CHAPTER 59. Spark

John and Sherlock found Royce out giving instructions to the new Gardner. John felt uncomfortable and awkward, but Sherlock being Sherlock was always straight to the point.

"Mr. Lancstrom." John winced hearing that tone, that was the, I will deduce your life and know everything so don't try to lie to me it doesn't work, tone. Usually used on suspects and questionable victims. The young Doctor had never heard Royce's last name. For some reason the name turned and rolled around in his head, sounding familiar, although John was certain he'd never heard it before.

"Excuse me Solomon." The middle age gardener nodded and returned to clearing out overgrown shrubs.

"Please, Master Sherlock call me Royce, it's always been Royce." The older man smiled gently. John looked at the man, really looked at him, he hadn't ever really thought of Royce as more than the man who opened the doors and drove the Holmeses around. His eyes were hazel; there was a small scar that peeked out just below his hairline near his temple. One would almost think it a wrinkle from frowning or laughing, but a Doctor's eye would know better.

Royce's hands were scared at the knuckles and for a man in his 5o's his shoulders were still straight, and he wore his hair cropped short. John tuned back into the conversation.

"How long have you worked for my father?"

"He hired me on about almost thirty five years now." Royce replied easily his face still expressionless.

"You are not just the butler are you?" Sherlock knew the answer but he asked it anyway. Maybe to gage the reaction.

"I see you have been speaking to your father."

"Answer the question." Sherlock demanded. Royce just shrugged looking at both men. John wondered if he was seeing them for who they were or just two boys being called in for lunch.

"You already have the answers. Why would I waste my time." Royce was side stepping the question, his eyes shot over to John, Sherlock narrowed his eyes.

"Come along John, Mycroft will be looking for us." John wanted to protest but something in the way Sherlock was acting made him follow.

"What's that all about, I thought we would-"

"Another time John. " John ran a hand over his face, what an exhausting day, and it wasn't even five yet.

Mycroft had some questions for John and Sherlock slipped off while John went over father's charts. He pointed out where oxygen levels should be adjusted. Then moved on to suggesting a stronger painkiller. Mycroft listened with a thoughtful look, John in Doctor Mode was always impressive and every time the older Holmes was surprised by it.

The older Holmes could see that father wanted John to stay and sit a bit longer, the young Doctor agreed. Mycroft paused in the doorway momentarily, for a minute he could see a young blond boy in a cast sitting in Father's study. The boy would look uncomfortable as if searching for a means of escape, and father would only be sitting at his desk, running a sharp eye over the young man.

~0~

"So young man, my eldest son tells me you are attending school with my son. How very convenient." The older Holmes eyed the young boy in the blue and white stripped t-shirt. He took in the sight of the boy's arm in a cast, someone had drawn a pirate ship around the wrist area. He could see the boy was absolutely terrified to be in his presence but refused to show it.

"Yes sir. I won a scholarship." John replied politely. Mr. Holmes liked manners, manners were very important not too many children these days had them. Sherlock was a prime example.

"I see. And I also have noted you've spent quite a bit of time here at the house."

"Yes, yes sir." John nervously bit his lip.

"John, my youngest son is a bit of a handful. How is it you can get along with him, when not even the people I pay to watch him, can?" The younger boy avoided a shrug knowing from experience with his own father it wasn't an acceptable answer.

"Sherlock's alright sir. He's just a bit different-"

"A bit? The boy's a little sociopath-"

"He's a bit different sir." John cut the man off, defending his friend. "He means well, it's just his mind goes so fast it takes a minute for common sense to catch up."

"That's where you come in isn't John? You are that conscience that the boy so easily ignores. A bit hard to ignore you though isn't it?"

"It's not like that at all sir. He-uh Sherlock is brilliant. He just looks at things different. And sometimes he does get a little a head of himself. But he always means well and never means to hurt anyone intentionally. "

"I think you will find you are the only one of this opinion." Holmes Senior stated coolly. "I've been wanting to meet with you for some time Mr. Watson." John held his caste arm to his chest. "I wanted to see if you were respectable enough of a young man to be allowed further acquaintance with my boy." John held his breath. "For now I will allow you two to stay friends." there was a pause "How is your arm? Mycroft tells me you fell from your bike?"

"Yes,sir. I did. I'm alright thank you. I should be going. I promised Sherlock I'd help him-"

"Right, right. Mr. Watson don't get too comfortable. Sherlock is easily bored with his toys. " John didn't reply he only nervously took his leave. He passed Mycroft in the door way.

"Father did you think that was necessary?" Mycroft poured his father a glass of scotch.

"That boy is easy to read Mycroft. I don't see what your brother finds so interesting about him. He's just so average and common."

"That may be true father, but Sherlock seems to enjoy John's company."

"Almost doesn't seem fair poor little bastard. He'll be just another broken chemistry set. An experiment that lasted a short attention span. It's almost cruel."

"I don't think Sherlock will see it that way. John either." Mycroft sighed heavily sitting in the chair John had just vacated.

The older Holmes shook his head, standing at the window. He watched as two young boys were running through the garden. His youngest son was laughing, his head thrown back and eyes lit up. Even more surprising was the fact that the Watson boy had his cast arm thrown over Sherlock's shoulder and his other hand was ruffling the boys hair. For a minute the older Holmes could see his son acting as most children would, and it was terrifying as well as enjoyable. He looked so much like his mother it hurt.

And that Watson boy did genuinely care to be in Sherlock's company, there was no deception in the boy. Yes, that boy would be a suitable friend for Sherlock, and perhaps someday Sherlock will realize exactly how lucky he is to have such a loyal friend. Such people were few and far between, he had yet to meet another in his life time. He had no need for such things as friends, but he could see the use of one.

"Mycroft will call Royce for me?"

"Yes father." Mycroft hurried out of the study and Holmes senior continued to watch his son and the blonde boy weaving in an out of the trees, playing some game of tag.

"Sir you called." Royce shut the door to the study.

"Yes. Royce. I wanted an update."

"Nathan Watson went straight to the rehab clinic after we spoke with him. The boy's aunt has agreed to stay on until the man is clean."

"Good, good. You know Royce. A man should be proud to have such a son. Average sure, completely ordinary but respectable and some what intelligent. Maybe Sherlock will have some influence on the boy and he wont wear his heart out for the world to see. Sentiment is an emotion that the lower classes breed into their children. Makes them breakable."

"I can't agree with that sir. I think sentiment gives us something to fight for and live for."

"You are a sentimental fool Royce."

"Yes sir. I should say so. Perhaps sir you will change your mind." Royce sighed his eyes following the two boys just outside disappearing behind the garden wall.

"Not likely Royce not likely."

~0~

Sherlock found Royce near the garage he was washing the car.

"So you lost your little shadow?" Sherlock scowled at the older man.

"John is not my little shadow. He's an associate and a friend." Royce shrugged again, he applied more soapy water to hood of one of the black cars.