Fourteen: Back To... Normal?

Aveen was going to school now, like she should be, and she loved it. Sherlock was right, just show off and it's not so boring. John had gone back to work in the hospital, saving more lives than just the one of his lover. And Sherlock? Well, he went back to cases, small ones, big ones, boring ones sometimes.

But, they never got lost to routine. They always had something to excite them and rile them up, and then they'd settle again. For instance, holidays… Sherlock, mm, dislikes holidays. But John and Aveen adore them, so he deals with it, for their sakes. Plus, with Sherlock being something 'unholy', he didn't like celebrating things like Easter or Christmas.

But this month around, it's Halloween, and he can deal with that, even now, when they were shopping because Aveen wanted something scary. "I don't like frilly, girly things, I wanna be a pirate! Or a Zombie!" she jumped in excitement as if she were a bubble as Sherlock smiled.

John chuckled as she skipped through the costumes and found a pirate's outfit. "Look Sherlock, she's a little you," John teased when she said she wanted that one.

Sherlock scoffed, "Nowhere near… shut up," but he smiled when she said she wanted to be a pirate. John and Sherlock didn't want to dress up to be anything, so they were simply going to just get her a costume and then go.

But then Aveen randomly came off with, "You should be a captain," she pointed to John, "and you should be the cabin boy," she giggled. Sherlock was a little insulted that she would say he should be the cabin boy, but John rolled his eyes.

"Nope, it's only you that gets to dress up. Come on," he placed a hand to her back and they went to buy Aveen a pirate costume. She would look cute as a pirate, though. And the long black hair is perfect. But all it could do was make John think of Little Sherlock being a pirate, that would have been adorable to see!

o0o

It was already dark outside as they finished off the last of her make-up. Sherlock complained that it didn't look right on her, but John said it was utterly adorable, especially with the little red bandana. Sherlock gave up and said she was cute anyway.

John joked, "If we were to dress up, would you be a Vampire?" he smirked.

"Shut up, John," and he ushered them out the door and Aveen said she knew a good spot her mum used to take her, she even knew the street address to start at. In fact, she was the one to tell the cabbie where to go and at first he was confused as to why he was taking orders from an eight year old. But when she spouted off a perfect address, he drove.

o0o

"That was amazing!" she jumped from the cab, remembering her 'booty' as she rightfully called it. But it wasn't near late enough, as it was only 11:30 and they were getting back. "Oh! Can we watch a scary movie?!" she buzzed as the flat's door flew open and Sherlock marched up the stairs, annoyed.

But he was always annoyed with spending time around hundreds of people, and John knew this. It was why he didn't question Sherlock storming up the stairs. He simply followed as Aveen hung onto his arm, begging him to watch a movie, "Please!"

"Alright!" he laughed and patted her head as she sat on the couch expectant for the Samsung TV to turn on any second. She hadn't even bothered to sort through her candy. She decided she would do so after or while the movie.

She was eager as they flipped through the many movies that were showing tonight, in celebration of Halloween. "Here," he decided, "it's not exactly scary, but it's a family movie. Sherlock?" he looked to the man curled up in his chair and he snorted.

"Really, John? We're a family?" he scoffed. "If that's the case, then families are the most dysfunctional of relationships."

"Sherlock," he leaned over the man and rubbed his back as the curls shot up.

He narrowed his eyes at John and stared to Aveen, who was just staring at him. But he said nothing as John continued, "We were a family even before we met Aveen, didn't you see that? And now look! We're engaged, and we have a daughter! I'd consider that a family," he explained.

He eyed both of them before he rolled his eyes and stood, swooping John from the floor and in his arms. John let out a, "Eep!" as he was carried to the couch and sat in Sherlock's lap. Aveen smiled and her attention was focused on the telly as Sherlock pulled John down on top of him.

They laid on the couch, their legs tangled in a way that their feet landed in Aveen's lap, but she didn't mind as she had her candy beside her. She was already digging through it as she watched the little wiener dog on the telly.

