It had been two years since that incident in Afghanistan, one that the three of them couldn't forget about completely. As promised, Tony and Mycroft never revealed John's name or tried to contact him. John had tried to stay in contact with the two of them via Rhodes (which failed miserably mostly).

Mycroft had tried to search upon the random soldier but came with no results and had given up, not wanting to break the promise. He had tried to contact John via Rhodey but it was not that successful, considering the fact that he was constantly on the move..

Tony and Mycroft kept in touch in the name of business meetings and parties too. After all the kidnapping had made them inseparable friends (Though no one knew they were best friends). Tony was having a slightly hectic but great life both as Tony Stark and Ironman. He didn't like all the attention he was getting but had grudgingly put up with it for the sake of staying in the good side of the public.

There had been one time when John had come to the US in order to meet one of his friends and had accidentally bumped into Tony (still in the disguise of Johnathan) and stayed at the tower for a while, getting to know Tony. That was also the only time he had contacted Mycroft after the kidnapping.

Currently, John was wandering around in London, pondering on whether he should contact Mycroft or where should he look for a flat mate before the thoughts wandered over on how he had been invalided during the war as he tried to save as many people as he could. He had been on the way to become a Major when the accident happened, the shot on his shoulder and the leg made sure he retired early.

And that was a good nine months ago, two weeks he battled for his life, two months he had been in a coma and one and a half months under serious medication before he had been released and sent to physiotherapy for a month or two, and then staying with his slightly alcoholic sister until he couldn't bear with her anymore and started searching for a flat share.

And then there was the therapist who constantly told him to type a blog about his life, even though she constantly says that he had trust issues. And being a soldier, he obviously had trust issues and many personal and classified information, as much as it would help him by talking about it was still a secret.

Things started looking up that day when he had met Mike Stamford, his old friend from Barts and were catching up casually when the flat share topic was bought up, leading to John meeting Sherlock.

The moment he met Sherlock at the hospital, he could instantly see that he was a very unique person, but shunned by the society often for his intelligence. He could also detect signs of withdrawal from drugs and slight signs of abuse.

He was genuinely surprised when Sherlock had deduced him with ease, even though he did miss a few things and got a few things wrong, he was impressed and was welcome to live with that kind of a flatmate who was weird but also interesting, though he didn't try to show it much.

He was also slightly mad and upset at people shunning away geniuses of all types because of their peculiarities and unique style. Geniuses were always either hero worshipped (Tony who didn't like it at all) or underestimated to the point of insulting and abusing them without any reason. (Sherlock, who just wants some attention as he was always shunned away and lonely)

He could see how people had almost hero worshipped Tony for being Ironman but not much about the real Tony Stark. He was always assumed to be a genius, billionaire, playboy and philanthropist who was humorous, sarcastic, arrogant and a little rude but never tried to look under that.

The only ones who saw the real Tony were, John, Mycroft and Coulson. No one saw that the genius had many masks that needed to be uncovered to know the real him. No one reasoned why he behaved that way or even if he liked to behave that way. It was something that made John mad, people jumping into wrong conclusions.

Sherlock was also a similar case. Even though they had met only about a day ago, he could already look through Sherlock's façade and look into the real, insecure, caring and greatly intelligent person he truly was. Most people tend to stay away from Sherlock for his weird habits or his cold demeanour but not John. He could see past the sarcastic, emotionless façade Sherlock had put up. The real genius locked up behind layers of masks.

He was totally blown out at the crime scene, he looked at Sherlock in awe as even though he deduced a few of it from when he checked out the circumstances of death, he was mind blown at Sherlock's deduction. He also didn't miss the glint Sherlock had in his eye when John had praised him.

He had almost chuckled at the enthusiastic side shown by Sherlock and was lightly sad when he had been left alone at some unknown place. Then he had been stalked over by public phones until he had picked it up, only to be kidnapped in a car.

