Hi everyone, here's another chapter of my story! I'm sorry that I didn't update this in months, but so much has been going on. But now I'm back and I'm determined to finish this soon! I just watched 'No Time To Die' (which has been lying around in my flat for months as well) a few days ago and that made me want to write more about James and Q (and of course our two other couples) so badly. I hope some of you are still there and interested in all this. It would be great if you could let me know what you think of the new chapter.
I don't own the characters or places!
After talking to Greg on the phone, John turned to Sherlock once more, who was still sitting in his armchair, reading the strange book they'd found. The frustrated look on his face told him that he didn't get any news yet, something John had already expected. He decided not to talk to his boyfriend right now. Most probably, Sherlock wouldn't listen anyway. So he made his way downstairs to see what Mrs. Hudson was doing.
To his surprise, their landlady was sitting in front of the TV, which was unusual for her at this time of the day. John used the opportunity that she didn't notice his arrival yet to see what she was watching. When he realized that it was some sort of reality show, he had to hold back a chuckle.
However, he seemed to have made some kind of noise because suddenly, Mrs. Hudson turned to him with a surprised look on her face and muted the device quickly. "John, what a surprise to see you!" She exclaimed loudly and with a smile.
He gestured at the TV. "New show you like?"
"Oh god, no!" Mrs. Hudson laughed. "A friend of mine suggested watching this since it should be so good. But it isn't. Rather boring, I have to admit." To John, it didn't look like she was bored, but he decided not to mention that. "Is everything alright with Sherlock?"
He nodded. "Still working on that case."
"How long has he been sitting in his armchair now? Two days?" She didn't try to hide the concern in her voice.
"Three." He corrected her with a sigh. "And before, he's also been looking into all this."
"That sounds like one of those cases where he doesn't stop until everything's solved."
That was what John feared as well. Unfortunately, this time he couldn't just let Sherlock lose control. This was far too important. "I'll make sure that he eats regularly and gets some sleep." He tried to let it sound calming. From the look on Mrs. Hudson's face, she wasn't convinced that John's methods worked.
"Whatever you're working on, it seems to be important. That night when everyone showed up here -"
"Was an exception." John interrupted her quickly. "No need to worry, Mrs. Hudson. Everything's fine."
"I could hear so many voices. More than usual."
"Mycroft and Greg were here." He had no intention to tell her about Sherlock's other brother just yet. That was something his boyfriend had to do himself. He could already guess how her reaction would look and it wasn't something he'd like to witness.
"Did they finally admit their feelings to each other?" In the past years, she'd also noticed the tension between the two men. In fact, she was the one who pointed it out in the first place.
"They're getting there." At least John hoped that, remembering how frustrated Greg had sounded on the phone.
"It would be about time. They're staring at each other for years." Mrs. Hudson sighed. "They could be good for each other."
"Have you planned anything for today?" John asked, coming back to the reason why he was here in the first place. "Do you need something from the shop? Help in the household?"
"Thank you very much, John, but I'm fine." Mrs. Hudson glanced at the TV. "In fact, I should continue to watch this, so I can join the conversation when I see my friend again."
He nodded with a smile. Of course she was only watching that show so she could talk about it. "Then have fun, Mrs. Hudson."
He was nearly out of her flat when she called his name once more. "Oh, John? I have the latest newspaper here, just in case you're interested in it!"
He thanked her again when she handed the paper to him. On his way upstairs, he skipped through the headlines. One let his steps falter and he had to stop on the stairs.
Dead banker found in Kensington, the headline said. When he was in the flat again, he already expected Sherlock to ask what had startled him, but his boyfriend still sat there motionless, looking into that book.
Holding back a sigh, John approached him. "There's an article about our case in the newspaper." He said loudly. "The banker."
Sherlock only glanced at him briefly. "Anything new?"
"Not really, but they say -" He began, but apparently, he'd chosen the wrong words to start the sentence.
"Then let me think, John." Without another word, Sherlock turned back to the book.
