A week later, John makes his final decision and arranges to meet Ford in order to go over the final designs that he sketched out. When he goes into the same cafe they met last time, he finds that not only is Ford there, but James is sitting there too which makes him arch an eyebrow. "James, good to see you again in one piece. From what I've gathered there are quite a few occupational hazards to your job." He says with a little smile. "Ford, good to see you again as well." he says as he shakes each of their hands again.
With a small smirk, James glances over at Ford. "Don't worry. I'm not staying. Just thought I'd get myself a cup of coffee and keep.. Ford.. company until you got here." He chuckles a little, hesitating over the name as if he's not used to it, or had to think about it for a split second.
Ford nods a little, giving James a look before he shakes his head. "It's good to see you again, John. Did you finally get what you were looking for?" He asks curiously as he watches John for a few moments.
"I suppose that's my cue. I need to get back to work anyway." James says quietly, putting one arm behind Ford's chair before he leans over and gives him a soft kiss, smirking when he pulls back and sees how pink Ford's face is. "Text me when you leave." he says in a concerned tone, placing one more brief kiss on his lips before he gets up, nodding to John. "Good to see you again, John." He says before he picks up his takeaway coffee up and walks out.
John watches this for a few moments and he chuckles a little. "Good to see you two are doing well." he says quietly with a little smile. "I take it you two don't get out in public very often." He says as he watches Ford closely.
Clearing his throat a little and adjusting his glasses, Ford shakes his head. "No, not really. What little free time we have away from work, we usually spend a the flat." He admits with a small chuckle. "I suppose it still takes me by surprise whenever he kisses me in public." He admits, running a hand through his already messy hair, taking a slow, deep breath. "So. Has my brother figured out your evil plot yet?" He asks, sipping his coffee.
"No, I asked him not to pry, and so far he hasn't. At least not that I'm aware of. I've been able to keep this a secret, the final step is for you to make the modifications." John explains, taking out the materials and the final designs from his pocket, placing them in front of Ford.
Unfolding the piece of paper, Ford looks at it and nods, then looks at what he has to work with. "Yes. Yes, this will work very good. Since we talked last, I've been experimenting with doing something like this, and I think it could be quite effective in other fields. Of course, you two will sort of be the test subjects." he says with a little smile, getting a soft of manic look in his eyes that John recognizes as a similar look to the one Sherlock gets when there's a particularly interesting experiment for him.
It's so similar that John can't help but chuckle a little. "I feel like I've just unleashed a monster." He says with a little smile. "The modifications, they're doable though?" he asks as he looks at Ford curiously, leaning forward on the table.
A small nod is given, and Ford smiles. "Yes. I'll be able to get them back to you in about a week. Assuming that there are no emergencies that come up." He reassures, then he sits back a little. "Now that that is out of the way.." he says as he tucks everything away into his bag. "I hear that it's been slow for Sherlock, except for that big case of course. Oddly enough, Mycroft called me. I don't think I've ever gotten a personal phone call from him." There's a certain thoughtful tone to his voice as he takes a sip of his earl grey.
"Yes, I sort of told him off the other day. Though I don't see why that would make him call you. It's certainly not like I haven't done it before. I told him off after Sherlock apparently died." John admits, ordering a black coffee from the waitress before he looks across the table at Ford.
Ford nods slowly as he looks at John. "Yes, well, apparently whatever you said inspired some sort of.. brotherly revival within him. We actually chatted for about five minutes before I had to hang up. It was truly strange. I don't think he has shown that much concern for me since I was five."
A small snort comes from John. "I don't doubt it. If only he could get past his obsession with kidnapping people." He says before he leans forward on the table a little. "You three seem to have your own little quirks about people. He likes to kidnap them, Sherlock deduces them and is otherwise pretty oblivious, and as far as I can tell about you..." Here he pauses just to try and make up his mind since he hasn't known Ford as long as he's known the other two Holmes boys. "You seem more comfortable with technology than people. Mycroft is good at manipulating people, he understands them the best. Sherlock prefers science. It's interesting how all three of you grew up with a certain disdain for the human race." He jokes with a little smirk as he watches the man across the table, accepting his coffee when it comes and taking a tentative sip.
"Well, I think you can imagine how we turned out this way, given the environment we all grew up in. Except Mycroft of course." Ford at least seems amused by John's observations and not upset about them at all. "You have picked up some of the skills from Sherlock, that was an excellent deduction." he jokes, chuckling a little before he finishes his tea. "I'm glad that you and he are doing well."
John tries not to spit out some of his coffee as he laughs, coughing a little afterwards. "Well. Thank you. Right." He says with another little laugh. "I'm afraid I haven't had much to do other than spend time with Sherlock since I got back. I resigned my job before I left. And since Sherlock seemed to... need me more than I needed a job, I haven't looked for another one yet." He says before he smiles. "If Sherlock had his way, I wouldn't get another job, but I would like to use my skills. Still, I haven't decided on that front yet." A small shrug of his shoulder is given before he looks at Ford. "I'm under the impression I shouldn't ask too much about what you and James do, but I take it you're still happy in your positions?"
"I understand the need to be away from my brother, at least for small periods of time. Perhaps you could get a job consulting somewhere, or part time as a GP." Ford offers as he looks at the older man. "I could make some discreet inquiries of you want." He offers, then he smiles a little at the rest. "Ah, yeah, best if you don't ask too many questions. But James and I work well together and we are still satisfied in our jobs." He reassures. "It would be nice to have a bit more time off together, but if we had too much time together I think we would end up hurting each other." He says thoughtfully before his phone makes an alert noise and he pulls it out, unlocking it before he sighs. "I cannot step away for ten minutes without there being a crisis. I'm sorry. It seems that I have to head back to work. I'll let you know when everything is ready for you. It was good seeing you again, John." He says, gathering his messenger bag together and standing, offering his hand to the smaller man.
With a brief thought of how unfair it is all three of the Holmes' can tower over him a bit, John shakes the other man's hand firmly and he nods. "I understand, I expected Sherlock to text me any moment." He smiles, pulling out his phone to check it just in case before he looks back up at Ford. "Good luck at work."
Ford nods and leaves money on the table for his coffee before he smiles softly and nods to John. "You as well, John."
AHHH! Next: Final Chapter, big Finale! I hope to make it a whopper, but I will have to put some serious thought into it. I am not sure if I will get it done tomorrow or not, I may have to forfeit all of my other writing in favor of finishing up the chapter for this one. Again, thank you all for reading and following this. I have 3 other stories currently in process, though they are not Sherlock themed, they are James Bond. I have one Sherlock fic on hiatus, but I am hoping to get back to that one. I hope that if you have enjoyed this story you may check out my other stuff.
Ok, I usually hate doing plugs for my other stories, so please excuse that previous one. It's a bit shameless, but you guys have just been so amazing, that I want to make you guys happy. :D
Let me know what you think, review/comment!
