"Fuck I can't access the files", Lestrade sighed in his chair. He rubbed his face with his hands in defeat, "we're going to have to call Mycroft, Sherlock".
"No! I will not allow it. You're Detective Inspector of Scotland Yard how on earth can't you access the files?", Sherlock huffed in the chair opposite the DI's desk. John was sitting beside him twiddling his thumbs. "My security clearance only goes so far. These files require level 7 even possibly level 8 clearance. I'm already breaking the rules trying to retrieve so we might as well call Mycroft now", Lestrade sighed.
"Level 8 clearance? I'm not even sure Mycroft has that level of security clearance. This is vital to the case, it's of national importance", Sherlock exclaimed.
"If it's vital to the case and a matter of national importance shouldn't Mycroft be the one in charge?", Greg asked.
"Yes but I don't want his help, you know my ways Graham".
"It's Greg for fuck sake Sherlock", John huffed and got up, "let me try".
Sherlock gave him a confused look, "let you try? How are you going to-".
"Shut up, Sherlock", John gritted through his teeth. After a few moments of tapping Lestrade's keyboard the files unlocked. "There you go Sherlock, the files".
Sherlock sprang from his seat to look at the DI's computer, "How on earth did-"
"Check the files Sherlock, it's only a matter of time before somebody is notified of the breach and I am dreading that conversation", John sighed. Sherlock looked through the digital files and stored the information in his mind palace. "Okay I'm done, now John how do you-"
"For fuck sake Sherlock not now, your brother is about to enter this room any minute now. Everything that you hear from our conversation is confidential, government secrets. You cannot, I repeat cannot reiterate the words when we leave", John said with authority.
"John what's going on?", Greg asked nervously.
"There's a lot of things I haven't told you guys. Mycroft has probably just found out of the breach and now he will have to deal with my wrath".
"Your wrath? Don't you mean you'll have to deal with his?", Greg cocked an eyebrow.
John ignored Greg's failed attempt at a joke and stood up straighter, "Everything you're about to learn is confidential do you understand?"
Neither man spoke.
"I said do you understand?", John shouted.
"Yes sir", they both said.
They all stood in silence for a few moments then the door burst open with Mr. Government striding through. "Sherlock what have you done? Level 8 security breach? How did you even know the codes?", Mycroft said sternly.
Nobody spoke for a few moments then John broke the silence. "Mr. Holmes I think it's best if you close the door and sit down".
"Excuse me?", he scoffed.
"I said close the door and sit down, Mr. Holmes", John repeated.
Mycroft scoffed again but complied. The other two men sat down on the opposite side of Lestrade's desk where John was standing calmly. "Would you care to explain what's going on, Doctor Watson?", Mycroft said with annoyance.
"General Watson", John corrected.
"I beg your pardon?", Mycroft said with annoyance.
"General John Watson", he stated.
"You told me you were an army doctor", Sherlock shrieked.
"No, you deduced that I was an army doctor. That I was, among many other things. I hold several titles so I have the highest security clearance at all times. I was the one who accessed the files not your little brother", he directed at Mycroft.
"You're no longer serving, how do you still have clearance?", Greg asked calmly trying to contain his overall excitement and awe for the man before him.
"I had my fingers in a lot of pies, I still do", John said cooly. Sherlock scoffed, "Stop being cryptic you're not the British Government", he pointed towards Mycroft.
"Sherlock do stop being childish this is a matter of great importance. Why was none of this on your file, General? I've run several checks", he asked John.
"Are you undercover?", Greg asked before John could answer Mycroft's question.
"I- no. Nothing like that. I am John Watson and I was Captain of the Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers but that was only for a short period of time. After that I worked on several matters for national and international importance. I've crossed paths with you multiple times, Mr. Holmes. Deduce what you will from that".
"You are MI6", Sherlock stated.
"I am not at liberty to say at this moment. I would be happy to talk to you all in a more private setting. All I can say right now is that I am General John Watson, actively serving. I have the highest security clearance there is that is how I knew the code to access the files".