This time, he didn't hold back the sigh. "I'll meet with Greg and James soon. Sandwiches are in the kitchen. You have to eat something, Sherlock. And maybe you should try to get some rest, looking into that book all the time can't be good for you."
When he didn't get an answer, he skipped through the rest of the newspaper silently. Then he got his jacket, took the article about the banker and left the flat.
"How did your case go?" John asked Greg as soon as their drinks arrived.
His best friend grimaced. "A total waste of time. If Mycroft wouldn't have shown up and explained everything, we'd still be searching for clues." He smiled ruefully. "Seems like we're really not as good as everyone thinks."
"Don't talk like that." He interrupted him sternly. "Just because we know smart people who can solve a case without even looking at the crime scene, it doesn't mean that everyone can be like that. You're doing a great job, Greg." John smiled. "Even Mycroft Holmes is interested in you, that has to mean something."
Greg smiled slightly. "He asked me out on a date tomorrow."
"That's great, congratulations!" John exclaimed.
"From what John said, it must be about time for that." James added. "Though I still think that Mycroft can be scary at times."
"Once you get to know him better, that feeling fades." John explained with a grin. "Then, he's only annoying."
Greg cleared his throat loudly. "Would you please stop talking about him like this?"
"As if you'd never say dealing with Sherlock can be exhausting." He pointed out.
"Just because you think so too, John." Greg said simply.
"Alright, dangerous turn of the conversation." John muttered when James began to laugh. "How is everything else going? Did Q find something?"
"It's just like you said." James lowered his voice and both John and Greg leaned forward to hear what he was saying. "All the victims seemed to be scared before their deaths. No one knows why, though."
"I bet it's the same reason for all of them." Greg stated.
"Today, I saw this in the newspaper." John placed the article on the table so the others could read it. It wasn't much, just explained a bit about the life of Jeremy Andrews. One thing, however, was new to them. It was stated that Andrews worked together with another company quite a lot. The company was doing international business, even if it wasn't mentioned of what kind.
When James read the name, he frowned. "Marbury. I've heard that name before."
"You did?" John echoed with raised eyebrows. "Where?"
"We found it in the papers of the politician." James explained. "We were asked to look into it, but so far, we didn't get the opportunity. I need to speak to Q about it, it was on his list. However, he had a few busy days at work again and most probably, he didn't get a chance yet."
"This could be our best lead at the moment." Slowly, John realized what it meant that the company showed up in the records of two victims. "There has to be some kind of connection."
"Maybe it helps us to find out more about all this." Greg agreed with a nod. "Did you already tell Sherlock about it?"
John shook his head. "He's still too focused on that damn book. It takes all his time."
"Q already gets impatient, he wants to see it as well." James threw in.
"So does Mycroft." Greg muttered.
"Maybe it would be good for him if that book isn't in our flat anymore." John ran a hand through his hair. "We should tell the others about the company. Maybe Q can find out more."
"He surely can." It was obvious how much faith James had in the abilities of his boyfriend. He pulled out his phone and typed a short message. Only minutes later, he got a reply. "He asks if we can meet right now."
John exchanged a look with Greg, but his best friend only shrugged, signalising that he didn't care when they'd do it. "Alright, so back to Baker Street?"
"I should inform Mycroft that we have news." Greg also pulled his phone out of his pocket. In the meantime, James glanced at John.
"You won't call Sherlock?"
John shook his head. "Most probably, he's still looking into that book and wouldn't answer his phone anyway."
James shook his head in disbelief. "It must be hard to live with him at times."
"It is." John confirmed with a smile. "But it's worth it." In fact, he wouldn't have it any other way.
To John's surprise, Sherlock wasn't sitting in his armchair anymore when they entered the flat. In fact, he was nowhere to be seen. A short look into the kitchen told John that the sandwiches were gone. His eyebrows shot up at this, but he didn't say anything. Only then did he hear the noises coming out of the bathroom.
"Seems like he's still able to move." Greg noted quietly and sat down on the couch, right next to James.
