June 18th, 2005
Jim's POV
He was very happy when Sherlock demanded an explanation. It is not much, but it was the first communication that involved words from the younger man. For some reason it sends a thrill of accomplishment through him, even though he really hadn't done anything. Should he have explained what he did and how he became an agent? Probably not. That didn't stop him however. Despite the fact they had only known each other a few days, he has already discovered a fondness for the young genius.
It is with that fondness in mind that he hopes Sherlock will be able to come into his own. After all, Sherlock is not the first genius he has seen brought low by family and situations, the others happened to end up dead, or so broken they had a hard time making it day to day. So he will do whatever he must to encourage the younger man, to help him get past his trauma.
-Psychopath,- he remarks as they stop a few minutes later while the doctor deals with a few more homeless people.
-What?- the younger man asks in confusion.
-You wanted to know if I was normal or not. I am a psychopath.- he replies.
Sherlock blinks at him in shock, as if surprised that he admitted something most people would keep private.
-I'm an excellent mimic, few people realize there is something off, but there you have it. You noticed within the first few hours despite the fact your mind keeps trying to play tricks on you,- he remarks calmly, one eye watching the doctor as he speaks with a very dirty person with a bad cough.
When the doctor is done, they continue moving and he is startled by the fact they stop at a pizza place for tea time.
Motioning them inside the building, the blonde glances between them, lips curving in a smile and breaking out in a low chuckle. -The owner was one of my first patients, he insists I stop by during my rounds or he will come track me down to give me tea.-
His eyes sweep over the smaller man, finding all the details not mentioned and smiling slightly like a cat in the cream. This doctor is probably going to be great for his charge because he seems to be a walking, breathing contradiction.
As they move through the room, a lot of people greet the blonde with a nod and smile, some even give limited sign that John replies to smoothly, movements and actions familiar as if he has done this plenty of times but he knows just from studying John that he really hasn't. The doctor is just that friendly and open with those he considers under his care but keeps his private life separate. Completely separate actually.
Hmmmm. Well that could be an issue with getting them together. No matter. Step one is a functioning Sherlock who is comfortable in his skin. Whether that includes verbal communication or not is yet to be seen. Something tells him the younger man is like him, able to go days without saying a word but when he wants someone to talk to, he wants that person to actually listen to him. The situation that his ward is currently in makes him quite certain the problem is simple: the younger man lacks the ego and self-worth due to years of being ignored or not good enough.
Tilting his head, he smoothes his facial expression out as he wonders why he feels a connection to someone who should be a job. Possibly because a small part of him used to want someone to do that for him, had things gone differently he would have either become a criminal mastermind or dead at this point.
Internally shaking his head, he returns to the situation they are in, lips quirking in a playful smirk as his charge narrows his eyes.
-I'm behaving,- he comments just as playfully, enjoying the fact the teenager is engaged even a little.
Really, this shouldn't be too hard, he thinks as he settles into a booth, back against the wall, eyes sweeping the room as the doctor and his charge sit chairs on the other side. Who puts booths and chairs together? It's a rather odd combo. Of course this entire place is a bit . . . American, he decides as he takes in the décor and people with more detail than his original glance.
-Doctor John!- a tall balding man, once a soldier, injured in combat and sent home. Stubborn, a nurse, had worked for the doctor for a time but decided he wanted a change in careers after losing most of his hearing. Married to a fellow military nurse, no wait, she's more than that but he doesn't care. They met at the clinic.
-Hello Bill,- John greets the tall man, -This is Sherlock and Jim.-
Jade green eyes turn to them, glancing over both with practiced ease of someone from that sort of background. –Friends I hope?-
Smiling slightly, the doctor nods in agreement, -That is the hope.-
-Perfect, I'll bring a pot of tea and the fixings, pick something to eat,- Bill states, leaving before they have a chance to say anything else.
