"Sherlock, I'm back from the conference!" John yelled as he closed the door behind him to the flat.
Setting his suitcase against the wall, he pulled off his jacket and hung it up before walking to the kitchen. He rubbed a hand over his head as he checked the amount of water in the kettle and turned it on. Yawning, he pulled down a mug and started to prep his tea. He waited while the water boiled and poured the hot liquid over the tea bag before leaving the kitchen. Walking down towards Sherlock's bedroom, he knocked and opened the door after not hearing anything. He glanced around and shrugged his shoulders, confirming that Sherlock was apparently not at home. He closed the door again and walked back to the kitchen.
They had been living together for a few months now and everything was going well. It had been tense the first few weeks while John tried to figure out what Sherlock was; an Alpha, Beta or Omega. He finally settled on Beta. He could pick up no distinct scent and he had never seen Sherlock disappear for a few days to deal with his heat. John himself was an Alpha which the consulting detective deduced within the first hour of meeting. John didn't care if Sherlock didn't care.
Checking his phone, there were no new messages from his flat mate. Shrugging his shoulders again, John went back to the kitchen and finished fixing his tea. A few more hours of quiet time without the manic detective would be nice, he mused and carried his mug to his chair. Settling into his seat, he sighed happily and grabbed a nearby book that he had started before leaving.
He only managed to drink half the mug and read three pages before his mobile dingled. Rocking sideways, he pulled out his mobile from his back pocket and glanced at the screen. Seeing that he had a text from Mycroft usually indicated that he was about to be "abducted" or Sherlock was in trouble. John was going with the second option.
Unlocking his mobile, he read the text and knew he wasn't going to finish the tea or the book.
Black town car. Now. - MH
Not even bothering to empty out his mug, he set it on the kitchen counter and grabbed for his coat. Briefly hesitating, he sprinted up the stairs while pulling on the coat and grabbed his Browning. The wording of the text made him grab the extra magazine and shove it into his back pocket. As he hurried down the stairs, he slipped the handgun in his waistband at the small of his back. Opening the door, he found a black town car waiting at the kurb just like the text said. Once the door was shut behind him, the car pulled into traffic and John was faced with a dark faced Mycroft and black clad muscle.
"What has he gotten himself involved with now?" John asked after nodding to the stranger.
"Doctor Watson, this is Special Agent Marcus Mordecai with Interpol. Mordecai, this is Doctor John Watson. Doctor Watson is a former Captain of the Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers and a former army surgeon. Top sniper in his class and Victoria Cross recipient," Mycroft introduced and John turned his gaze back to the Special Agent.
The two men stared at each other, sizing each other up quietly. John raised an eyebrow in realization. He hadn't spent time around Sherlock Holmes without picking up a few things. He continued staring at Mordecai as he started speaking.
"Mycroft, you never roll out my accomplishments without reason. There's something going down that you want me included and you're trying to convince...Mordecai, that I won't be a hinderance. Something that includes Interpol means it's international and Mordecai doesn't look like the type to sit behind a desk. You mentioned my combat skills and not my medical skills so Mordecai is leading an assault team into a hot zone and you want me in on the point team."
John turned his gaze to Mycroft. "There are plenty of other combat tested muscle at your disposal but you wanted me. So, again, what has Sherlock gotten himself involved in?"
Mordecai's lips twitched and John knew he hit it on the head. Mycroft looked like he licked a lemon as he turned to look at Mordecai.
"Well?"
"Fine. We'll fit him with a vest and communication kit when we get there."
Mycroft nodded and reached to his side where his briefcase sat. Opening it, he leaned forward and handed John a file. Leaning back, he started talking as John opened the file and started reading.
"A few months ago, Interpol contacted me about an international Omega sex ring that was rumored to have branched into London. I looked into it and found some truth to it. Unbonded Omegas were disappearing through Great Britain. Not enough to alert the authorities but it was occurring. When I went as far as I could through the normal channels, I asked Sherlock to investigate. That was a week and half ago. Five days ago, he texted me that he might have a lead and would let me know within twenty-four hours. That was my last contact with him."
John nodded as he flipped through the surveillance reports and the information compiled by Mycroft's staff. There were suspect photos and blueprints of a large office building. John held them up and glanced at Mycroft.
"Their operation is based in an office building on the twelfth floor. The building also houses the main office of a large import and export business on the thirteenth floor. The Omegas are smuggled in in specially marked crates which are deposited on the twelfth floor while the accompanying imports are moved to the next floor. The...patrons of the twelfth floor have special access cards which gets them on the floor. We've managed to obtain one."
"Alright, fine, but why do you need me?" John asked.
He could see from the file that every option was covered. All exits were covered and phone lines were hacked into. Everything was in place for a quick and clean sweep. So, what fact was John missing?
"We need you to find Sherlock. There's an unknown number of Omegas on that floor and I need someone who knows Sherlock and is known to him," Mycroft replied but wouldn't look John in the eye.
John noticed and set the file to the side as he watched the older Holmes.
