Protect
"John, why did you do it?"
From Sherlock's chair, Mycroft Holmes looks across the sitting room at 221B almost warily as John Watson takes a sip of tea. This unassuming man then lowers his cup and asks blandly, "What are you talking about?"
"You know what I mean." Despite himself, Mycroft is slightly irritated. Having an unknown guardian save his life – even though he is relatively certain that honor belongs to the man sitting in front of him – has certain unnerving qualities. Perhaps he is simply getting a dose of his own medicine.
John shrugs and sets his cup aside. He leans over slightly, meeting Mycroft's eyes. He says frankly, "I don't know."
Silence for a moment, then, musingly, John adds, "Maybe it's due to some sort of guilt complex. I failed him just as much if not worse than you did with my blog. Maybe I just don't want to see a man hurt." John lets out a whoosh of air from his cheeks. "Or maybe I've just developed some illogical attachment to blokes with above average intelligence and the last name Holmes who go around making life complicated for all us ordinary chaps. Interesting, but complicated."
John retrieves his tea and takes another sip as Mycroft looks at him measuringly. This is as close as he'll get to admitting he just saved a highly placed government official's life, and they both know it. John's willingness to do so is startling, illogical, and frankly confusing given their past history.
He suddenly wonders if this is what Sherlock saw in him, that first day. He also wonders if Sherlock knew about the frankly startling protectiveness John has apparently transferred to his only surviving kin.
Mycroft had once told Sherlock that caring was a weakness, but now, looking at John, he finds it a weakness he doesn't mind possessing.
This story will continue, hopefully sooner than later. I just don't have the inspiration yet. Any ideas?