I don't own Sherlock!
"Connor," John replied curtly. Sherlock watched as John tucked his chin in, one of his many warnings that he was close to becoming angry.
"Don't sound so happy to hear me," Connor's voice replied over the line. John watched as Lestrade motioned for him to keep him talking as he hurried out of the room. Sherlock saw him hurry over to a computer as they started running a trace.
"You've killed two people," John snapped back. "How do you expect me to feel?" He added.
"Like I did," Connor replied. "Like when you let my family die."
"Connor, there was nothing I could do!" John replied.
"You could have tried!" Connor yelled. "Well now I'm getting my revenge." He added once he had taken a moment to calm down.
"Your revenge?" John asked shocked. "Didn't you already get your revenge? You shot me remember?" He snapped standing up.
Sherlock stared at the man shocked; he had put much thought into the way John was shot. He would have guessed he was shot out on the battle field, by accident. He never would have guessed John was shot deliberately.
"And what did you do?" Connor's voice snapped back. "You went home, picked up where you left off. You've even become famous tagging along with that Sherlock Holmes." He ranted. "I couldn't do that, I had no friends or family to run back to. So I'm going to make you feel the way you made me feel, absolutely along. Obviously I didn't pick people close enough to you, so take them as your warning." He continued before slamming the phone down.
John just stared at the phone. He looked away when Lestrade entered the room.
"We got a location," He announced. "A phone booth on 240th street, we've dispatched a few officers to canvas around the area with an old picture."
"I doubt he's going to stay there," Sherlock commented slowly watching the still shocked looking John out the corner of his eye. "He probably just used phone booth at random. However he did know about me, and knew to call you so he must have access to the internet. But it doesn't explain how he knew we were here. Any ideas?"
"Sorry," John said snapping out of being distracted.
"Any thoughts about where Captain Connor Westly might be?" Sherlock repeated. He watched as something started to click in John's mind.
"Oh my God," He muttered. "He's going to after people I'm close to. Harry, Mrs. Hudson, You two." He continued.
"We'll get people out to Harry's place," Lestrade replied picking up a pen and paper. "We can move her into a safe house if you want."
"He might not go after Harry," Sherlock finally commented. "Think about it, he went after someone you mentored and a past lover. Since then he's done his research, so he might keep the same profile."
"So you're saying that we should focus on John's lovers and mentees?" Lestrade asked confused. John only covered his eyes with his hands.
"John how long were you with that Lisa?" Sherlock asked. "Before you left for Afghanistan," He added quickly.
"A 6 months maybe?" John replied with some thought.
"And how long was Connor Westly with his wife?" Sherlock continued.
"12 years," John replied after thinking.
"So you should concentrate on John's lovers that lasted for more than 6 months to 12 years." Sherlock finished.
"Will you stop calling them lovers?" John snapped.
"Well, that is what they were," Sherlock replied affronted.
"Well you theory doesn't work," John snorted. "Since I've started living with you the longest relationship I've had is 3 months. And I don't know any kids," He continued.
"Well, I'm going to set up protection anyway. I know I'm not getting you two to a safe house but maybe we can convince your sister." Lestrade commented eyeing Sherlock doubtfully. "Her address?" He added handing a pad of paper to him.
"She isn't going to go to a safe house," John replied with a sigh. "Or have a officer following her around, even if I call and explain."
"Then don't, we'll set up a tail." Lestrade sighed. "If that doesn't work we'll send her to Baker Street. Now I'm going to get an officer to escort you home."
"Is that really necessary?" Sherlock groaned.
"Yes, and until we find this Connor Westly both of you are on lock down." Lestrade stated sternly. "No cases," He said to Sherlock. "And no work," He said to John. "Complete lockdown." He added leaving his office.
"This is going to be a complete nightmare," John groaned. He had seen Sherlock bored with no cases, but he dreaded seeing Sherlock being forced to stay away from cases. With Connor's background, they could be on lock down for weeks.
"Look on the bright side you might get to see your sister," Sherlock replied. John only groaned again.
"You and Harry cooped up in the same building," John groaned. "I think I rather get shot," He added. Sherlock regarded the sitting doctor for a moment, wondering if there was a meaning behind his statement.
"We're to take you home," A deep voiced officer greeted stepping into Lestrade's office. Sherlock snorted pushing off from the file cabinet he was leaning on. John slowly stood up following the officers to their car.
The ride back to 221b Baker Street was quite. For once it was John's pensive look out the window that prevented Sherlock from speaking. Sherlock jumped to get out of the car when they pulled up in front of 221b.
