A/N: I've had INSANELY busy times lately. I've moved, managed to get myself a flue and before all that my work schedule was rather mad. (winces) BUT, in the end I DID manage a Thursday update. We'll see how this one turned out…
First, though! Thank you so much for your reviews, love and support! (BEAMS, and hugs) It means so, so much to have you supporting this story. So thank you!
Now, before I get any more doubts than I already have… Let's rock! I really hope that you'll enjoy the ride.
Family Ties
/ The sharp claps of high heels didn't belong to the long, dusty and miserably dark hallway while three people made their way towards a door that may have been white once upon a time. There was a pleasant, more than a little forced smile on the face of Angela Raymar while she turned to look at the couple walking right beside her. "So… I understood that you already have a son."
The woman's sky blue eyes, which were all too clearly asking for a permission, swept towards the man who nodded sharply. Not bothering to spare Angela even a glance. "We do." Which seemed to be about all he was willing to share of the matter.
Angela found it increasingly hard to keep her smile in place. "That's nice. I'm sure that he's excited to become a brother."
At this the woman's eyes finally lit up. She became alive, like a switch had been flicked. "He is. We've been trying to…" A sharp glare from her husband shut the woman up immediately. Her expression closed up, the spark disappeared.
Feeling a shiver Angela took a deep breath. Surely these two were a better option than this place… "Ivan's been waiting for parents for a really long time, too. He's just as excited."
The woman trembled, her eyes widening. The man frowned. "There must've been a mistake. We were under the assumption that there's be a baby waiting for us."
Angela felt her heart skip a beat. She gulped loudly. "I'm… I thought…"
To her stun the wife actually glared at the man, even lifted her chin a little bit. Like all of a sudden she'd known something the two of them didn't. "Show us the boy."
By then they'd reached the door. Unsure if she was doing the right thing or making a huge mistake Angela sent out a little prayer, then opened it. To find two five-year-olds instead of one.
The woman gasped, seeming astonished. "Are they… Are they twins?"
The boys could've been, although one was neatly polished and the other looked like he'd spent his brief life with the wolves. They had wild black hair and even more fierce, piercing eyes. Even their size and body shapes were identical. They'd been sent to her from a psychiatric ward with notes that they'd both grown in less than ideal circumstances and had developed a exceptionally strong bond. Even their very own language.
Angela cursed herself mentally. These boys had been under her care for the past year and so far the longest she'd managed to keep them away from each other was eight minutes. What in the world made her think that she'd be able to trick the other into staying away now? A violent stab of pain crossed her. It was horrible to tear them apart this way but if one of them would finally get a proper home…
"No, they're not even related." Still Angela tried to smile at the more neatly dressed child, forcing herself not to glance towards the unkept looking one hiding in a corner. "Ivan, why don't you come and say hello to this lovely couple?"
The wife, however, didn't seem to even notice the cautiously smiling little boy. All she had eyes for was the small, hunched creature who was looking at her with wild eyes that pleaded her to leave him alone. Still she began to approach, like a moth drawn to a flame.
Angela fidgeted. "I… I'm not sure if that's a good idea. He doesn't like strangers."
The woman didn't seem to even hear. There was a absolutely astonishing smile on her face while she kneeled closer to the filthy child, almost reached out a hand before thinking better of it. "He's the one, Andrew. Our son." Her voice was incredibly soft. Her eyes were completely blind to the pain filling Ian's. All that existed to her was the clearly terrified little boy. "This is our son." Forgetting caution right there she brushed the child's wild locks. The boy shivered and revealed a row of threatening teeth but didn't lash out. "What's your name?" /
John's heart began to thump a great deal faster than it should've while the whole situation at hand began to sink in.
So basically he had two options. Either he was with Sherlock or with the monster Mycroft told him dark tales about. The problem was… How to find out the truth without letting the genius catch on? Because if this man wasn't his best friend…
The taller Brit's eyebrow arched. Those all too familiar eyes swept towards his cell phone. "Who was the text from?"
