Chapter Three
Sam was sitting next to Sherlock in the Royale wearing a dress- which was VERY rare for her. They were waiting in silence for Watson, Elizabeth, and Mr. O'Laughlin to arrive. Sam was still trying to figure out how her father had managed to travel back in time to find them.
Before everyone else arrive Sherlock ordered wine and food for himself and Sam, insisting that they would have dinner whether the others stayed or not. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"Holmes?" John's voice caused him to open his eyes. John was holding Elizabeth's arm and a man with dark curly hair stood on her other side. John glared. "You're early."
Sherlock nodded. "Fashionably."
"Dad!" Sam jumped up and hugged her father.
"Hey Sammy." Alex said with a laugh.
"Sherlock this is my dad, Alex O'Laughlin. Dad this is Sherlock Holmes." Elizabeth introduced the two. It was answered by an awkward silence.
"Nice to meet you Mr. Holmes." Alex said stiffly holding out his hand.
"Likewise." Sherlock said even more stiffly than Alex.
John pulled out Elizabeth's chair and sat down next to her, holding her hand on the table.
"Elizabeth has told me all about you Mr. Holmes." Alex said, still acting cold. "Says you're one of the most amazing detectives."
"I exaggerate, daddy." Elizabeth blushed.
"I do find it very hard to believe you can make these huge solutions out of such small details." Alex continued.
"Well sometimes the smallest things are the most important. Take Watson for one."
"I intend to." Elizabeth said cheekily with a dreamy smile. Sherlock chuckled at the girl who has become the baby sister of the group.
"See his cane is made of a rare African Snake wood. Inside the cane, a hidden blade." John blushed and Alex smiled. He didn't like Sherlock but John seemed like the kind a father would be thrilled to have as a son-in-law. "A few were awarded to soldiers in the war so I assume he's a decorated soldier. Strong, brave, and neat like all military men. Now I check his pockets." He reached into john's pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper. John blushed even more. "Ah, a stub from a boxing match, so I believe he's a bit of a gambler. Elizabeth I would keep an eye on that beautiful necklace if I were you." Alex and Elizabeth looked at John in surprise but neither were appalled.
"those days are behind me." John said embarrassed.
"Right Behind you." Sherlock retorted. "He's cost us the rent more than once."
"Mr. Holmes with all due respect, you know John rather well as well as my daughters, but what about a complete stranger such as me?" Alex raised an eyebrow.
"Dad, I don't think that's a good idea." Elizabeth said.
"I insist, Elizabeth."
"Sherlock…" Sam warned.
"He insists." Sherlock explained and rested his head on his hand thinking and looking at Alex. "You're a Private Investigator."
"Impressive." Alex said with a smirk.
"Your most recent case, it involved a young child. There are faint marks on your hands which match the force of a small child clutching your hand. Also, something in a previous case that was semi-recent brought back memories of your ex-wife."
"Sherlock!" Elizabeth warned. Alex stiffened.
"You keep fiddling with the ring on your right hand as you haven't taken it off since she left you. She found another man and you were afraid to let go of what you and she had as a couple."
Suddenly, wine was tossed into his face by a very pissed off Elizabeth. Alex looked like he was about to cry.
"All of what you said was correct, Holmes, except for this. Mom didn't leave dad for another man. She was kidnapped and murdered." She stood up and guided her father out of the Royale. John looked very angry but his voice stayed calm.
"Well done, Holmes." He said before standing up and following Elizabeth and Alex out.
"I'm gonna deal with you when we get home, but for now, I'm starving." Sam said as the food arrived.