"Why did you lie to us?", Greg asked quietly.
"National and international secrets", John said with a matter of fact.
"Surely you could have told us you were a general?", Sherlock said.
"You said I was a captain, that I was. I didn't think it would be relevant to correct you".
"Being a general isn't so much of a secret. Why isn't that on your file?", Mycroft asked.
"It is on my file".
"It's not. As I said earlier I ran several checks on you".
"You don't have my real file. Everything you have on me is true but that's not my actual file containing everything about me. Only a select few people have that information".
"That still doesn't explain why the title general isn't on your file", Greg said.
"The work I was doing at the time was dangerous and holding the title of general could have led to several mishaps so it was best to remove it from the public eye. Public in the sense of the British Government", he pointed at Mycroft.
"I am not the British Government. I hold a minor position in it", Mycroft gritted. Just as John was about to speak his phone rang.
"General Watson, speaking"
"Alpha-tango-Charlie"
Sherlock shot him a quizzical look but John waved him off with his hand.
"Scotland Yard, sir"
"No civilians. Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock Holmes and Detective Inspector Lestrade"
The three men sitting each looked at each other in confusion.
"Yes, the consulting detective"
Sherlock smirked.
"No sir, family friends"
"No sir, they were not aware until just now when I accessed the files that were needed"
"Mycroft Holmes was at the station in a matter of minutes"
"They can be trusted. I've trusted them all with my life on several occasions. You have my word"
"Yes, even Mycroft Holmes"
Sherlock smirked at Mycroft and Mycroft just glared at him.
"I know sir, it was only a matter of time before they found out but as I said they are trustworthy. They are all professional and good at what they do I'm sure you're familiar with Mycroft Holmes. They are also my family, sir. Those that I trust, my niece trusts too. She is familiar with the older Mr. Holmes"
The boys all gave each other a look again. "Who is John's niece? I didn't think he had one", Sherlock whispered to Mycroft.
"Me neither but apparently I know her. It appears we underestimated the good doctor", Mycroft whispered back.
"Would you kindly ask Elizabeth to allow us one and a half hours to arrive. I'll arrange the car to pick us up. I just need to retrieve my uniform and my partner will need to change his clothes", John said to the man on the phone.
"What is going on, Mycroft", Greg whispered.
"I-I don't know", Mycroft stammered honestly.
"Very well, sir. I look forward to seeing you shortly", and with that he hung up the phone and was met with three confused men.
"So what the fuck was that?", Greg asked.
"We are going to the palace", John said calmly as if he was talking about the weather.
"Buckingham palace?", he exclaimed.
"Yep", john said popping the 'p'.
John stared at the dumbfounded men and sighed, "I understand you have a lot of questions and that is why we're going to the palace for it to be all explained. I expected this day would come so now it's here hurry up and let's go".
"Is..is what I'm wearing appropriate?", Greg stammered.
"Yes it's fine, Sherlock on the other hand needs to change because he still has blood on his shirt. Now let's all go to Baker Street a car will arrive once we are ready. I need to wear my military uniform, Elizabeth loves it".
"Elizabeth?", Greg asked.
"Her Majesty", John stated.
"We are having a meeting with the Queen about you?", Sherlock asked in awe.
"It's cute to see you flustered, Sherlock", John beamed.
"You're Prince Louis", Mycroft says with a sense of him not believing the words leaving his mouth. John's beam faltered and his chin dropped to his chest for a moment. He looked back up, "Yes. Yes I am. I am Prince Louis John Watson Windsor. Glad to see your brain is still in tact, Mycroft".
"I cannot believe it", Mycroft said.
"Well believe it because it's true. Now let's go".
The men all hurried out of the office after John thinking he wasn't the man they thought he was. He was so much more. He was the missing Prince, Prince Louis.
A/N: I doubt I'll continue this so I hope you enjoyed!