Chapter Ten: Family Outing

Sherlock relocated several of his belongings early the next morning, most of it being science testing equipment and books. He was further frustrated with my boundaries when it came to where to put his things. I had to draw the line when he attempted to convert my entire kitchen into a lab, compromising with him for half.

Isaac followed Sherlock around the apartment for quite some time, investigating the change with curiosity. As I observed the two of them, I really was amazed at how alike they seemed. Try as he may to deny it, Isaac, to those who weren't as observant, did look like a mini-Sherlock.

He had the same dark loose curls, pale eyes, although Isaac's were closer to mine in color, and he was surprisingly perceptive for his age. However, where they were most notably different was in their maturity. Isaac beat Sherlock hands down.

Sherlock sat down on the couch finally after moving around several items of mine. He hadn't been keen on moving in with me but since it was his idea to play house, I made him compromise. I'd go through with his scheme, but he had to play the part as realistic as possible when we were in public. I couldn't wait to see the results of our deal.

Isaac was standing by the door holding his little football, which I had quickly learned my first year in England was NOT called a soccer ball. "I think I'll take him to the park. Would you like to come, Dear?"

Sherlock looked over at Isaac, holding his toy and looking almost pleadingly at Sherlock. I could tell he wanted him to play with him. Sherlock sighed and stood up. "I have errands to run while you're out anyway. I see no harm in tagging along, even if it's just to complete the illusion."

"This whole thing was your idea so don't sound so reluctant." I scoffed as I held the door open for the two of them and then locked it behind us.

I leaned against one of the trees in the park as I watched Isaac climb on the playground. His football rested beside me as I observed him. It made me smile seeing him light up and acting like a normal kid again. I hadn't seen him talk to anyone yet, but other kids had spoken to him and he was running after them, laughing. Sherlock had walked us here and then left to run his errands, telling me he'd return within the hour.

A woman sitting on a park bench caught my eye and I grinned, picking up Isaac's ball as I walked over to her. Her hair had gotten a bit longer since I had last seen her but she was still up to the same old things, her hand hard at work sketching.

"Boo."

She jumped, almost throwing her sketchpad and pencil into the air. "Ah! Wait a… Zoey? Hey! How are you? I haven't seen you in a donkey's… er… a long time."

"Hey, Sydney. Drawing strangers again I see." I grinned and sat beside her on the bench as she recovered herself.

"Of course. It's fun. It's like people watching with a purpose. Not enough artists do it. I often get my best works by doing this. What are you doing all out and about?"

"I'm just watching a kid I've been looking after." I turned to watch the children run around again. Isaac headed for the monkey bars, hanging from the first bar and swinging his legs.

Sydney followed my line of sight. "Ah, that toddler over there with the curls? Looks a bit like SH if you ask me." I smiled as she referred to Sherlock by his abbreviated name she had used so often when she had gotten involved in a case he was working at our college a few years back. Come to think of it, she met Sherlock before me and had warned me to be careful around him. I should have listened.

"Yeah, funny coincidence but it works. Sherlock disagrees though."

"I see. So, you starting a daycare, or does this have to do with your job? Didn't you write that you were working for the Yard?"

"Yeah, I've been given the role of temporary foster mom for him." I nodded and smiled as Isaac kicked in vain to try and swing himself to the next bar.

"How nice. I figured you'd end up doing something like that one day. Is he alright? I noticed he's rather quiet…"

"Yeah… We're trying to fix that. He laughs and such, but no words yet." I sighed and rolled his football around my lap absentmindedly. "There was an incident and he hasn't spoken since. He hasn't even told us his name. We've just been calling him Isaac. He doesn't seem to mind though…"

"Hm… Ever considered art therapy? I had to study up on it for a class. Might help him get over his silence, or help you understand what's in his head." She shrugged and looked over at me. "I know you have plenty of different mediums for him to use around your flat."

"Why didn't I think of that? Syd! You're a genius!" I turned around and hugged her tightly before pulling back and holding her shoulders. "You always did have all the answers to most of my problems."

Sydney pulled back further and grabbed my wrist, eyes wide. "Is that… a ring on your left hand? Since when are you married? Oh, my god, did you run off to that town in the States? The one with all the fruit machines called… Las Vegans?"