"What are you trying not to tell me, Mycroft?"
Mycroft coughed and cleared his throat before turning his gaze to John and holding it.
"Sherlock has been on suppressants all his life and he's been off them since he went missing."
The words ricocheted around John's head as he stared at Mycroft blankly. Suppressants were only used by Omegas to avoid having their heats. Sherlock has been on suppressants all his life. That meant Sherlock was an Omega. Sherlock had supposedly been captured by an Omega sex ring; an international Omega sex ring. Nausea rolled through John and he swallowed tightly to keep his tea down.
"Oh Jesus, I thought he was a beta," John moaned and leaned his head back to rub at his face.
"That's what I get for not asking."
John took a deep breath and held it for a moment before releasing it and straightening.
"Alright, if he went off the suppressants five days ago but has been on them his entire life then it'll take a few days to flush out of his system. Probably cleared his system yesterday or today. If this sex ring is as extensive as you suggest then they've dealt with this before. There's a number of drugs they might be using," John said and realized he was starting to babble.
"We know, John. That's why you're going in with the point team. You'll know Sherlock's scent and he'll know yours. Despite the suppressants, his Omega side will recognize your Alpha scent and you would have subconsciously taken note of his scent. Your job is to find Sherlock and nothing else. The rest of the assault teams will deal with the criminals," Mycroft said and John felt a surge of panic at Mycroft's words.
"Mycroft, I'll need-"
"Before we go active we'll give you a heavy dose of Alpha inhibitors. It'll isolate the Alpha instinct to mark and claim. You'll still have the aggression and ability to scent, just minus the uncontrollable parts that come out around Omegas in heat. Everyone else on my team is either bonded or a beta," Mordecai explained without looking away from the window.
Some of the tension fell from John's shoulders. The aggression he could control and dole it out in small doses when it was required. He looked out the window as the car slowed and turned into a small parking garage. Mordecai was the first out and John slowly followed Mycroft. Touching Mycroft's sleeve, John held him back and stepped closer until he could smell the beta.
"What's the plan for after I find Sherlock?" he asked quietly and pointedly looked at Mycroft.
"Depending on what state he is in, there are a few options available. I have everything ready. You only need to radio me and we'll go from there," Mycroft replied just as quietly and John nodded.
John walked to where Mordecai was speaking with other operatives at the back of a van. Mordecai quickly introduced him as Watson and that he was looking for someone specific. The operatives just nodded in acknowledgement and went back to focusing on Mordecai. One operative with a medic insignia on her sleeve approached John and raised a hypodermic and vial. John glanced at the vial and read the ingredients before nodding to her. Pulling off his coat, he accepted a kevlar vest with one hand while the medic injected the dose in his other arm. John could multitask with the best of them and strapped on the vest while listening to Mordecai describe the plan. He fitted the ear piece and throat mike on his person and made sure he was on the correct frequency. John accepted a handgun loaded with tranquilizer rounds for subduing and detaining Alphas. He kept his Browning at his lower back but only intended to pull it out as backup. When the briefing finished, Mordecai brought over an older bonded Alpha to John.
"Doctor Watson, this is Chase. You'll be paired together until you find your package. Once you do, then you'll stay with the package and Chase will finish clearing the area. Each team will radio when their area is clear."
"Understood," John replied and reached out to shake Chase's hand.
The next twenty minutes flew by quickly. John nodded once to Mycroft who stood by with the communication operative before following the team. They came in through the loading docks and took the service elevator up to the eleventh floor. There they took the stairs until reaching the twelfth floor where John and a few other operatives stopped and the remainder went up to the next floor. The surveillance cameras had been hacked and all motion senses had been deactivated before the two teams breached the door. They entered a dimly lit reception area where one Alpha was seated, flipping through a magazine. Soft classical music played from hidden speakers and a blood red carpet covered most of the floor. Subtle up lighting cast everything in dim shadows. To the left was a hallway with a runner the same blood red coloring.
The Alpha and receptionist hit the floor soon after due to the tranquilizer darts. John had been in fire teams during his time in the army and this team moved with the same level of stealth and speed. They swept through the reception area and broke off in teams of three. From the single hall that ran straight ahead, there were two other hallways, one to the left and one to the right.
Chase and John took the hallway straight ahead. The first two rooms he breached with Chase, John tranquilized a total of three Alphas in rut. The Omegas in those rooms weren't his concern. At the third room, a voice reached John's ears as he opened the door.
"-looks so nice with my handprint. Such smooth, white skin."
A pained groan replied and then a rough voice. "Alpha...need Alpha...my Alpha...John Alpha...bond John...my Jo-John."
Rage surged through John that had nothing to do with his Alpha. His rage was at the broken, confused and whimpered sounds that should never come from Sherlock Holmes. Taking a deep breath, John shaped his rage like he learned in the army and focused it to his limbs. The other Alpha's scent flooded John's nostrils and added to the rage but again, it was manageable.
