A/N: Thanks to my Beta Magpieintheshadow :D
CHAPTER NINE
Sherlock caught up with John on the stairs. "John! - John what did you want to discuss?"
Watson paused midway down the second flight as his rational mind took hold. He had no real reason to be angry. Just because Sherlock had been caught on the verge of a compromising positions with his ex, it wasn't as if John was actually his partner. He had no say in who Sherlock snogged. It had merely been the shock of walking in on it - At least that's what he told himself.
Taking a calm breath and pushing that unrighteous anger aside, John turned to face the tall detective, "I think we should discuss this privately Sherlock."
Holmes nodded and strolled past Watson, leading the way toward the library, where only a few moments ago John had heard Leo speaking on the phone.
Once inside Sherlock secured the door and turned to face Watson, his pale features a little flushed, "John, about…."
Watson's hand went up to halt his friend, "This has nothing to do with you…with what I walked in on. What you do is your own business Sherlock, I have no opinion."
Sherlock didn't look convinced, "but you do…"
"Sherlock…" John interrupted, "…I don't want to talk about it. I have something more important to talk to you about."
Now Holmes was intrigued, "alright." he thrust his hands into his pockets, "Continue."
"I think there is something not right with your brother-in-law"
"How so?" Sherlock moved further into the room, his attention fully on what Watson had to say.
"Well, first of all he's not French, he's American."
Sherlock stared surprised; he's already deduced that piece of information but was shocked that Watson had discovered it, "How do you know?"
"I overheard him on the phone."
Huh, so not exactly the science of deduction, Sherlock thought amused, "I suspected as much. South Dakota would be my guess."
"You knew?" John gaped. Of course he knew, Sherlock always knows. "Why didn't you say something? It's not like you not to correct false impressions Sherlock. - Why haven't you told your sister?"
"Step-sister." Sherlock corrected.
John rolled his eyes at his friend. He knew Sherlock cared for Anna, it was obvious when you watch them together, "Whatever Sherlock. - What are you going to tell her?"
Sherlock frowned, "Why would I tell Anna?"
John's mouth fell open, "Because she's your sister…." he halted Sherlock with a raised hand before the man had the chance to correct him once again, "… and her husband's lying to her."
"So are we."
John groaned and took a seat, "I know and I hate it." He slid down the chair, "But this is different Sherlock. This is your sister's husband; she deserves to know he isn't who he says he is."
Sherlock watched his flat-mate before strolling around the library, stopping to examine his father's collection. He's spent hours in this library as a child, "You like my family, don't you John."
Watson looked over his shoulder to Sherlock, "Huh? - Sure, they're nice people. Mary and Anna are warm, lovely women, your father reminds me of a brigadier… I haven't really got much of an opinion of Susan…. And…" John fell silent causing Sherlock to look at him.
"And Jacob?"
Watson stared straight ahead.
"John?"
"Sherlock, you do not want to know my opinion of your ex…. Believe me."
Holmes dropped into the seat opposite John and leaned forward on his knees, his fingers once again steeped against his lips.
"What makes you think Jacob is my ex?"
John gave his friend as look that said 'I'm not that much of an idiot'; "you're not the only person who can observe people's behaviour Sherlock."
"I see." Holmes swallowed. He always prided himself of his ability to mask his emotions. "So your opinion?"
John shook his head, "I'm not going there with you Sherlock. - Who you have…. You date is none of my business."
"I quite agree John, but I'm intrigued to know what you think, considering you've obviously taken to playing detective yourself."
Watson heard the scorn and annoyance in his friend's tone. It wasn't clear whether it came from the fact that Sherlock hated being the object of deduction or whether it was because he didn't really want to be faced with what John thought of the man he was clearly still attracted to.
"Are you going to tell Anna?" John asked in an attempt to get back on topic.
"I asked you a question."
"I asked you first."
The two men stared each other in challenge, neither man wanting to give ground.
"I will speak to Mycroft and see what he knows. - Then we'll see what to do."
John nodded.
"Now, your opinion if you please."
John sighed, "Sherlock," looking up he could tell the man wasn't going to allow him off without an answer. But John knew his friend wasn't going to be pleased with his analysis. Taking a painfully deep breath he meet Sherlock's cool blue gaze.
