CHAPTER 31. DUES
"John you do understand I did not plan for this night to turn out so-uh"
"Horribly?" John held an ice pack to his head.
"In my defense John, I wasn't the one to bring a date on a crime investigation."
"Are you INSANE! You! You!" John was standing now waving his ice pack at his flatmate, the same flatmate who had the nerve to look completely caught off guard and innocent. "You knew bloody well I had a date tonight and you-"
"Oh, well it was a slight miscommunication wont happen again." Sherlock cleared his throat and went to pick up his violin, "But we did solve the case, that Dimmock shows promise."
John knew from experience it was no use, he collapsed into his chair, trying to hold back a laugh. "That was a bit of a wild ride. Glad it was solved without further casualties. Forgot to tell you thanks for saving our lives."
"Well Captain, you cant believe I would leave you to fend for yourself. Although as it seemed you did have it all under control."
"Control? Those bloody bastards had a gun to my head and to Sarah's. Do you think she'll want to go out again?" John growled irritably wincing as he put the icepack back to his bruised temple.
"John, really. The woman was ill suited for you. She seemed entirely too dull it would have ended sometime, better sooner then later."
"This is Sandra Mcaffee all over again."
"Who?"
"Who!? Don't play dumb you know who I'm talking about!"
"John, despite what you believe I do not keep track of-"
"Oh shut up. I have a headache. I think I'll take some paracetamol and be off to bed."
"So early?"
"So early it's nearly three am. I'm actually for once grateful I haven't a job to go to tomorrow."
"Oh John, despite your disastrous date, I have a feeling as soon as you are cleared by that idiot child Physical Therapist of yours, Sarah will still hire you."
"You think so?"
"Truly Doctor Watson, it surprises me you have no faith in your medical skill. That woman would prove herself to be a bigger dimwit than I earlier assumed if she didn't hire you. You are a skilled physician with plenty of experience. Why you would wish for a dull job is completely baffling, you know you will be bored out of your mind and surrounded with the everyday mundane complaints of geriatric hypochondriacs and mothers suffering from munchausen, not to mention screaming children who excrete all manner of fluids from eyes, mouth and-."
"Alright, alright. I get it. Unfortunately my army pension isn't exactly covering costs so being the mere mortal of a man that I am I need the money."
"Money-" Sherlock snorted "Dull!"
"Yeah, well you wont think it so dull when the power is shut off from lack of payment. Really Sherlock you were going to turn down that arrogant bastards check for-"
"All that matters is the work John. Everything else is just background noise."
"Well first thing I'll be depositing your half of the background noise into the bank. Do you have anything you'll be needing? Nicotine patches or violin strings?"
"John it's a wonder you can concentrate on anything of actual importance with all the clutter that such irrelevant material things cause in your brain."
"Well I am but a simple man Sherlock. By the way, how long have you been in contact with Sebastian?"
"I haven't spoken to him since my last days at UNI, I was surprised that he even bothered to email me." John's sky blue eyes were watchful, Sherlock read the accusation and it almost hurt. "John-I've been clean."
"I wasn't saying you weren't clean. I was a doctor in the opiate capital of the world, I think I have a better eye for drug addiction this time around." Sherlock glanced at his friend looking defeated.
"You had colleagues become addicted." an easy deduction by the way the Doctor had suddenly tensed.
"Yeah, it was a mess but no doctor on my watch is going to be stealing medical supplies or use our medical transports to smuggle drugs out of the country. Anyway, that doesn't matter now, what matters to me right now, is that you are paid the money owed. You really shouldn't work for free Sherlock people would take advantage."
"As long as the case is interesting, money is no issue." John rolled his eyes, at the dismissive tone that his friend took.
"You haven't changed a bit. Well like I said I'll be depositing that into your account. Seeing how I still have your bank card it wont be a problem."
"Goodnight Doctor Watson."
"Goodnight Mr. Holmes. And I expect you to finish that tea and toast. You haven't eaten at all these last couple of days. Cant have my only source of income collapse in the middle of our next case."
"John really even if you didn't have me you would still have your pension." John surprised Sherlock with a snort.