"We need to check the premises," One of the officers objected from inside the car. Sherlock only groaned as he waited for the officers and John to get out of the car.
Sherlock only snorted as the officers made their way into the flat checking the various corners and windows.
"He isn't hiding in the bathtub is he?" Sherlock asked dryly when he heard them check the bathroom.
"I didn't know you were having company," Mrs. Hudson greeted poking her head inside the door.
"We aren't," Sherlock replied. "They are to officers from the Yard," He added as he heard them clomp up the stairs to check John's bedroom.
"Really, what have you done this time Sherlock?" Mrs. Hudson replied worriedly.
"This one is John's fault," Sherlock replied pointing to where John was sitting in his chair.
"Well then, I'll just put some tea on," Mrs. Hudson replied patting John on the shoulder.
"Why don't you offer to make tea for me when this happens?" Sherlock asked.
"Because you usually cause it," Mrs. Hudson replied. "Going about insulting criminals, making enemies, shooting walls," She started listing. "I'm surprised that more people don't try to kill you more often." She continued coming over with a tray of tea.
"What are you doing tonight Mrs. Hudson?" John asked speaking for the first time.
"Well I've just got a new picture, so I thought I would stay in and watch it." Mrs. Hudson replied with a smile. "You're welcome to join me," She added with a smile.
"Maybe another time," John replied. "The officers are going to want to check your apartment," He added as he heard officer's coming towards the stairs.
"And I still have my unmentionables out," Mrs. Hudson replied hurrying off.
Silence fell across the flat as Sherlock handed John a cup of tea. The officers came back down the stairs.
"We'll check down stairs, and then set up outside." One of them explained before following his partner down the stairs. John only nodded before continuing to stare off into space.
Sherlock looked around the flat, his glance flickering over to the army doctor every few moments. His mind was filled with questions, but the only way to get the answers where by talking. As Mycroft had always pointed out, he lacked tact when it came to talking about things. He found himself flashing back to what his brother had told him.
"I hear Madagascar is wonderful this time of year," Sherlock finally said. He watched John snap out of his thoughts.
"Pardon?" He asked as if he didn't believe what Sherlock had just said.
"Madagascar," Sherlock replied. "I hear it has nice weather this time of year."
"That's what I thought you said," John replied shocked.
"Have you ever been?" Sherlock continued. John shook his head, not quite sure what to make of Sherlock's small talk. "I have, a dreaded family vacation. I wanted to go to the Caribbean."
"To go see the pirates?' John asked a small grin crossing his face.
"Yes," Sherlock replied allowing himself to smile slightly. "Have you ever been?"
"On holiday or to the Caribbean?" John clarified.
"Either one," Sherlock replied.
"I have been on holiday, but not to the Caribbean," John replied. "I have been to Florida," He continued. "And some lovely places in the Middle East."
"I have as well," Sherlock agreed. He slowly tapped his fingers on his leg. "I had always assumed that you being shot was an accident," He finally said ending the awkward small talk.
"Well I have been shot more than once," John replied. "Nothing to serious grazes mostly."
"And you were such a good doctor they got you to stay," Sherlock joked.
"Pretty much," John replied. He watched Sherlock press his fingers together. He sighed as Sherlock started studying him. He reach forward to pour himself another cup of tea.
"Ah," Sherlock finally commented as he leaned back in his chair.
"What have you figured out this time?" John asked taking a sip of his tea.
"The corpse had its left leg removed." Sherlock replied with grin.
"So?" John asked annoyed.
"If I recall you had a psychosomatic limp in your left leg," Sherlock continued. "And I would bet the leg Connor Westly's son lost was his left one. Your ability to feel emotions does astound me."
"I'm not sure I follow," John replied stubbornly as he put his tea cup down.
"Guilt is a very moving emotion." Sherlock replied. "In your case the guilt you felt for the death of Connor Westly's son resulted in a limp." He continued. "Unlike the man had stated, you didn't just return home and pick up where you left off. Guilt followed you home, and it didn't fade into the background until you started catching killers with me."
"Brilliant deduction," John replied sharply. "Now if you don't mind I am going to head to bed," He added turning sharply to head up stairs.
Sherlock watching him go with a look of confusion. "Was it something I said?"
A chapter during the school week, I do feel quite accomplished!
I hope you enjoyed it!
I did want to make a side note on the whole John having a limp because of the guilt about Connor Westly's son. It was an idea that came to me and it was far to tempting to leave out of the story, that and the idea the Connor shot him. I know it probably isn't how it happened, but I thought it would make an interesting story!
Well I hoped you enjoyed! I always welcome reviews!