CHAPTER 45. IT'S ALL FINE

"John really-" Sherlock started to protest but something stopped him someone was approaching someone familiar, his eyes narrowed on the Doctor in the white lab coat.

She had her head down looking over a clipboard, but Sherlock couldn't forget the woman's face, how does one forget the Doctor who signs the paperwork for forced rehabilitation, or the Doctor who did nothing for a friend whose bones were being broken. How did John not recognize her?

"Sherlock it's not official. I just want to be sure the boy will be alright. This was a rough day for the poor kid." John patted his friend on the shoulder reassuringly.

"Doctor Watson, I thought I made it clear for you to go home." Doctor Bales pushed up her horned rimmed glasses, then she shot a glare at the DI.

"I hope the police aren't harassing you now after the night you've had."

"No, uh. Doctor Bales this is my friend Detective Inspector Greg Lestrade and of course my flatmate Sherlock Holmes. They were just checking on me." She gave a suspicious glance towards the gray haired detective offering her hand he shook it firmly, her stiff expression faltered when she came to the tall curly haired man in the dark coat. He didn't take her hand.

John could see a tantrum before it started and needed desperately to head it off, for some reason his flatmate was snubbing his boss.

"Well Doctor Bales, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Try Wednesday Doctor. No need to rush things." Her tone said not to protest.

"Go on John, I'll be right here take your time." John excused himself and hurried down the hall not wanting to leave his flatmate to his own devices for too long.

"I better find Kelly." Greg excused himself feeling a tension between the Doctor and the Detective.

"So you look good Sherlock. I see you've cleaned up."

"And I see someone was fool enough to make you a real doctor."

"Awe, well nice to know you're tongue is sharp as ever. Thought the drug use would slow you're mind."

"So what a coincidence Doctor, is my brother bribing you again? Did he have you call the clinic John was working at? Or did your sense of guilt over not being able to help him before cause you to hire him?"

"Don't pretend to know me young man." The Doctor straightened her shoulders refusing to be pushed around by a child. Because that was what she saw every time she'd met the dark haired boy. She saw a young six year old, looking around curiously with his sharp eyes, and equally sharp tongue. Distrusting of all in the medical field. Most likely because his mother had been institutionalized almost all the boy's life.

"I will not be bullied by you or your infamous brother. I hired John Watson based on his skills and ability to think on his feet. He'll be a wonderful asset to this small hospital. How dare you think other wise. I don't care what you or your brother say, I will not rescind my offer to have him full time. You two cant treat people like objects to move and throw away when you're done. Remember that. If that boy has any sense he would put as much distance between your twisted family and himself. Now if you excuse me Mr. Holmes I have some bed pans to inventory." Sherlock felt the edge of his lips start to curl in a grin. So, she did have a back bone, well good. Mycroft could be a pest and John wouldn't appreciate interference.

John stood outside the operating room, he was speaking to Child Services and Officer Kelly was signing paperwork.

"You must have some friends in pretty high places officer Kelly. I haven't seen paperwork pushed through this fast since-well since ever. Usually takes months just to get on a waiting list." John waited for the two to be finished before he spoke to the young officer.

"Officer Kelly. Just wanted to check up on the young boy."

"Yeah. Looks like I'll be able to take him home. He looks so much like Gloria's little brother, they could be twins. Same damn red hair. I haven't said anything to her yet, she's still got her hands full with our boy. But I know she'll be alright with it. Hell he'll fit right in, those damn O'Rillys with their red hair and green eyes. Looks like the boy's father will be going away for a bit."

"You're a good man Officer."

"Nah, just cant stand to see kids pushed around. I see it enough on this job. Glad I can finally do something other than cuff the abusive parent. I just don't know how he'll turn out with all this."

"Oh, I think he'll be fine." John smiled easily. "Kids are tough, anyway. Just was checking back. Please say goodbye to your wife for me. And if you need anything, anything at all don't be afraid to call. Doesn't matter what time of day." John scribbled his number down and handed it to the officer.

"Hey doc!" Tim called out, "this doesn't make us even! I still owe you one." John smiled and waved at the young man.

Despite the ache in his arm, he felt good, happy! Everything was good. It was really good.

"John." Lestrade had waited for the Doctor to finish speaking with officer Kelly before rejoining the younger man, "You better get out there. I think Sherlock's gonna get security called on him if he continues telling the front desk nurse about her failed marriage." Lestrade was shaking his head.

"Oh great." John moaned

"He just cant help it can he?" Lestrade gestured to the tall dark haired consulting detective who was now speaking in his usual clipped tones.

"Oh, no he can't you have no idea. Do you know how many times I spent in the headmaster's office trying to smooth things over." Lestrade watched the younger man's expression change into amusement.

"You two are close then? Closer than his brother?"

"I don't think those two know how to be close to each other. Mycroft has always meant well, and Sherlock has always been slow to trust. The two have always tried to change each other; it just doesn't work that way. Someday they'll get it. Oh, she's gone all blotching in the face I better get over there."

"Oh, hey Doc, how about I buy you a pint, I have a feeling you'll need it. After the night you've had."

"Alright, yeah. Let me go save my flatmate from being assaulted by a fifty year old divorced triage nurse first."

~0~

Sherlock sat uninterested at the small table in the policeman's pub. John had a half finished mug of beer in front of him, as did Lestrade both men were laughing about one of the first cases the DI had ever worked with the consulting detective. Sherlock rolled his eyes unamused, his only reason for being there was to ensure his friend didn't have one too many.

Although the DI suspected that Sherlock didn't like to share John too often. He reminded Greg of his nephew Robert, he didn't like to share his toys too often and the couple times he did and and willingly, were always few and far between.

"That sounds all good and fun Greg, but my curly haired friend here has been solving cases since he was a kid. Hey Sherlock remember that one-dammit what was that bully's name?"

"Carl Powers." Sherlock huffed.

"That was the first unsolved case Sherlock and I have ever worked. Or rather I took notes and tried to keep him from being stomped on by the police. I was 13 and Sherlock was 11. I think we made a bit of a nuisances of ourselves."

"It was my first dealings with the incompetence of the Yard."

"What?" Lestrade frowned "What happened?"

"Shoes Lestrade! Shoes!"