John shrugged. "I'd tell you if I knew." There was no way he'd be able to lie convincingly enough. It was for the best to stick to truth, then. He searched the other's eyes, trying to see. "Do you… remember?"
He was almost sure that he spotted a microsecond of confusion. Furrowing eyebrows. A flash. "Do you know who I am?" It was definitely a challenge. A test.
John nodded, taking his military posture. Preparing himself. His hand reached out towards his gun although he had a feeling that he'd never get to use it. "Yes." He looked directly into those eyes, took in the dark flames. "I know everything about you."
One eyebrow rose at him. "Do you, now? Good, good. In that case we can get directly to the actual business." That look was definitely something he'd never, ever faced before. "I sent a message to Sherlock, years ago. I'm sure that you remember. You were there, after all – and you weren't the only one who had a ear piece." A ice cold smirk appeared. "I was right there, Johnny boy. Feeding little Jim all the words while he played along happily. I was up there in the shadows, pointing a gun. Pointing that red dot directly at you. It would've been so easy, so very tempting, to just pull the trigger. But I had to make Sherlock suffer first. I had a lot of unfinished business, back then. My web wasn't complete. Now… Now I'm ready. We're all ready." Faster than John could see anything coming a bite of sharp pain hit him. Those eyes became darker than a stormy sky. "I promised to burn the heart right out of him. And I'm one who makes good on his promises."
The blindfold was on again so Aaron had absolutely no idea of where he was as Eveleen Moriarty drove them around. In the end the car pulled to a stop and the fabric was ripped off harshly. He cast a demanding, fierce look at her as soon as he was able to see something.
Eveleen's eyes were unreadable, as was her smile. "You've been a really good boy, Aaron. For that you've earned a little reward. Perhaps it'll also remind you of why, exactly, you're doing all of this."
He frowned. Knowing far better than to trust her kindness. "What are you planning?"
He expected just about anything but the cell phone handed his way. She gave him a devilish grin while placing the item to his ear. It was ringing. "You'll find out soon enough", she promised.
Aaron was almost sure that his heart nearly burst when he heard the voice. It was small and tentative but also very familiar. "Daddy?"
Without being called tears filled Aaron's eyes. It was a miracle that none of them spilled. "Hey, buddy. Are you…" He cleared his throat. It did nothing to ease the lump sitting in his throat. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah." There was a moment's pause before Jack went on. "Daddy… I don't like these people. When are you coming to take me home?"
A tear, just one, rolled down Aaron's cheek. As soon as he'd get the chance to he swore he'd…! "Jack, buddy… I need you to listen to me carefully now, okay?" He took a deep, shuddering breath. "Soon… Soon you'll hear things about me. And… I need you to know that I'm sorry. Really, really sorry. And I love you, more than anything in this world. Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise. Alright?"
"Okay."
Eveleen cast a rather annoyed look towards him. She tapped on her wrist watch. "Time's up", she announced, just quietly enough for Jack not to hear her.
Fighting back the overwhelming urge to strangle her right there Aaron forced himself to focus on his son once more. Just in case… "I love you", he repeated, his voice breaking far more than he would've liked. Another tear escaped. "You'll be okay, Jack. No matter what happens. I promise you."
"I love you too, daddy."
With that their time together was up. Aaron emitted a cry he was far from proud of when the cell phone was ripped from his hold. He'd felt the kind of rage he did when facing Eveleen's eyes only once in his life. "What the hell do you want me to do?" Because he was willing to do anything, anything, if…
Eveleen smirked in a way that chilled him. Clearly knowing that he was firmly in her hold. She started the car and began to speed away. "Now… We're going to your son. But before you can see him you have a bomb to stop, remember?"