Mycroft worried about his brother a lot, not that he showed it... but still cared about him. So when he got the news that Sherlock had got a flat share with someone, he was both surprised and suspicious. "Anthea!" he called out to his assistant and best friend. "There are cameras near the crime scene right? Pull them up" Mycroft said and stared at the screen.

'Seems like brother had left his new flatmate alone at the crime scene' Mycroft thought as he stared at Watson standing in confusion. He was surprised that his brother had trusted that man so soon for him to accompany him to a crime scene. He picked up the files left by Anthea about the flat mate and asked her to connect him to all the public phones near the man before asking her to pick up John to an abandoned warehouse.

While he chatted with John, he skimmed through the files he had about him and was quite intrigued by his history and he number of classified files he had under his name. He was curious about this John Watson fellow - Ex military, honourably discharged due to a psychosomatic limp and a shot to the shoulder, a Captain and a medic... Mycroft was totally looking forward to meet this man.

Mycroft was trying to take a peek of John from the camera, but he couldn't see much apart from the frown he could see on his face due to the darkness around. He was currently waiting at the warehouse, waiting for Anthea to arrive with John.

John, who had just been dropped off at that very warehouse was shocked for a millisecond at the sight of Mycroft but continued his stride, not to seem very suspicious to Mycroft. "Have a seat, John." Mycroft said as he pointed towards a nearby chair. John stills for a second, afraid that Mycroft had recognized him easily but let a small sigh in relief when he saw no signs of recognition.

He continued his stride towards Mycroft, ignoring the comment on his limp on purpose. "You know, I've got a phone. I mean, very clever and all that, but, er ... you could just phone me. On my phone." John said as he looked around the warehouse and walks straight past the chair and stopped in front of Mycroft.

"When one is avoiding the attention of Sherlock Holmes, one learns to be discreet, hence this place. The leg must be hurting you. Sit down." Mycroft said a little shocked but impressed at John's reaction and watched John give a slight frown at the mention of his limp. "I don't wanna sit down." John replied.

"You don't seem very afraid." Mycroft said, staring at John. "You don't seem very frightening." John replied, staring back. Mycroft was a little surprised at that as many people, even soldiers have wavered under that gaze but John didn't.

"Ah, yes. The bravery of the soldier. Bravery is by far the kindest word for stupidity, don't you think?" Mycroft asked as he was reminded of Johnathan when he talked with John, the way he spoke and held himself was eerily similar. 'Time for the real tests' Mycroft thought as he seized up John.

He held himself in a relaxed but alert position, ready to attack in a moment's notice, his hand stopped shaking the moment he entered the warehouse whereas it had been shaking slightly at the booth, well... literally he could say he was a wolf in a sheep's skin, a ferocious yet kind man.

Meanwhile John also had been checking on Mycroft. Hairline had reduced a lot, slight limp on the infected leg, signs of makeup... probably to hide scars or exhaustion and mostly does paperwork, umbrella is a inbuilt gun and often kidnaps people. Changed very much after the encounter.

"What is your connection to Sherlock Holmes?" Mycroft asked after he finished judging John. 'Probably his relative... preferably elder brother who doesn't show much affection but still cares.' John thought as he looked at Mycroft to answer.

"I don't have one. I barely know him. I met him yesterday." John said and Mycroft raised his eyebrow. 'Barely knows him but still easily trusts him? That is rare for Sherlock' Mycroft thought.

"Mm, and since yesterday you've moved in with him and now you're solving crimes together. Might we expect a happy announcement by the end of the week?" Mycroft asked, slightly teasing him. He didn't notice John's blush when he asked the question.

John was slightly flustered at the question. A random stranger was asking him questions like this at night in an abandoned warehouse was a little weird. But asking questions like that was too much. It was like this guy thought he had a crush on Sherlock (Which he may or may not have)

"Who are you?" John asked, wanting to confirm his theory about them being brothers or at least relatives being right. "An interested party." Mycroft said, wanting to test the soldier.