"John," Sherlock whispered as he stroked the hair at the nape of John's neck. John hummed in response, as he always does. "I love you," he whispered as he examined the gold on his finger.

"I love you too, Sherlock," John mumbled before turning his head to look to the movie. He could hear the slow but defined heartbeat of Detective Sherlock Holmes, and it pleased the Doctor John Watson…

o0o

"Sh," Sherlock whispered against John's cheek, "listen." And he did as he caught the light snores coming from their tired daughter as the credits rolled by. They both smiled as they moved from the couch, and John shook her lightly.

"Aveen," he chuckled as she opened her tired eyes. "Come on," he said, "we need to get you cleaned up and off to bed," he explained and she nodded, mumbling about her candy that Sherlock had seized and plopped on the table.

"It'll be there in the morning," Sherlock said as he ushered them back the hall to the bathroom. She didn't want to clean up, she just wanted to go to sleep. But they did manage to get the make-up and the outfit from her before she dressed in PJs, yawned, rubbing her eyes and finally fell into her bed. John kissed her forehead and she fell asleep, Sherlock brushing her hair from her face.

John smirked at the fact that before, he wouldn't have given two shits about someone who wasn't him or John, and now look what happened. You could tell he loves Aveen, as any father should. But he caught John smiling and he rolled his eyes, getting up from the edge of the bed.

"What's so funny, John?" he asked as they exited her room and John closed the door softly.

"Nothing at all," he said, still smiling. Sherlock rose one brow in a face that said, 'Really?' and John shook his head, "It's cute how much you care," he said simply before shuffling to the main room and plopping down on the couch.

He looked at his watch and it was definitely time for them to go to bed themselves. Just because John didn't have to be in tomorrow, doesn't mean he doesn't need sleep. They gave him the day off because one, he does most of the work now, and two, it was the day after Halloween, who wouldn't be tired?

And, it was a Saturday, so he didn't have to go in the day after either. And Aveen doesn't have school. They could finally have a full weekend together, even if Sherlock gets another case. John actually hoped they'd get another case, he was a bit bored just laying around the flat.

Yes, he loved the cuddles, but he wanted to get out now. To run around London after a killer that may not even be there. Plus, all he's been doing on Sundays is having Mrs. Hudson come over and 'help' him plan the wedding.

I mean, she does help, but not as much as John would like. Aveen usually just sits around watching telly and Sherlock is almost always out on a case. But when the wedding does finally roll around next year, he'll be the happiest man, so all this annoyance and boredom was well worth it. Or at least he thought so.

Sherlock said it was going to be like any other day when they were married. The love they had for each other would never increase or decrease any. John would always blush we brought up the fact that they loved each other.

He always acted as if it was just another thing, but it wasn't. He really loved Sherlock, and vice versa. But I guess that's what you get when you make a sociopath experience feelings. That made John feel special as well. Sherlock was so different when they first met. And even the next day he could notice things that were different from the day before.

I guess you could say from the moment they met, they were meant to find each other in one o two ways. Either they could be the best of friends, which they had been, or they could be the hottest couple in London, which they were. But John likes being a couple better than anything.

Sherlock's voice brought John from his thoughts, "Come, John. I'm tired, haven't slept in two days…" and he grabbed John's hand and led him back to their room. John closed the door as Sherlock stripped. Then there's that.

They've reached the part of their relationship where they could sleep naked together without anything happening. Of course, there were the nights where things did happen, but not tonight. John stripped and slipped under the covers as he cuddled into Sherlock's naked body and sighed before he fell asleep to the beating of his lover's heart.

Sherlock placed a kiss to John's forehead before snuggling closer and falling asleep himself…

o0o

John was right, Sherlock had a case, but he was awake to hear the phone call from Lestrade. And he had no idea what the case was about, but Sherlock was definitely excited. He was hopping about the room, getting dressed as he spoke, saying he was taking John as well.

"Get up!" he was grinning and threw John's trousers and pants at him. John struggled to get up as Sherlock left the room, fully dressed and John presumed getting Aveen. He looked to the clock on the night stand, and it was a decent time to be getting up, so he couldn't complain.

