Chapter 52
Parent's Worry
Eight o'clock the next morning finds John waiting at the window looking out onto the street watching for Davey Heivan to pull up in his car. At his feet his bag is packed and ready. Greg walks up behind him and looks out. 'He's got half an hour yet John.' John jumps slightly but quickly regains control.
'We need to be there for half past.' He mutters. Greg glances at the soldier's face.
'Won't they be surprised to see you as a kid.'
'They'll be warned. Besides they've seen weirder stuff.'
'What?' Greg isn't sure if he has heard properly. John doesn't answer preferring to stare out into the street. 'Have you eaten?'
'No.'
'Hypocrite.' John smirks.
'We have to fast for the first part of the morning.'
'Ritual?'
'More or less.' Greg opens his mouth to ask another question but John beats him to it. 'It's best if you don't ask. He's here.' As the teenager speaks a military car pull up outside the flat. John scoops his bag up and flings it onto his back with practised ease. Greg eyes the bag apprehensively.
'Do you need all that?'
'Yes. Bye.' John runs down the stairs and burst out onto the street. Greg watches as John clambers into the back. Greg watches as John sticks his head back out and waves up at him. Greg waves hesitantly back. As the car moves off Greg turns to keep the vehicle in his sights for as long as possible. The landline rings and Greg glances across at it.
'Answer it for god's sake.' Sherlock's sleepy voice floats out from his bedroom. Greg glowers in his direction but answers the phone.
'Relax, Dad.' John's voice filters into his ears.
'John.'
'Relax. I've served with these guys, I've saved their lives and they've saved mine.'
'John, I won't relax until you're back here or that damn chemical was worn off.'
'The curse of being a parent.' Greg frowns at the unknown voice.
'Bill shut up. That was Bill Murray, he was the medic who assigned to work with me.'
'Right.'
'I won't be able to concentrate if I know you're worrying about me. Besides you have to control Sherlock and Jim.' Greg groans.
'Don't remind me. Can't you get back here and control Jim?'
'Just set them a couple of challenges. They didn't argue in the morgue with Molly.'
'Good point.'
'Or get Mycroft to create a treasure hunt.'
'And have Sherlock refuse?'
'Don't tell him that Mycroft's involved.' Greg listens to the laughter from around John. 'SILENCE.' Instant silence.
'Still got it John.' Greg smirks.
'Helps that I'm the senior officer here.'
'Conveniently.' Bill mutters. 'Ow.'
'Don't diss TC.' Someone else says.
'Whatever Heivan.' John says.
'TC?' Greg queries.
'Three continents, tell you when I get back.' John says before Greg can ask how the nickname came to be. 'Dad. Relax. Sherlock will be worse. I've got to go, we're nearly there. I'll call when I can.' John aborts the call before Greg can reply. Sherlock slinks out of his bedroom.
'How did you know it was him?'
'I personalised the ring tones for his and my numbers. You don't need to worry so much. You'll go grey.'
'Very funny Sherlock.' Greg mutters dryly. 'Very witty indeed.' Sherlock smirks.
'He'll be fine. As far as I know all they do is prey and talk.'
'How do you know that?'
'I spied on one for Mycroft before I met John. I didn't manage to see it all, I was busted.' Sherlock muses sadly.
'You're disappointed that you missed the rest of the day?' Greg shakes his head.
'Are you disappointed in me?'
'A bit, yeah.'
'They look after each other. They're a brotherhood. All the military men are. Those men will give their lives to protect him.' Greg nods but doesn't otherwise answer.
'Are you going to eat breakfast or be as obtuse as you able to be?'
'Breakfast.' Sherlock grumbles. 'Where are Jim and Mary?'
'They went home when Mycroft left.'
'When did Sally leave?' Sherlock asks curiously. Greg raises his eyebrows.
'About half an hour after Mycroft.' He pauses as looks at Sherlock's seemingly innocent expression. 'Why? Should I be worried?' Sherlock snorts.
'Why should you be worried? Did she mention Mycroft in any other way except for work?'
'No. Don't go there. It's bad enough Mary matching them together. You aren't going to do it as well.'
'I was only going to help her nudge them in the right direction.' Sherlock protests.
'Don't. Just don't go there.' Sherlock nods once. 'What do you want to do today?' Greg asks changing the conversation to a subject that is lightly easier to maintain.
'Nothing.'
'Nothing?'
'Nothing you would want to do as well.' Sherlock clarifies.
'Shopping?' Sherlock's expression is priceless. Greg starts chuckling. 'Only joking.'
'I want to pester Mycroft.'
'Pester him how?' Sherlock's eyes dance manically. Greg chuckles catching on.
'Alright, let's do it.' Sherlock stares at him. 'You have to pass everything by me.'
'Deal.' Sherlock whisks himself back into his room to get dressed into day clothes. Greg shakes his head at the antics of his younger son, but smiles at the shear tenacity of his actions.
Mary and Jim pull the door to the house and walk down the drive. Mycroft pulls up next to them and offers the two of them a lift into town. Mary accepts but Jim scowls clearly uncomfortable with Mycroft's presence. 'Do you know what John is going to?' Mary asks. Mycroft shakes his head.
'They keep themselves to themselves. As far as I know it's a cult but not one that takeover their lives.' Mary nods slightly relieved. Jim raises his eyebrows at the pair of them.
'What is the reason that we are honoured with your presence?' Jim asks suddenly.
'Why do I need a reason?' Mycroft asks innocently. Jim turns the full force of his glare onto Mycroft but the British Government remains unfazed. Jim turns his expression into a pout. Mary laughs at the toddler's antics.
'Have you worked out who your match is yet?'
'No, but I think I have a good idea.' Mary's eyes glisten.
'Who?' She asks inquisitively. 'Tell us, who do you think she is?' Mycroft smiles his trademark "I know something you don't" smile and shakes his head.
'Just because you know you're wrong.' Mary teases.
'I'm pretty certain I'm not.'
'Then tell me.' Mycroft opens his mouth to speak.
