There is nothing we can do until Mycroft is awake. If we move forward without having all of the information then..."
"I will not wait! My son is in danger because he failed to warn us that the bastard after him delivered him! How in the hell is that something you do not warn the parents about, especially considering who we are?! Why were we kept in the dark about something so vitsly important?!"
"That does not mean we should go after him half cocked. Who knows what could happen if we just go full out? Someone could lose their life and don't forget, this asshole still has Clint so there is that too."
"We simply need to figure out how this involves our parents. Magnussen kept saying that all of this was thought of...plotted and planned long before us."
"Well, I don't care about anything good ol' Howard was involved in but if it will protect my family..."
"If I am unable to protect mine, how will you protect yours? There is someone untrustworthy among us, someone that has been to close to the situation and now..."
"I will not stand here and allow you to accuse..."
"I am not accusing him. I am accusing his wife! This woman who is a stranger to most of us, has been in contact with us on more than one occasion. I can not be expected to ignore the fact that she is known to associate with both Moran and the Magnussen! Do not tell me that I will have to simply accept..."
"Enough! That is...I will not stand here and allow you to make any type of veiled accusations towards John! It is Mary that we must worry about not John. He is as much a victim of this as we all are. So control yourself, Emilie and allow me the time to just fucking think!"
John sat on the side of the bed, head hanging low as he repeated the conversation over and over in his head. He could hear the venom in Emilie's voice, understood Sherlock's cold tone, and Tony's flippant attitude. What he hadn't been able to understand was the attitude of Captain Steve Rogers. He had looked at John with such understanding it had taken everything in him not to break down.
"You can't blame yourself, she's just angry and lashing out. Any parent would when their child is in danger."
"Yet I find that I can't help but blame myself, at least in some small way, you know? My wife probably did have something to do with Clint and Ford's disappearance, so guilt...guilt would be the primary emotion then anger because I'm the one who introduced her into the circle and now she's trying to help tear it apart!"
"Did you plan for it to happen? Did you know before, when you first met her, that she was going to do what she is doing now? If you can say yes then ok, we have a problem but...if you can't then you are allowed the anger but the guilt nor blame are fully on you."
Shaking his head, John couldn't understand how Steve could have been so calm, until he remembered that he's been through more than any of them. Having had the serum taken from him as well as his family, it would take a lot to break him and yet he still stood strong.
"It was hell, thinking about Tony and Johnny. I felt guilty for not being able to get us out of there and I was pissed off at...at a number of things that happened but I don't blame anyone but those who hurt us. It takes to much energy to hate the wrong people and even if it's the right ones it's not always for the best. Their power over you is in your anger at them. I choose not to focus my anger on them, instead I put it into working out, protecting my family, and refocusing on me. It's not easy but it sure feels a hell of a lot better than anything else."
John sighed, looking down at his hands, he knew Steve was right, John needed to refocus his anger and that meant he needed to remember the primary plan. Mary would need to leave London on the next train, the less she knew about what was going on with Emilie and Sherlock the better. Glancing behind him, he frowned, he was supposed to be at work in less than an hour but he was loath to leave. Mary had been livid, to say the least, when he refused to explain what happened a few nights ago. Demanding to know where John had been, why he had so many bandages and bruises, and why they were having to postpone their trip. It wasn't until he'd started asking her his own set of questions did she seem to back off, giving him a half formed story about an accident she had been involved in. Something about Mary's story hadn't sat right with him, however. She had cuts and bruises in place not consistent with her telling and she had been nervous not traumatized.
Turning at the sound of his phone vibrating, John picked it up and smiled. Opening it he answered in a soft voice. "Hang on, ok?" Turning to look back at Mary, he stood up from the bed and left the room. Sighing as he closed the door, he headed downstairs and to the kitchen. "Sherlock?"
"I couldn't sleep, I'm sorry if it's to early to call but I needed...a-are you alright, John?"
John couldn't help the small smile that curved his lips, eyes drifting closed in relief. "It's fine, I ummm, I had to be up early anyway. You know, work and all." He paused, listening to the other man's breathing. "I'm ok for now, kind of worried about you and Emilie though, how are you two holding up?" He could hear the weary sigh, could almost imagine seeing Sherlock curled up on his bed. Laying there in his favorite dressing gown holding Ford's favorite toy.
