A/N: Thank you so much for all the enthusiastic comments regarding this fusion. I hope I can do it justice. I will be taking liberties with lots of things, the movie, the show, procedures at hospitals, pretty much everything. I will keep to the heart of both the show and the movie:D

2. Merry, Merry Christmas Part 1

performed by Koko Taylor

So, yeah, umm, that didn't go as planned, what with the awkward pining turning into awkward life saving. At the end of the day, somehow, everyone thought I was actually engaged to Mycroft Holmes. Yep. That is his real name. Posh name for a posh bloke, I suppose. Funny thing is I had several opportunities to explain but after the family poured in the words absolutely stuck in my throat. How do you explain to people you are not really engaged when their son is recovering from surgery? I sat in the dark of my bedsit, head in hands, wondering what the fuck I was going to do. All I had wanted was to see if Mycroft was going to be okay. I couldn't get the day out of my head. It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion.

A little dazed and a lot confused pretty much summed up the way John felt. He stood ramrod straight, cane in hand, tucked away in a corner by the admitting desk and tried to be as inconspicuous as possible. Driven to the hospital by the nice Detective Inspector, he didn't remember much of the ride. He hadn't one hundred percent noticed the speculative looks said Inspector shot him now and then. There had been an awareness of shock on Lestrade's face when he had uttered something to himself whilst lying on the ground, but he couldn't recall why.

They arrived at the hospital in time to see the gentleman he'd been sort of almost stalking rushed into the operating bay. A rather snotty young intern denied them access, in spite of Lestrade and his police officer ways, snarking at him that he could wait to question the patient. And that John was certainly not welcome. "Family members only!" John was just as glad. He'd rather slink away into obscurity and not have anyone notice him or congratulate him on his fast acting, so he stood to one side, memories of working in a hospital before shipping off to war brought to the surface. It was, shockingly, gentler set of memories than the ones that had overtaken him whilst working on the man.

Something just on the edge of his hearing caught his attention and brought him out of his thoughts.

"I'm sorry sir, but it's hospital policy. You can go in, in a bit because you're the investigating officer but no one else is allowed except immediate family."

"But he's going to marry him. He's his fiancée."

"His fiancée?"

"Yeah. And he saved his life. You really should let him in to see him."

John glanced over to see Lestrade speaking to a nurse. He wondered who he was was talking about.

Lestrade gestured in his direction. The conversation went on for some time with intermittent words escaping and overheard above the bustle. Words like 'Important government official…police officer…marriage…next of kin…phone calls…superiors…secrecy act.'

And then he remembered what he had said, lying on the cold, wet ground, wishing he were somewhere else.

"Oh God, no." He moved forward just as Lestrade turned with a look of triumph on his face and began walking toward him.

"Good news. I got you in, and we can wait for Mycroft to get out of surgery."

"But…no…wait…you don't…"

Lestrade ignored every attempted utterance from John's mouth. A vastly excited air surrounded him having circumvented hospital policy to smuggle John through. As they made their way to the waiting area near the operating room, John finally pulled his arm out of Lestrade's very firm grasp.

"Stop. Just stop."

Lestrade looked at him, puzzled.

"What is it? I'd thought you'd be in a hurry to get near and here the news."

John pinched his nose. "Look, there's been, there's been a misunderstanding."

"What do you mean?"

"I am not his," he waved his arm in a sweeping gesture, "fiancée. I am not going to marry him. I didn't even know what his name was until just now."

Lestrade's face paled. "Shit. Really? But you said you were going to marry him?"

"Yeah, well, I was talking to myself."

"Next time tell yourself your single and move on." He ran a hand through his hair. "I've got to admit it did surprise me to think of all people he'd be the one getting married. Only thing more shocking would be if you told me you were about to marry his brother." Lestrade shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels before coming to a decision. "Look, seeing as how you saved the guy, I guess it really wouldn't hurt to go and check on him. I can get your statement. Come on."