"Fine… you want to know what I think of Jacob? - I think he's an upper class twat who only wants you because you're supposedly with me. I think he's bad for you in every way possible and that if you had half the brains you claim to have you'd stay the hell away from him."
Sherlock just sat there, silent and staring at his flat-mate. He would have to re-evaluate his initial opinion of John Watson, because clearly the man wasn't a complete idiot.
The library door opened suddenly to reveal Mary, smile bright as sunshine, "Finally." she sighed. "Sherlock, John, would you two wonderful young men be willing to help me with dinner. - I can't find anyone else." she gave the pair a loving, pleading look.
Sherlock groaned before getting to his feet, John close behind him. Mary sent them a thankful smile before rushing off.
"I thought you had a cook?" John whispered.
"Mary has this ridiculous need to cook the Christmas dinner herself," Sherlock grumbled, exiting the library with his friend at his back.
~ SHERLOCK ~
While the pair helped Mary out in the kitchen, Sherlock informed of John of the case Lestrade had sent him.
Dinner went as expected. Tense and uncomfortable. Sherlock and John watched Leo with increased suspicion, Jacob watched Sherlock with increased desire and everyone talked about pointless subjects. After dinner Sherlock took the opportunity to speak to Mycroft about their step-sister's husband.
"Mycroft what do you know about Anna's husband?"
Mycroft sent his brother his usual emotionless expression that bugged the hell out of him, "Why?"
"He's American and I'd say working for either their government or ours."
Mycroft raised a brow, checking his watch. "I'm surprised at you Sherlock, I would have expected you to come to me almost the moment I arrived…." he shook his head. "…been distracted have we?"
Holmes ignored his brother's jibe. "So he does work for you then."
"Of course."
"Does Anna know?"
"No."
Sherlock couldn't ignore the anger that was in his gut. "You're lying to our sister?"
"Step-sister Sherlock." Mycroft clarified.
"Why?"
"Because there is no need for her to know."
"He's her husband Mycroft."
Mycroft watched his younger brother for a long while. "You're beginning to sound like John, Sherlock. - You know what we do, you know how important secrets are to the safety of the country. Leo has an important job that cannot be compromised simply because he happens to be married to our step-sister."
Sherlock didn't know what to say, all he could think about was how angry John would be if he heard this.
"Sherlock, I do not think you need to concern yourself with this. I would think you should spend your time concerning yourself with what you're doing with Jacob."
"What do you mean Mycroft?"
"Come now Sherlock, this is me you're talking to. - You don't think I haven't seen the way you and Jacob are watching each other? Sherlock, I would have thought you'd learnt your lesson, the man is no good."
"I am well aware of your opinion of Jacob, Mycroft."
"I know you are, which is why I don't understand why you're doing it."
"I'm not doing anything." Sherlock snapped.
"Sherlock, you're getting your life straight. I know you don't believe this Sherlock, but I am only watching out for you. I don't want you falling back into that life."
"I appreciate your concern dear brother, but what I do with my life is none of your business."
"It is when I have to clear the mess up afterwards Sherlock."
"I never asked you to."
Mycroft clenched his jaw angrily. Of course Sherlock never asked that of him, that didn't mean he didn't do it. Sherlock was his little brother after all, he would always look out for him. He'd gone out of his way to protect Sherlock since the disaster that was Jacob Harvelle. He's seen off more than a fair share of would be flat-mates. Each one willing to take Mycroft's money in exchange for spying on his brother. - At least until John Watson. A man who according to his therapist report had problems with trust, had stood toe to toe with him and refused the money, then had gone straight back to his brother and saved his life.
"And what about John?"
"What about John?" Sherlock turned to stare at his brother.
"What does he think of Jacob?"
Sherlock narrowed gaze at his brother. "You already know the answer to that question."
"Yes, I do. So if you won't listen to me then don't you think you should listen to him? After all he has been putting his life on the line for you a lot lately. I think that proves he'd watch out for you."
Sherlock frowned. His brother was right and it infuriated him.
A/N: Thanks for reading, reviewing and faving. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. :D
I hope to update again soon.
