The Demands of the Job
A/N – I did a small bit of research for place names and such, If you live in these areas, please do not be offended, I don't actually know anything about them, except for their names.
As always, I own nothing, despite desperate pleas to higher orders ;) (Err, Anthea has threatened to disconnect all forms of communication if I don't stop. May have to start pestering Mr Moffet)
Chapter 4
Or
Wrong Way Wednesday
John only asked Sherlock once what he had said the night before and Sherlock's response had been nothing short of an 'hmpf'. John had not pursued the matter further and had let it drop. Arriving home from Work at 9:30 am John found Sherlock aiming his gun at the wall, but no new holes in said wall. He was just in time to see the first shot made.
"BORED." Came the familiar cry of his sociopathic flat mate.
"Don't care, put the gun back where you found it, and go do something less destructive"
"But it can be destructive?"
"I'd rather it wasn't but with you, I hold low expectations"
"Not sure if I should be pleased or displeased with that"
"Your choice, tea?"
"Yes please".
Sherlock put the gun back where he found it and started scavenging around the place. True he knew every nook and cranny but he had recently found that to entertain him John had started hiding random activities around the flat. Last week he had found a pop corn maker and fairy floss machine. And while he had not been hungry, or indeed eaten anything he had made, he had learnt how to make the desired products and then started using different ingredients, and John was still trying to work out if he had been poisoned. Honestly, the man should know never to touch anything in the kitchen besides the kettle and toaster and even then he should check with Sherlock first.
Coming back to his lounge, he found a cup of tea and a piece of marmalade toast waiting for him. John was on his chair with the paper and his breakfast on his lap. Neither man said anything for about an hour when John suddenly announced he was heading to bed and to wake him by 3 if he was not already up. He also requested quiet. Sherlock made no promise and just gave a dismissive sound. John rolled his eyes and headed upstairs to his room. The early morning shift mixed with no sleep since the night before had hit him hard.
John awoke to the sound of an explosion. He didn't bother getting up but called out just in case.
"Everything okay down there?" he called
"Fine, all fine"
John rolled over and went back to sleep.
When next John awoke he was feeling refreshed and lively and in desperate need of tea. He headed to the kitchen to find most of the sink and the cupboards above it gone, Mrs Hudson was not going to be pleased.
"I sent a text to Mycroft, in return for a case the contractors will be in tomorrow to fix that... on the up side the kettle survived, but it has ears in it so I suggest using Mrs Hudson's if you require the beverage."
John just sighed and shook his head. So much for less destructive he thought.
"How exactly did you manage this anyway Sherlock?"
"Nitro glycerine"
"Where did you get that?!"
"Made it"
"Forget I asked... Shall we go out for a bit, we have that 'therapy' again tonight, be the third night, we'll be half done at the end, just Thursday, Friday and Saturday to go."
After a few hours of walking around, collecting some information from the homeless net work and John giving medical assistance to the individuals who needed it, the boys found themselves outside of Angelo's. It was 5:30 so they figured on a quick meal before heading towards the therapy centre.
On their way to the therapy centre John's pager went off. He made a quick call to the clinic before giving a rushed 'be good' to Sherlock and hailing a cab.
He sent Lestrade a quick text telling him the situation. Lestrade, while not pleased, accepted the situation on the proviso that Sherlock still attended.
Upon his arrival Sherlock found himself to be the first person there after Mary who was setting up. She looked up and smiled as he entered.
"No John today Sherlock?"
"He was called in to work"
"Ah, no matter, Greg mentioned it might happen. You ready for tonight?"
"I need a case"
"Okay, meaning what?"
"I'm bored"
"Learn a new language, take a short course, you cannot spend all your time waiting for the world to come to you, go to the world."
"Dull"
"Right, anyway..."
Mary was cut off as Lestade, Donovan and Anderson came in, obviously straight from the office. None of them looked especially pleased. Greg gave a short nod to Sherlock as he passed and the 5 in attendance all sat down.
"Okay! Let us start shall we" Mary spoke to the group.
"With last nights' efforts so, um, unproductive, I thought today we would try and learn about each other and what makes us, us. Understanding can lead to acceptance and that can lead to friendship or at least the ability to work together. What do you think?"