John slipped back into clothes as he met Sherlock and Aveen in the kitchen. Aveen was eating as Sherlock beamed and grabbed John by the shoulders. He planted a kiss on John's lips before hugging him, "It's been a while since we've been on a case together."

John chuckled, kissing him again, "Excited I can see. What is it this time?" he asked, referring to the situation of the case. Sherlock's smile split into a grin as he started to explain what he had already told Aveen…

"Yeah!" Eve cheered as she kissed Mary. "My girlfriend is a sexy college professor. I love you!" and she kissed her again.

Mary laughed as she said, "Well, I start on Monday, but yeah. What do you think they'll think about me?" she asked, referring to the students.

"They will love you," she explained and Mary embraced her lover.

"Want to know something?" Mary asked and Eve hummed against her neck. "My girlfriend is sexy no matter what she is," she said as Eve looked to her and grinned.

"If it weren't for that baby I would shag you properly," she flirted. Mary smiled.

"I know you would," she rubbed her swollen tummy. "It's too bad that a month after I start teaching I'll have to take leave for the baby."

"Don't worry, he won't get in the way of anything. I'll take care of him while you're gone," Eve assured her girlfriend. "Besides, I'm sure little Ivan won't get in the way. I love children," she smiled.

Mary smiled, "Ivan Lestate Morstan," and she ran a hand over her stomach once more. It sounded so beautiful for a boy, she didn't even know where she had gotten it. Yes, the names were of Vampires, but they were lovely, don't you think?

Eve smiled and was suddenly on her knees. She lifted Mary's shirt and placed a kiss on her tummy, "I'll love him just as much as I do you," she assured.

"I suppose that's a lot then," she carded her fingers through that lovely long hair. Eve nodded as she stood once more and kissed Mary's cheek.

"Hungry?" she asked. Mary nodded and Eve automatically had the car keys in her hand and they slipped on their shoes as they hurried out the door. Mary hated her swollen feet, but Eve had calculated it right, she was hungry.

"Holy shit! Five?!" pardon John's language. They were sitting in the cab by the time he understood what was being said to him. "Is there any connection?" he asked, knowing there probably was one.

"Not a one so far, isn't this so much more fun than staying at home and planning a wedding?" he asked as he grabbed John's hand and kissed the silver he planted there.

"It is a nice break, yes. And I'm sure Aveen thinks so as well," he leaned over to find her staring out the window. "Aveen?" they both asked and she turned to them, but she shrugged.

"I don't know, I quite liked sitting at home watching Doctor Who," she explained. "Although it is exciting to know there's someone out there who has a genius plan for those five people, because they're obviously still alive," she pointed out and Sherlock ruffled her hair.

"Yes, brilliant," he complimented and she smiled.

But John just said as they stopped, "She learned from the best," and at that Sherlock grinned as he swatted at John to move faster.

"Come on, we have five people to interview," he pushed and Aveen popped out behind him. She grabbed his hand out of habit and Sherlock accepted, knowing it didn't matter. Or at least he thought it didn't matter. John was smiling again, like he had the night before and Sherlock eyed him from a glance.

What was with him and smiling like that? Sherlock didn't know, but he wanted to find out. Then again, two cases is too much. So as they approached the daughter of the first kidnapped person, he decided he would wait on solving John Watson.

She saw Aveen's hand in his and she smiled sadly, asking if he was the Holmes everyone spoke of. When he said he was, "Oh, Mr. Holmes! Someone took my daddy, and I don't understand," she complained.

Sherlock then asked after he had deduced this one, "When exactly was he taken?" and Lestrade was over there with Donavan, trying to get the one man to calm down enough to speak

"I'm not completely sure, but I would say around eight, as I wasn't home," she takes care of her father, but he's not that old. So she's a daddy's girl.

"And why weren't you home?" John asked.

