Title: The Watson Files
Parings: Sherlock Holmes & John Watson (slash goggles optional)
Trigger Warnings: Canon typical violence and injury
Chapter 4 – Disguise
The computer beeped at me with the tone that indicated an interoffice communication. It seemed that my presence was requested in Q branch although not STAT given the form and the wording of the missive. I headed out from the small office in MI 6 medical thinking that it was just one more item in what had already been a strange day, even for me.
The day had started with a completely out of the blue kidnapping attempt. I say kidnapping but it was more a grab Sherlock and kill or incapacitate me attempt. We had just finished up the paperwork at the Yard for a case involving stale biscuits, waterfowl and gem smuggling when Sherlock noticed we were being tailed. Due in large part to Sherlock's encyclopedic knowledge of London and a shortcut through a tube station; we managed to get a good number of our pursuers into the hands of the transport police and most likely from there to the security services as potential terrorists.
That little escapade was immediately followed by a consultation with Molly at the morgue regarding the identity of several bodies. The four bodies involved were in somewhat bad shape since they'd managed to get themselves blown up in an empty NSY safe house. Molly had been attempting to determine if an IED was involved due to the amount of plastic and metal shrapnel. For a change she was more interested in my Afghan experience than in Sherlock's deductive prowess.
On the way back to Baker Street in a cab Sherlock took a call from Mycroft that was notable in that there were no sarcastic remarks or attempted one-upmanship from Sherlock's side of the conversation. The fact that he'd answered rather than texting was strange in and of itself. In addition, I wouldn't have even known the caller was Mycroft but for the fact that Sherlock had grimaced and told me so before answering. Whatever his brother had told him sent Sherlock into a texting frenzy for the remainder of the ride.
I hadn't expected an explanation until we were back in the flat but we'd barely hung up our coats when Sherlock received a text from Lestrade and I got one from MI 6 medical. Lestrade wanted assistance in identifying Molly's bodies and MI 6 wanted me to fill in a half-shift for a doctor with a sudden family emergency.
Sherlock disappeared into the bedroom muttering something about needing to check in with his homeless network on the way to the Yard. I took the time to stuff a variety of items into a rucksack just in case I managed to get off in time to accompany him. By the time I needed to leave Sherlock had not reappeared so I just hollered at him and headed out almost running over Billy Wiggins in the process of getting out the front door.
MI 6 seemed tense. I'd been working locum for them long enough to assess the zeitgeist of the office. It appeared to be at the mission in process of going sideways as opposed to everything going to hell in a handbasket. Medical at least was calm. There were no currently admitted agents and it looked like there hadn't been anything more serious than training bruises and a minor burn from one of the coffee makers for seventy two hours or so. I hadn't even wanted to speculate what either of those facts coupled with the overall mood portended for my shift.
I'd barely managed to review the logs when the summons from Q branch occurred. It didn't take me long to get into the depths of the building. I was expecting that I was needed to consult on a field medical issue. I didn't expect to be shoved into one of the smaller operations rooms with R, Tanner and 006 with what appeared to be freshly dyed blond hair. That last caused a double take on my part but I didn't ask.
"Come here John," R said. "I need your expert opinion on this."
She motioned at a monitor showing a street scene that looked a bit like London.
"What do you need?" I asked.
She pointed at a figure weaving in and out of the pedestrians on the pavement.
"Is that yours or ours?"
I could see her confusion. If I hadn't know him as well as I did I would have had a hard time telling that the person she was pointing at was Sherlock as opposed to his younger half-brother. The disguise was masterful right down to the mannerisms and style of walk. The extra two inches of height and slightly darker hair gave things away for me as did the jumper that he'd clearly stolen from my closet.
"Mine," I replied.
"You have your assignment 006," Tanner remarked.
"Loose tail but don't make contact," Alec Trevelyan responded with a smile. "Grab anyone who is doing the same thing."
"And hope he doesn't attempt to lose you," R added.
"Roger," Trevelyan acknowledged and left.
"Thank you very much for your assistance Dr. Watson," Tanner added before the door had closed behind him.
I knew a dismissal when I heard one so I departed heading back for medical. I also knew better than to ask why exactly Sherlock was gallivanting around London in disguise pretending to be his brother playing bait with at least one 00 as a bodyguard. I knew I'd be able to get the whole story out of Sherlock later.
Author's Notes: Original Prompt - To the Makeup Table! Focus on Holmes and/or Watson in disguise – for a case, or for any other reason. If you didn't catch this we are right back into the "Find/Protect the asset" arc.
