Authors Note: This is a Teen/AU that popped into my head one rainy afternoon. I really couldn't tell you any one thing that inspired it. My resistance to shipping Sherlock and John is slowly breaking down. I believe I am in love with the bond that Sherlock Holmes and John Watson have with each other, in all versions and variations of their stories. It is a strong bond and friendship that goes beyond any physical or vocal expression. That being said, this will be full of physical expression in later chapters, just as a forewarning! Any comments or questions are welcomed and encouraged. I hope you enjoy!
A/N II: I re-uploaded the chapters, because I noticed that I had changed John's sisters' name!

"It's fine John, we'll just get you a tutor." John's mother Sophia ruffled his sandy blond hair. It was a cool late October evening and Sophia was cleaning the dinner dishes as her children did their homework.

Across the kitchen table, John's sister, Harrietta snorted. "Like that'll help."

"Shut up, Harry!" John yelled, calling his sister by the nickname he'd given her.

"Harrietta, hush." Their mother scolded.

John and Harry stuck their tongues out at each other.

"Mom, I'm fine, I don't need a tutor."

"Son, you need to get good marks this year and from here on out if you want to get into any sort of medical school."

Harry snorted again.

"Etta, go to your room and study, please." Sophie said with a sigh as she loaded the dishwasher.

"Gladly," Harry gathered her books and ran her hand through her unruly red hair. She left in a huff of striped socks and big black boots.

John sighed and tapped his pencil.

Sophie gave John a comforting smile. He loved his mothers smiles. They would make her pretty green eyes crinkle at the edges and she had one tooth that she hated that was out of place but only family knew about. Her sandy blond hair was curly, but not as much as Harry's. John felt himself lucky that he didn't inherit that trait.

"Besides, this is all advanced, way too much for your mother's reporter mind. You don't want my help."

"But I don't want some dumb college kid making fun of me."

"Well, what if I told you it's not a college kid, it's a retired professor?" She asked as she turned on the dishwasher.

"Ugh, old and stodgy." John crossed his arms and pouted.

"No, not this one," Sophie started a kettle. "This one retired early so he could focus on his own studies and the studies of others."

The boy furrowed his brow and turned to face his mother. "What? Who does that?"

"William Holmes." Sophie said matter-of-factually as she leaned against the counter.

"Oh," John turned back to his homework.

"Now, what is that supposed to mean?" She asked as she poured the hot water over the tea.

"One of his sons is in the same grade as I," John scrubbed his face with his hands as he thought of the pompous ass known as Sherlock Holmes. "He's also in a couple of my classes and he sits in the back and sneers at everyone like we're all stupid. I've gotten in a couple of arguments with him-" John clamped his hand over his mouth.

"So he's the kid you got in trouble with." Sophie said as she sat back in the chair next to John who was leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed, a foul look on his face.

"No, he got me in trouble!"

Sophia patted her son's shoulder. "Well you won't have to worry about the boy, the father will be tutoring you."

"Still a ratty ole Holmes." John said under his breath as he grabbed his pencil and started on his homework again.

Sophie shook her head and grabbed her tea and walked into the living room.

John looked up as his mother left the room. From where he was sitting he had a pretty good view of his fathers Army picture hanging in he living room. His father was a handsome man, as fathers go; John didn't really go around comparing fathers. The boy inherited all of his fathers looks, except the ginger-blond hair. Harry was the lucky one in that area. Hamish, John's middle name came from his mothers father. Harrietta was a feminized version of John Sr.'s middle name. John Sr. died three years ago taking a bullet for a fellow officer. John Jr. was very proud of his father, but he missed him very much.

John sighed deeply and pinched the bridge of his nose. He closed his books and gathered his papers into a neat pile and scooted everything aside. He wasn't going to get anything done at this rate.

"I'm going outside, I need a break." He called to his mom, before stepping out into the crisp October air.

John didn't expect the Holmes family to be living in a flat, although, to be fair he wasn't sure what to expect. It was the next afternoon as John and Sophia walked up to the front door of that flat. She pushed the doorbell, then turned to John and started fussing with his hair and collar.

"Now, please remember your manners and sit up straight and-"

"Mom. I'm fifteen. I wish you would remember that."

"I'm sorry John. You and Harrietta are growing up so fast I can't-"

"Good afternoon, you must be the Watsons?" The door opened with a flourish and a woman with stylish chestnut hair and a warm smile greeted them.

"Yes thank you," Sophia held her hand out. "I am Sophia and this is John."

