desire to tell someone about the girl he had met over summer. "Good…very good in fact, met a girl. Her names Mary, she lives not far from me, apparently she moved in not long after I started coming here. She was so…nice."
"Did you fuck her then?" Sherlock asked quite abruptly, his crudity making John withdraw slightly as he frowned at the dark haired boy.
"It's not all about sex Sherlock, sometimes it's just nice to be with a girl to talk and stuff –" in that moment John was cut off by a hand on his shoulder.
The hand belonged to one Gregory Lestrade, a good looking guy with dark hair in a fashionable cut – the one with shaved sides, back and longer top that is often quaffed back slightly. "That's a no then" he said in answer to Sherlock's question.
Sherlock sighed in annoyance "that's a shame, you get cranky when you haven't been fucked-" he registered John's disapproving expression and corrected himself "-when you haven't had sex, by my judgement there hasn't been anyone since that time with Sarah, if that even counts."
"Counts" John exclaimed, he reached back to rub his neck slightly. "Of course it counts!"
Greg laughed first, elaborating while Sherlock took another drag of the cigarette. He hooked his arm around John's shoulder "You kissed, there was some petting – at best third base."
John's face reddened as he crossed his arms in protest. "Sod off you pricks, when was the last time for you guys then?"
Greg gave a small look of embarrassment before muttering "well, I've just got out of a relationship John and I don't want to rush into anything –"
John interjected "meaning that you haven't in about four months, smooth Greg. Sherlock?" he questioned.
Sherlock rolled his eyes, taking a final drag of the cigarette before discarding it on the gravel, he stomped it out with his army boots. "Well, the opportunity during summer hasn't been amazing" he said modestly "-what with being with Mycroft or my parents but two weeks ago."
John was about to put up a protest of some sort, raising his hand when a voice came out from behind them. "I hate to interrupt this quite enlightening conversation but I was wondering if you'd care to help me." All three boys turned to look at the woman that the teasing voice belonged to.
Spencer Valentine was a very attractive young lady, she was normal size for a woman, the six inch red heels on her feet putting her the same height as Sherlock as she stood one hand on hip. Her tanned skin was covered by a short red skirt, black cropped top and matching red blazer. Her painted red lips in a wide smile as she regarded the boys. Her green eyes were beneath some long dark lashed and groomed eyebrows, her face very pleasing. The boys noticed a black balled ring in her nose on the left side as she cocked her head slightly, her side fringe falling over one eye slightly. She pushed back her short black bob that was cut to just below her ears, to reveal a variety of ear piercings, two sets on each side with two cartilage and a tragus on one and a cartilage on the other.
"Spencer Valentine" she introduced herself. "I'm new here if that isn't obvious, late applying to so I am stuck with the short straw" she said mockingly "of housing with you boys here in Baker Street" she gestured towards the building. "I'm room 221C and was told that a Gregory Lestrade, head boy would be able to show me to my room." She looked at Greg, already guessing it was the boy with dark stylish hair and a bright tan.
"Ye…Yeah" he managed. "This is John Watson" he gestured to John then Sherlock, who both gave her small acknowledgement "And Sherlock Holmes, they're rooming in 221B, so you'll be neighbours and I'm literally across the hall."
"Great" she smiled, showing her white straight teeth. She turned her body and pointed towards the blacked out car on the gravelled drive way, where a driver was unloading some stuff. "I think my brother is slightly anxious about me being in a boy's dorm, I pointed out that I would be surrounded by big strong men but it didn't seem to calm him down anymore, I wouldn't be surprised if he was hyperventilating into a paper bag right now. Luckily enough for him" she emphasized 'him' by rolling the 'm' slightly "I don't have a roommate but I'm sure you guys will keep me company." She gave a small smile in John's direction and watched his face light up red again in embarrassment, he still hadn't quite over the fact she had been listening to most of their conversation about sex or more his lack of it. "If you would be dears and help me with my stuff, then show me to my room I'll leave you to your conversations."
John and Greg nodded quickly, dumbstruck by their being addressed by such an attractive and to the point girl. Sherlock rolled his eyes and spoke "Sure" he answered for them all. She walked back to the car, all three boys following her while taking a good look at her bum in the tight red skirt.
The window to the car rolled down slightly and a man's voice came out. "Spencer I'm being serious if you get kicked out again I will not be happy."
"The 'not be happy' routine brother, I'm sure you can think of something better than that" she replied simply.
"I will be checking in on you" the voice said firmly from behind the tinted glass. "No stupid behaviour, no drugs and try to play kind with the others." She laughed at this. The voice came back a bit louder and more forceful. "I mean it, the boys here might not show much restraint but I do not want to have to explain to any more parents why their children are following you around like lost puppies."
"Firstly stupid behaviour, me? I am clean so drugs will not be a problem and I will play kind if they want me to." She paused and gave a small laugh "you have to admit that the last one if kinda funny. I mean it wasn't like I used voodoo, I slept with the guy, not my thought he followed us back to France."
"Spencer" the voice almost growled.
"Fine. Fine." She said in defeat, raising her hands in a surrendering gesturing "Play nice with the others and no using my sexuality to make slaves of the boys." The window began to rise slowly, she called back harshly "Try to get laid this year, you're getting incredibly overbearing."
