A mistake

by madnessofsilence

The Chemist was sent from home, to hide on Earth until the time war was over. He lived on Earth as a human for only a few decades. Not knowing what happened. Not suspecting his true past. The Chemist was known for his brains, and so was his human incarnation. Going by the name of one of his favorite characters. Sherlock Holmes.

1. A mistake

Chapter one – That damned watch

"What is that?"

The Doctor was frowning at something, which Sherlock quickly slipped back into his pocket. Acting as if nothing had happened.

"What is what?" He asked "I believe we have more pressing matters than my watch. Such as finding a way off this ship and back to Barcelona."

The Doctor nodded, but his eyes lingered on the pocket, and the silver chain that barely peeked out of it.

John didn't understand why the watch had been such a big deal at the time. He'd seen it more than once. With Sherlock at the counter, trying everything he could to pry the silver-faced timepiece open. Nothing ever worked. He'd even thrown it out the window once in frustration. Though he'd gone to get it right after.

Now he understood. And he was wishing that the Doctor hadn't seen the watch at all. And that maybe, once they'd gotten home, everything could have gone back to normal. But no. That wasn't how it worked. They'd been so close too. But as soon as the TARDIS landed in London, Sherlock had the watch out again. And it was glowing.

A noise came from inside. At first, he thought he had merely imagined it. A voice coming from his watch. The watch he'd never been able to open. No matter what he did to it. The watch he'd found on Mycroft's desk when he was twelve. The one that sometimes, would glow, and he would feel, for a moment, like his heartbeat echoed, four beats instead of two.

"Sherlock Holmes…." The watch whispered "A fitting disguise. The Earth detective from all those stories. We were so fond of those stories."

Even now, while he stood there in shock, something of what it had said made sense to him.

"Did you never wonder? Why you see so much?"

The Doctor looked ready to step in. To try and explain. But before he even said anything:

"Shut up."

"I didn't say anything-" The Doctor began

"No, but you were thinking about what you were going to say, and I know what it is." The glow from the watch seemed to be leaking out over Sherlock's hand. And his eyes had gone blank, as if he was remembering something. Something from a long time ago.

Fire and blood and death. And the armies of the universe, all in constant never ending battle. He had been so young…Only eight years old. A war that raged through the whole of time. And he must be kept safe. Must be sent away. His family would come find him when it was done. When their home was no longer soaking in the blood of a thousand planets.

But for now he must hide. So many years. Those different times…The memories in his mind that didn't seem to be his. A different child. In front of a swirling vortex. All of creation for him to see.

"Sherlock?" John's voice broke his train of thought. John…What would happen to him? The watch had grown warm in his hands. And Sherlock knew if he tried, it would open. Almost involuntarily, he pressed the button. There was a tiny click as the watch swung open, and the light engulfed them all.