Sherlock stood off to the side glancing up at the garden wall behind him briefly fighting the urge to climb the stone and watch the goings on of the party.
"Don't even think about it." His friend John was at his side holding out a cup of punch. Sherlock reluctantly accepted, making a face but not wishing to argue. He was still very much in the black with John, and the doctor no doubt was enjoying his friend's compliance.
"I have no idea as to what you were referring to." Sherlock sipped the fruity foulness of the cups contents.
"Who invited her?" Sherlock growled glaring across at the gray haired older woman with the horn rimmed glasses.
"You mean Doctor Bales? What have you against her? She's been nothing but civil to you." John shook his head, "You hardly know the woman, you've met her a handful of times. I like her. I've worked with here these last few years and she's-"
"The devil? Evil? A horrible soulless-"
"Sherlock!" John cut his friend off.
"Besides Hamish likes her, he invited her. She's the one that took care of Hamish when he fell off his bike. She had him all cleaned up by the time I got there. " John paused for a moment as if trying to recall something.
Doctor Bales had been the one to see to Hamish's cuts and scrapes but she'd been quick to leave when John had arrived. He thought at first Mycroft had said something to upset her or make the older doctor nervous but she had a sad look in her eyes.
John had wanted to see if she was alright but was too preoccupied at the time with his son who of course took the whole thing as an adventure. Something about the situation had brought up a bit of déjà vu but John had easily pushed it aside. However the way his friend was scowling he wondered if he once again was missing something.
"Ah, leave it to Hamish to befriend and pity the-"
"There he is. My baby brother and his undead boyfriend." Harry Watson's voice cut Sherlock's rant short. One sniff and Sherlock knew right away that Harry had started the party early. Some things it seemed would never change, the taller man quickly made eye contact with his brother who was holding the birthday boy in his arms.
Sherlock found it interesting that his brother didn't mind lifting the short blond boy up. Not that Hamish was heavy, no far from it. He was surprisingly light and Sherlock wondered if a growing boy should eat more. He had checked Hamish's height and weight against the national average although he was a bit short for his age his height and weight were fine by that standard.
It was terrifying how easy it was to lose such a small thing as Hamish in crowd. An experience that Sherlock did not wish to repeat, it had been but a brief couple of seconds at the beach while wandering from shop to shop and he'd looked down to find Hamish wasn't standing next to him. He dreaded the idea of what John would think, and why didn't they have a sub-dermal tracker on the boy. Then before panic truly struck the consulting detective, John's son popped up. The short blond was standing by a man that pushed a trolley full of cold beverages.
Sherlock had lifted the boy up afraid to admit he had been worried, instead he allowed the child to sit on his shoulder while they cut there way through the crowd practicing at deductions.
Perhaps this is why Mycroft always held the boy, was he worried he'd lose sight of him. Their own father had never held them, hell they were lucky he even spoke to them. Even that was usually the man being cross about something or other.
Harry was swaying and John looked around worriedly, an attempt to keep his son from experiencing the humiliation of a drunken aunt. However he needn't worry from the shared glance that the two Holmes brothers had, help was on the way.
"Miss. Watson." Anthea smiled politely, though it never reached her eyes. The brunette looped her arm into the shorter blonds. "So nice to see you once more."
"Oh great it's you." Harry growled, John didn't get to say anything before the dark haired PA had Harry safely whisked away from the party handing her over to two men dressed as British naval officers right out of the 1700's with their blue jackets and gold buttons.
Doctor Bales happened to be on her way to greet John when the blond stopped suddenly eyes narrowed. "You haven't aged well." The blond snapped irritably.
"Miss Watson I see your tongue is as sharp as ever. Your father would be so proud." Doctor Bales hadn't meant to say it, but the sudden palling of the younger woman and wince from those words were enough to shut the drunk up.
John had wanted to apologize for his sister's rude remark but when he realized Harry had never met Doctor Bales he frowned. Then catching the Doctor's quick reply had John at a loss for words. When had the two women met? And why couldn't he think of a time or recall such an event? Both were after all very strong willed ladies, it would have been an explosive event. Then again the doctor had known just where to hit with her rebuff.
"Doctor Bales." Mycroft started over taking in the exchange, Hamish was already running across the lawn towards the giant inflatable pirate ship, the children inside where jumping around and laughing. "So glad you could make it. There is punch and a place for your gift at the table just over there. Let me escort you."
Mycroft didn't allow the woman to object and Sherlock was already pulling John towards the punch table. "I need more punch and so do you."
"Sherlock?" John forgot what he was going to ask instead he took the paper cup forced into his hands by his odd behaving friend.
"John. Look we better get to the dessert table before Mycroft."
"Sherlock. That's not funny." John shook his head.
"I wasn't joking John. I never joke when it comes to pies and Mycroft."
"Sherlock." John warned.
"Doctor Watson!" a young dark haired boy came running up to the doctor and his friend. Sherlock wondered who the child was; he was too old to be in Hamish's class, although the boy did make a variety of friends. He was much like John in that aspect, it didn't matter the age or grade Hamish got along with anybody.
How old was this boy? He was tall and he did look familiar, where had Sherlock seen the boy before?
"Ian! You my boy are getting taller and taller."
