Chapter 4: Nothing
John sat angrily in the canteen, ignoring the curious stares he received for being in uniform. He scowled at the beans on his plate. He couldn't eat. Not after-not after seeing HIM again.
How dare the man sniff at him, he actually sniffed at him! Disrespectful twat! John's head was pounding. He needed some sleep now that he had briefed the medical staff on Ford's condition. Sherrinford Holmes would be in good hands. He didn't need John. No one did. Mycroft had made that very clear years ago. John was nobody. He was another insignificant Omega and expendable. Just somebody Mycroft Holmes used to fuck and doesn't anymore.
God it still hurt; knowing it had been a lie. Everything they had shared that year, it was all a lie. John sighed, pushing his plate away from him. He had been so foolish to believe that someone like Mycroft Holmes could actually love him. Even Sherlock had refused to answer any texts or letters from John. The whole house clearly hated him. That year alone was one John had hoped to forget all together. Alphas never could be trusted and he'd done a fine job hardening his heart against them. Even his own sister, flesh and blood had betrayed him.
John still had nightmares over that incident. This reminded him to take his suppressors. No one would catch him off guard. He trusted no one but himself.
"Dr. Watson." A woman dressed in a black pen skirt and a matching jacket with a red silk blouse just red enough to match her thinly pressed lips as she continued to click away at her blackberry. John admired the way her black glossy hair remained in perfect place. Not one hair out of line, stiffening briefly when he caught the dulled scent of Alpha.
He stood up not wanting to be at disadvantage of any kind, realizing he was still a little stiff. "I am Anthea, Mr. Holmes's assistant. Accommodations have been made for you. Mr. Holmes went ahead to inform your sister Harriet that you've arrived in England for a bit of leave.
John was on his feet. "You what?" He nervously licked his lips, feeling sick.
"Yes arrangements have been made for you to stay with her or-"
"I would rather stay in a landfill than-" John felt a wave of panic nearly surface before the soldier in him pushed it back down, refusing to give in. "Please thank Alistar for me but I can find a place to rest while Sherrinford recovers."
John stood stiff and nodded just as swiftly ready to make an exit. Anthea, an Alpha, had nearly dropped her phone over the panic the man momentarily expressed. She kept her face devoid of any expression, but the smell of fear had soured the air. Then, just as quickly, it was gone, just like the man making B-line for the exit. That was interesting. This Omega ignored her attempt at catching his attention. Was he really going to make her chase him out the door? Tedious.
"Doctor. Mr. Holmes wishes to keep you close in case-"
"He's not going to flatline anytime soon. I won't be more than a cab drive away. I have a friend, Stamford, when I'm on leave I kip on his couch. Although, this is far from leave but I'm sure it will be okay."
"There is a car waiting. Right this way, sir." John hadn't even rang Mike. He hoped his friend was home and this didn't put his only friend out.
John was on his way out of the hospital when his own sister nearly ran him over. Her scent hadn't changed despite the length of her hair, cut to her shoulders. He recognized her immediately. She smelled of cheap liquor and wine from a box.
"John!" She smiled, stepping back, her dark heels scraping against the cement of the pavement. And of course she was drunk. She was wearing dark jeans and a red flannel that hugged her every curve. John rolled his eyes and meant to keep walking until she reached to grab his arm. He flinched jumping back as if burned.
"Don't!" he growled.
The taller blond Alpha frowned, first she was confused then irritated. "John it's been seven years."
"Eight." John hissed.
"You still can't be angry with me. For helping you, especially when you needed it most. " Harry looked around. No one was listening and that dark haired woman had quietly stepped out of earshot and was too busy with her mobile.
Harry tasted the air, relaxing as the Alpha woman was showing no signs of challenge.
"Helped me? Harry do you hear yourself?" The blond Omega lowered his voice, meeting his sister's glare straight on. An open challenge that caused her to growl.
"What was I supposed to do, John? You were in heat.. You asked me for help. Ask me to get your precious lover boy. Well he wouldn't have you. I did the only thing I could." Harry took an angry step closer to the blond soldier.
"You were supposed to protect me! You carry my kin scent. Biology drives you to it. But instead, you invited your mates over and let them -" John was feeling sick. He was glad he didn't have the canteen beans after all. Had he really begged her to get Mycroft. How embarrassing. How pathetic.
He hated how his distress was mounting. Soon, his sister or any Alpha within a block would be able to smell it. This would bring Alphas in search to comfort and offer protection. John didn't want to be touched by strangers, not without his permission.
