Disclaimer: nothing mine but Sherlock's view on politicians.

Chapter 13: An invitation

When John read that Sherlock would pop by, the following day, he smiled to himself. It would have been understandable – reasonable, even – if the man had decided that he didn't want to be involved with the craziness that was John's life, but apparently that hadn't scared the detective off. Luckily, because he was one of the more interesting individuals that the doctor had ever had the pleasure to meet.

So when the sleuth arrived, after John's shift at the hospital, the doctor had once again tea ready - some other preparations already done.

Sherlock didn't lose time with small talk, telling him matter-of-factly, "I need your help with an investigation," practically on the doorstep.

"Really? Why?" John replied, pouring the tea.

"Because you were a soldier. A client of mine, a fellow named Henry Knight, came to see me about his father's murder – decades ago, mind. But the man was killed from something that shouldn't have existed. Something that was created in the base of Baskerville. A research center, yes, in all likelihood embarking in highly questionable research from an ethical standpoint...but the point is that the military runs it," the detective explained quickly. "I've already sniffed around the place, but there's only so much one can discover without going inside."

"I don't have a clearance high enough for that kind of place, Sherlock, I'm sorry. Yes, I was an army doctor, but I was not involved in anything like that." John shrugged dejectedly. If there was really something like that going on, he would have had loved to put a stop to it.

"I'll take care of clearance. But I'm clearly not military – I mean, just look at my hair – the same way you clearly are, and I thought you could pretend that I was your scientific consultant or something of the sort. It might work...for a short time. But I won't be needing much time," the sleuth said confidently.

"You'll take care of clearance? You don't happen to be related to the prime minister do you?" the doctor queried, incredulous. Sherlock fixed him with an uncomprehending stare. "Mycroft Holmes? You know, same last name, unique Christian names the both of you..." John explained with a shrug. Add to that Sherlock being able to get clearance for secret military bases and the supposition seemed logical.

"Oh no. God, no," the detective bit back, clearly disgusted.

"So not Tory, then?" John inquired, quite amused at his friend's strong reaction. He wasn't much interested in politics, but he could see that they had one smart prime minister. That at least was good.

"Politicians dupe people regularly. They don't want the best for the nation. They just aim to increase their own power. All of them," Sherlock stated with a grimace. "Luckily we won't be needing any of them to enter the Baskerville base. I was able to forge a fake ID with clearance high enough to enter it. It will hold against the regular check ups, I promise you...for a half hour or so. You don't investigate all kinds of criminals without picking up a few skills here and there along the way."

"So you propose that we go...where, exactly? To break into a secret military base to look for what? A monster they created there through some mad scientific research? And then we should slip away after half a hour, even if we manage to do all those, which we won't – obviously we won't – and then what? Will they use us as test subjects, maybe? Or will we be lucky and simply end up in jail?" the doctor summarized...but there was a smile playing on his lips through his fake-outraged speech.

"More or less. Though I'm still hoping that we could escape, at least long enough to denounce their unethical experimentation. It would appease my client and probably ensure that our own crime in breaking in there would be deemed less momentous in comparison with theirs. So? Are you coming?" Sherlock queried, clearly hopeful, eyes shining at the prospect of collaborating with John.

"Let me think..." the doctor replied, frowning as if he needed some to do serious pondering on the question. He didn't want to seem too eager to follow this apparently crazy yet exhilarating suicide mission (well, hopefully they wouldn't die...Dyaus'd be so disappointed in him). A moment later he said, "It just so happens that I'm already packed for a short vacation. I might as well come along and keep you out of danger." He grinned widely, carefree.

"Or keep you in it. It was the blog, wasn't it? You knew in advance and had already decided," the detective countered. He didn't look spooked at the idea of the future-seeing blog, but interested and pleased. Very pleased. Only because he'd gotten his way?

"Well, yes. But I thought that I'd let you ask before agreeing at least. It seemed the polite thing to do," John stated cheerfully.

Before Sherlock could reply to that, the doctor received a text. "Sorry," he said, excusing himself to read it. Given the timing, he had a good guess about its sender. He was right.

It read, Making me jealous is a thing and you can certainly do it, Johnny. But am I really expected to send you into battle without being there to back you up? JM

"Erm...Sherlock? Would it be a problem if someone else joined our little party?" John inquired, decidedly awkward. Figures that Jim would have cared about him. He chose to see things that way, it kept the apprehension at bay about his inevitable stalking.

"Who?" the sleuth queried, sounding more than a bit put off.

"Jim Moriarty. Jim from IT. You know, Molly's boyfriend. He has a blog too – one that reads the future, I mean – and we're allies in this end of the world game. He's been informed of what I'll do by his blog, surely. Not by me, I wouldn't invite people without your permission, naturally. But apparently he's interested," John explained, almost blabbering in his haste not to appear like he had organized things against Sherlock's wishes without the detective's knowing.

"I won't have him hindering the investigation," the sleuth declared, his voice sharp.

"He's bright, he won't. And I think that he could create some wonderful distraction should we need one," John defended automatically.

"That's not all," the sleuth replied.

"I'm afraid that he would follow us anyway. When he gets enamored of a plan he can be difficult," the doctor confessed sheepishly.

"Of a plan?" Sherlock echoed, raising a disbelieving brow.

"I already admitted to you that he is interested in me. And that I don't reciprocate. But that's not why I think that he won't leave us alone. Nor why I think that having him with us would be a great idea," John countered, annoyed at the insinuation.

"If you really think so...I guess that I should start getting used to obeying to my commander. I suppose I could forge a fake clearance for him, too," Sherlock said with a shrug, still clearly unconvinced and... disappointed? Why would he be?

"Fine. Good. Perfect. I'll text Jim and let him know. And I'm a captain. Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers. Just in case you need the detail for the clearance faking," John said, instinctively assuming the at rest bearing. "Still not entirely believing that you can do it."

"I'll be here tomorrow morning at 9:30 with a car...then we'll go to Dartmoor and you'll see exactly how good of a forger I am. I could be a great criminal if I wanted," Sherlock bit back, clearly showing pride in his skills.

"I'll be expecting you," the doctor replied with a smile.