CHAPTER 21. ALIVE
John was trying to keep Erick alive.
"Hey come on. Stay awake, you can't expect me to do all the work. You Alphas are all the same. You know my husband conveniently forgets it's me carrying all the groceries up the stairs while his lazy albeit shapely ass is lying on the couch, 'thinking'. And don't get me started on the contents of our refrigerator. How would you like to wake in the middle of the night hoping to get yourself some warm milk only to find a head in the fridge? That man."
Erick coughed from laughing again "You're serious?" John was glancing around again, they were safe here, tucked out of sight. "It must be an interesting place to live in."
"It never gets boring."
Erick tried to ease himself into a more comfortable position but sitting only made the throbbing worse and it was getting harder and harder to keep his eyes open.
"Why haven't you told him?" John allowed the man to lay his head in his lap wishing he had something to cover the young Alpha with to keep him warm.
"It's better this way." He whispered flinching at the sound of nearing bullets. John only placed a gently hand to the younger man's head.
"We're alright here. " John continued to sooth the Alpha then asked "Was that your decision or Mycroft's? He does mean well most of the times but take it from me, sometimes these Holmes boys get ahead of themselves and decide that they are going to save their Omegas not just from the world but from themselves. It's actually quite aggravating at times."
Erick hummed in agreement, "I could see that."
"You should try to get to know him."
"Just seeing me put him in the hospital." Erick murmured his eyes growing heavier.
"Yeah. Maybe a slow introduction. Couldn't hurt."
"It could." Erick sighed coughing "It really could. Besides I won't fit in his life. He doesn't need me."
John rolled his eyes thinking of Harry it must be some Alpha guilt, how annoying.
"You should at least find out." When no answer was forthcoming John stiffened placing a hand to the Alpha's jaw, his skin was cold. A bit not good. "Erick. Come on stay awake. You can't go getting lazy on me now."
"John!" a familiar baritone called out echoing against the metal shipping crate they were hiding behind.
"Sherlock?" John hoped he wasn't hallucinating, when that familiar coat and tall figure swirled around the corner a sense of relief flooded him. "Oh, thank god. Took you long enough." He half sobbed.
Agent Marsters kneeled down checking the Alpha's pulse, "Constable?"
"I guess I was a bit late." Erick whispered recognizing the dark haired Omega.
Charlie radioed for a medical team, most of the thugs had been brought in the others killed. Unfortunately Moriarty had gotten away, something Charlie loathed to admit.
"John, are you hurt?"
"I'm fine. The Constable's been shot, he's lost a lot of blood."
"It's alright Doc we have a medical team on the way." The Agent quickly glanced over the exhausted Omega. "We'll get you both to medical."
John allowed himself to be drawn into his Alpha's embrace, "Ford? And Alex?"
"Are fine. Although Ford refuses to allow any medical personal near him or Alex. He swears they are incompetent and will only be seen by the family physician."
"That boy. I swear." John half laughed half sobbed with relief enjoying his Alpha's warmth and scent. "He's so much like you it's wonderful." John clung to Sherlock now, nuzzling into the man's beautifully pale neck. Allowing himself to be scented, wanting desperately to wash the scent of Moran from him.
"I'm sorry I was being foolish John." Sherlock stood up still holding his mate to him, he'd removed his coat to lay over the shivering barley conscious constable. He owed the man, and he would see that he was properly rewarded.
"He's Alex's brother." John murmured after instructing the medical team on the Alpha's condition. Sherlock kept close to his mate, a strong arm wrapped around John's waist, he stood with a silent authority. Almost daring anyone to challenge his mate's medical opinion. None did, wise of them.
It wasn't until they were in the lighted room of medical that Sherlock could truly take in the resulting damage of his mate's captivity. John was given some ice for the swelling around his slightly swollen eye, and his split lip wouldn't need any stiches. Sherlock felt his anger rise seeing the bite marks, and John confessed to his mate what nearly occurred if it hadn't been for Erick.
Sherlock helped John into the shower refusing to let his love out of his sight he inspected the bruises and bite marks that John's clothes concealed. John clung to Sherlock in the empty shower room of MI6. It didn't take long for Sherlock to strip and join his trembling mate, needing the skin to skin contact. The possessive Alpha desired to restate his dominance to reclaim and reassure. John was tense at first but Sherlock kept his movements slow pulling John against his naked body under the warm shower's stream.