"No. I didn't… well… not really anyway…" I pulled back, glad I had switched Mycroft's ring for one of the plain silver bands I had lying about. "And it's Las VEGAS."

"Then what's with the ring? Are you married? To whom?" She paused and stared at me then at Isaac. "Wait… You're not married to who I think you are… Even if the kid isn't yours, you said it was a coincidence and Sherlock kept denying…"

"No. It's for the case. We have to pretend for Isaac…" I said quietly, looking around just in case.

"Oh! You just about gave me a heart attack."

"Sorry about that. But you know… I'm not really supposed to be discussing this…"

"With civilians. I got it." She smiled as she looked over my shoulder and smiled. "I won't say a word."

I turned to see what she was looking at and saw Sherlock walking towards us as Isaac ran behind him. He handed me a small box as he stopped beside us. Upon opening it I saw a small silver band with the face of a small diamond peeking out of the metal.

"There. A proper ring." Sherlock said flatly. "Far better than that god awful monstrosity that my brother gave you."

Sydney looked at me sighed. "So you really aren't married after all? Pooh."

"What?" Sherlock gave her a rather puzzled look.

"I told you before that we weren't…." I shook my head.

"Really, if you were actually married, you wouldn't be so curt. You'd actually switch the rings yourself. Not order her to." Sydney looked at me and smirked.

Sherlock looked at her then sighed, knowing he wasn't getting out of this one easily. "Ah, well, then… Here, Love. Let me see your hand…"

I looked at Sydney who was grinning as he switched the rings. "There, much better; and much more convincing. You two really do make such a splendid couple. Your son really sells the illusion."

"He is NOT my…" a prompt elbow to his ribs made him stop.

"Sherlock, this was all your idea and I would have thought you'd be more cooperative than this. I'm not too keen on the whole idea myself either, especially if word gets back home that I'm 'married' to you." I huffed and crossed my arms. He was acting like a child again.

"Your father didn't seem to object to the possibility of a relationship between us."

"He already has parental approval? Wow, they must really like him for some reason." Sydney said as she raised her eyebrows. "However di he achieve that?"

"Probably because her father approves of my work with the police and because I was there to save her brothers and her life." Sherlock looked down at me with a slight smirk, proud of his role in that little rescue in my apartment.

"Oh please…" I rolled my eyes and looked down at Isaac who was kicking his football around the park bench. I smiled and quickly kicked the ball off to the side slightly, surprising him but was rewarded with a smile. He kicked it back around the bench only to have me kick it away again.

"So, you and Sherlock are now officially a couple until relieved from your duties?" Sydney asked as she crossed her arms and flipped her hair from her eyes. "I know you've always been one to play a parent role well, but Sherlock's involvement has me a bit surprised."

"The sooner we conclude the case and end this charade the batter." Sherlock sighed. "I've stated on many occasions that I am married to my work."

I gave Sydney a look and smirked. "Yes, but, Sweety, you do need to make some time for your family. After all, Isaac won't be you're little man forever." I wrapped an arm around his waist and felt him tense. Sydney was trying not to laugh and just settled for grinning.

"I'm sure domestic life will suit you very well, Zoey." She looked up at Sherlock who had put his hand on my shoulder to keep the ruse going. "Oh, how I wish I had a camera…"

"I'll kill you." I looked at her and she just grinned wider.

"Well, I'd best be going. Projects to finish and such." She packed up her belongings and looked at the three of us, as Isaac had grown tired and wanted to now go home, holding Sherlock's fingers. "It was very nice to see you both again. And it was a pleasure meeting you, Isaac. I hope to see you again sometime." She turned and walked away, waving as she went. "Do be sure to send me an invite to the reception at the very least!"

"We're not…" I started but just sighed and ran my hand through my hair.

"I must say," Sherlock mused as he stood holding onto me and Isaac. "We're getting the most peculiar looks from those around us."

"It's approval and nostalgia, Sherlock. They think we're really a family." As I reached up to touch his hand on my shoulder, I felt my heart skip a beat as my finger grazed the cold band on his hand. He was wearing his ring as well.

"Intriguing. We shall have to go out in public more so I can observe further." I just shook my head and sighed. Leave it to Sherlock to transform an undercover mission into a social experiment.