"Yeah? I hope so. I have to catch up to Matty. Mum brought pies. I told her that Mycroft was loaded enough to take care of-"
"Oi!" A tall red headed young man dressed in a black t-shirt and jeans smacked his brother on the back of the head. "Manners. Swear if mum heard you taking like that."
"Oh. Sorry. Its true." Ian ducked his head and jumped out of his brother's reach. He stuck his tongue out, "Anyway Doctor Watson have you seen Hamish I wanted to see his costume he was really excited about it."
"He headed off in the direction of the pirate ship." John motioned towards the giant inflatable ship.
"Thanks!" Ian was rushing off without another word.
"Sorry about that." Matt shook his head then he offered a polite smile towards Sherlock "It's good to see you again Mr. Holmes. Dad said you're back to putting criminals away."
Sherlock took the offered hand, "Oh sorry." The young man? Boy? Blushed, stiffening his shoulders "You probably don't remember me. Uh, we've met before and then just a few months back-"
"Of course Mathew Kelly. I never forget a face. Although I do remember you being shorter." This had the red haired teen laughing.
"Well if it helps I remember you being taller. "
"Yes. Mathew I never did get to thank you properly. Saved my life."
"Yeah, mum grounded me for two weeks but dad brought it down a week."
"Well not that I encourage reckless behavior we would like to thank you. Right Sherlock?"
The taller man smiled warmly "Yes. Indeed. I am in your debt."
Mathew ducked his head now, his face burning red, "Just returning the favor."
Sherlock frowned briefly before placing an arm around the teen's shoulders. "You must clear something up for me Mr. Kelly." Sherlock started to lead the younger man towards the dessert table John just shook his head knowing what Sherlock was going to ask. He could already hear the start of the first question.
"How did you know it was Moran? What was it that made you suspicious?"
John could see Lestrade and Molly sitting at a round table made to look like a pub's table. Really Mycroft had hired the best party planner everything looked authentic well except for the paper plates and cups. John had stepped in there, thinking it a waste of money and insisted on the recycled ones not wishing anything to broken and something more for Mycroft to pay for. He had agreed to a small get together but should have realized it would be anything but.
He stood happily watching children running back and forth, the jugglers dressed as gypsy's and highwaymen. There was a sword fight between the Royal Navy and a pirate.
John wondered briefly if the older Mr. Holmes was rolling over in his grave. He glanced up at the window to the man's study. Sighing he decided to take a seat with Lestrade and Molly seeing how constable Clarke and his wife had taken a seat at the table. Mrs. Clarke was smiling holding the newest addition to their family wrapped in a pink blanket.
Two young pirates caught John's eye, the two boys shot away from the crowd he smiled realizing that Hamish and Tommy were probably on their way to find a treasure. John shook his head; he pretended to not have seen Sherlock give Hamish the old folded map that Captain Sigerson and his first mate had made years ago to bury their greatest of their treasures.
John knew what the old trunk contained; he could only imagine Hamish and Tommy's reaction to the contents.
~0~
"The map says here." Tommy was pointing to the tree at the edge of the garden; the two boys could hear the music playing and the laughter from the jumping castle just at the opposite end of the property.
"There's a bush." Hamish pointed out doubtful and Tommy glanced back at the map. "Well look at the wall behind the shrub." Tommy smiled kneeling down "There's an X" he removed his pirate hat and eye patch Hamish did the same removing his gray jacket and rolled the sleeves of his red 'slops' uniform shirt up. He glanced at his first mate that did the same.
The two boys set to work digging behind the shrubs it didn't take long to find what they had been digging for and there just like the map said was a trunk filled with forgotten wealth.
Things that only those who buried it and maybe someone just as worthy would find to be treasure.
Tommy found two wooden swords, an old silk tie with burned edges placed in a glass jar, marked experiment number 62. There were other things, a model airplane and remote control. Several books well loved by the owners, Treasure Island was sitting on the very top. There was candy dish with peppermints still in it. Hamish frowned thinking it looked like the same one that sat in uncle Mycroft's office and uncle Myc did love peppermints.
"Woah! Look!" Tommy had found a jar with a perfectly preserved frog skeleton. He gently held it up for his friend to see.
"There's a lot of co-cool stuff in here!" Tommy's stutter was only noticeable when he was excited. Hamish knew that was part of the reason that Tommy hardly spoke around other people. He didn't care, Tommy was smart and fun to be around. And anyone that could play the trumpet was marked awesome in Hamish's book.
"Right, we cant risk bringing it out now. Better wait for the crowd to die down. Let's rebury and return later after the party."
"Aye Captain." Tommy saluted gently placing the treasures back in the chest. "Do you think the plane will still work?" The younger boy looked at the plane hungrily, before lifting a piece of what looked like an old cast. There was a pirate ship drawn on the broken piece, Hamish could make out a shark floating the waters.
"Maybe, but if not I think I know just the man who can fix it. "
"Ah." Tommy nodded smiling "Yes. Discretion is the thing. I trust he knows this?"
"Of course my dear Thomas. Of course." Hamish grinned they were always playing at being pirates it's just this time it felt a bit more real with a map and a treasure.
After the party Tommy had stayed the night, and John checked in on the two boys, they were reading over a book that John recognized instantly.
"Not too late boys."
"Yes dad."
"Yes, sir." The two replied without looking up. John could hear Tommy reading to Hamish and it didn't escape him that Sherlock had given Hamish his old room.