"I'm Amanda, I'm William's assistant. Nice to meet you both." Amanda shook both of their hands and gestured them into the flat. Amanda went on talking, but John heard none of it as he took in his surroundings. It wasn't Buckingham Palace by any means, but it was statelier than their little flat in the middle of town. Everything seemed to have a gleam to it, like the housekeepers spent extra time polishing everything. Even the banister to the staircase to his right seemed to shine. John's eye followed the banister to the top of the stairs and stopped. His eyes met scornful light-bluish green eyes and John looked away for a second. Sherlock. He looked back again, and the eyes were still staring at him. This time they held genuine curiosity, with only a touch of scorn.

"John, c'mon honey," Sophia called.

John looked at her. He hadn't realized he had fallen behind and ran to catch up with his mother and Amanda. They were standing in front of a study door as Amanda knocked to garner the attention of the men inside. They both looked up. The older gentleman had a warm welcoming look on his face, while the other had a look of sharp irritation in his round face. Both men had dark hair and a smart profile.

"Mr. Holmes, the Watsons are here to see you sir." Amanda said.

"Of course. Come in, please." William stood.

"If there is nothing else father?" The younger man asked pointedly as he gathered paperwork from the large mahogany desk.

"No, Mycroft, thank you." William said as he nodded and buttoned his suit jacket.

Mycroft placed the paperwork in a leather briefcase, grabbed his coat from the back of the chair and stood and left the room, not before shooting the Watsons a disdainful smile.

John glanced over his shoulder and saw that Sherlock was standing just outside the office, his eyes locked on John and made him feel like he was bring hunted. John shivered.

"Thank you very much for meeting us. I appreciate it very much." Sophia said as she shook William's hand.

"You are welcome...pardon me I am terrible with names," William tilted his head toward Sophia.

"Oh gosh, I'm Sophia and this is John." Sophia tried her hardest not to sound flustered as she put a hand on John's shoulder.

"It's nice to meet you John." William shook his hand.

"Thank you sir. Nice to meet you too."

"Please, call me William." He gestured to the two seats. "Please sit. Amanda, will you bring tea, please?"

"Of course," Amanda nodded and left.

"I've been reading your file, John and I have to say that I am impressed. With these marks, you'll make it into medical school in no time." William said after everyone had settled. He had a manilla folder in his hand and he was pointing at it.

"Thank you s-...thank you William."

"I know we talked on the phone, Sophia, but please tell me again what I can help you with?"

"I was hoping that you could give John some help with the more advanced math that has come up in his studies. I'm afraid I can't help. I was never this advanced. He gets his brains from his father."

Amanda came in with the tea and poured while they talked about John's study habits and his future. Suddenly, Sophia's expression became very serious.

"May I have a few moments of your time?"

William furrowed his brow at her. "Of course."

"John, can you leave us alone for a couple moments."

"Uh, sure," John fidgeted and stood and turned to leave the room. He saw Sherlock standing across the foyer leaning against the staircase, his arms and legs crossed.

"I-I'll give the young man a tour of the premises." Amanda broke the awkward silence and and she stood and put her hand on the small of John's back. Sherlock simply stared at John and Amanda.

"Mr. Holmes-" Sophia continued when they left and the door was shut.

"William, please."

"Y-Yes, William," Sophia paused to compose herself. "I did bring John here to be tutored, but, I...well...It's..."

The words caught in her throat and William pushed her tea towards her. She nodded and took a drink.

"Mrs. Watson, I-"

"Ms. Watson- er Sophia, please," she placed a hand on her warm cheek.

"Oh, I'm sorry." A sudden realization came over the elder Holmes as he grabbed the handkerchief out of his pocket and handed it to the woman. She was on the verge of tears.

"Thank you," Sophia swallowed hard as she accepted the handkerchief. "Ever since my husband's death, things have been different, of course. And the children were sad at first, of course, but they seem to have adjusted well, at least I think they have. I just feel like John should have some sort of male influence in his life. I was hoping you could be a mentor of sorts?" Sophia was wringing her hands the whole time she was talking.

William smiled.

"I don't want to be a burden and I've always been of the thought that it never hurts to ask for something."

"Ms. Watson," William folded his hands on the desk. He was still smiling as he spoke, which seemed to have a calming effect on Sophia. "I completely understand. Because of circumstances beyond anyone's control, the boys' mother doesn't live with us anymore. Amanda is not only my assistant, she helps me with Mycroft and Sherlock as well. Don't misunderstand, we only have a working relationship, although we are good friends. I would be happy to mentor your son, Ms. Watson."

Sophia let out a breath she didn't realize that she was holding.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Holmes!" Sophia said. "I really appreciate this."