"I have a job," she said bluntly, almost as if they should have known. Sherlock knew, but John wasn't Sherlock Holmes, now was he? "But I came home at nine and he was gone. Usually he's cooking dinner for us, but he wasn't and I discovered he was gone," she let a few tears escape as Sherlock stored the information she could manage.

"You don't seem as broken some of the others," Sherlock stated.

"I believe in you," she shrugged as a few more tears fell. She was definitely sad that her father was gone, but she had faith in the consulting detective.

So Sherlock moved to the next girl who was sniveling, but she was quite a bit younger. Sherlock would say fifteen. With this one it was her sister that was missing. She could barely get anything out before breaking down again. John comforted her as she simply stared at Aveen.

It was evident that Aveen reminded her of her younger sister. "How old was she?" Aveen asked. She had to know.

"She was nine, and I left her alone for five minutes… five," she whispered and more tears. She was dedicated to her sister, almost like a mother would be. Her parents weren't around, and she was taking care of her sister. Of course, Sherlock was already seeing a pattern here.

So they then moved to the rest. There all together three women and two men. The three left that he questioned had a missing brother, a mother and another father. And all of them had been taking care of them.

The one man couldn't believe he had left his brother alone. They weren't very far in age, but his brother was his life. And the momma's boy? He could barely look at John and Sherlock without bursting into sobs. But the last woman with the other missing father was completely composed…

She hadn't let any tears go an she stated all she knew about her father and the disappearance. She was a soldier, even Aveen could see that. John saw it first and Sherlock had deduced it a Aveen noticed. Interesting, all the others had boring occupations: teacher, secretary, football coach and an accountant. But she was a soldier, and for some reason that made her interesting.

Maybe it was the fact that John was his favorite soldier and it was rubbing off on him as an interest. Not a faddish, really, but definitely an interest. With this one, she had just come home and she didn't see the exact person who took her father, but she had heard a struggle in his room.

But when she got there, he was gone and the window was open, showing his absence. Sherlock wasn't sure who was doing this, but it was evident that they were doing it to tight family members. Two close fathers, a mother, a brother and a sister. The people they cared for more than anything.

Sherlock was definitely puzzled as he spoke to Lestrade, giving him all his deductions and everything he was told. Aveen was amazed as John grinned at that look on her face. She adored her father's abilities, just as much as John did.

Even on the can ride home, she was starry eyed and staring at Sherlock as if he was God. She had never seen him so interested and solving a case like this. Now she didn't want to go to school on Monday so she could hear the result.

But she knew she had to, and she regretted it. School wasn't as exciting as Sherlock on a case like this. John agreed as he had to go back to work on Monday and he, too wanted to see the result of this. Sherlock's excitement was rubbing off on John in the sense that he enjoyed a good case like this as well. But he knew that if he skipped out on Monday people would question.

Aw! But this was so much fun...! And then John realized it really wasn't decent to be so excited about kidnappings. But… well, yeah, he should quit. It was Sherlock's job to be the sociopathic idiot excited about murder and kidnappings and anything else they ran across.

Aveen just stared out the window as they stopped and she scampered from the cab and up the stairs to flip on the telly to try to catch the next episode of Doctor Who. John could see her love of that show, but he wasn't much interested now. As he wanted to know if Sherlock had anything.

And when they walked up the stairs they heard the theme song playing, and her singing along. It was quite funny to hear those sounds coming from her. But John smiled as he sat in the kitchen chair and waited for Sherlock to show off.

"I'm sorry," he stated before plopping in the chair himself.

"For?" John asked, curious.

"I don't have anything yet. Sorry," he apologized again. John shrugged, he didn't really expect him to solve the case right away.

"Tell me what you've got so far," he said, folding his hands over Sherlock's. Sherlock's mouth twitched up at the corners and he took a deep breath.

"Well, obviously whoever took them doesn't have the family they took. And all the people they took had only one family member left, plus they were all really close to said family. And the kidnapper was abused as a child." John was confused with the last part, just because they didn't have family didn't mean they were abused.

