I was in a couple of really abusive relationships before I met my husband so I'm mostly using my own experience to write this so sorry if it seems off to anyone. I actually wrote this while watching the Jeremy Kyle show (it is a British show like Maury and Steve Wilkos) lol.
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Sherlock didn't know what he was going to say to John as he walked into the hospital. How does someone tell their partner that their two young kids have been kidnapped? He'd never been on that side of the fence.
The nurse at the desk told him that John was asleep and they would release him as soon as he was awake. The great detective was scared of what his husband reaction would be. Would John blame him? After all wasn't he supposed to be perfect? How did he let this get past him?
Sherlock opened the door and saw John sleeping in the bed. The sight of John was almost too much for him. He wasn't wearing the sling but his wrist was in the brace. It killed him to know he had done that to him. He'd put his own husband in the hospital.
The good doctor rolled over and opened his eyes. He had a relieved look on his face when he saw Sherlock.
"What's going on?" John asked. "Why haven't you answered me text? Where are the kids?"
John had been so worried. Sherlock hadn't answered his text. He had even tried to call him but had got no answer. He knew something was wrong. Part of him was worried Sherlock had done something stupid. They just had this big fight and now he couldn't get hold of him.
"They've been kidnapped John," Sherlock explained. "I woke up this morning and they were gone. Their beds were empty. I have no idea where they are. I'm so lost."
John quickly sat up. He winced at the sudden motion. A wave of pain ripped through him. John couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"I'm so sorry," Sherlock as he began to pace across the room. "I should have been watching them better."
"You let someone take the kids?" John snapped looking at Sherlock. He just couldn't believe his ears. "I find it hard to believe that the great Sherlock just let someone walk in off the street and leave with the kids."
"John I-," he started but he was cut off.
"For God's sake Sherlock!" John yelled. "Where you bloody well high?"
Sherlock couldn't blame for acting the way he was. He couldn't believe he let it happen either. John quickly saw he had crossed a line.
"I'm so sorry. You aren't a bad parent because the kids got kidnapped," John said looking down at her hands. "You aren't perfect and I can't expect you to be."
"Do you really believe that?" Sherlock asked walking over to his husband.
Sherlock sat down next to her husband. John was truly unable to really comprehend what was going on. His children were gone and he might never see them again.
"We will find them," Sherlock said kissing John on the head.
He winced when John jerked away at the sudden touch. John had made up his mind to forgive Sherlock but part of him was still afraid of getting hit again. Whenever his hands came near him he got nervous. That hurt him more than anything. He knew it must have upset Sherlock as well.
"Are the police at our house?" John asked trying to cover up his quick move.
"Yes," Sherlock said pulling away from him. "They're checking the house."
"I want to go," John said getting up. "I need to be there."
"John wait," Sherlock said touching his arm gently. "I don't think this is as simple as some one that didn't like me deciding to take the kids. Isabell was acting funny last night and I think it had something to do with it."
"Acting funny?" he asked sitting back down. "What happened?"
"She asked me about her real parents," Sherlock explained. "She wanted to know why they didn't love her. She wanted to know why they gave her up."
"What did you tell her?" John asked in a soft voice.
"I just told her that I was sure her parents did love her," Sherlock explained. "I tried to tell her that maybe they weren't ready for kids."
"Something has been really bothering you," the doctor said. "Is it Isabell? I know that you said it wouldn't bother you but...Sherlock I can understand."
"You don't understand!" Sherlock yelled. "You can't understand."
John was taken back as Sherlock yelled at him. Why was he taking his rage out on him. He knew he had yelled at Sherlock just a few minutes ago so he couldn't blame him. It was just back and forth.
"God John," he said. "I'm so sorry. Please don't take it personal."
John didn't know what to say. He was a man who had sent people killed. He'd been through war. Yet, he felt like a scared teenage boy. He didn't want to feel afraid of him. He yelled at Sherlock sometimes but John didn't think he could be as scary as Sherlock could be. John put out his hand and touched his husband's shoulder gently. They both needed help.
"We're meeting the police at Scotland yard. We have some paperwork to fill out. John," Sherlock said in a soft voice. "Are we OK?"
"I won't lie Sherlock," the doctor admitted. "I am a bit afraid of you touching me but I think it will go away in time."
"I am so sorry John," he said. "I don't want you to be afraid of me. Not you. I don't want you or the kids to ever be afraid of me."
"We'll talk about this later," John said. "We need to find the kids. I doubt the police will be able to find them. This is somebody really smart to get past you."