"So John, are you into any sports, or music, drama maybe?" Amanda asked as they strolled out to the garden out the back of the flat.

"I play clarinet, and I tried out for the cricket team, but it wasn't for me." John couldn't help but peek over his shoulder at Sherlock who had been following them.

"Cricket is for dumb jocks anyway." Sherlock said derisively.

"Sherlock," Amanda glanced at the boy out of the corner of her eye. John watched the exchange and looked back at Sherlock. He was glaring at Amanda, but as soon as he looked over at John, his expression lightened.

"Afghanistan or Iraq?"

"Sherlock, stop." Amanda had stopped walking and turned to face Sherlock who had his arms crossed defiantly.

Sherlock quirked his eyebrow as John gave him a scornful look.

"What is that supposed to mean?" John started to walk toward Sherlock, but Amanda stopped him.

"No, please ignore him. Let's-"

"No. I'm curious now, thank you." John nodded at Amanda who opened her mouth to try to object one more time, but shut it when she saw the resolve in John's eyes.

Sherlock raised his brow, but it was the only emotion he showed. Not only was he surprised that John agreed to let Sherlock deduce him, but the fact that John defied Amanda, made Sherlock even more curious about John.

The boy stood in front of Sherlock, open palms and an open book.

"I can see that you are a military brat, your hair is cut short and proper. Your uniform top, which is a polo, has been ironed, so have your pants, to have creases in the proper places. You walk like you idolize the military, but you can't quite keep a good pace. Your father has either been wounded or killed in service and your mother has been taking care of you the past two years because you smell more of her than you do a father. Your sister loves you, but picks on you incessantly. Was your father in Afghanistan, or Iraq?"

Amanda tried to interrupt several times but neither boy heard her.

John stood looking at him mouth agape.

"How...?"

Sherlock's only reply was a small smirk, and quirk of his eyebrow.

John drew in a deep breath through his nose.

"Don't ever mention my father again."

Sherlock shrugged one shoulder. "You wanted to know how I knew."

"That's enough Sherlock." Amanda's voice finally broke through to them.

John looked down at his shoes and saw another pair of shiny men's shoes come into his view.

"Everything okay Amanda?" William's deep voice seemed to boom through the hall way.

"Yes Mr. Holmes. Just reigning in Sherlock's ego."

"If anyone can do it, it's you Amanda!" William laughed heartily. It reminded John of his father's laugh.

Sherlock harrumphed and sulked off.

John was mad, but also curious. He had seen kids on the end of Sherlock's deducing wrath, and the situation always ended badly; either in a fight, or the other kid bullying Sherlock. John wanted to hop in, but he never knew who to defend. It was the stupid kids fault for getting involved with Sherlock. At the same time, Sherlock should know by now that the kids are taunting him. When John finally got involved, he ended up defending Sherlock, even though he regretted it instantly. The other kid took a swing at John and John swung back and connected with the other kids jaw. He, in turn, tackled John and they both ended up in the dirt, a bloody mess. They also received detention. John later found out the boy was the star cricket player. And Sherlock never said thank you.

"C'mon John, time to go." Sophie had her hand on his shoulder as he nodded.

"Thank you Mr. Holmes and Amanda. I hope to see you soon." John smiled warmly at the two adults.

"I'm glad that Sherlock didn't scare you off. He has a tendency to do that sometimes." Amanda said as she clasped her hands in front of her.

"No, I'm more curious of him than anything else, now. I guess I'll try to make friends with him at school." John was looking off in the direction that Sherlock had walked.

The three looked at each other awkwardly and Sophia broke the silence.

"Well, thank you both for having us today. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow when I pick up John."

"You won't be dropping him off?" Amanda asked.

"No, unfortunately. I have to work. I'll leave bus money-"

"That won't be necessary, Ms. Watson. I have to pick up Sherlock and my daughter Emile form the same school, it's no trouble to pick up John as well."

"I don't want to burden you-"

Amanda gently placed her hand on Sophia's arm. "Trust me, it's no bother!"

Sophia drew in a deep breath. "O-Okay."

Amanda smiled and her whole face lit up.

"Alright, then it's settled." William's smile was infectious. "I must get back to work, but it was nice meeting you two and I look forward to seeing you tomorrow."

John and Sophia said their goodbyes and Amanda walked them out. As he walked past the staircase, John followed the bannister up to the top again, and again, saw Sherlock. This time he was sitting with his body vertical to the stair rail and his face pressed through the bars, his eyes following John.

John furrowed his brow and shook his head, trying to rid of the creepy feeling that Sherlock was somehow trying to read his mind.

