A/N: Reposted this chapter. It has been Beta'ed. Thanks to my Beta Magpieintheshadow

Merry Christmas to you all, and as a gift :D Hope you liked it.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

The knock on the door surprised John as he was pulling on his black jacket. He'd packed all his things and had changed out of his suit and into his jeans and beige jumper in preparation to leave. He called for his visitor to enter.

The door opened to reveal Percival Holmes, looking evenly but the brigadier John expected him to be.

"John."

"Sir?"

"I understand your leaving?" Percival remarked, standing with his hands clasped behind his back.

John faced the man with a raised chin and a straight back. "Yes Sir. - I would like to apologize for the scene downstairs a little while ago, it was inexcusable."

Percival waved it off. "I'm sure Jacob deserved it. If it wasn't for Mary I wouldn't allow that men within three foot of this house. - Certainly after what he did for to Sherlock five years ago."

John frowned. "You knew?"

"Of course I knew, he's my son. You think I didn't see the change in my child after he met that man, then when he stopped attending family functions; it doesn't take a genius to know why."

"Why didn't you do something?" John said with a hint of anger.

Percival met the other man's accusing gaze unflinchingly but said nothing. John could see the guilt in his gaze. The man probably blamed himself already without John adding to it. But what kind of father stood by and watched his son fall under the influence of a man like Jacob Harvelle. John hadn't known him ten minutes before he knew what kind of man he was.

"He is Mary's sisters son…." the man began to explain. "…she practically raised him after his parents died. She thinks of him as her own. She adores him almost as much as she does Sherlock. I don't think she would ever believe him capable of any wrong doing."

John hung his head. He knew the type; his father had been the same with Harry. She could never do wrong in his eyes.

"You still should have done something."

Percival nodded in agreement. "I was not fully aware John, of just what had happened between them, of what Jacob had drawn Sherlock into until Mycroft informed me of Sherlock's arrest. After that it was too late, Mycroft was already in the process of sorting his brother out."

John just stood there watching the pain in the older man's face. Despite what he had observed of the Holmes family, who seemed reluctant to show any deep emotion, they cared a great deal for one another. An awkward silence fell between the two men as the stood in the bedroom. Neither one knowing what to say. John shifted his weight.

"Sir I should…. Mycroft's driver will be waiting for me." John lifted his bag off the bed.

"Please doctor a moment." Percival said in his most authoritative voice. John paused. "…I don't know what happened downstairs, but I can hazard a guess. Whatever it was, do not let it come between you and my son. I have never seen him looking so at easy and content with life. You are very good for him. - Can you now put whatever it is down to a lapse in judgement?"

John bowed his head. Obviously Sherlock had informed his family of the true state of their relationship. Taking a breath, John met the man's gaze as only a soldier could. "Sir, I know you were informed that Sherlock and I are 'together' and that we have not said anything to the contrary, but the truth is that Sherlock and I are just friends, flatmates and colleagues on occasion. I'm not in a romantic relationship with him."

Percival regarded him with a stern look that would have a whole regiment shaking in their boots. "Really?"

"Yes sir. I am sorry for lying to you."

Percival gave John that silent stare he'd given him earlier in the day while talking in the corridor. It brought back to mind what had been said.

"I'm sure you believe that doctor, as I said, I knew men like you in the army."

John frowned once again. "Sir?"

Percival gave a deep sigh. "Doctor Watson may I be blunt?"

John was already nervous and took a deep breath as he nodded.

"John, I believe you're in love with my son…."

"Sir-" John gasped eager to deny the allegation.

Percival held up a hand to silence him. "…you were so long in the army that you actually believe the façade you put on there. I know what happens to soldiers that are believed to be gay, John. I know what they go though. So a soldier has to be like everyone else, they have to hide what they feel and who they are. - I believe you played the role of 'one of the lads' for so long you actually believe it. - Even now that you've been discharged…."

John couldn't believe what he'd just heard. He stared wide eyed at Percival Holmes. Surely the man didn't honestly believe that. John wasn't in denial, he was straight, he had always been straight. - Sure there had been that guy when he was seventeen, but that had been a dare. - Sure he'd thought Sherlock was kind of good looking when he'd first met him, but that didn't mean he was gay.

"Sir, I promise you, I'm not gay."

