The more you tighten your grip, the more things start to slip through your fingers.
The blonde pair sat beside each other, the taller of the two talking in quiet, irritable tones.
"The nerve! The sheer nerve of them!" Spat the man. "Honestly, I can't even…Oh!" He shook his head, running a trembling hand through his hair.
The companion nodded, patting the flustered man on the back. "I know." She said, simply. Herself in a quiet thoughtful state; choosing to listen to the man's troubles, while contemplating her own.
The blonde man sighed, deeply. "It's times like these when I could just leave." His eyes studied the busy street before them, watching the cars fly by as the people lived their busy lives; all the while feeling small and insignificant amongst the bustling life of the city.
"But I'll never do that, not in a million years. I could never do that to the bastard." He paused again, as a melancholic expression settled upon his face. "Who am I kidding? He doesn't need me. I need him." His eyes focused on the early, morning sky. "I could walk out of his life and nothing would change for him." He paused, taking a deep breath. "But me…Everything would change for me."
The girl shook her head, her thin brows knitting together. "I don't think that's true."
The man looked up, startled by her sudden reply.
She continued. "I mean, why else would he want to keep you out of this?" She giggled, softly, nudging his arm. "Because you do matter, John Watson. And I think he'd do anything, to stop you leaving." She laughed, quietly. "Even if it means being a total bastard."
The Good Doctor smiled, his hand covering the girl's. "Thank you." He paused, laughing slightly. "He's still being an arrogant prick though."
The girl smiled back, nodding in agreement. Suddenly, her smile turned into a goofy grin, as she uttered her next sentence.
"Do you love him?"
It was a simple enough question; however, it left John Watson speechless. Clearing his throat, awkwardly, he managed to choke out a small, "What?"
"Do you love him?" She asked again.
John's jaw tightened, as he clasped his hands together. "Sherlock Holmes is married to his work."
Clare wagged her finger. "But that doesn't answer my question."
John looked down. "I think it does."
Clare sighed, kicking her feet back and forth. "Can I still call you Uncle John?"
John laughed, his face brightening ever so slightly. "Of course, kido." He wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders. "You still angry with Mycroft?"
Clare sighed. "A little...but I'll get over it eventually. He means well, I guess." She paused, looking up at her uncle. "You did tell them where we went, right?"
John laughed. "Yes, I texted both your father and Sherlock."
"He's not my father. Not yet, anyway." Clare muttered, quietly.
John raised his eyebrows, but chose not to comment.
A black limousine pulled up to the curb, allowing two tall men to jump out.
"Hiya, boys!" Clare chirped, cheerfully.
Mycroft strode over to the blonde girl, his hands tightly balled into fists; his eyes clouded with anger and hints of worry.
"I do hope that I never gave you the impression that it is, in any way, acceptable for you to just dash about the city without my permission!"
Clare rolled her eyes. "Nice to see you to. I'm fine thanks for asking."
"Do not test me!" Mycroft's voice had risen to a shout, yet again.
"I'm not testing you. Just calm down."
"Young lady! I-"
Clare interrupted. "Calm down."
"Stop this childish behavior right now!" Mycroft stamped his foot on the ground.
Clare raised her eyebrows. "I'm not the one having a tantrum."
John giggled quietly, turning away from the arguing pair, trying not to encourage his niece's antics. Suddenly wary of Sherlock's glaring gaze, John fought back the urge to make some bighting remark.
"You shouldn't leave like that, John." Sherlock looked down, handling the situation with more grace than his elder brother.
"Why? You do."
"That's different."
"It really isn't."
Sherlock rolled his eyes. "You still shouldn't do it."
"I'll stop when you do." John challenged.
The Detective and The Doctor turned away from each other to watch the other arguing pair.
"I don't want you out of my sight, is that clear?" Mycroft said, through gritted teeth.
Clare walked over to the man, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "It's clear." She paused, smiling. "I'm glad you were worried about me."
Mycroft looked down at the small hand on his shoulder, unsure of what to do. Quickly, he opened the car door. "Come on. It's not safe here."
Sherlock's hand lightly brushed John's arm. "It would be wise to follow Mycroft."
John nodded, stiffly, and began walking towards the car before Sherlock grabbed his arm, pulling him back.
"I was worried, John…" Sherlock whispered.