"She is understandably upset, we both are, especially at not being able to do anything. This inactivity is maddening, yet we find that it is affording us some type of room to think."
"You don't like the thoughts very much." John said softly. He felt his stomach flutter, a warning of sorts that something was not right. The danger they were in was closer than they seemed to realize. "I'm beginning to not like them either."
"When are you scheduled to leave for the station?"
John sighed, this time a rough sound that hinted at his irritation. "As soon as I get off tonight. We'll be leaving on the eight o'clock and get there around midnight." At Sherlock's silence, John frowned, knowing what he was thinking. "Her sister's going to meet us at the station, I'll be taking the next train back. The GPS is already on my phone so you can find me at all times and Sam is on the same train so there is no way anything can happen to me." He knew the words weren't strong enough but he hoped they would be for Sherlock. John had a sinking feeling that something bad was going to happen and he just hoped it didn't happen while he was away. "Stop worrying Sherlock, all will be fine."
"One can certainly hope that will be the case, John."
"I know but it has to be done now, doesn't it? If we had taken care of this sooner we wouldn't be here right now." John could feel his anger rising, the hot wave of being denied what he wanted was a bitter taste in his mouth. Shaking his head, he looked up at the sounds of Mary moving around in the room. "I will see you when I return, right?"
"Only if I do not decide to take Sam's place myself."
John chuckled as an image of Sherlock in one of his many disguises popped into his head. "No, for the love of god, please, let's just follow things as we have them, yeah?Anyway, you're needed here, aren't your parents supposed to be coming in today?" He grinned at Sherlock's sigh of frustration.
"Yes and unfortunately mummy has been crying since she found out about Mycroft and Ford and Siggerson is simply confused as to anything that was said unless broken down to a lower level of speech."
John let out a quick bark of laughter, covering it up as quickly as possible with a cough. "Well, I can see why your mother would be upset but, uh, your dads confusion could simply be shock? It can happen to the best of us, you know?"
"Yes, well, he does not have to be so idiotic with his lack of understanding that it would simply drive even Mycroft crazy."
John bit back the comment that sprang to his lips, rolling his eyes at the comment. "Cut him some slack, yeah? He just found out his oldest son had been shot, his youngest son is engaged and a father, and his new grandson has been kidnapped." John sighed, then a thought hit him. "Sherlock, this other...sibling you were talking about. You said it was a he, do you remember what he looked like o-or his name?"
"No and it's very frustrating not to be able to question Mycroft. Maybe you could help me look through his papers once you return?"
"Of course, especially if it will help explain some of what's going on." He paused at the sound of a step creaking. "Mary's awake, I'll call you at lunch, ok?"
"You won't forget?"
"I won't forget, tell Emilie to hang in there too." John disconnected the call once Sherlock agreed. Closing his phone, he slipped it into his pocket and walked out of the kitchen, not surprised to find Mary standing on the other side of the door. "Good morning."
Mary looked at John, her expression suspicious as he studied her as well. She was aware that her story had been flat the other night. The bus accident had been convenient enough but she knew her marks didn't match up. Despite that, John had yet to mention it or where he had been for the past three days. "You were talking with someone?"
"Yeah, just confirming everything before I set out for the office." John turned back towards the kitchen with a slight frown. Pulling his phone out of his pocket, he unlocked it and sent a message to Sarah.
Running a bit late, give me another thirty and I'll make it up?
Hitting send, he closed his phone with a sigh. He wasn't in the mood for one of Mary's tantrums today but he could feel it coming. The angry glare heavy on his back as he remained facing towards the outer wall. "Well..."
"You were with him, weren't you, that's who you were talking to on the phone? The past three days, you were with Sherlock?!" Mary watched as John's shoulder's shifted beneath his shirt, could see his hands curl as he tried to control his anger. "What does Emilie even have to say about how you two carry on with each other? Does she have no sense of self respect to let you two behave in such a manner under the same roof as her son?" Mary hissed angrily. She didn't know if John was really with Sherlock or not. For all she knew he could have been at hospital due to the accident Sebastian caused. "Answer me! For once in your life just tell me the truth! Where you or where you not with Sherlock?!" She yelled, her anger and pain coloring her words. It was inevitable, this fight. It had been brewing for months and now...now here they were.