"The kidnapper left a note," Sherlock said pulling the paper out of his pocket. "It says that I have to do something and then I can get the kids back."
"Do something?" John asked taking the paper. "But it doesn't say what?"
"No," Sherlock said. "But don't worry. We'll figure it out. I promise you. We will get the kids back. I won't stop until we find them."
When they arrived at Scotland yard everything was frantic. Word had already leaked to the press and reporters were outside. John and Sherlock did their best not to look at anyone as they made their way inside. The last thing that they wanted was to talk to the damn press.
Lestrade was already there sitting at his desk. He was looking over a pile of paperwork.
"Find anything?" Sherlock asked closing the door behind them.
"No signs of a struggle at all," Lestrade said. "It seems like they just got up and walked out with them. Clothes and toys seemed to be missing. Perhaps they knew them."
"I'm pretty sure they did," Sherlock said sitting down. "I was too mixed up this morning to really check the place over."
"No," Lestrade said. "It didn't seem like the kitchen or the sitting room had been touched. I did notice that I couldn't find Isabell's hearing aid kit. I remember you used to keep it in the kitchen but I didn't see it. I thought that was a bit strange. Did someone move it?"
"Isabell's hearing aid kit is gone?" Sherlock asked shaking his head. "Whoever took the kids knew them. They knew she wore one. Not a lot of people knew that."
"Oh my god," John said dropping into the other seat. "This is getting crazy."
"So are we looking for a friend or a relative?" Lestrade asked writing something down on the paper. "Anyone got something against you?"
"I don't know," Sherlock said. "I know I've pissed off a lot of people but nothing lately.
"Well we have a room for you two to stay in while this is going on," Greg said. "A small kitchen, bed, and your own bathroom. Your mother is here as well. I saw her in the lunch room. I tried to call your father but...well...he didn't have much to say."
Sherlock nodded without a word. His father had taken care of him when he was young but as soon as he was old enough to take care of himself the communication stopped.
"I'm going to go see Aaliyah," John said getting up. "I can't fill out anything out with my arm. Um...if you need help with any of it text me."
John got up and walked out. Lestrade frowned looking at Sherlock. He handed Sherlock a clipboard with some papers on it.
"How is he?" Greg questioned.
"Fine," Sherlock said as he began to fill it out. "He is pretty sore but doing good."
"I hope you are learning something from this," Lestrade said. "John is a good man and he deserves a good family. Those kids deserve a good home too."
Sherlock didn't say anything as he filled out Isabell's height and weight. He knew everyone knew. He was having a hard time looking the detective inspector in the eye.
"Anyone who takes children is a sicko," Aaliyah said pushing money into the snack machine. "Those babies are helpless."
She stuffed the candy bar that came out into her purse. She didn't really feel like eating but she knew she would later.
"I know, " John said not looking her in the eye. "I wish I had been there. Maybe it wouldn't have happened."
"Aw John you poor thing," Aaliyah said wrapping an arm around him. "You look terrible. I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner. I was just getting home from Pairs. I didn't hear about you being in the hospital until this morning. Don't you worry. Sherlock will find the kids. I think they would have left with them even if you had been there."
Aaliyah stole a quick glance at John's wrist and shoulder. She took a deep breath.
"You tripped?" Aaliyah asked in a confused voice. "The way Lestrade talked it was just a couple of nicks. You look like you got beaten around."
John gave his mother in law a long hard look. He felt an urge to tell her the truth. He had always felt like he could trust her. She was looking at him with her big blue eyes. She looked like she was on the verge of tears. John had been able to lie to everyone else but he didn't think he could lie to her.
Yet, he had told Sherlock he wouldn't tell. What the hell was he supposed to do now?
John quickly looked around the room. He half hoped someone else would walk into the room so he wouldn't have to answer her.
"Please just tell me," Aaliyah said. "I have to know if he did this."
"I can't," John said sitting down at one of the tables. "Please don't make me."
"It's OK," Aaliyah said putting a hand on his good shoulder. "I've been there darling. Sooner or later one of you won't be able to hold it in any longer. I don't care what you did or said to him. Nothing gave Sherlock the right to do it."
"Can you get me some water?" John asked digging his bottle of pain killers out of his pocket. "I'm really hurting."
Aaliyah filled a cup of water up and sat it down in front of John. She knew better than to press John for the answers. He would tell her when the time was right.
John put the pills in his mouth and swallowed them down with the water.