"He's also eaten something." John added with a nod and began to prepare tea. By now, he knew how all the Holmes brothers, as well as Greg and James liked it.
"Is that a good sign?" James sounded a little sceptical.
"Most of the time, it is." He replied over his shoulder, filling hot water into six cups. Just in this moment, Sherlock stormed out of the bathroom, clad in a new black suit, his hair still looking a little wet.
"Finally you're back!" He exclaimed loudly. "It took you some time to arrive here, John."
He frowned at his boyfriend. "How did you know we'd be coming?"
"The newspaper." Sherlock said simply and took the tea John offered him with a smile. "You said you found something."
"I tried to explain that there was something new, but you wouldn't listen." John corrected him firmly, fully aware that Greg and James were watching them silently. "So don't tell me that you knew we would come here because of this." He crossed his arms at that and stared at Sherlock.
The taller man held his gaze for a few moments, but then he sighed and held up his phone. It showed a message from Mycroft.
Meeting at Baker Street in half an hour – MH
"Seems like Mycroft knew you'd still be looking into that book." John stated.
When Greg cleared his throat, they all turned to him. "I might have mentioned it. Well, or he overheard our conversation on the phone, John."
A dozen questions shot through John's head in that moment. When Mycroft had heard their conversation, he'd surely known that they'd also talked about him and Greg's relationship. Was that why he'd asked his best friend out on a date in the end?
"No need to look so surprised, John." A voice from the door said and then Mycroft walked into the room, followed by Q. Apparently, they'd arrived together. Even if he did it for some time now, it was still strange to hear Mycroft Holmes call him by his first name.
"Mycroft was so nice to pick me up." Q explained when he met James' questioning gaze.
When the two Holmes brothers noticed that the couch was already occupied by their boyfriends, Q and Mycroft exchanged a silent look. Before one of them could say something, though, Greg stood up, making space for Q and sat down on his usual chair.
"That wouldn't have been necessary." Q said, but he sat down next to James anyway, placing the laptop on his knees silently.
"So what's going on?" Sherlock demanded to know. "It has to do with the newspaper, doesn't it?"
John nodded. "I think we've found a connection between two of the victims." In short words, he summarized the article and that a company, Marbury, was mentioned two times now.
"I'm already having a look at it." Q muttered, eyes focused on his laptop. "M wanted to know more about this anyway. He didn't ask again, but surely just because he knew I've been busy with 003 and the mission was of importance for international safety." Only now did John notice how tired the youngest Holmes looked.
"Wasn't R supposed to help 003?" James threw in, placing a hand on Q's back.
"She was, but something came in between. 004 called from his current mission." As if that explained everything, James nodded simply.
"Good that you didn't have to deal with him again." The secret agent stated simply.
John had listened to the conversation quietly and exchanged a look with Greg. His best friend looked just as clueless as he felt. While Q was doing research, John decided to use the time and turned to Sherlock. "I assume you still didn't find anything in the book?"
Sherlock sighed loudly. "I've read it twice by now, but I still couldn't find the code!" He complained. "I don't get it. It has to be in there."
"Maybe you should let the others have a look at it." John suggested carefully. "Another point of view could help."
"I agree with John." Mycroft said without hesitation. "I'm sure it would be helpful if I have another look at it."
"I also want to see it." Q threw in without looking at them. "When it's about mathematics, it's just right for me."
The look on Sherlock's face told John exactly what he thought of giving the book to someone else. So he placed a hand on his. "It could be useful, Sherlock." He whispered, looking into his boyfriend's eyes. Sherlock looked just as tired as Q, something that didn't calm John in the slightest. "You will get it back in a few days."
When Sherlock frowned at him, John knew that he was making several deductions in his head. Most probably, he could also see how worried John was for him. The realization that just dawned on his face confirmed that thought. With a loud sigh, Sherlock handed the book to Mycroft. "But you will give it back in three days!" He muttered once he saw the triumphant grin on Mycroft's lips. "That means both of you, Q."