John felt himself stiffen as his temper flared. Turning slightly to where he could see Mary, John took a deep breath. This was not going to be pretty by any means, he could feel it from the way Mary stood in the doorway. "You keep asking that and I keep giving you the same answer. I was at work due to a bus accident then headed over to Greg's after." John glanced at her from the corner of his eye, blue gaze taking in the way she stiffened in anger. "Want to tell me where you got those scrapes and bruises from? If you were involved in the bus accident, why did I not see you or get a call? You're pregnant, Mary, why would the attending physician not let me know and I was right there in the ER?" He glared at her, anger making his words come out harsh and low. "You want to tell me who was the bloke you were with last week, down on Ambermarle Street? There I was standing in the middle of the coffee shop with Greg and I see you with some other man?" Squaring his shoulders, John turned to face Mary. "How about we discuss your association with good 'ol Seb and Magnussen, hmmm?" John struggled to keep his temper from getting the best of him. He could see her mind going over different scenarios, different stories, reasons as to why he would know what he knew. "You really wish to have an argument hours before you are to leave for your sister's? What possible reason could there be for us to..."
"None, there is no reason at all." Mary's tone cut John off and she took some small sense of satisfaction at his momentary look of surprise. "I will see you once you have left work. I have errands to run before we leave, so if you will excuse me."
John watched as she turned and headed back upstairs, his stomach churning with anxiety. She was to calm...calmer than she would usually be when they have an argument. Letting out a rough sigh, John reached in his pocket for his phone. He was surprised to find he had messages from Sarah, Sherlock, and Greg. Sliding through the menu, he opened them as he moved around the kitchen. He needed to at least grab a snack before he headed out, he had a long day ahead and wasn't sure when he would next eat. Pulling a mug down from the cupboard, John set about making a quick cup of tea. Scrolling through the message from Sarah, he grinned as he sent back a response. Filling the kettle, John set it on the stove to boil. It wasn't until another message from Greg popped up did he open any of the previous two.
Let me know when you're headed to the station, yeah? May try to see you two off before you go.
His second message was shorter, more precise and to the point.
Need you to come check Myc, please. Doctor seems...off? Can't trust anyone right now and could really use your opinion.
John frowned at the message. Greg wasn't one to worry easily. If something seemed off about the doctors then he was probably right. The man was known to have the best instincts on the force, hence why he had the position he had today.
Sherlock's being unusually quiet, you to have a row or something? Well, either way, get back with me. Maybe we can grab a pint or two once you're back in town.
John tried to hold back a sigh of worry. Sherlock going silent was usually a cause for worry but he would focus on that later right now he needed to finish getting ready for work. At the sound of the kettle hissing, John turned off the burner, pouring the water in his mug, he watched as the tea bag floated to the top. He sent back a reply to Greg, reassuring him he was on his way in a few and would check in on Mycroft once he'd started his rounds. Glancing over the messages from Sherlock, he frowned when he noticed one from an unknown number. Clicking on the icon, he blinked in surprise, rereading the message until he was sure he was reading it wrong. Stepping back from the counter, his head snapped up at the sound of a deep chuckle.
"Well, well, well, good morning to you, Johnny boy. Thought you would have already been headed to work."
John stiffened as his gaze narrowed on Sebastian. "What the fuck are you doing in my house, Sebastian?" He glared at the man in front of him, hiding his surprise to find the other standing in his flat.
"I asked him to come, it seems we needed to take care of a few things sooner than expected."
John turned at the sound of Mary's voice behind him. Looking between the two, he slowly moved to where he could see both Mary and Sebastian. Unfortunately it put him in a worse position than before. Now both exits were unavailable and he was backed into a corner with the only possible escape route being the window to his right. Glancing over at the glass he frowned, there was no way he'd make it before Sebastian caught him. Looking back at his wife, he kept his voice calm and even. "And what does any of that have to do with me, exactly?"