"You have no bond bite, so no Alpha. I'm going to pound that perfect, leaking hole and have you screaming my name with that posh accent of yours."
John opened the door silently and targeted the seated figure that was in the process of fingering Sherlock. The Alpha was already up to three fingers and Sherlock's body stuttered, trying not to thrust against the intrusion but unable to ignore and suppress his body's instincts.
"Mmmm, Alpha...b-bond, knot, br-...no, John Alpha...only Alpha...John."
"You have no Alpha John. You sound delectable when you're whimpering like that. I just might see about purchasing you for my own private collection."
"I'm his Alpha John and I will not share," John growled before dosing him with three tranquilizer shots just for the hell of it even though one would have been enough.
John turned his head to look at Chase briefly, "He's my package. Finish without me."
Chase hesitated briefly before nodding and continuing his sweep. John turned his attention to his flat mate.
Sherlock was forced in a modern version of a pillory specifically designed for Omegas. He was nude and on his knees with his head and hands locked in the pillory; this also blocked access to his scent gland to prevent any bonds. Large metal bands were locked around his thighs to force his legs to remain open. John's nostrils flared at the scent of an Omega in heat; a familiar Omega. Slick glistened on his spread thighs and his hole twitched in anticipation of penetration. John's Alpha pheromones flooded the room and Sherlock froze before renewing his struggles against his bindings. His skin flushed and a fresh amount of slick gushed from his hole.
"John...my John...please...bond, knot, breed...John...p-please," Sherlock whimpered and John moved to look at Sherlock's face.
John's Alpha instincts were slamming against the chemical barrier. Shaking his head, John focused on his doctor instincts and submerged himself in those. Sherlock had a cut over one eye which had bled down his face and dried. A black eye that was going to turn into a lovely black, blue and purple. Split lip that continued to bleed from Sherlock worrying at it. But what firmly put John's Alpha in place was the fear in Sherlock's eyes. Lust and submissiveness were there but under the haze of lust and drugs was terror. Terror at not really knowing what was going on and not being able to stop it or control it; knowing he couldn't stop it.
Reports were coming through John's earpiece and he vaguely heard 'All clear' as he reached for his throat mic.
"Mycroft, I've found Sherlock. Whatever plans you have are going to be scrapped. I need to get him home."
"Go to channel 14. It's secured."
John rolled his eyes but did as he was asked.
"What state is he in?"
"They've used drugs to force his heat. Physically, he's in full heat. Mentally, not entirely. I see some coherency there," John explained and gently examined the cut and felt around the bruise.
He knew once he released Sherlock from the pillory, the Omega would be crawling all over John begging the Alpha to fuck him; to knot and breed him. John knew he better take the time to look over Sherlock's wounds before he wouldn't be able to.
"I have a bed reserved for him at a clinic where they can help him through his heat."
"No, Mycroft. That's not going to work. I need to get him somewhere familiar to him with scents he's accustomed to or he'll panic and stress," John replied as he inspected the rest of Sherlock's body.
Bruises, the occasional scrape and other small injuries. Nothing needing a visit to hospital for; everything John can fix back at the flat.
"Doctor Watson, I am sure I know what is best for my brother at this point despite what your Alpha is snarling."
John's Alpha was snarling but it was snarling logic.
"I highly doubt that, Mycroft, and I'm the one in here looking at Sherlock and what state he is in. My Alpha is actually very contained right now and is more concerned with ensuring that Sherlock survives this emotionally as well as physically. You said he's been on suppressants all his life. Did he even go through a heat when he presented?"
The line was silent for a moment until, "We had him tested and saw he was an Omega. When he was told he demanded to go onto suppressants."
"So, he's never had a natural heat? Jesus!"
John ran a hand through his hair and dug his nails into his scalp to stay focused. Sherlock's terror made more sense now. He ignored the keening man at his feet and stared at the back of Sherlock's head as he spoke.
"All the more reason I need to take him home, Mycroft. Natural heats are difficult but forced heats are excruciating. When he comes out of it he will be in pain, weak, humiliated and disoriented. The last thing he needs is to be surrounded by scents he doesn't know and an environment he's not familiar with and people he won't know or like. It's a recipe for disaster," John snapped and looked up at movement.
Chase had appeared holding out a warm looking blanket. John nodded his thanks and took the blanket. Holding the phone between his ear and shoulder, John draped the blanket over Sherlock's body and tried to ignore how his flatmate was still begging John to fuck him. Oh, the car ride back to the flat was going to be so fun.
"John, think about what you are suggesting. You'll have to take the Alpha inhibitors until Sherlock's heat ends. That could be a few days. The drugs were not designed to be used in constant contact with an Omega in heat."
"I don't care, Mycroft! Sherlock needs my help. His Omega has already identified my scent as comfort and safety. This is the best way."
Mycroft sighed heavily and John knew he had won.
"Alright John. I'll have a car ready for you. I'll have Anthea drop of a bag of...supplies along with food and liquids. Take care of my brother Doctor Watson."