Penelope had always hated arguments. When Derek and JJ began a loud quarrel that was dangerously close to becoming personal she attempted to lose herself into the world of her finally functioning laptop and a search for answers. By the time JJ stormed out, slamming the door as she went, all Penelope could see was the countdown. She couldn't stop herself from wondering just how much would be lost by the time it hit zero.
How much of her family would still be left?
Her eyes shifted towards the shadow that appeared into the room. There was a tense, nearly lost look on Derek's face. Barely a glimpse was left of the confident, self assured man she'd grown used to seeing.
Penelope gulped. Even tried to smile but it just wouldn't come out. "It'll… be okay, in the end", she declared quietly, trying to convince them both. There was no reassurance in his eyes and a great deal of her became cold. "Right?"
Derek looked at her. Sadness took over his face and even with the best of attempts he couldn't quite chase it away. "Yeah. Of course."
They both tensed up when there was knock of the safe house's door. Out of nowhere Mycroft appeared. Nothing could be read from the British government's face while he made sure who the arrival was, his hand never once straying from his gun, then opened the door. Behind it stood Spencer and Emily, bruised and clearly shaken but apparently largely unharmed. And right beside them, with a somewhat uncertain expression, was Jason Gideon.
This time the smile came to Penelope easily. "Oh, my gosh…!" Without hesitating for even a second she closed the three of them into a tight, tender embrace, struggling to reach her arms as far as possible. Her eyes stung from tears of movement and joy. "You… You have so much explaining to do, do you hear me? Especially you, boss man!"
"I know." Jason's voice was deeper than she'd remembered. "But not right now. We have far more urgent matters at hand."
By the time the door was closed by JJ, who'd entered as soundlessly as a ghost from who knows where, David had made his way to the main room as well. While Mycroft's eyes searched, clearly looking for a certain someone, David blinked a couple of times with surprise. It was easy to see the million questions swirling on the tip of the man's tongue. "Are you all… alright?" was all he voiced in the end.
None of the arrivals responded for the reply was rather obvious. With every single one of them on the edge they all fidgeted at the sound of a sharp, demanding knock. Instinctively David's eyes swept towards Mycroft for answers. "Are you expecting someone?"
The Brit nodded stiffly. "Actually, yes, I am." Without further explanations or negotiations he allowed the arrival in.
More than one of them was stunned to silence. Just as many reached out towards their weapons, uncertainty and doubt taking over. "You've gotta be kidding me…", Derek scoffed.
Sherlock Holmes was unhealthily pale and bruised as the tall man stood unhesitantly before them but still his whole aura oozed power and something that didn't even have a name. There was no apology or insecurity in his flaming eyes. Such would've looked horribly out of place on his face. "Mycroft told me all about the latest events", the younger Brit announced. "I'm aware of what you've seen. You don't trust me."
Derek scoffed. "Well. We have been told that you're a genius."
Blatantly ignoring the sarcasm Sherlock went on. "If this was only about me I would've dealt with all of this on my own." Indeed, even Penelope could see just how little the man wanted to beg them for help. His words were tight and venomous, almost bitter. "But this… is about John. I'd gladly minimize the risks when it comes to him."
A wave of worry spread through the room. They weren't exactly friends but they all liked the warm hearted British doctor. "Where is he?" Emily demanded, her voice a touch sharper than usual. Penelope wondered if the woman noticed how one of her hands slipped to her stomach.
Sherlock's left eyebrow twitched. "I wouldn't be here if I knew, now would I? Do try to keep up." The detective gritted his teeth so hard that it must've hurt. "Once I remembered bits and pieces I… asked him to meet me, so I would've been able to explain. It seems that someone else found him first."
Spencer frowned. "Moriarty?" the agent offered.
Sherlock shook his head. "No." And judging by the tone of voice that was pretty much all they'd get.
Derek sighed. It was easy to tell that the man's patience was running thin rather fast. "Look… You asked us to help you. Remember? How are we supposed to do that if you keep leaving out important facts?"