John raised his head, looking into Sherlock's eyes. "Really?"
Sherlock nodded, releasing John's arm, and following him into the limousine.
/
"So…What's going on and where are we going?"
Clare's silence had lasted ten minutes and forty five seconds. Mycroft had been counting. The last thing he wanted to do was answer her questions. He wanted her as far away from this situation as possible. However, it was clear that she would not remain completely in the dark. Even though that situation was the most ideal, it was also the most unrealistic. And as much as it pained him to admit, Clare did deserve to know the situation at hand.
Mycroft ran a hand over his face, trying to avoid the conversation a moment longer.
"I would like to know as well." John Watson spoke up.
Mycroft rolled his eyes, no avoiding it now.
Sighing, he began to explain. "The Moriarty criminal organization has organized a form of attack, targeting the power grid facilities controlling London's power distribution. They have already knocked out the Southern side of London and have threatened to issue a total black out within the next forty eight hours. They have personally requested that Sherlock and I solve the situation, threatening us both with their messages of "I.O.U"." He paused. "We are unsure of what exactly they plan to accomplish at this time. As of now we are seeking refuge at one of the Holmes' more private estates, outside of London." He had chosen his words carefully. For, he could no longer keep Clare and John in the dark, that much was certain. However, he would do everything in his power to make sure that their involvement in the case was little to none. Sherlock had agreed with his judgment. Yes, for the first time in sixteen years; the Holmes brothers had agreed on something. They couldn't risk another fall. Not this time.
John spoke up. "Okay…So, what's the plan of action? What can I do to help?"
Mycroft turned his gaze onto Sherlock, deciding to leave it to his little brother to deliver the unpleasant news. For, the British Government had once been on the receiving side of Dr. Watson anger and it was a situation that he would like to avoid revisiting.
Sherlock straightened in his seat, facing the Doctor. "I still think it would be best if you sat this one out, John."
John shook his head, the anger from their previous conversation rising. "We already went over this. I am helping and that is final. Nothing is going to change that, Sherlock."
"You have no choice in the matter." Sherlock's voice was stern.
John's jaw tightened. "I wasn't asking for your permission, Sherlock." He growled.
"But you need it, John." He sighed. "There is too much at risk."
"I don't care about the risks, Sherlock!" John shouted, glaring at the Consulting Detective.
"But I do, John!" Sherlock shouted back.
"SINCE WHEN HAVE YOU CARED?" John screamed, causing the Detective to fall silent.
"Stop it! The both of you!" Clare's voice rang across the limo, causing the men to pause.
The car rolled to a stop before the driver announced their arrival.
Clare sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "We're not going to help anything by arguing amongst ourselves. So why doesn't everyone just take a deep breath, and calm the fuck down."
Mycroft nodded, clearing his throat. "Yes…Well…Sherlock, follow me into the study; there are things we need to discuss." Grabbing his coat from Clare, he turned to John. "Keep an eye on Clare, Dr. Watson…And do stay out of trouble." Without another word, the Holmes brothers left the limo, striding into The Holmes Estate.
John glared at the floor, contemplating the situation. "So, are we just sit here and do nothing?!"
A small voice answered him. "I guess so…I mean, it's not like we can hear what their planning and figure stuff out behind their backs or anything...That would be crazy!" Clare shook her head, a grin spreading across her face.
John raised an eyebrow. "What've you done?..."
Clare looked up, her grin spreading wider. "Ohhhh, my iPod just happened to slip into Mycroft's jacket pocket just as he was leaving and I just happened to have activated a voice app that will record everything that they're saying..." She paused, laughing quietly. "Whoops."
John couldn't hold back his smile. "You really are a Holmes. A brilliant, bloody, Holmes."
And so the alliance was formed between The Doctor and The Girl, adding two more players into this dangerous game of I.O.U.
-Thank you SOOOOO much to Animalfeelings, luv dove -10, stinkysox, and aorangeinboston, for reviewing! It means so much to me : ). Also, thanks to JusticeLarae13 for following. I hoped you lliked this chapter! Please, feel free to leave any suggestions; I will always try my best to work them into the story! Reviews are the best; I love to know how I'm doing. Thanks for reading, and have a nice day!-
P.S: I've been in a bit of an unpleasant pickle lately, so it might take me a little longer to publish the next chapter. Sorry! : (