Percival frowned at him with disbelief. "John I've been watching you with my son since your arrival, Mycroft had told me about the pair of you…. I am very confident that there is more than friendship between you and my son. - And then there was the scene downstairs."

John swallowed hard.

"I suggest you think about it John." with that Percival marches from the room, leaving John alone with his thoughts.

~ SHERLOCK ~

John strolled down the stairs with his bag on his good shoulder. He stopped at the bottom and looked around. The party was still in full swing, but Mycroft, Anna and Mary stood waiting for him.

"John do you have to leave?" Mary asked with a look of confusion.

"I'm afraid so Mrs Holmes." he said sadly.

She shook her head. "Well, it was lovely to meet you John. I do hope you will come again."

John nodded politely but had no doubt he wouldn't be stepping foot in his house again. He turned to Anna with a slightly sad smile.

"It was wonderful to meet you Anna." he held out his hand for her.

"You really shouldn't let him ruin what is between you two." she whispered, clearly not wanting her mother to know what had happened.

"He isn't, but I can't sit here and watch Sherlock make an idiot of himself."

Anna gave him a raised knowing brow that John had seen on so many faces since he's met Sherlock. They seemed to all think they knew something he didn't. Of course they were all wrong.

"Maybe you could visit us at Baker Street." he smiled.

"You're staying at Sherlock's?" Anna asked with hope.

"Of course, Sherlock's my flatmate, Anna. - that's all…." he insisted, glancing between her and Mycroft. "… No matter what you've been told. - Just because I can't stand his choice in boyfriends, doesn't mean I'm going to make myself homeless."

"You mean you and Sherlock aren't together?" Mary suddenly asked.

John turned shamefully to her. "No, Mrs Holmes, I'm afraid not. - I'm sure Mycroft will explain everything."

She looked genuinely upset by this news. "But you're so perfect together. - He's never been so… well, normal. - I might even say happy. - Are you sure?"

John gave the older woman a wide grin. "Quite sure, Mrs Holmes."

"…I should go…" he glanced around the room. "…where's Sherlock? - Or shouldn't I ask." he said with a slight hint of spite to his tone.

"He's outside by the car." Mycroft informed him. "It will take you back to Baker Street, John."

"Thank you Mycroft." John nodded, and then smiled at the women before moving to leave.

"John." Anna stopped him with a hand on his arm. "This is for you." she handed him an envelope.

"What is it?"

"Just a little something from me." she grinned mischievously.

John glanced down at it with unease. "Ok, thank you. Goodbye."

"Bye John." the group said in unison.

~ SHERLOCK ~

Sherlock stood by the car waiting for John. Every voice in his head telling him to tell the man not to leave. That there was nothing between Jacob and him. That it had been a heat of the moment mistake that would never happen again. But as John approached the car and held out his bag to the driver, who looked furious at having to make the trip so late on Christmas night, he couldn't say a word. Which considering that this was Sherlock Holmes was a feat in itself.

"Well…" John started before pausing and staring again. "… Have a nice time here Sherlock. Try not to get into too much trouble, and don't expect me to come running back just so you can borrow my phone." he smiled a little.

"I have my own phone John."

Watson nodded and the pair fell silent again.

"Ok, well…see ya when you get back." John finally said, getting into the car.

"Yes." As John lifted his foot to climb inside Sherlock stopped him. "Oh John. - Huh, this is for you." he held out a wrapped gift.

John frowned. "What is it?"

Sherlock rolled his eyes. "I didn't think you were that stupid John. - It's obviously a Christmas present."

"I didn't think you brought any…"

"Of course I brought you a gift John. - I just did not wish to give it to you in front of my family. - You saw how they were this morning."

John looked down at the wrapped square. It was clearly a book. Knowing Sherlock, it was probably some kind of text book on plant life or something equally useless, unless you happened to be a consulting detective. "Thank you. - I'm afraid, I meant what I said, I left yours at home."

"That is perfectly alright John. - One does not give to receive. - Or at least that's what my mother always told me. - Have a safe trip, text me when you arrive home won't you."

John nodded and continued getting into the back of the black Rolls. "Bye Sherlock."

A/N: Thanks for reading, reviewing and faving. MERRY CHRISTMAS - AGAIN

ROFL