John stood there gaping a bit and then followed after Lestrade. After giving his statement, he could just check, leave and go back to his bedsit.

A hospital vending machine, the kind that produced truly abysmal coffee, took up most of the space in the waiting room beside the extremely uncomfortable chairs. Fishing some change out of his pocket, John purchased two cups for them. It was the least he could do for Lestrade and what he'd put him through.

Handing the Inspector his, John cleared his throat and said, "So, um, how do you know…Mycroft was it?"

"I don't know him so much as I know his brother. Royal pains in the arse they are, although they come by it honestly. Whole family is mad. It was his lordship in there who set me up with his brother in the first place."

"Set you up?"

"Oh, no, not like that. About ten years ago when I was still a sergeant, I was working an investigation of a series of grisly murders. Sherlock, the younger brother, shows up, higher than a kite and solves it for me with one glance. We all thought, at first, he must be involved to know so much, but Mycroft rides in to save the day to show us proof Sherlock was no were near London for some of the murders and then offers me money to spy on his baby brother. 'Course I'm all offended and turn him down, but I tell him if he can get the kid clean and stay that way I might be able to use him. Keep him out of mischief."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that. Look, I'm not sure why I'm telling you this John, but you've got that kind of face, and I think I sort of trust you, seeing as how you got me into this and all. So how do you know Mycroft? Or were you just in the right place at the right time?"

The warmth of a blush started at the roots of his hair. "Oh, well, I, uh…" Fortunately, an unusual noise interrupted him and saved him from having to embarrass himself further as he tried to talk his way out of what sounded more like a teenage angst fest.

It was a little like the clash of the sea rushing in at high tide combined with the angry chatter of drunken squirrels. A small crowd swarmed down the hall as if they were one unit. Literally swarmed. A mix of ages, genders, and occupations, all talked at the same time and loudly. If he squinted just right he could almost see the words circling their heads. The conversations overlapped and no one appeared to be listening to anyone but themselves, but they all answered as if they understood each other so they must.

A rather attractive stylish woman with silver hair and bright eyes lead the group, immediately followed by a tall man, wearing a cardigan and bow tie, his overcoat thrown over his arm. He just nodded to himself as if he had heard her but seemed to be listening to music in his head. He parroted everything the woman said, not as though he were incapable of his own thinking but as if everything she said was far more important than what he could come up with on his own. The young woman, the PA, who had always accompanied Mycroft followed them, still typing away on her Blackberry. Beside her was another older woman, this one about the same age as the first but slightly thinner. She chatted away to the P.A, who mostly ignored what was being said. Trailing the group was a man in his mid to late twenties, rather scruffy looking, his large eyes blinking as he took in everything. There was an air about him as if he spent time calculating how much stuff he could nick in the hospital. John assigned them relationships.

"Somebody's put a bullet in my boy and if I ever find out who, I shall turn absolutely monstrous." Must be the mother.

"There, there, my dear, no need to turn monstrous." Father.

"I always said Mycroft Holmes would end up in a hospital all the carryings on he does. What was he thinking giving his mother a fright like that?" Perhaps aunt?

"How much do you think this is worth?" asked Scruffy.

"Touch anything and I will have you tossed out of here," said the P.A.

"Sherlock sent me to see what's happening," said Scruffy.

"I don't care."

The sound increased confined in the small space of the waiting room. A rather tired looking doctor popped out and stood somewhat in shock as he stared at the group of people waiting for him. "I'm sorry but who are all you people? You can't all be in here at once. There's too many, and you are far too loud."

"Doctor, how is my boy? I must know at once."

"She really needs to know doctor, how our boy is."

"Now dear, you mustn't worry. I'm sure Mycroft will be just fine. He'll be right as rain in a few days."

"Anyone got change for the machine? I hasn't had coffee in days, and it's cold out."

"It is imperative I am informed about Mr. Holmes condition. I will leave with you a number you may use at any time to keep me up to date regarding his progress. I will also require any evidence including the bullet and Mr. Holmes clothing to deliver to his people for the investigation."