"Interested in Sherlock? Why? I'm guessing you're not friends." John asked trying to get something out of his old patient without trying to let out the fact that they have met before and also asking him to get to the point indirectly.

"You've met him. How many 'friends' do you imagine he has? I am the closest thing to a friend that Sherlock Holmes is capable of having." 'Then brother it is' John thought. John was also sad that his theory about Sherlock having not many friends coming true. 'Well... upto me to stand by him then.' John thought.

"And what's that?" John asked, interested on whether Mycroft would try to test him by saying something like enemy or if he would be trusting and truthful to him and reveal that he was his brother. 'Probably the latter though, as every genius has trust issues' John thought.

"An enemy." Mycroft said, wanting to test John on what he would do. John had to supress his smile at that as that was too predictable for anyone. 'Looks like I am in an interview on whether I am suitable to be Sherlock's flatmate or not' John thought as he caught on the pattern.

"An enemy?" John asked as he played along. "In his mind, certainly. If you were to ask him, he'd probably say his arch-enemy. He does love to be dramatic." John supressed a chuckle and pointedly looked around the warehouse. 'Typical sibling rivalry. But who am I to judge with the sibling I have. And Sherlock is a tad bit dramatic, one cannot deny that.' John thought.

"Well, thank God you're above all that." he retorted as he knew Mycroft was a little dramatic too. Both of them are too childish even though they never realise this. Brief meeting with three geniuses with social problems had taught him that. Well... how can you explain about this kidnaping anything other than dramatic?

Mycroft frowns lightly at the comparison, just as John's phone trills a text alert. He immediately digs into his jacket pocket, takes out the phone and looks at the message while ignoring the man in front of him. The message reads:

Baker Street. Come at once if convenient.

SH

'Seems like my dear brother was just reminded that he had company' Mycroft thought. "I hope I'm not distracting you." Mycroft asked a little teasingly. "Not distracting me at all." John replied casually as he took his own sweet time to look up and pocket his phone to humour Mycroft.

"Do you plan to continue your association with Sherlock Holmes?" Mycroft asked, wanting to be absolutely sure as there had been instances where people had taken advantage of his brother a lot.

"I could be wrong, but I think that's none of your business." John replied as he knew that this was a test and he had to take this guy to be his enemy for the time being. "It could be." Mycroft replied. 'Well... it very well is being the big brother and all but you will never admit it' John wanted to say.

'Better to play along' John thought as he replied. "It really couldn't." John insisted. Mycroft took out a notebook from his inside pocket, then opens it and consults it as he speaks for the final test.

"If you do move into, um ... two hundred and twenty-one B Baker Street, I'd be happy to pay you a meaningful sum of money on a regular basis to ease your way." Mycroft said as he closed the notebook and pocketed it, waiting for the reply. 'Hopefully this soldier has the manners and morals like the other John. Sherlock needs someone trustworthy' Mycroft thought in anticipation.

"Why?" John asked, knowing very well that this was the final part of his test. 'Well... the soldier needs all his details before deciding. Hopefully he makes the right one' Mycroft wishes. "Because you're not a wealthy man." he said in reply as it was a valid reason.

"In exchange for what? John asked, reading in between the lines, a very common thing if you have been a soldier. "Information. Nothing indiscreet. Nothing you'd feel ... uncomfortable with. Just tell me what he's up to." Mycroft said. John raised an imaginary eyebrow. He does all the kidnapping to test loyalties the old fashioned way of bribery?

"Why?" John asked, wanting to humour up his old friend a little, not that the other one knew about this fact. "I worry about him. Constantly." Mycroft said, with not much sincerity. "That's nice of you." John said, equally insincere.

"But I would prefer for various reasons that my concern go unmentioned. We have what you might call a ... difficult relationship." Mycroft said and John could very well relate to it. Sibling rivalry was petty but still is unavoidable after all. His phone beeped again and he glanced at the message which read:

If inconvenient, come anyway.