Amanda had told John to meet Sherlock and Emile by the lamp post at the end of the block, that way she could avoid other moms and traffic. He was leaning against the post at a quarter to four, since his class got out early that day. He had seen Sherlock take off before him, but wasn't able to catch up with him. Now he looked around, and didn't see the boy anywhere. Other school kids were milling around nearby waiting for their rides, when John happened to spot a beautiful girl walking towards him. Her hair was a shiny chestnut brown color, similar to Amanda's and pulled back with a dark green head band that matched the green in the jumper uniform the girls had to wear. She was walking with a pretty blond girl and when they both laughed, it sounded genuine, not like the fake cheerleader laughs that he heard most girls have. As she came closer, she looked up at John and her smile got bigger. It was similar to Amanda's in that it lit up her whole face. John looked bashfully at his shoes, then back up at her and smiled.

"Hi, you must be John?" Her voice was even pretty.

"Ah, yeah, hi,"

'Smooth, real smooth,' he thought to himself.

"Yes, sorry, I am John, nice to meet you." He held out his hand.

"I'm Emile, Amanda's daughter," she said as she shook his hand and then gestured at her friend. "And this is Mary. Mary Morstan."

John and Mary smiled at each other. Mary's blond hair was cut shoulder length and her blue eyes sparkled when she smiled.

'Dammit, this would be easier if they were ugly.'

"Stop staring John, it's unbecoming of you." Sherlock suddenly seemed to appear out of no-where.

"Emile," Sherlock said with a slight sneer, or so John thought. "And Mary, always a pleasure to see you." He took Mary's hand and kissed it before John could shake it.

"Ugh, Sherlock, why do you have to be so...weird?" Emile asked.

"Oh? I thought I was being charming." He smiled at both girls. John saw that Mary was trying hard not to blush.

"So, another afternoon at the Holmes household, eh John?" Sherlock held his hands behind his back as he observed the other kids nearby.

"Another?" Emile asked as she pulled her hair back out of her face.

"Yes, he came over yesterday with his mum while you were in Orchestra practice.

Something about father tutoring him. Boring."

"Yes, and you should have been in orchestra practice as well, mister." Emile glared as she talked to Sherlock. When she turned to John, her expression lightened. "Now that I think of it, you are in orchestra as well aren't you?"

"Yeah, I play clarinet-" John started.

"I play flute. I've seen you in the front row. You're really good." Mary piped in.

"Oh, um, thank you."

"Boring," Sherlock said as he walked through their conversation to get to Amanda's car.

"How was school, guys?" Amanda asked a few minutes later after everyone piled into the car. Sherlock groaned and hunkered down into his seat behind Amanda and placed his earphones in his ears. John sat in the middle and Mary on his left, with Emile in the front turned as far as the seat belt would allow, to face everyone.

"It was well, thank you, Amanda." Mary said. "And thank you for picking me up, I appreciate it."

"It's not a problem. I'm excited for the sleepover tonight."

Emile clapped her hands and Sherlock tried to push himself further into the seat.

"Oh god," he mumbled.

John swallowed hard. He felt like he was a third wheel in this whole situation and was wishing he would have told his mother to not worry about starting the tutoring tonight, on a Friday night, nonetheless. Not that John had anything going on besides a video game and maybe a book to read. Maybe his one friend Mike would have called and asked if he wanted to play some pool, or go to the arcade, but that was the extent of his Friday nights. Now, he had a tutoring session and squealing girls to deal with.

"Oh, John, I apologize, Mr. Holmes has a dinner party he has to attend this evening, so we postponed the tutoring until Monday. I've already talked to your Mum, and she said it was fine. She works until eight, right? Well, you should stay with us until then. Unless you want to go home?"

Internally, John was screaming. He wanted the tutoring session. Now he would have to find a quiet room to read for four hours.

"You can hang out in my room. I'm probably gonna hole up there all evening to avoid their madness." Sherlock was holding one ear bud in his hand as he spoke. There was no scorn, no hint of sarcasm. His expression was mostly bored. It was like these people were reading his mind.

"Ah, sure, alright, I'll hang at your house then."

Amanda smiled at him in the rear-view. "Good, I'm glad!"

John smiled back at her as he listened to the girls prattle on about the evening ahead. He dug in his bag for his player and felt Sherlock watching him. He looked out of the corner of his eye and indeed did see those mysterious blue-green eyes looking at him, or his hands digging in his bag. He found his player and pushed the play button and placed the earphones over his ears. He looked directly at Sherlock who smirked at John. John wasn't sure what kind of expression he gave Sherlock, he was so confused at their exchange, and Sherlock actually grinned as he looked away.