He then lathered his hands with soap cleaning John from the top of his head to the tips of his toes. His soap covered hands found every inch of the doctor causing him to groan and cling to his mate. Sherlock brought his hand around to cup John's hardened cock, causing his love to press into him wantonly.
"Sherlock. Please." He whined and Sherlock understood turning John around firmly pushing him up against the cool tile of the steamy shower room. He used the soap as a lubricant and worked his mate open with his free hand, his right hand still moving at a slow pace over the Omega's swollen member.
"Oh god. Sherlock please, I need to feel you now."
"You're mine John. Say it." Sherlock grunted lining himself up behind his mate.
"Yours. I'm yours. Ugh!"
Sherlock moved quickly entering his mate. John didn't mind being forced up against the wall, he needed this needed to remember how it felt to be held by his Alpha.
"Mine." Sherlock grunted again, his mouth taking the offered neck, teeth biting down, causing John to release and Sherlock followed moments later holding up the sagging Omega.
John was rinsed off once more then toweled dry and dressed, it was all a blur for the exhausted man. John just continued to cling to his mate accepting the warmth of skin on skin and scenting.
"I love you." John whispered into the Sherlock's neck, allowing himself to be lead to medical where a very eager Ford was waiting scowling suspiciously at the nurses.
"I love you too." Sherlock kissed the top of his mate's still damp head.
Ford ran up to his father and despite his aching ribs John pulled his small son into his arms. He ran a hand over the boy's shaved head frowning.
"Believe me it's an improvement." Ford mumbled into his father's neck. His small arms clung tight to John.
"It's alright now Ford. We're all right and back together."
"I knew he'd find you. He always does."Ford squeezed his dad tighter.
John smiled hearing his son's soft words.
"Yes, he always does." John pulled Sherlock over and the Alpha embraced his son and mate. Ford didn't complain about being squished, he only took in the welcomed scents of both parents, this was safe and this was home.
~0~
Erick grumbled irritably when the Beta Doctor readjusted the bandages, they'd been giving him blood transfusions most of the night and he'd rather just like to return home.
"You Alpha's are the biggest babies I swear." Agent Marsters entered into the room plopping down in the chair near the hospital bed.
"Oh, it's you. Come to gloat Omega? "
"Oh, why would I do that?" Charlie flashed an easy smile and damn it if Erick's heart rate didn't go up, fucking monitors.
"Point proven. Alphas all think alike."
"Yeah, well Omegas are just as bad."
Charlie's dark eyebrow arched hearing this "Oh, please do enlighten me."
"Your tiny little brain wouldn't comprehend." Erick grumbled.
"Alright fine constable, I actually came in here of my own accord to see if you were as bad at cards as you are at rescue attempts."
"Dammit-" Erick growled "It wasn't a complete failure. And from what I hear you left nine minutes earlier than you promised."
"Well, I made no promises."
"That you didn't." Erick mumbled watching the man's slender fingers now produce a deck of playing cards he was shuffling them slowly. "What do I get if I win?" Erick inquired.
"I don't know, if you win and that's a big if, I guess I could be kind enough to see if maybe I can procure your release a day early."
"Oh? Alright, I'm listening. What happens if you win then?"
"Then you stay the next three days without complaint and stop intimidating the doctor's and nurses."
"Fine. Five card it is, I'll deal."
"What you don't trust me. I'm hurt." Charlie smiled again and Erick only continued to glare.
"You know you don't act like an Omega."
"Well gosh I haven't heard that from a thousand other people growing up as well as my father."
Erick winced hearing the chilly tone from the usually painfully cheerful Omega.
"What I meant was you aren't so bad. Touchy bastard."
"Oh." Charlie straightened in his chair handing his cards over, "Wish I could say the same for you."
Erick rolled his eyes in annoyance but he couldn't help grin, as he adjusted the bed for a better sitting position. Charlie pulled the bedside tray over so they could use it as their table.
~0~
Greg held his son to him the two talking quietly in hushed tones sitting on the couch of their main sitting room. "I'm fine. Really. It was scary but it turned out right?" Alex allowed himself to be drawn into his Dad's arms. It had been a long time since the Omega had been held like this. "Constable Riley stayed with me then I was with Ford. I was scared for uncle John but I knew you and father would find us. You always do."