SH

Mycroft was staring at John, awaiting his answer in bathed breadth. Will he accept or decline? Will he pass or fail? Mycroft thought. As if sensing his impatience, John said "No." "But I haven't mentioned a figure." Mycroft said, just to be sure.

"Don't bother." John said, now very impatient to get back as he had things to move into the flat and was getting very late. "You're very loyal, very quickly." Mycroft joked, knowing that he had trust issues.

"No, I'm not. I'm just not interested." John replied easily as he was never interested in the money, but he was interested to move in with Sherlock, mainly for the reason that he was interested in him.. not him but his job... yeah that's it. His job, not him.

Mycroft looked at him, deciding whether or not to bring up the trust issues and prove that he had read something about him but decided against it. Instead he asked: "Could it be that you've decided to trust Sherlock Holmes of all people?"

"Who says I trust him?" John asked, raising an eyebrow, while in reality he very well knew that he trusted Sherlock the moment he agreed on going with him on the case, even though he had trust issues as trust issues don't come in the way of danger after all.

"You don't seem the kind to make friends easily." Mycroft said, referring to the notes indirectly. "Are we done?" John asked, now slightly irritated by the man poking into his personal issues. "You tell me." Mycroft said, meeting John's eye.

John met his gaze without flattering and turned to leave. "I imagine people have already warned you to stay away from him, but I can see from your left hand that's not going to happen." Mycroft said smugly and a little relieved.

John stops dead. His shoulders tense and drop and he angrily shakes his head a little. He girts his teeth as he turns around and asked "My what?" Mycroft could clearly see that he had struck a nerve there. "Show me." he said as he nodded at the left hand, leaning casually as he expected him to give his hand.

John, however, was not intimidated and makes some actions like ha was contemplating on whether he should give his hand or not. He was sure that Mycroft had been a little better than this when he was hurt. He then slowly raised his left hand, bending it at the elbow, and stands still, clearly stating that Mycroft had t come to him if he wanted to see the hand.

Catching on the message, Mycroft strolled forward and reached out for John's hand, who retreated it back, fearing Mycroft would recognise him. Mycroft took it as the trust issue and raised an eyebrow as if to say 'Didn't I say you had trust issues?' causing John to stretch back his hand.

Mycroft closely observes the hand and just said "Remarkable", not saying that he recognised him or whether there was anything wrong with it, causing him to retract his hand back "What is?" John asked, fearing that someone had missed out something.

"Most people blunder round this city, and all they see are streets and shops and cars. When you walk with Sherlock Holmes, you see the battlefield. You've seen it already, haven't you?" Mycroft asked.

"What's wrong with my hand?" John asked, ignoring the question flat out as he knew both of them knew the answer. "You have an intermittent tremor in your left hand." Mycroft said and John had to supress his urge to roll his eyes as he nodded.

"Your therapist thinks it's post-traumatic stress disorder. She thinks you're haunted by memories of your military service." Mycroft said thoughtfully. "Who the hell are you? How do you know that?" John asked, completely annoyed at Mycroft. He knew that he was a government official but this was too much.

"Fire her. She's got it the wrong way round. You're under stress right now and your hand is perfectly steady." Mycroft continued, unperturbed by John's outburst. John glanced down and back up again, reigning his by taking in deep breadths.

"You're not haunted by the war, Doctor Watson. You miss it." Mycroft said as he met John's eye. "Welcome back." he said as he walked away from John, who stared at his phone that had pinged with another message and watches the retreating form of Mycroft, trying to deduce whether he had found out or not.

A/N: Did Mycroft find out or not? That will be revealed the next chapter. Hope you all liked it! All comments and criticism accepted and appreciated!

Thank you all for reading!

Rasi10 signing off

Published on 5 June 2018