Chapter 3: Slight Doubts

In a quaint park in the middle of London, the sounds of children playing reverberate within the brightly colored playground. However, lying in the bushes near the playground, the glint of binoculars can be seen. Hidden in the shadows, Sherlock's gaze flits from parent to parent. He cautiously studies their behavior mentally taking notes as if he were a hunter stalking the most dangerous of prey. Slowly, a shadow looms over him, the mysterious figure waits for a moment before crossing his arms and loudly clearing his throat.

Shadow –"You know there's only so many laws that you can break in one day."

Sherlock – "Nice to see you too Lestrade."

Sherlock responds nonchalantly as Lestrade kneels beside him.

Lestrade –"You've been quite busy today haven't you? First the nursery at Saint Benedict Children's Hospital…"

Lestrade takes away Sherlock's binoculars who glares back up at him. Lestrade just gives a wry grin as he begins to count off Sherlock's exploits on his hand.

Lestrade –"…Then impersonating a teacher at the Daisy Hill Preschool, all those bookstores and libraries where you ransacked through all the books on expecting parents and child-rearing, and don't even get me started on the women's clinic downtown."

Sherlock stands up during Lestrades' rant, dusting himself off.

Lestrade – "When I got the report I thought we had a serial pervert on the loose, but when I read the description: 'tall-lanky-pale man with dark brown hair, wearing a black coat and blue scarf mumbling the words 'must get data'', I figured I should take on the dispatch personally."

Sherlock –"Lanky? I'm not lanky at all."

Sherlock pouts as he pats his stomach, but is interrupted when Lestrade points an angry finger in his face.

Lestrade -"And you're damn lucky it was me too! Otherwise you would be riding first class in the back of a patrol car right about now."

Sherlock stares intently at Lestrade studying his current demeanor.

Sherlock – "Eyes-bloodshot and tired, hasn't shaved or slept properly in days.

Shoulders hunched and tense, slight crick in his neck. Most likely sleeping on something

besides a bed, the multi-colored polyester fibers littered across his coat suggest a couch.

Clothes worn, disheveled and slightly stained. The blinding smell of cologne suggests the lack of a decent bath."

Sherlock – "I'm just collecting data Lestrade, no need for the theatrics."

Lestrade visibly calms down, but he still crosses his arms cocking an eyebrow at Sherlock.

Lestrade –"For a case? "

Sherlock -"No, a bet."

Looking at Sherlock incredulously, Lestrade follows after Sherlock as he walks through the park eventually coming to a bridge where Sherlock leans against the rail solemnly looking down at the small stream. Lestrade himself leans back against the rail running a tired hand through his already disheveled hair.

Lestrade-"Since when are you a betting man? I would think you would be above games of chance."

Sherlock –"It's more of a game of skill. And for once John has more of an aptitude for this particular… talent than I do."

Lestrade-"What sort of bet involves studying kids?"

As he continues to stare into the babbling stream below, Sherlock heaves a frustrated sigh knowing how ridiculous the following sentence is going to sound, but there was no other way to phrase it without causing even more suspicion.

Sherlock-"John and I are raising a baby."

Lestrade stares at him in complete disbelief, his eyes almost bulging out of his skull.

Lestrade-"Uh…come again?"

Sherlock rolls his eyes in annoyance, (a slight blush on his cheeks) and pushes away from the railing, straightening his scarf.

Sherlock- "It's just as I stated Greg. Why must I always repeat myself?"

Lestrade- "So when did John suddenly gain the miracle of child-birth in less than a week? Unless you're the mother and you've been hiding the baby under that trench coat or yours for the past nine months"

Sherlock stops fidgeting with his scarf and looks at Lestrade with an unreadable expression. Lestrade looks back with a joking grin and wink causing a grin to form on Sherlock's face as well.

Sherlock- "It's not our child Lestrade, it's his niece. His git of a sister has left the little worm with us for a week, and I have a bet with John that I could be a better parent than him by the end of the week."

Lestrade then bursts out laughing.

Lestrade- "But you don't know anything about kids Sherlock. Hell, just the very notion of you being a parent to….anything is absurd!"

A brief look of hurt passes over Sherlock's face, but he recovers quickly.

Sherlock-"Hence why I was gathering data Lestrade. Until you decided to interrupt me."

Lestrade-"Well you technically were disturbing the peace Sherlock, it's my job after all. Besides, you can observe as many children as you want or read all the parenting books in the world and it wouldn't prepare you."

As Lestrade calms down from his laughter, he notices that impassive-neutral look once again clouding Sherlock's face. His eyes looking off into the distance, as he retreats back into the comforts of his mind.

Sherlock-"So what will exactly?"

Just as quickly though, Sherlock snaps out of his reverie and looks up at Lestrade.

Lestrade- "Well, not to sound sappy, but your heart Sherlock. You can't raise a child properly if there's no bond or any emotional connection."

Sherlock-"You make it sound like it's impossible for me then."

Lestrade-"Well….no. But you have to admit you're not exactly good at connecting with people."

Sherlock stays silent for a moment, absorbing Lestrades words.

Sherlock-"No, I suppose I'm not."

Then slowly, he turns and begins to walk away.

Lestrade- "Sherlock! I….maybe I'm not the best person to be giving advice on this…subject; what with never having kids myself."

Sherlock stops and half turns to him.

Lestrade-"You should ask someone else for advice. Maybe get a… woman's perspective."

Sherlock visibly brightens at the idea and turns to leave again.

Sherlock-"Maybe you're right. Thank you Greg."

Lestrade sighs relieved as he watches Sherlock walk away.

Lestrade-"Anytime Sherlock."

Continuing to walk, Sherlock calls back catching Lestrade off guard.

Sherlock-" By the way, you should really go home to sleep, those couch marks on your face and the musk of your cheap cologne trying to hide your lack of bathing are not doing you any justice."

Lestrade-"Always a people person Sherlock!"

Lestrade smells himself and rubs his face as Sherlock gives a half wave, a broad grin spreading across his face.