Greg replied that is sounded reasonable and Mary explained how it would work.
"I will ask a question and then each of you will give your answer to it in turn, if for some reason you feel the need to pass, you can but an explanation must be provided, got it? Greg, let's start off with you today. Where were you raised?"
"Bexley, on the River Cray"
"Excellent, Marc?"
"Staines"
"Lovely, Sherlock?"
"Sevenoaks"
"That explains a lot," muttered Anderson
"What do you mean Marc?" asked Mary
"Just explains why the freak gets everything he wants and away with everything, he a blooming millionaire, upper class snob"
"Correction, my parents are, I was disowned and disinherited by the time I was five. Do not take breading as anything to go by. Class means nothing if you do not fit the mould or expectations."
Sherlock held Andersons gaze before turning to Sally.
"What about you?"
"Harpenden" mumbled Sally,
"But I'm not a snob, I didn't follow the path I was given either, I wanted to work, not be a house wife, I'm not exactly popular with my family either"
Sherlock was surprised he had not deduced this before, but it was of little consequence.
"See?" Mary said
"More in common then you thought"
Anderson was looking at Donovan with a strange look. She caught it and scowled,
"I'm not rich and I am not set to inherit, it all goes to my 3 older brothers, so forget it Marc"
Everyone looked back at Sally in surprise at the venom in her voice.
"Let's just change the subject; at least my parents love me, that's more than the disowned freak can say"
"Sally!" Mary cried,
"We are not here to judge or be judged, but your right, let's have a new question. What made you choose your chosen professions? Marc, let's start with you this time"
"What about John, we do not know where he grew up"
"Toxteth East" Sherlock quickly replied.
"Well okay then" Replied Marc
"I chose to be a forensic scientist because I enjoy puzzles and science. It seemed like a good mix."
"I choose to be a police woman because it was not seen by my relatives as a woman's area to work in"
"I followed in my father's footsteps, and his fathers." Lestrade admitted.
"I needed mental stimulation that would allow me freedom to move and think within my own parameters. I also wanted to stop criminals. John become a Doctor because he wanted to help people, he joined the army because he like the adrenaline rush as much as I do. He would have stayed in Afghanistan but got shot. Now he travels with me, he is a GP and my blogger."
"So he's not your lap dog after all, he's just a poor bloke, using a rich bloke to get a rush, the two of you are as sick as each other"
"Enough!" Mary said,
"Marc, mind your manners and be more understanding or I will write a report that will have you removed from the force." Greg added. Marc continued though, he was on a role.
"So what are you going to do when John finds a partner ha? You cannot keep scaring, insulting or pulling John away from his dates you know. He'll get tired of it. He'll leave you, but you know that already, don't you freak? Perhaps John is just addicted to your crazy ways he can never actually be happy with anyone else, he's as insane as you!"
Sherlock said nothing; he stood and walked towards the door. Pausing in the walk through he turned and spoke so quietly that the others only heard him because of the silence that had followed.
"John is a good man, an honest, hard working and honourable man. He is my best friend, I only have 3 friends. John helped them and I meet properly. He would do anything to help others in trouble, even you Anderson. You should remember that. I don't mind if you have a go at me, I've had it my whole life and probably deserve it, but John has done nothing but be decent which I suspect you couldn't be if you tried. You will not insult him again or perhaps maybe I will do what Sally fears most."
He left
The silence could be cut with a knife. Marc Anderson had shown his true colours; even Sally was offended on John behalf. She actually kind of liked the hobbit like doctor. Greg was furious, he had know that Anderson caused a lot of trouble, he had had complaints of bulling and work place harassment about him before, but never had he observed it himself. It was a lot to think about.
"Since the three of you seem to get along fine, I think we will call it a night"
They agreed and left quietly, all within their own minds.
Mary shot John a brief text about what had transpired.
Sherlock never came home that night and John was worried. He called Mycroft who already knew about everything and promised to keep an eye on the cctv monitors. Though it appeared the lanky genius was avoiding them. Lestrade was called and had the force keep an eye out for him on the condition that if he was seen it was to be rung in, he was not to be approached.
John sat up all night and into the morning waiting for his friend to come home