THE THINGS WE DON'T DELETE

by marylouleach

AU fic. I know it's been done before but i wanted to try it out. Here's a look at Sherlock and John's relationship if they had met as kids and the trials they faced on the way to becoming the men they are today. After a falling out Sherlock pushed John out of his life but now John would need him more than ever. Sherlock hopes it's just not too late. Sorry no slash.

10. Chapter 10 FEES

CHAPTER 10. FEES

"Let me get this right, you want to pay me to hangout with Sherlock?"

"Well, more like compensate you."

"No."

"I haven't even named a figure-"

"I'm not interested."

"Well you become very loyal very fast."

"You can't buy people Mycroft. I'll hang out with Sherlock because he's my friend. I'll admit he can be a bit high strung-" Mycroft snorted at that, John ignored it and continued, "like I said he can be a bit high strung but he's my friend. I have to go." He had shocked Mycroft, who thought surely this kid wasn't going to stick around longer than another day, let alone two weeks into summer.

Mycroft had already managed to concentrate on other matters related to school, he even sent off his admission letters, for a government internship weeks earlier than anticipated. It was only fitting to try and keep this John Watson around as long as possible, and the only way Mycroft knew how to accomplish such a feat was good old fashion bribery. He hadn't anticipated this reaction though, it confused and irritated him all at the same time.

When father found out about Sherlock's new playmate, Mycroft convinced him easily the upside to the situation, it wasn't as difficult to convince father that having a constant companion for Sherlock benefited all involved. Mummy was staying in her room more and more, Mycroft had a feeling father would be sending her back to the hospital, so she could recover from these manic episodes in more private settings. Although mummy stayed in her room heavily medicated, the older Holmes knew that his baby brother was greatly affected when she wasn't home. He got up to his worst mischief during these times, something Mycroft had no intention reliving, seeing how it was always up to him to find a new replacement nanny and house staff. That is where John Watson came in, he was the perfect distraction for Sherlock and so far he'd seemed to be some what of a good influence, seeing how Sherlock had yet to drive away the new maid, his nanny, and any of the kitchen staff.

"John." Mycroft halted the shorter boy, "Don't treat me like he does. I'm not your enemy. I'm just concerned about him, constantly. And you're going to have to eventually choose whose side you're on in this childish little war between my brother and I."

It was Mycroft to make his exit leaving a confused John to stand under the shade of the oak tree, watching the taller Holmes' departure.

"Your brother is something." John plopped down shaking his head.

"Did he offer you money?" Sherlock was putting some bees into a jar, another experiment.

"Yes."

"Did you take it?" Sherlock asked in his usual bored tone, John examined his friends face, if he didn't know the kid he'd think that the question meant nothing but John understood there was more to it than that.

"No."

"Pity, next time take it and we'll split it." Both boys were laughing now. "Mycroft always tries to buy me friends. I don't need any. I've just got one." John handed Sherlock the newest library book.

"As requested sir, don't get this one wet…I had to use Harry's hair dryer just to make sure the pages weren't ruined."

"Interesting idea for an experiment-"

"Oh, no. Not on a library book. Its me who gets fined. Maybe I should have said yes. It would cover my library fees." John leaned back against the garden wall. "So what are we up to today?"

"Oh, I thought we'd go on a covert mission."

"Covert?"

"Yes. Did you bring the super glue?"

"Um, yeah. But I was going to ask you about that, what exactly do you need it for? Are we building a model plane? Or something?"

"Oh John! You are truly a conductor of light! You just gave me another idea, but first we are going to put glue on all the handles of Mycroft's umbrellas, so when he reaches for it his hand is stuck! It's genius! My arch enemy would never see it coming. It's BRILLIANT!"

"Sherlock-your brother would murder us both."

"IF he caught us."

" And I almost expected an evil scientist laugh. And when did Mycroft become your arch enemy?"

"Since conception."

" I'm not even going to ask. And I wouldn't doubt you would get away with your little plan, but it would be me he'd find! He knows where I live, he'd probably have me kidnapped on the way home and murdered somewhere in the woods or some abandoned warehouse."

"I see your point Mycroft is quiet over dramatic in anything he does. Well, then on to another idea. Come along John, could be dangerous."