"Understood." Q muttered and Mycroft also nodded. Then the oldest Holmes opened the book slowly, moving with his chair so Greg could also look into it. He seemed to be surprised by this offer, but then Greg leaned forward and together, they scanned the pages.
"Looks like a madman wrote it." Greg said after some time.
"Not a madman, Lestrade." Sherlock corrected him. "There is a system behind all this."
"I agree with my brother." Mycroft sounded thoughtful. "Though I don't understand the connection between the two parts yet."
"I've tried several known codes." Sherlock explained. "None of them worked."
"Interesting." Mycroft muttered and kept looking at the pages some more. However, Greg leaned back in his chair.
"I won't be of much use here." He announced with a sigh and took a sip of his tea.
"I found something." Q suddenly said, making all of them turn to him curiously. "The company, Marbury, is involved in the trade with tea and coffee all over the world. China, Japan, India, South America, the list is endless. Founded in 2003, they expanded rather quickly. Most of the time, the products aren't sold under the name of the company. They use other well-known brands. However, the business is flourishing. At least that's the official version." Q looked up with a wide smile. "I tried to find out more about it and then things started to get strange."
"Strange?" James echoed.
Q nodded. "Next to this official record, you find nearly nothing about the company. I have a location close to London where the main office should be located, as well as one of their warehouses. About half an hour from here, I reckon. But from the way it looks, I doubt that we'll find anything there."
"Better than nothing." John threw in. "It's a starting point."
"This is perfect." Sherlock agreed. "Finally a clue that could lead us to Moriarty!"
"Or right into a trap." Q sounded thoughtful. "This is too easy. Such an obvious connection can't be of much use."
"We should have a look at it anyway." James muttered, his eyes scanning the screen of Q's laptop. "Even if it's a trap or nothing at all, it could help us."
"We should go there." Sherlock agreed immediately, a gleam in his eyes that showed how happy he was about this new clue.
"I should have a look at it." James corrected him firmly. "After all, I'm the one trained to do such things."
"My people could also inspect the warehouse easily." Mycroft threw in.
"I thought we didn't want that many people to know about all this." Greg said to Mycroft, a question in his words.
"That's why James should do it. It's his mission anyway." Q interrupted them. "Even if I don't like all this. It could be dangerous."
"I'll be fine." James placed a hand on Q's cheek. "It can't be worse than Japan."
"Don't remind me of that." Q muttered with a shake of his head.
"Sorry, love." James leaned in to kiss Q again.
That's when Sherlock cleared his throat loudly. "Why should he be allowed to go there and not me? John and I also handled dangerous situations in the past. We can deal with this too."
"If it's really a trap, I can get out of there before anything happens or someone knows about it." James sounded calm.
"He has a point there." Greg looked uncomfortable while he said this. "Every time you show up somewhere, it ends in the media."
"You can't just keep me from going there." Sherlock crossed his arms.
Mycroft held out the book again. "Then you can have another look at this, dear brother. After all, you're surely the only one here who can find the code." Before the book could get within reach of Sherlock, John shoved it back into Mycroft's hands.
"You can keep it." He said hastily, not wanting to have that damn thing in their flat even a day longer. "We can have a look at Greg's other cases in the meantime. You said there are a few, right?"
Greg nodded. John noticed that Mycroft stiffened at this, but the oldest Holmes remained quiet. "Seven so far."
"We can all have a look at the things James finds there together." It was obvious that Q tried to calm everyone. "If I coordinate the mission from our place, you won't miss a thing."
"I think my team and I should stay close to the location." Greg said. "Just in case something's there."
"So it's settled, then?" John looked at the others. "James will have a look at the warehouse alone?" In the end, his eyes landed on Sherlock. He knew that it would be difficult to convince his boyfriend of this. To his surprise, Sherlock only nodded clearly looking unhappy.
"Tomorrow night." Was the only thing he said.
"We should do it quickly, that's true." Q agreed and together, they began to make a plan. To John's surprise, the Holmes brothers didn't even argue too much.