Sherlock rarely thought about his father, Siger, these days. He'd run away at eight, finally sick of the abuse at his hand and the cold shoulder from Mycroft. He hadn't had any contact with his family for years, it was only when he was in his early twenties that Mycroft's men managed to capture him and force him into rehab. Not that it had worked until Mira had forced him again.

Despite Mycroft's cold exterior Sherlock knew his brother cared from him and was deeply sorry for ignoring his younger brother's pleas when they were younger. Not that it was ever said in so many words. Sherlock never forgave him though, he allowed him in his life but that was it, they stopped being true brothers a long time ago, but he was still family.

His father on the other hand he had not seen since he left home, nor did he want to. He could of died for all he cared. He was sure Mycroft knew but he didn't dare ask, deep down he still held fear in his heart of the man.

So when he turned up at 221b Baker Street Sherlock was more than a little surprised.

…

It had been a fairly quiet day, John and Mira were currently engaged in a very intense game of spoons with Joe and Halie while Sherlock taught Cedric and Marie more elements. Cedric was currently twisting a strip of magnesium around making a coil to burn, while Sherlock explained why it made such a bright light and how to identify the remnants of it when the door opened.

He looked as he remembered him, tall, well muscled, but his dark hair was shorter and greying at the sides. The one thing was exactly the same was the eyes, pale sky blue and cold as ice.

Sherlock felt his own eyes widen, Cedric and Marie seemed to sense the fear in the air because they immediately stepped behind their father and peaked out from behind him.

"Sherlock."

"Father."

The greeting was cool and as soon as the word left Sherlock's mouth John and Mira were on their feet, making sure the two older children were behind them. Sherlock could see the children flicking their eyes at one another, he'd never told them about his own childhood in great detail but he taught them well, they were not stupid.

"Why are you here?" Sherlock asked, his voice was level, calm, slightly disinterested and completely fake.

"Mycroft gave me you're address." His father replied, "It's been over two decades since I've seen you I figured it was time to check in."

"The first part I believe the second part not so much." Sherlock drawled.

"Daddy, who's this?" Marie asked using her most innocent voice.

Sherlock resisted the urge to give a satisfied smirk when his father's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline.

"Daddy?" He chuckled with a mocking tone taking a step forward, Sherlock resisted the part of his brain that told him to step backwards and leave as much space between them as he could.

"I'm sorry but is there a reason why you are here?" John asked coolly. Good old John! He always knew when to step in.

"Honestly I came to see if Sherlock would stop this consulting business of his." He sighed, "It's an embarrassment to the family, almost as much as he is."

"Don't talk about our father that way!" Joe barked, John held him back.

"Mind your place!" Siger snarled.

"You mind yours." Mira bit back, "This is your sons home, not yours."

"By the time I was half his age I'd made a name for myself, a proper one. And I certainly wasn't living in a flat."

"Perhaps it is too hard to believe that I enjoy living here?" Sherlock replied, failing to keep the heat out of his voice.

Wisely, Marie and Cedric made their way over to Mira, out of the line of fire.

"I'm not going to stop my work." Sherlock added, crossing his arms over his chest trying to appear calm when really his heart was beating a million miles an hour. This was ludicrous! Why was he afraid of this man still?

"It's an embarrassment to the family name!"

"No! You are!" Marie yelled.

You could hear a pin drop.

"He is brilliant and everybody thinks so." Marie continued walking forward, "He saves lives and solves crimes that nobody else could without even batting an eyelash. He is ten times the man you will ever be."

Sherlock felt a very large amount of pride swell in his chest. He wondered where Marie had learnt such courage.

"You little brat!" Siger yelled balling up his fists, "How dare you speak to me that way!"

Sherlock saw what was happening before anybody else, from his own experience he knew what that look meant. Moving faster than he ever had he stepped between his father and Marie just in time to take the first that would of hit Marie otherwise.

"Must you always get in the way?" Siger growled.

That was it! The dam broke.

Sherlock was much faster than his father and in seconds he was on the floor holding his nose.

"You-!"

"Shut up!" Sherlock cut in, "Shut up and leave!"

"How dare you-"

"Don't you ever, ever, threaten one of my children!" Sherlock growled, "Don't you ever come near them!"

John gave an approving nod.

"I believe it is time you left." The doctor added cracking his knuckles.

Grumbling Siger picked himself off the floor and left, for a few seconds everything was silent before Sherlock broke it with an audible sigh of relief.

John quickly began examining his side for a bruise where the first had connected while Cedric ran to the window and pulled it open.

"And don't come back!"

This was suggested by a reader but unfortunately I cleaned out my inbox and I cant remember their name! . If you could please tell me though a message that would be great so I can credit you.

Three more pieces of fanart for this story on devintArt! All by Retsin, look her up!