"Do you want me to stay?" Aaliyah asked tapping the table. "I promise I won't try to get you to say anything you don't want to."
"OK," John said nodding. "I don't want to be alone."
Aaliyah sat down across from him and gave him a small smile. John was such a good man. He deserved a good life. She looked up to see Sherlock walk into the room.
"I didn't know how tall Izzy is," Sherlock said.
John knew that was an excuse. He wanted to see what John and Aaliyah were up to. That bothered John a bit.
"Three and a half feet tall," John answered right away.
He knew he that answer right away because he had measured her for school uniform a week before. Sherlock had been standing right next to him the whole time.
"Thanks," Sherlock said quickly writing down the number. "Hello mother."
"Hello Sherlock," his mother said not turning her head to look at him. "After your done with the paper work would you mind getting this man something to eat. He looks very pale."
"Of course," the consulting detective said looking at his husband. "What would you like?"
"Um..." John said. "Thai would be nice."
Sherlock simply nodded before walking out of the room. Aaliyah touched John's hand gently. John sighed shaking his head.
When Sherlock first hit him he thought he would be able to forgive him and move on. Yet he wasn't sure he was going to be able to work things out with Sherlock. Every time someone questioned him about the damage done to him John began to see the state of his relationship. Perhaps they were on their way to a divorce. Perhaps there was no fixing it.
Isabell yawned as she woke up. She knew it was late. She was normally awake at the latest at seven. A glance at the alarm clock told her it was nearly nine. She picked up her hearing aid and slipped it on.
She could hear voices down stairs. When she heard raised voices she started to take her hearing aid out again. If her parents were fighting again she didn't want to hear it. Quickly she remembered she wasn't in her own house. That couldn't be her parents talking.
The young girl got out of the bed and walked down a short flight of stairs. She could hear her Uncle Mycroft's voice.
"Don't worry Irene," Mycroft said. "Everything will be alright. It is all working out to plan."
"I don't know if this is right," Irene said. "I don't think it is a good idea to drag these kids into this."
"You owe me one," Mycroft said with a chuckle. "Don't worry. The kids will be find. Isabell is a smart girl. She knows she is safe. I'd never put her anywhere she could get hurt. I doubt Wisteria will even she remember this when she is older. Sherlock is having issues right now and he just needs to remember the good things he has in life."
"You didn't even tell me what his problem is," Adler said. "I don't even know what is going on. Don't I have a right to know?"
"It has to do with your old boss," Her Uncle said.
"Moriarty?" she asked. "What does it have to do with him?"
The voices got weak and she couldn't hear them anymore. Moriarty? Who was that? She could hear her sister start to cry.
The four year old followed her cry into a living room. Wisteria gave a long sob. Adler was sitting on a couch with the child. Wisteria was looking at a book with her. She was trying to calm the young child down.
"Don't cry," Isabell said sitting down with her sister. "I'm here."
Wisteria smiled at the sight of her sister. She curled up against her and stopped crying. Despite the fact Wisteria hadn't been with them long the two of them had an almost instant bond. Isabell could usually get her to stop crying.
"Good morning," Irene said getting up from the couch. "Are you hungry Izzy?"
"Sorta," she said. "What do you have?"
"Lucky Charms," Irene said. "I heard the was your favorite. I'll bring you a bowl and you can watch telly."
"Pappa," Wisteria said in a small voice.
"We'll be home soon," Isabell said looking at the book. "I'm not going to leave you. Want me to try and read it to you?"
The child only nodded. Isabell knew most of the periodic table by speech. If you told her a sign she could give the full name but she couldn't read much.
"Spot...the dog," she said slowly. "Um...run Spot."
Wisteria smiled and dried her eyes. She pointed at the picture of the dog.
"That's Spot," Isabell said. "He's a dog. Dogs bark. Daddy says they go bow wow."
Irene walked in and set a bowl of cereal down on the coffee table.
"I'll read it to her," Irene said taking the book.
Isabell started eating the cereal as Irene started to read the story. Wisteria seemed to be in a better mood. Izzy turned on telly and flicked through for cartoons.
She glanced up at Irene. She wanted to ask her about this stranger. Her Uncle had told her that if her and her sister were taken her parents would make up. They would miss them so much they would realize what really mattered. He hadn't mentioned anyone named Moriarty.
Strange though. Isabell felt as if she had heard the name before.
She needed to talk to her parents. Irene and Uncle Mycroft said that she wouldn't be allowed to call them. That wasn't going to work. She needed to talk to them. She would do it first chance she got.