Greg cupped the back of his son's hair, resting his chin on the top of the boy's soft head. "Did the Constable say anything to you?"
"Mostly kept me company. He even brought me food."
"That was good of him." Greg hummed kissing Alex's head. The boy had showered and changed into his pajamas and Greg had insisted on holding his son. Both needing the reassurance that the other wasn't going to disappear, although neither would admit it.
Mycroft entered looking exhausted; he had a small bandage at the crook of his arm. It turned out he and his brother were the same blood type as the injured constable. Although Sherlock was ruled out due to his past drug use, Mycroft had donated without question.
He had listened to Sherlock recant John's story, and then of course recalled what his son had told him about today's events.
Perhaps he had been wrong about the Constable all together; the man had proven himself more than once. Even Sherrinford had championed the man, although the boy was easily swayed by the fact that the Constable had committed to saving John.
These past 24 hours had been the longest in his life. He wanted nothing more than to return home, have a very expensive glass or maybe two of scotch and watch his son sleep.
Anthea had taken the liberty to have Doctor Roslyn look Sherrinford and Alex over. The woman found Ford to be amusing and a little traumatized, Mycroft arranged for his nephew to see the woman three times a week. As for Alex she didn't find anything to worry about, he was shaken but relieved to be home. The normal reaction to such a situation. She questioned him on his feelings or if this experience had jarred his memories of before living with his fathers. He'd replied thankfully in the negative.
Mycroft wasn't convinced but he let the subject drop just for tonight, for tonight he wanted to just go home and hold his family.
Mycroft found himself drawn to the opposite end of the couch making sure to keep Alex between him and his mate. Alex smiled warmly turning to offer a comforting hug to his exhausted parent.
"We are all fine." His son promised, and Mycroft couldn't help but grin kissing the soft dark head of hair resting under his chin. Greg was rubbing Alex's back.
"Alex." Mycroft cleared his throat, "Do you remember you once told us you had a brother?" Alex frowned pulling away his face scrunching up, he nodded. Recalling a conversation once, but the details were hazy now that it had been so long. He did have a brother, he'd never forgotten that, he also hadn't forgotten his brother was most likely dead. At least that's what they'd told him at the institution, that or he just didn't want Alex. That hurt too much to dwell on, so Alex had always assumed that his brother was dead.
"Do you remember him at all? What he looked like? His name?" Mycroft gently probed.
"Mycroft? What?" Greg frowned, trying to catch his husband's eye, but the man refused to look over, instead the older Holmes concentrated on Alex's confused expression.
"Ricky. His name was Ricky he had dark hair like me." Alex smiled fondly, he had often wondered if he imagined this "He would take me to the park to feed ducks. I remember his hands were bigger than mine but I can't remember his face anymore. Why do you ask?" Alex felt the sudden tension between his father's and it made him feel a little nervous. His father Mycroft was refusing to meet his eyes, which wasn't helping and dad was starting to pace. Had he said something wrong?
"Well. It's just." Mycroft felt at a loss of words, "It's just we thought he was dead too. But as it turns out-"
"He didn't want me?" Alex tried to remain calm, why was his father telling him this now? Today had been long and troubling and he was bringing his up, but why?
"No. No." Greg was back on the couch his hand running through his son's dark hair. "That's not it at all."
Mycroft could feel the dark look from his mate, he needed to fix this and quickly. The distress was starting to add to the irritation and he wasn't sure how much of that Alex could take. "It turns out he thought you were dead. That's why he never came looking for you."
Alex frowned, "So he's alive?"
"Very much so." Mycroft smiled sadly "And he would like to see you. But only if you are willing."
"Is he going to take me away?" Alex felt a sudden surge of panic, his brain spiraled in all different directions. Would he get to see his cousins? Or his fathers? What about Auntie Anthea? Or grams? His stomach started to turn and he thought he was going to be sick.
"No." Greg stated firmly causing his son to flinch, the Alpha quickly pulled his son towards him allowing the boy to nuzzle into his side.
"That's correct Alex. You are my-our son. You belong here with your family. However this young man, your brother would very much like to meet you, to maybe get to know you again. He has no intentions of taking you away."
"Oh." Alex sighed in relief "That's fine. Will you be with me?"
"If you want, we shall both be there." Mycroft found his mate's softening eyes and the beautiful man gave an easy nod.