At this point the older Brit seemed to feel the need to interfere. "I've told them a lot but not the full story. I, however, believe that you should tell them everything." Mycroft's eyes were hard and uncompromising. Like those of a parent trying to reason with a child that was having a temper tantrum. "For John's sake, Sherlock. I see in your eyes that this is something you remember."
Sherlock gritted his teeth in a manner that had to hurt, sending a filthy look at his brother. But in the end spoke. "The man we're looking for is Ivan Rimakov. Before I became Mycroft's brother I was… in a lot of ways his."
/ Despite his young age Mycroft Holmes knew basically everything there was to know about difficulties with conceiving a child. Apparently he was the only miracle his parents would ever be granted. That became clear after hundrets and hundrets of hours full of the adults fighting, his mother crying, his father drinking and both of them doing their best to please him. Like they'd been terrified that he'd disappear if they wouldn't meet one of his requests.
All that fuss, although in reality all Mycroft would've needed was five bloody minutes when they would've focused solely on him instead of themselves or a baby that'd never come.
And then came the day when his little brother came home. For the rest of his life Mycroft remembered that it was storming on that evening while he sat in the biggest living room of the mansion with his babysitter and the family's housekeeper, waiting. He was shaking so badly that in any other situation he would've been embarrassed.
What if the new baby wouldn't like him? What if this wouldn't fix matters between his parents, after all? What if…?
His ears were keen to detect the sound of a door opening and it took all he had not the dash there. Painfully long sixty-eight seconds later his parents walked in. His father looked anything but pleased. His mother, however, was smiling radiantly. "We found your brother, Mycroft", she announced in a voice he couldn't remember hearing ever before.
Mycroft frowned, confused. His eyes scanned through both of his parents. There wasn't a trace of the mentioned brother. "Where's the baby?"
His mother's smile faltered, just a little bit. "Well, that's… It would seem that we had… a bit of a surprise."
And right then a small, incredibly filthy and wild looking little boy peered into the room. Squinted at the bright light. Shuddered at the sight of three strangers. His sitter clasped a hand to her mouth, their housekeeper gasped. Mycroft… found himself staring into the bizarre child's indescribable eyes. And he smiled, seeing exactly the same thing his mother did. Their mother.
"Mycroft, this is your brother Sherlock." /
In the city centre several people who saw the event gasped when a man was pushed out from the back of a van before the vehicle sped away. The man swayed dangerously and it was easy to tell that it took him a lot not to fall down. He was bruised and there were wounds all over his body. He was trembling in a way that suggested that he might be feverish, in a shock or both.
In the end a young woman finally managed to recover enough to begin a dash towards the poor, unfortunate soul. "Hey! Are you okay? How badly are you hurt?"
Realizing that someone was coming closer the man shuddered like someone who'd been attacked. "NO! Don't! Just… Just stay where you are! Don't come any closer!"
Finally the man was able to lift his gaze. The crowd gasped again and recoiled at the sight. He was horribly pale, apart from the red circles rimming his eyes. For a moment they thought that he was crying. That was until they realized that the tears were blood red.
The man emitted a shuddering breath, seeming even closer to collapsing than before. He coughed and worked his hardest to cover his mouth. "I… I'm Dr. John Watson. And I… I need to be put into quarantine, as fast as possible."
TBC
A/N: Soooooo… It seems that the pieces are finally coming together. But that doesn't mean that things would look even the slightest bit more promising… (winces)
I have no idea how you're gonna take this, but… There's a couple of more chapters left of this. Then we move on to the final part of this trilogy. I know, I know, but this story would've felt awfully rushed if I'd closed it in just a few more chapters. And there's plenty that I still want to portray before REALLY closing this thing. Plus, if my plans fall into place like I'd want them to in two chapters is the best place to leave this. How do these plans sound to you?
PLEASE, do let me know! Because it'd really mean a lot to have one or two of you marching through the rest of this with me…
Until next time, folks! I truly hope that you'll all join in for that one.
Take care!
