CHAPTER 51. LIKE
John was looking forward to the end of his shift, still working locum at Sarah's clinic he found the work a nice change in pace to the busy hospital. Not that he would ever give up his hours at the hospital for the slower pace of the clinic. He liked being busy, at night he was often so tired he barely made it into his nightclothes before falling into a fitful sleep. After months of inaction this was the perfect prescription, and once more he was useful. Today he was feeling more tired then usual, he hoped he wasn't coming down with anything. Sherlock would never forgive him if he brought home a cold or a flu.
"Uh, Doctor." the light voice of a blond nurse interrupted his musings.
"Yes Lilly".
"There's a gentleman here asking for you. He looks a bit roughed up. He wont let any of the other Doctor's see him. Claims you are the only one competent enough to be his Doctor. He's insisting to be seen by only you. His father apologized for him, at least he's a nice bloke." John knew exactly who she was talking about." I have a patient in exam room four waiting for you as well." John ran a hand over his face. He knew the pair she was talking about, it was funny that she assumed Greg was Sherlock's father. If only she knew the real Holmes senior.
"I'm sorry Lilly. He's my flatmate."
"Oh, no, I'm sorry." She replied with a sympathetic smile.
"Sherlock, Detective Inspector. What the hell happened?" Sherlock had a deep cut on his cheekbone and he was holding his side.
"Nothing to worry about John, except the Detective Inspector demanded we come here and be seen before I could go home." John could hear the restrain in the his friends voice, John was experienced enough to know from that alone that Sherlock was in pain, and determined not to show it.
"No, I tried to get this stubborn git to the A&E and he refused, said if he has to see a Doctor, he rather it be his Doctor."
"I'll take him to the back, sorry Detective Inspector." John nodded stiffly, as if reporting for duty.
"It's fine, I'll wait right here. Idiot. Who goes off and get's into a fist fight with pipe wielding suspect?"
"I caught him didn't I? And where were you lot-" Sherlock growled.
"Not here. Come on." John intervened not wishing more of a show, he then allowed his flatmate to lean into him, well aware of some of the glances from the clinic staff. Let them talk.
"I don't know why you chose to work here on call, you do have enough hours at the Hospital." Sherlock held back a groan as he lay back on the exam table.
"I like feeling useful, and I enjoy being a doctor." John replied.
"Tedious." Sherlock rolled his eyes, then cried out when John none so gently pressed on a bruised area around his ribs. "You're a sadist!"
"Oh, stop you're crying. I'm going to need a scan. Did you hit your head at all?"
"No, he caught me with the pipe just once before I managed to disarm him."
"Well I'll say your fighting skills haven't improved."
"Are we done here?"
John shook his head. "After the scan. Now you be nice to nurse Lilly, or no lolly afterward."
"I hate you." Sherlock growled as a nurse instructed him to get into a wheel chair.
"That patient is still in room four Doctor." Lilly reminded gently.
"Can we get this going I have things to do." Sherlock winced as the nurse wheeled the dark haired man towards the corridor.
"Don't mind him Lilly he was born without manners." She held back a giggle.
Sitting on the table in exam room four was a red haired boy with green eyes he was making faces at the dark haired four year old who tugged at the legs of his trousers.
"Ian you leave Mattie alone, stop pulling on him." Gloria looked over at her son with a stern but amused expression.
"It's alright ma'am I don't mind. He's just bored." Mathew stuck his tongue out at the boy who laughed again, returning the gesture.
John took a moment to see the genuine smile play across the boy's face as the familiar redhead reached down with his left hand and ruffled the younger child's dark hair.
John noted the cast was gone, probably a week ago. The boy looked so much healthier, his cheeks flushed from easy laughter.
Mathew wore a school uniform; his blazer sitting with Mrs. Kelly, the bruises had faded from the boys face a rounder face, looked like Mrs. Kelly had got her way.
Sherlock had enjoyed the biscuits and apple crumble Officer Kelly had brought John as a token of thanks. John had to practically twist Sherlock's arm to get him to eat, but bring some biscuits into the flat and they disappeared mysteriously within minutes.
"Mattie you don't have to call me ma'am. You can-"
"Hello." John greeted the small group. The young dark haired Ian put an arm around the older boys left leg, hugging it, pushing his face into the back of Matthew's knee.
"Ian don't be shy you remember Doctor Watson." Gloria tried to pull the younger boy from Mathew's leg, he held tight.
"It's alright. He isn't hurting anything is he Doc?" Mathew asked his hand on Ian's small shoulder.
"No, he can stand right there. What a pleasant surprise." John held back a laugh as the youngest Kelly was glaring at him suspiciously.
"I thought you worked at the hospital. If I knew we'd run into you here I would have brought you some more biscuits and maybe scones."
"You are a wonderful cook Mrs. Kelly, you boys are very lucky." Matthew looked down at his hands shyly Ian only continued to hug the older boy's leg.
"Please Doctor, call me Gloria." John held the clipboard and scanned it one more time. "And you are too kind. It's the least we can do to show our appreciation."
"Looks like we are just doing a follow up. How are you feeling Matthew."
"He's ar's you can't take him." Ian shot a hard glare at John.
"Ian Henry Kelly!" Gloria scolded, "That is no way to talk to our friend Doctor Watson."
"It's alright Gloria." John crouched down to be at eye level with the dark haired boy " Well Ian it's good to see you are feeling better how's your scar?"
"Fine. Thanks." Ian answered slowly still suspicious.
"Well I'm only here to check on Mathew's scar. He wont be going anywhere but home after this."
"Promise." Ian seemed to relax.
"Cross my heart." The boy's shoulder's loosened. "Alright. My daddy is a policeman." He warned.
"Ian." Gloria reached for him shooting the Doctor an apologetic look.
"You look like him." John smiled down at Ian.
"Do you know my daddy?" he asked.
"Yes I do. And Mathew here is a good friend as well."
"It's okay E, Doctor Watson is nice enough. And I bet if you're good and mu-uh your mum says it's fine. He'll have a lolly for you." This brightened the boy, he went to sit next to his mother.
"Alright let's take a look then." John listened to the boy's lungs and heart the usual examination, the nurse had already weighed the boy and John was right to believe Mathew had gained some weight. He was nearly at the standard. He examined the healing arm, the young boy winced as John pressed over the tender area. The scar was healing well, but he worried about the boy's bones. From recent history he'd broken it more than once.
"I want you taking it easy. No sports just yet. It's going to take you a little longer for that bone to be strong enough to handle any kind of stress. I'll send home instructions on a daily exercise I want you to do with this arm."
"Will it be alright?" Gloria was standing next to Mathew petting his head worriedly.
"He'll do just fine. As long as he follows the instructions."
"He will. Mattie is good, he always listens." Ian provided proudly.
"Unlike some people." Gloria shot her youngest a warning look. John held back a laugh.
"Alright, I'll have the nurse bring in the paperwork."
"How is everything else Mathew? You sleeping alright?" the young boy nervously glanced from Gloria to the younger boy. As if on cue Gloria said, "Mattie I'm going to take Ian to get something to drink. Do you want anything?"
"No ma'am." She kissed his head. "We'll be out in the waiting room when you're all through." John could see how Ian was about to protest.
"Oh, no you don't E go on. I'll be out." The dark haired boy allowed his mother to lead him away, shooting a worried look to the older boy.