"We needed the money, John. Besides you found release. I don't know why it's such a big deal. All Omega's have a heat. Some use others to help them through it, or toys. You should be on your knees thanking me for getting us some cash and your needs were met. No one bit you! I made sure they didn't try to bond. Hell, after your little hoity toity boyfriend threw you out on your arse you're lucky I let you come stay with me. Now, quit your shit and lets go-" Harry left out the part where a video had been made. John wouldn't ever know and that money paid her rent for six months. If she hadn't gambled it away.
She tried to take his arm one more time, John hissed taking a step back, ignoring the smell of cigarettes
"Piss off." A deep baritone growled. "You heard him. Pushy knottheads. Come along John, I need you to look at this dead body for me. "
The soldier flinched under the hand that carefully wrapped around his wrist, pulling him firmly but gently away from the shocked blond Alpha. This stranger was leading him past a fuming Harry. Anthea waved a cab for the Alpha and shut the door on her. She needed to let the boss know of the situation change.
"Hey, let go." John growled, once past the sliding glass doors of the hospital entrance. He was feeling exhausted. "I don't need rescuing. I'm a soldier. I've killed people."
"You're a doctor." The tall, dark haired Alpha replied in surprise.
"I had my bad days." John straightened up, there was something about the young man. "Sherlock? Sherlock Holmes?" John couldn't believe his eyes. The skinny teenager was a lean man, those dirty curls were neatly yet still chaotically styled out of his eyes. Was he wearing a suit under that long coat?
"Doctor Watson." Sherlock smiled.
"Sherlock you look-"
"Yes, I know. Devilishly handsome, mysterious with a bit of cheek, professional-" all said in a bored tone.
"Healthy." John embraced the tall Alpha, now frowning. The man didn't stink of chemicals tainting his scent, he smelled of tobacco, and vanilla. "You look so healthy." John recalled their last meeting, the young man was strung out and angry that he was being taken into custody by his eldest brother.
"Come, John, I really do have a body for you to look over if you don't mind. It's for a case, then I will have to check on my eldest brother to see if he's dead yet. Fatcroft promised I get half of Sherrinford's trust and I need new science equipment."
Same old Sherlock, just eight years older. John couldn't help but relax. Sherlock was never a threat to him, he was anything but.
"I see your services have been commandeered. If we're both lucky Sherrinford will kick the bucket in the middle of the night.
"Sherlock!" John nudged the boy, no man. Sherlock Holmes wasn't a scrawny teenager but a rather lean man.
"So tell me, Doctor Watson, Afghanistan or Iraq?" John glanced one more time over his shoulder to ensure his sister was gone and, hopefully, she wouldn't try to contact him. Some things could never be forgiven
"Both." John replied.
"And you, Sherlock bloody Holmes, what is it you are up to these days?"
"I'm clean if that's what you're asking." Came the huff. He had stopped pulling John along. Something the young Omega had thought the kid would outgrow, apparently not.
"I wasn't." John replied. "I've missed you. I often wondered what had become of you."
"Why didn't you write me back then?" Sherlock growled, turning away from the look of confusion on John's face. The blond knew he could protest and say he did write back, that he had called to check on the young boy. However, such actions were met with indifference. John should have known that, Mycroft or Alistar would keep him from further contact with Sherlock.
It wasn't worth being angry over. The past was the past. John wasn't here to make waves or reconcile in anyway with Mycroft Holmes. There he said it! Although, just to himself. He wasn't going to be anything but cool and aloft towards the Alpha.
Sherlock was entertaining in discussing with John excitedly all that he did, John was proud of him, really proud. Sherlock was clean, healthy and doing something that made his eyes light up. After a few hours John had to beg off. He needed to call Mike and a small kip on the couch before return here to the hospital for the night shift would be nice.
"Come along, John. I know just the place for you to sleep. Or do whatever boring thing you soldiers need to do."
"Thanks. But-" Once again John found himself being led out of the hospital into a cab. "Sherlock, wait. I dont even know where we are going and my things are still-"
"Nonsense. I took the liberty to have them placed in a room at 221B baker street. It's where I reside. It's far away from the domineering eye of my brothers and overbearing dictator of a father. "
"Same Sherlock different coat." John sighed.
~0~
Mycroft watched on CCTV, the way John had taken a step back from Harriet Watson. Interesting. It was his only living relative and he didn't seem happy to see her. Mycroft couldn't make what was being said between the two, their heads turned from the camera. Even Anthea had said she couldn't make out their discussion.
Then entered Sherlock and he was smoking again. Tsk tsk little brother. Something in Mycroft growled seeing his Alpha little brother take John by the wrist and lead him back into the hospital. John didn't even try to struggle and...were the two laughing?
Again, the older Holmes was not jealous, only a bit curious. Perhaps a surprise visit to 221b was in order. A surprise drugs bust-Mycroft shook his head. He was becoming a goldfish. Allowing his baser instincts to surge forward. He wouldn't do this, John Watson meant nothing to him. Nothing.