CHAPTER 53. SHADOWS

"He's alright. I've never had a little brother before, I suppose that's what it's like.' Mathew shrugged.

John nodded he thought of Sherlock most likely giving the nurse a hard time.

"Yes, I know the feeling."

"So looks like you were placed in a good home. How are the Kelly's treating you?"

"Oh, they're nice people." Mathew replied quickly. "They're very nice-"

"Except?"

"I don't know I keep thinking he's coming back." Mathew chanced a quick look up at Doctor Watson and then back to his hands in his lap.

"He's not."

"What if he does?" Mathew kept his eyes averted, his small hands clasping and unclasping.

"Well I suppose he'll have a fairly irritable constable in his way, not to mention that little brother that has decided you aren't going anywhere."

"I-"

"Mathew." John took a deep breath. "The Kelly's are great people. They wanted to take you in. I suppose that's how you were placed. The officer must have some pull and they wouldn't place you if they didn't think so." John refused to think about his own father.

"They want to adopt me, take me on. Give me their name. She said I can call her mum when I'm ready." The boy mumbled his chin to his chest.

"That sounds great." John pulled a stool over to sit in front of the boy, the lower point allowed John to seem less intimidating, giving Mathew the height advantage.

"Yeah, but-"

"But?" John pressed gently.

"I don't know. Doesn't seem fair to them."

"How so?"

"I'm not anyone." Mathew's green eyes watery found John's blue, John winced from the honesty in them, but he refused to look away, offering the boy his own handkerchief.

"You are someone Mathew. And especially to them. And I would dare anyone say that to Mr. Ian."

"The kids pretty outspoken. He's going to be like his mum I think. You should see her when she gets started." Mathew smiled brightly then quickly adding "Oh, but never to me." The boy smiled again " But officer Kelly forgot to take his boots off and it had rained, he tracked mud all over the carpet. I thought he was for sure a gonner." John laughed imagining poor officer Kelly being reprimanded by the short redhead. "I thought the way she was talking to him he would be angry, but he just stood there apologizing like he was Ian. It was the damndest thing-I mean it was the oddest thing to see. And that Mrs. Kelly can cook. And the school I go to is nice. I have new clothes and some of the guys ask me about officer Kelly being my dad, they said it's cool he's a policeman. He picked me up once and he was wearing his uniform. I get to walk home with Ian sometimes." He was clasping his hands in his lap.

"That all sounds great."

"Yeah, but what if he comes back I don't want to leave them. But I don't want him to hurt anyone."

"Mathew. Listen he's not coming back. And even if somehow he got out he wouldn't dare go anywhere near the officers house. He's a coward Mathew. He doesn't deserve to be your family. You have the Kelly's now. It's important you keep talking to the nice therapist they've set you up with. Let them take care of you, you can be a kid." Mathew only nodded and shrugged. " I know I've always wanted a little brother."

"You were an only child?" Mathew sounded surprised.

"Naw I had an older sister, but she was always ten years older than me. Let me show you something." John pulled his own sleeve back he held out his arm and Mathew could see the thin white line of a scar, he looked at his own, they were similar.

"Did you fall too?"

"Yeah, off my bike. I didn't even have a bike." John shrugged.

"What happened?"

"I grew up, and went away to school. I spent most my time with a close friend and his family. Probably the only family I've known. Not the sanest mind you but they did alright. I never had a little brother, but I suppose that's what it's like. So don't dwell too much on the words he said. And the things he's done. He's the troubled one. You did nothing wrong. Here. Here's my number if you ever need to talk. About anything, anytime."

"Thank you Doctor Watson." Mathew wiped his nose again with the handkerchief he offered it back.

"Keep it I've got more." John patted the young boys knee.

"You're a good kid Mathew. You deserve this second chance. That and I'm kind of jealous Mrs. Kelly can cook. Now we better get going, or your little brother might come looking."

Gloria smiled brightly she put an arm out to pull the younger boy into her, Ian continued to scowl at John, he clung to Mathew's arm.

"All done." John smiled easily, but Ian didn't look fooled.

"Here you go twerp." Mathew handed a red lolly to the younger boy. Gloria was about to thank the Doctor when a very loud and very whiny baritone voice interrupted the two.

"John! Can I go now? The witch in the back claims they're not broken."

"Sherlock." John pinched the bridge of his nose. "Not until I look at your x-rays. So please wait patiently in the exam room.

"But John-" the two young boys were watching the taller man protest.

"Shut it. Get into the exam room." John excused himself apologizing

Mathew turned to see the Doctor shaking his head at the dark haired man.

He smiled briefly he knew that exasperated look. He often shot Ian the same look. It was good the Doctor had someone. Everyone deserved a family.

"Mummy can we stop at the park on the way home to feed ducks?" Ian pleaded.

"I don't know."

"Please mum it'll be fun." Matthew shyly brought his green eyes to meet Gloria's.

"Yes, boys, why not. Lets go. Dad will be home soon. So we can't be gone too long."

Leaving the clinic Gloria was unaware of being followed, and later when John was leaving from the end of his shift with Sherlock in tow, he two hadn't observed the tall blond standing near unnoticed seemingly texting when in reality he was watching the two men climb into a cab.