…continued

Chapter 21- My greatest strength

A strange look of anguish flickered across Sherlock's face for just a moment, before it settled into its usual impassive mask. 'I was trying to determine how rapidly I could get John to leave my side. You see, he's a very loyal person which is convenient, most of the time. Very few people would follow my lead so faithfully. Do you think that's just his personality or a remnant of the war?'

'Maybe a bit of both.'

Sherlock agreed with a murmur.

'Why do you want John to leave you?'

And here the detective fell completely silent. It was clear that he had said all that he had to say on the matter.

Lestrade followed his gaze, trying to see what he saw. London was beautiful today but only from a distance.

In the tranquil silence that followed, the inspector's mind drifted towards some of the case files he had been studying that morning. Strange and disturbing patterns were forming in the criminal behaviour of their country's capital city. Suspects were being bailed out and murdered on an increasing basis. The homeless people were moving together in packs. There was a palpable sense of fear even among hardened criminals that normally wouldn't flinch. It was like the whole of the underworld was holding its breath.

Lestrade glanced at Sherlock sharply. Had the man also seen these signs?!

Oh hell. Of course he had!

Without a doubt Sherlock had seen the pattern and now, he was suddenly interested in learning how quickly he could ditch John in a pinch, which made for an obvious conclusion. Danger was coming and either it was directly coming in Sherlock's direction or Sherlock was going out to meet it. Knowing John as he did, Sherlock was already aware the doctor would never leave his side in either scenario. Now if this conclusion was true, then today's episode was not about Sherlock wanting to escape a scolding as he looked for clues on a dangerous bit of pipe, high above the ground!

For the love of ….!

Sherlock always did this! He never asked anyone for help preferring to rely on himself alone. Would he accept help now? The inspector believed he would, especially if John's safety was being called into a question. It wasn't obvious to everyone, but the inspector had known the man for a long time; long enough to realise that Sherlock felt responsible for the small doctor.

Lestrade reached out one hand and forcefully turned Sherlock's face towards him.

'Use me.'

'I beg your pardon?'

'Use me,' Lestrade repeated, 'You don't need to run this experiment again. When the time comes and you are finding it difficult to separate yourself from John, you can use me. I can be the proverbial ace up the sleeve, as the Americans say. I would appreciate if you could cook up a scenario that is legal but if not…still call me. I will come.'

He could see the moment of panicked realisation in the man's eyes, when Sherlock comprehended that the inspector had pulled all the facts together.

'There may not be much time,' Sherlock murmured breathlessly, torn between relief that he had found a willing and competent ally, and the natural unease in sharing a closely guarded secret.

'There never is. What's going on here, Sherlock?'

The consultant's nostrils flared in heated annoyance, 'Someone is interfering in my cases! Come man….you must have seen the signs!'

Lestrade had observed that look of challenge on Sherlock' face before, and it never turned out well for the person who had put it there.

'Are you sure you want to do this, Sherlock? John's not that bad in a fight.'

'Don't be stupid. John is absolutely the worse fighter that I have ever encountered!' Sherlock snorted in disgust, 'I am strongly considering dragging him to the boxing gymnasium to spar. You should come too. Your lady friend is feeding you up too much.'

'Wife.'

'What?'

'She's my wife, not a lady friend. Christ, you were at the wedding Sherlock! And I would love to come and spar with you. I would never pass on the opportunity to knock you senseless.'

'Whatever,' Sherlock replied in a bored voice, as he closed his eyes and let his head fall back against the wall. 'Do not misunderstand me. It's not that I don't think John is capable. John uses a cool head, iron nerve and a decidedly deadly aim to keep us out of danger. He is my greatest strength, but at the same time, my greatest vulnerability which I am certain that my clever opponent lurking in the shadows has figured out. I feel in the deepest part of my being that this is something I must face alone.'

The other man nodded his head reluctantly. Sherlock was neither the first nor the last agent in the protective services to feel the bitter terror of balancing family with a dangerous job. Although he believed that Sherlock was wrong in this instance, it wasn't his place to interfere in the man's decision.

'So we're agreed,' Lestrade said, 'one of us gets John to safety and then …we'll deal with whatever needs doing.'

Sherlock opened his eyes and stared at him thoughtfully.

'Why are you looking at me like that?' Lestrade growled angrily, 'John barely survived Afghanistan. Do you really think I am going to stand by and let something happen to him in London of all places?! Not on my watch!'

The inspector had given voice to the quiet belief Sherlock carried around in his heart. Their friend, John Watson had already spilled enough of his blood in service to his country, and not one drop more should go into the ground, not until the long years of his life were behind him.

'You're a good man Lestrade. I would offer to shake your hand …'

'WHAT THE BLUE BLAZES IS GOING ON HERE!' John bellowed angrily as he stormed inside.

'You're in trouble now,' Sherlock sniggered quietly under his breath; smiling brightly as his personal Calvary rode in.

The small man that they had been discussing so warmly for the last couple of minutes, stormed up to Lestrade vibrating with anger. As the inspector calmly rose to his feet, he looked down at the infuriated man, raising a surprised eyebrow as the doctor shook a menacing fist up at him.

'Steady John,' Sherlock said soothingly, 'You have misread the situation. I have gotten myself a bit tangled up, and the inspector has kindly offered his assistance.'

A look of understanding passed between the two taller men, as Lestrade proceeded to unwind the rope.

However, the good doctor could not be convinced and in the end, Sherlock had been forced to hook a gentle arm around John's shoulders to pull him away.

Anote: Just so that no one is confused with the chapter. Sherl of course, didn't ask Lestrade for help as he chose to wait for John to go out for tea with Sarah, before arranging to meet Moriaty by the swimming pool. Hope its all clear now.