Then he understood, and pursed his lips in thought. "Stop that," Sherlock complained. John rose a brow at him in confusion. Sherlock rolled his eyes and bent over the table, connecting their lips for a brief moment, "Quit," he said. And John understood. He smiled, so he did distract the detective, and a lot apparently.

But Sherlock himself was distracting, those curls, those lips and that mouth in general, yum. And his eyes which were currently blue, it was all breath taking. Plus, his figure. He was really skinny, but had the best ass John had seen. And it was weird, because he was a man…

Sherlock caught him staring and winked. Oh, that went straight to John's groin. He didn't even know why, but he wanted Sherlock right there, over the table. He told himself to stop thinking about it, but how could he? And then Aveen called him, "Dad!"

"Yes, dear," he said as he sat beside her on the couch.

"What is he doing?" she pointed to the screen where the man was changing.

"He's regenerating," John explained.

"That's so stupid. Why does he have to change his face? He should be dead, by the way," she huffed. But when he changed and she saw his new form, her eyed widened. She was almost drooling and John knew why. The David Tennant Doctor was always attractive. He was one of John's favorites.

He simply laughed as she continued to stare, and he got up, but Sherlock was pushing him back down to the couch. He smiled down on his doctor and sat upon his lap. "John," he mumbled against his neck.

John sighed, "Yes," he asked.

"You're distracting," he complained and whispered some very, very naughty things in John's ear. John was blushing in both places when Sherlock moved and placed little kisses along John's jaw.

"And just how do you propose we do any of those things?" he looked to Aveen, who was staring at the telly and Sherlock's lips ghosted over his ear.

"Like we do any other time. Disappear," he nibbled at John's earlobe and he could feel John getting harder. Then he thought about Aveen, "She won't know any different," he assured the soldier writhing under him.

"I'm not so sure about that," he said as he looked back to Sherlock who was grinning.

"I am. I'm also sure I want your hands all over me, " he whispered and John shivered, bringing his hands to Sherlock's hips."Besides, there's Mrs. Hudson," he said.

"Sherlock," he warned. But the detective shrugged. John sighed, he really wanted this, but Aveen would either notice they left, or she would hear things she shouldn't.

"John, if you're worried about my noises, you should hear yourself when you're under me," he teased and planted kisses all over John's face. He blushed, and Sherlock kissed him deeply and briefly. "Come on. Like I said, she won't know any different," he said.

John took one last look to Aveen, and looked at Sherlock with his pupils blown wider than he remembered. He sighed, "Maybe we should just take the shower. It'd make it easier," he explained and Sherlock knew what he was talking about.

Sherlock jumped from John and took him back the hallway. They both needed this, and Sherlock needed to clear his head. He couldn't stop thinking about John and this was, he figured, the only to get himself to stop…

"Don't you dare take that tone with me! That is, if you want to live," he grinned and laughed when she shut up and sat back down. He was at the head of the table, and they were all silent as he explained why they were here and what he was going to do with and to them

Tracy mumbled under her breath that this man was a fucking psychopath and Derek caught that. "I don't know," he whispered to her. "I kind of understand where he's coming from," he said as she eyed Derek.

Derek, Tim, Adam, Tracy and Scarlet all sat at the table with this man they had no relation to, they didn't know who he was, and they still hated him. He showed only a sliver of the evil side that had brought them here, but they were sure he was hiding the rest of it somewhere.

Scarlet was shaking in fear as he gestured for her to speak up as the rest of the group had seemed to do when Tracy brought up his insanity. But she shook her head, not saying a thing…

"Oh, that is interesting. And I assume that Sherlock hasn't fund much yet?" Mycroft asked over the phone.

"No, not much more than we did. But I'm sure he's on it now," Gregory assured his lover on the phone to his ear.

"As am I, he would never leave a case like this rest. Would you like my help as well," he offered. He never offered to help, this was new.

But, "No, it's fine. Sherlock and I have it," he assured the MI6 man once again.

Sherlock was working, just not on a case at the moment. He was far too busy with John having his hands on him as he was trying not to moan…

So yeah, I needed a new villain... What do you think so far? Reviews...?