"Yeah, well I have a feeling if I allowed the British Government's younger brother to fall ill, I wouldn't even have that. So now eat up! Doctor's orders!"
This brought a grin to Sherlock's face. "You know I do find humor in the fact that every time something involving Sebastian comes up I'm the one with the damn concussion and bruised face. This isnt lost on me." John pointed out as he started up the stairs to his room.
It was true the first time they had met Sebastian Wilkes was back at UNI. The last time John and Seb's paths crossed had been explosive.
Today the look on Sebs face had been priceless, when John was ushered in, the man half jumped out of his skin, and to John's credit the Doctor gave a polite smile and firm handshake. John did have impeccable manners, something even Mycroft could admire.
EARLY THAT DAY
"Sherlock when you said you needed to go to the bank I didn't think you meant THE BANK. What are we doing here?"
"A case John, a case! An old acquaintance of ours emailed me about a potential security breach he wants me to investigate. I thought you could assist seeing how you have nothing better to do but ignore your sisters drunken phone calls. And row with chip and pin machines."
"They aren't drunken, she's been sober for a few months now. And that chip and pin had it coming."
"Oh John, you are so naïve when it comes to Harry's-"
"Sherlock please I don't want to hear it. Besides she's told me more than once she's sober. I believe her. I don't have a reason not to."
"Then why aren't you returning her calls."
"I haven't told her I moved yet. I really don't want to her to worry. And besides I want to be able to report back that I've found a job and I'm back on track. I don't want my problems to bring her down. She's been doing so well." Sherlock snorted at the last part.
"John you're alive your shoulder is healing perfectly and you've found a fantastic flat in a prime London location. You are on the mend John Watson, why wouldn't that be enough to report to the selfish harpy."
"Sherlock-"
"John, I don't understand the loyalty you have towards the woman who has always put you last and herself first. "
"Not always Sherlock. You of all people should understand the complications of family."
"Actually no John I do not. That is why your loyalty confuses me. How often has Harry betrayed you? You are entirely too forgiving." Sherlock still hadn't mentioned the hospital encounter and he wasn't going to upset John with a narrative on that confrontation. Some things were best forgotten, although he could never forgive.
"Sherlock. I know you and Mycroft have had your differences-"
"John that isnt a great example to go off of. My brother and I have a unique relationship, similar to North and South Korea. Always at a stalemate expecting the other to attack first."
"Someday Sherlock you'll see it my way. Our siblings aren't faultless, but they're ours. And family is important."
"Why?"
"Sherlock, no matter what you've done Mycroft has tried to keep your best interests at heart, albeit by unusual means but he's had the best for you in mind."
"Please John my brother has no love for me he only sees an asset in my brain, he sees me as useful, I have no illusions that he wouldn't sell me out for the love of his country or maybe a big piece of chocolate cake and I know Harry would easily choose her vodka over you any day." John rolled his eyes.
"Gentleman sorry to keep you waiting-" John straightened up as a man entered into the posh office where John and Sherlock had been lead into earlier. The mans voice trailed off and he froze in front of his desk mid stride. Eyes focused nervously on John who hadnt even taken notice yet, he was straightening his coat holding a small notebook and pen ready to take notes.
"Seb-" that got John's attention. Sherlock could see his head snap up eyes narrowed, the blond was stiff now like a soldier ready to defend against attack.
"Sher-Sherlock Holmes. I didn't realize you were going to bring a guest." Sebastian Wilkes avoided the Doctor's dark look.
"Right, this is my assistant, you may remember him also from school-" He smiled taking the bankers hand, he could tell the banker hadn't forgotten John Watson.
"John Watson?" Sebastian Wilkes nervously cleared his throat offering his hand and to no surprise of Sherlock's John accepted the quick handshake.
"Actually the Captain here is just fresh out of the army so I guess it's just Doctor Watson." Sherlock happily pointed out.
"Ca-captain? How nice. I'd heard from one of the chaps from the alumni you had joined the army. It's good to see you again uh Doctor Watson."
"Likewise." John replied tightly.
"Well Sebastian do you want to tell us why you've called us here." Sherlock tried to hold back a grin as the ex addict was rubbing his jaw absentmindedly. No doubt recalling the last encounter he had with John Watson.