Magic One Shots (Sherlock BBC Fic)
AN – this is basically a dumping point for all the one shot cracktastic stuff that the magic verse threw up but didn't fit into the two fics. Also, it's an excuse to torture Mycroft.
Warning – slash, established relationship. This holds for all the chapters.
Disclaimer – characters and settings as depicted in BBC series (or any other established setting) are not mine. No money being made. Plot is mine.
Devoted Pets 2
As the doors to the ambulance opened Geoff noted – in that pained-dazed-barely conscious way that came with serious injuries – that John Watson was the doctor climbing in to evaluate him. This was a source of comfort and Geoff very nearly relaxed enough to let go of his tenuous hold on conscious thought. John noticed at once and demanded that he stay awake in such a commanding tone that Geoff had no other choice but to obey.
Hence his awareness of the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of each of his many injuries, despite the drugs that his team of doctors administered. His attacker had no qualms about beating him nearly to death – he'd known full well that he was trying to kill an inspector from Scotland Yard and had revelled in the act. Taunts as well as blows and kicks had rained down on Geoff Lestrade in that warehouse and he'd been heading for that final loss of consciousness with the knowledge that his wife would not be able to recognise his body.
Then there had been a loud bang, a significant displacement of air and the blows had stopped. Not long after he had managed to moan loudly enough for the coppers searching for him to hear. Donovan had finally caught up with him just before the ambulance had arrived, shaken out of her normally hard professional demeanour by the sight of his injuries and whatever had happened to his attacker.
Lestrade suspected that it had been his Pet. Ever since John Watson had identified it for him, Geoff had become accustomed to the invisible presence, leaning against his legs or tugging on his coat to direct him away from danger or towards a suspect. He'd taken to addressing remarks to it in the car or when he was alone and had gotten the sense that it enjoyed being spoken to. His habit of thanking it had also gone over well, though they could not agree on choice of radio stations in the car – it insisted on Classic FM and he preferred to listen to BBC1.
"How is he?"
The deep, cultured voice that intruded on his painfully slow – in all sense of the words – thinking was familiar. It had been quiet where he was for some time and Geoff had the sense that he'd been moved from the ER and treatment rooms into a bed on the ward. It had been late at night when he'd been attacked and the ER had been full of noise and bustle. He much preferred this room, wherever it was, if only because the noise had hurt his head more.
"He's badly hurt, but he'll live."
The answering voice was John Watson, which meant that the first voice had been Sherlock Holmes. Geoff was surprised the thin genius was there, although he knew that Sherlock had developed the habit of collecting John from work when he remembered his partner's schedule.
"What happened?" Sherlock asked, the question accompanied by a rustle of cloth and the sigh that John made when his genius partner wrapped his arms around the smaller man from behind.
"Lestrade's team were tracking down a group of thieves working in the warehouses off Limehouse," John murmured quietly, "They got separated and in the confusion, one of the thieves got the jump on Geoff and made a spirited attempt at beating him to death."
"Donovan is going to regret her error," that had the sound of a vow to it, which surprised Geoff. He was always surprised when Sherlock got protective of the people around him, doubly so when Geoff was on the receiving end of Sherlock's odd brand of concern and support. He was more accustomed to the consulting detective's detached distance than to his cool consideration.
"How did she find Geoff?"
"She didn't – some uniforms heard a bang and followed the sound. Geoff moaned loud enough to get their attention," John sounded angry at Geoff's sergeant and he made an effort to rouse himself and speak in her defence, but couldn't manage it.
"It wasn't entirely her fault – I think Geoff was following his Pet. In fact, it was his Pet that saved him," John startled Geoff with his insight, but the DI supposed that Sherlock was rubbing off on his flatmate, "It shoved a box onto Geoff's attacker – heavy enough and from a height great enough to kill the other man."
"I thought that Pets weren't that strong," Sherlock mused, "You said they could divert liquid in small amounts – like a spill from a coffee cup – or shove a cushion at you if you tripped, or even tug on your clothes or lean on you to show you which way to go."
"That's right," John confirmed, "But if they really want to – if they're sufficiently alarmed and significantly attached to whoever they are following, they can release all of their energy in one cataclysmic burst. This gives them the strength to move something heavy for a short distance… but it also results in their 'death'. I had to put a sneaky spell on Geoff to cleanse him of the residue of that final outburst."
"His Pet is dead?" Sherlock sounded intrigued, but Geoff was saddened by the news. He'd become… fond of the thing in his own way. It was a sort of company, a friendly presence he'd become accustomed to; and now he wouldn't be able to thank it.
"Well, it's no longer on this plane of existence," John replied, "It's complicated."
"Multiple dimensions," Sherlock sighed, sounding resigned to not knowing all that he wanted to know at once. Geoff was pleased to hear it – the consulting genius had never been one for patience with limits before.
"Hmm," John agreed, "I wouldn't be surprised if he attracts another one eventually. There's something in his aura that would appeal to a Pet."
There was silence for just long enough for Geoff to wonder if the other two men were still with him – still standing beside his bed in the hospital, though he was unable to verify that beyond what his ears had told him – when Sherlock surprised him again.
"Are you sure he's going to be alright?"
"Yes, Sherlock. It will take a while, but he'll heal… where are you going?"
"To get the poultice box from our kitchen: some of those injuries can be healed with a poultice and I know you can disguise them under his bandages. The quicker he heals, the less time I'll have to spend training another DI."
John chuckled as quick footsteps hurried away. There was a light touch on Geoff's forehead which he identified after a moment as John's hand.
"Sleep, Geoff. You'll be ok soon."
End (for now…)
AN – what do you think? Should Lestrade have a new Pet?
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