Lestrade piped up, "Now see here, this is my investigation." He fell to arguing with the P.A.

John thought perhaps now might be a good time to leave before anyone noticed him.

"Okay, look," said the doctor when he finally got a chance to speak. "Your son is out of surgery, he is stable, and his vital signs are strong. The bullet missed anything important, and we will be transporting him to observation. He will be there for a bit and then off to intensive care for a day or two. Two of you, two, may go and sit with him for now. The rest will have to wait."

At that moment the nurse, Lestrade had spoken to earlier hurried up, full of apology for letting all of the family members through. Whilst the doctor conferred with her the rest of the group continued as if nothing had interrupted them. To make matters even more crowded, the young intern who had turned John away earlier came up and started in as well.

"What's he doing here? I specifically said family members only."

The nurse responded with "He's the fiancée."

Lestrade whispered to John, "I think there's more than family members here already." John just shook his head not wanting to be involved.

"All right very well. The mother and the fiancée may go in but no more. The rest of you wait here and keep the noise level down, or I will have you thrown out."

Everyone else caught up to the conversation.

"Mikey has a fiancée?"

"Did they say Mike has a fiancée?"

"Mycroft's getting married?"

As one, they turned to the young woman.

"Anthea, why did you not tell us? The very idea of his mother not being told."

"I am surprised he wouldn't say anything, but he was rather fond of springing news on us. He should have spoken to his mother."

"Just like Mycroft to not talk to anyone about what is going on in that funny old head of his."

"Mr. Holmes private life is his business. He did not see fit to inform me. I am sure he has his reasons."

"Is there a cafeteria here? I could use a sandwich."

Lestrade looked at John and opened his mouth to speak, and John looked anywhere but at he family.

"Er, umm," Lestrade tried to figure out a way to get them out of this mess. "That's to say…"

"I think I am perhaps a bit dizzy. " Father Holmes said rather quietly, and he slumped down in a chair. John moved to go over and see if he was okay, but the other doctor beat him to it.

"Are you alright sir?" He took hold of the thin wrist to check his pulse.

"Oh, it must be his heart. All the excitement is too much for him," said the perhaps aunt.

"He has a heart condition?" asked the doctor.

"Yes, he's had three attacks already. Have you got your pills with you?"

"They weren't heart attacks. They were episodes."

Father Holmes was in good hands and being taken care of, and everyone's attention diverted John thought now would be a good time to leave.

oOo

Later that night John sat in his dark bedsit. He held his head in his hands and wondered how he had even got into his mess. He lay down upon the lumpy bed and stared at the ceiling. After an hour or so he gave it up for a lost cause and dressed.

The underground delivered him back at the hospital and he snuck into the room where Mycroft lay sleeping.

He sat beside him. No one was about. He was rather surprised there wasn't even any security at watch what with the way the PA had spoken.

"Umm, hello. We haven't exactly met. You may be interested to know, we're engaged to be married. Sorry about that. It's a complete mess. I am not exactly sure how it all happened. I'll try and explain to everybody in the morning. I guess I should introduce myself. I am John Hamish Waston. I hate my middle name, so please don't put it on the wedding invitations. Ha ha. I saw you three months ago. I thought you were quite handsome. Er, you still are. You were shot and I helped save you. Took care of you until the ambulance arrived."

John wasn't sure why he was confiding to the unconscious man Perhaps he had been so lonely for so long he just needed to unburden to someone. He continued far into the early hours of the morning, not aware for one minute that Mycroft Holmes was indeed watched, most carefully. His lovely PA was keeping a very close eye on him from another room. She had set up a surveillance camera to unobtrusively monitor her boss.

She listened intently to John's speech, frowning.

Later John, exhausted from the day's events, had fallen asleep with his head on the bed beside Mycroft. She sat back. A thoughtful look settled on her face.