Spencer turned back to the boys who all had hold of a suitcase each, she grabbed the remaining box and smiled "shall we?" Greg smiled before leading the way, she followed in line with John and Sherlock.
"Was he being serious?" John asked slightly hesitantly.
Spencer looked forward slightly confused and hummed "you're going have to be more specific."
"Your brother, about all that stuff" he clarified.
Spencer smirked as they walked into the building. "Yes. Cliff notes – this is my fourth school in England, I'm originally from France" she leant into Sherlock "and yes that means I speak excellent French which I agree is incredibly sexy. I got kicked out of my schools for various things, sex in a classroom, drinking, smoking, drugs. I used to do drugs but do not do them anymore, I am perfectly clean, for the past four months. That boy was a strange kid but incredibly good looking and like most girls I can't resist a looker, I slept with him once and he just kind followed me around. It wasn't my fault that he followed me to France but he did, my brother, the prick he is blames me, apparently it's my feminine weapons or something, he claims I used them to get what I want but I get what I want anyway."
"You can't resist a good looking boy" John repeated.
Sherlock rolled his eyes and pushed past John slightly so he was walking next to her, his long strides slowed to keep up with her heeled ones. "That's all you picked up from that" he directed at John quite harshly.
"Well good looks are a start I mean, who would want to have sex with an ugly guy or girl. I like smart guys too, smart if defiantly the new sexy. I also like bad boys, stereotypical I know but I cannot resist guys who own motorbikes or wear leathers. I liked tattoos and piercings" she looked at Sherlock with his new facial piercing "that is very sexy" she gestured towards the lip ring "but your just sex on legs. The main thing I look for in a guy is someone who wants me, like really wants me, that is such a turn on."
Sherlock smirked slightly but repressed it to a natural face as he spoke. "How long since your parents died?" he questioned.
"Eight years" she answered without hesitation, "How did you guess?"
Sherlock inhaled before speaking "The main indicator was the fact your brother dropped you off, the way he addressed you is like that of a parent, commanding, he seems to be looking out for you. There seems like no love loss there if the last conversation is anything to go by. You also have a tattoo of an angel wing behind your ear, symbolically to remember them. "
"Wow" she exclaimed, barely registering that they had stopped outside a door labelled '221C'. She fiddled for the key in her bag and opened the door, allowing them to go in for her. The set down the suitcases by the wardrobe and she set the bow on the desk before sitting on the double bed. "What else can you tell me then?" she questioned, raising her eyebrow slightly.
Sherlock gestured towards the desk chair, she gave him a nod and he pulled it out till it was in front of her and sat down, one leg crossed over the other. Spencer gestured towards the sofa, John and Greg obliged, sitting down on the plain sofa.
Sherlock pursed his lips slightly. "You're originally from France, you've told us that already but you haven't got any hint of an accent, so you spent a lot of time in England before moving here. You moved when your parents died, suggests that their death was traumatic, the dark circles under your eyes would suggest that you have nightmares about their deaths. Your brother is your main carer but has put you into various boarding schools, so he doesn't have enough time to devote to you, he has a demanding job. The blacked out car could suggest some sort of private business but most likely suggests a position in the government. He is a public man who wouldn't be able to afford his little sisters drug habits or bad behaviour to become public knowledge. The strain in your relationship could be the drugs but started before that with your rebellious behaviour, the drugs came later but didn't help your relationship at all. I would say that a bad relationship caused you to hit the drugs and now you use casual sex as a means to avoid relationships so you won't be hurt again- "
"Enough" John hissed from behind him, sensing that the conversation was becoming too much for the girl.
Spencer gave a small smile. "Well, do you want to know where you went wrong?"
Sherlock's face screwed up tightly "I went wrong?" he questioned.
Spencer tried to hide her amusement, raising her eyebrow and looking at him through her lashes. "Yes on multiple occasions I'm afraid and I wanted you to impress me" she gave a sigh. "My mother was English, Father French, we spent most time in France but I spent most time with my mum, giving me a small accent but it was slightly lost when I moved here. I did move when my parent's died, my brother was already in the country for university and with no other immediate family I came to him. Their death was traumatic, enough to still give me nightmares and enough that I do not wish to talk about it. I have been shipped off to various boarding schools due to his little time and he holds a small position in the British Government. The strain on our relationship came when one of his colleagues showed a more than professional interest in his little sister, an interest that lasted about three months before he was caught and shipped off to god knows where. That's when the drugs started, they helped to dim my emotions and made me feel like I was shining. And Casual sex is a lot more beneficial than a relationship but you are right I will avoid relationships to no means, sex proves just fine for me."
Spencer stood up, crossing the room to one of her suitcases and opened it, ready to unpack. "I'm sure that I have taken enough of your time, I'll let you get back to your conversation." She smiled, bending down to pick up some clothes, her hands clasped around various pieces of underwear, she placed it in the chest of drawers.
John got up first, Greg following his lead, they tapped on Sherlock's shoulder until he stood up. "Nice meeting you." John said as they opened the door.
"You too" she called back as the door closed behind them.
