Chapter 5. FAMILY
Mycroft Holmes was a man of patience, although he had little patience for error, idiots, and miscommunication. He already fired several people today, and it looked like he would be demoting another three. Mycroft Holmes did not suffer fools. Standing in the hall of Queen Elizabeth Hospital he was speaking sharply into his mobile.
It seemed that it hadn't been a Captain John H. Watson that was shot and killed, it was a Josh H. Wilson and John H. Watson had been injured trying to pull the younger soldier to safety a sniper caught him through the shoulder, the bullet tore through muscle and nerves and into the heart of the young man the Doctor was trying to help. He was stabilized at the nearest army hospital and then shipped home. Captain Watson was there three days, three days the same day Mycroft had learned of the doctor's supposed "death" only to be informed hours later the young Captain was in fact, alive.
When he told his brother, Sherlock hadn't thrown his usual tantrums, just grabbed his coat and scarf following Mycroft to the awaiting car.
Upon arrival both brothers learned of the young Doctors condition, he had nerve damage they wouldn't know the extent until he woke up, he lost a lot of blood and went into hypovolemic shock. After several blood transfusions he was battling a fever due to infection. The doctors weren't to optimistic; the strain on the army doctor's heart may be too taxing. How cruel to learn John was alive only to discover he may just not survive the night. Both Holmes brothers remained in the hospital awaiting news and any little update.
~0~
"Why are you here?" Harry stormed in, Sherlock looked over the blond women, she had the same color of sky blue eyes that John did, but cold, bloodshot and angry. John's eyes had always been warm and patient; the sister was a few inches taller than John but nowhere near Sherlock or Mycroft's height. She too aged over the last five years, her lifestyle probably contributing to that. Sherlock had never liked Harry but for John he always tried to be civil, today was no exception.
Still, the younger Holmes brother couldn't explain why Harry's sudden arrival, angered him. Perhaps it was the sour reek of the pub, cigarette smoke and liquor. Sherlock deduced easily it had been a few hours between drinks for the older Watson, her face was showing the strain and her hands had a faint tremor.
"Please Miss. Watson, this is a hospital." The nurse looked nervously towards Mycroft and then Sherlock.
"They aren't family I want them gone." The thin blond woman scowled pointing a trembling finger in the direction of Sherlock and his brother.
"Miss Watson, Mr. Holmes has been very generous with your brothers-"
"Oh. I see. So you are trying to satisfy your own guilt. Well where the hell were you lot when he was signing his life away? Did you see that this injury will prevent his continuing as an army doctor even as a surgeon? What a wonderful thank you from the government." She pulled her arm free of the nurses gently hold. "I wont be calmed." She fumed "He has nothing. You saw to that. I told him, I warned him that getting involved with you lot was dangerous. I was just thinking for his heart. He's not like us, the rest of the world. He thinks people are worth saving. " She looked back to the hospital bed, tubes and monitors and bandages, he looked so small and broken. This was too much, but she'd be sure that when he woke up these two weren't around. She'd try to help, as much as she could, he wouldn't blame her or them, always known that John couldn't hold a grudge longer than a minute. But she sure as hell could and she would for the both of them.
"Perhaps we should leave Miss. Watson with her brother for a few minutes." Mycroft sighed looking at his own brother who stood still as stone, his eyes on the unconscious ex soldier. Mycroft wondered if the woman's harsh words had penetrated his brothers many defenses. "Go." She growled moving over to the occupied hospital cot. "Please Just go both of you. Can't you understand how much it will kill him seeing you two?" It was a plea, Mycroft glanced at the young doctor and remembered their last parting words, hadn't he asked the same.
Mycroft lead his brother Sherlock out of the room, both men mechanically taking their leave.
The dark haired detective received a call later from the hospital it was John's sister, he wondered how she had his number but tried to be civil all the same.
"He woke up." She sighed, a tremor in her voice. "I-he doesn't want to see you or your brother. Any of you. We don't want your charity. He's a proud man my brother. You know that. As soon as he's able they will transfer him. He wants to leave but has physical therapy to look forward to. I meant what I said. Just leave him in peace. He-he isn't the same man he was when he left. You should know that. So please respect his wishes and just stay away. It's for the best. Besides we don't need anyone. I am all the family he needs. " Her voice steady but stern, she hung up without a pause. Sherlock sighed. Well his friend was alive, in pain, but he had his sister he wasn't alone.
"Harry who were you arguing with? Not Clara I hope." John's voice came out as a raspy whisper.
"Always Clara John, the divorce is final. So as I was saying you should come stay with me-just until you're on your feet again." The blond man shook his head.
"I'll be fine, they've made arrangements for me-"
"Invalid veterans home-John. I can help you." she stood her hands clutching her mobile, the tremors were becoming more noticeable, luckily her brother was still flying on pain meds. Harry hated hospitals, they brought back memories of years she attempted to drink away. These last couple of days here affected her more than she anticipated. She would go, but first she made sure that those two Holmes assholes weren't going anywhere near her little brother. He was strong, he could get through this without any interference being a big boy now he wouldn't need her there to hold his hand.
"I wont put you out Harry besides I'll be out in no time find a nice Job I mean I was a –I am a Doctor."