"Well, if your posh boy had simply kept his nose out of other people's business, none of us would be where we are right fucking now!" Sebastian snarled in a low voice. "Now, you can either come with us quietly, Johnny boy, or I can make sure it hurts, either way you're ass is going to do one of the two."
John let out a bark of laughter as he looked between the pair. "Fat chance of me going willingly. We both know I don't trust either of you so whatever you have planned to do you may as well do it." He flinched at the sharp prick at his neck, turning to find Mary watching him. Her eyes were flat, devoid of emotion as she stared back at him.
"I warned him that if he did not let you go this would happen. Just as Thaddeus warned the Stark family and yet, they did not listen either."
John blinked as his vision started to turn hazy. "What did you give me?" He stumbled back against the wall, struggling to remain upright. Turning his gaze sluggishly to Mary, he frowned. "Y-you drugged me?"
Mary watched as John slid down the wall, his head lolling to the side as he struggled to remain lucid. "Of course I drugged you what did you think was going to happen? I was going to let you ship me off to the country while you and your lover run around London happy and free?!" Mary knelt down in front of John, her face cold as she stared at her husband. "It is beyond me how Emilie is willing to ignore your indiscretions. I can not fathom how a lady such as herself would allow her fiancee to cheat on her. She is more dangerous than either of you know yet here you are, alive and without a scratch."
"Oh, hohohoho, Johnny boy didn't tell you did he?" Sebastian looked between them, his smile widening at Mary's look of angry confusion. "We already know just how dangerous Lady St, Cyr can be." His gaze narrowed on John. "Don't we Johnny boy? We both know just how ruthless Emilie can and will be if pushed. The lengths she will go to..."
"You p-pushed her to it. Y-you knew she w-wouldn't..." John struggled to get his words out, his mind fuzzy as he tried hard to focus on what was happening. "Bastard, y-you forced..."
"I forced no one! Everyone did what they wanted to do!" Sebastian yelled, hands clenched at his sides. "She was no better than you or I, even with her bloody title. She was still a killer, a murderer that took orders without question." Sebastian leaned down close to John, his voice hard as he glared at the other blond. "You think you know everything about your beloved posh boy and his supposed fiancee? You know nothing of what their families are involved in. No idea just how far all of this goes but, Johnny boy, you're about to find out. You're about to see first hand just how the mind of a Moriarty works." He jerked John's limp arms forward and cuffed them. "You know, I've always liked you Johnny, you were always a straight shooter but..." Sebastian paused as he looked at the listing man. "But you were just to damn honest for your own good sometimes."
Mary looked between John and Sebastian, her thoughts racing. John already knew Emilie? Why hadn't he told her or why hadn't Sebastian? "Why didn't you tell me you knew her, Seb? What is it you and Andy are trying to hide from me?" Her blue gaze narrowed on Sebastian as he slowly stood to his feet. "What were you involved in..."
"That's none of your business, you want to know then you need to ask Andy." Tone hard, Sebastian glared at Mary, jaw clenching at his slip. Turning back to John, his gaze narrowed on him. He'd liked John back when they'd first met and he'd been pretty sure John had been interested as well. Until Sholto had shown up and somehow gained John's affections, charming him with his smiles and...
"Do not hurt him Seb dear or I'll make you regret it. He is after all, the father of my child." Mary looked at John, a small frown curving her lips down. "We need to go, he was supposed to have been at work an hour ago." Mary turned and headed back upstairs. "Sebastian, if one mark appears on his body or one hair is out of place, I promise you, I will kill you in front of Andy and I will make sure I enjoy it."
Sebastian glared at the retreating back, hating the fact that Jim had made him promise to never harm her. To make sure that no matter what happened to him, he would keep Mary safe. He'd never told him why and Sebastian had never questioned it, until now. "Damn you and your soft heart, Jimmy, always got you and him in trouble." He muttered darkly. He turned back to John, studying the now unconscious man. He wouldn't touch him, not like that anyway, not anymore. His tastes ran to darker headed partners, with fair skin and plush lips. Shaking his head, Sebastian picked up the now unconscious man and carried him out of the kitchen. Glancing up the stairs, he frowned at the angry voice that floated down to him. Mary was going to get into something that not even he could save her from and if that happened, who knew what Jim would do from the grave.