Turning to Sherlock, he signs, -Another challenge for you, if you wish to try.-
Defiance flares for a moment before the teenager nods and jerks a hand at him to continue.
-Try to remember as many details about everyone we encounter at the stops. When we return to the house I will randomly write down either a name, situation, or description and you can write out or sign the answers.- he states, trying to think of things that will challenge the younger man and allow him to focus on something other than his emotions.
Biting his lower lip, Sherlock ponders the challenge for the time it takes for Bill to return with a tray full of everything needed for tea. –Agreed.-
-Perfect,- he smirks, -game on.-
-Have you decided what you want?- Bill asks, glancing between them.
Almost immediately he sees Sherlock duck his head as if embarrassed about something, an action that is not lost on either medical man.
-How about today's house special?- John suggests, glancing between them to see if that's alright.
He shrugs carelessly, -I'm not picky.-
-Sherlock?- the blonde gently signs, head down and eyes lower as if to be as unintrusive as possible.
When the teenager's eyes flutter as if he wants to bolt but is not sure what to do, he is quite pleased to see Bill sign, -How about I give you a few minutes to sip the tea?- not actually waiting for an answer before he leaves. Though a note pad and pen are now sitting on the table, apparently the bald man knows a little sleight of hand since he barely saw him move towards the table.
-It's alright Sherlock, just breath with me,- the doctor encourages, taking slow and measured breathes.
He stays quiet, letting the doctor work his effect on the younger genius, watching the way Sherlock latches on and tries to focus even as his mind races. That's actually understandable as John has a very welcoming sort of feel, like he is willing to give anyone a chance but not to cross him.
While Sherlock is focusing on John's breathing, the doctor absentmindedly making each of them teas and setting them down. By the time the doctor is done, his charge is a lot calmer, a bit amused, curious, and just a bit hesitant.
The special is all right. Sherlock writes on the paper, head still down as he studies them without looking directly at them.
-Great!- John comments, lifting a hand and waving the bald man over.
They place their order, well John does, visiting with the ex soldier and nurse for a few minutes while Sherlock merely keeps his head down and keeps watching.
-Interesting soldier,- he remarks after a bit.
-Yes, determined, too.- John replies, the three of them falling into a comfortable quiet.
Part of him wants to talk to see if he can get Sherlock interested. He doesn't however because he decides to follow the doctor's guidance and the doctor is just sitting their quietly, hands lightly cupping his tea.
It's actually a rather novel experience, and he decides that he might just learn something from this as well. He has an excellent memory but cannot think of a single time where just sitting silently was considered an acceptable option.
-Probably because you cause mischief.- John states out of the blue, a mischievous expression in his eyes. –Considering what you have already stated about yourself and I have no reason to disbelieve, well, you quiet probably scares people.-
He blinks in disbelief, startled that John had understood where his thoughts went.
-Most hearing people never think to just sit in acceptable silence.- the doctor offers.
He nods, thinking about that and understanding it. So he doesn't break the quiet, doesn't start talking and instead just spends the time considering his work and those he has relationships with.
When the food is brought out, he slowly rolls his head as he studies the tray. There is a little bit of everything it seems, like a massive sampler platter. There are three small very cheesy pizzas, bread sticks, cheese bread, cheese sticks, three different types of sauce with the chicken wings, a small selection of vegetables and dips, mushroom puffs, onion rings, and the last is steamed cauliflower and cheese dip.
-I hope you enjoy, just wave if you need anything else.- Bill comments happily, surprising him with how much emotion the ex soldier puts into his body language.
The meal I spent in the same sort of quiet, his never ending mind listens to every word and sound around them. Bill had surprised him by pulling down what he had originally assumed was a decoration was actually a privacy curtain. All these ordinary people living ordinary lives. He sees the good in them, the bad, the liars and cheats, the hope and love, what they have done wrong or right, and wonders why they keep living. They're so boring. Yet they live.
He muses over these details as he eats a mushroom puff.
-A challenge for you Jim,- the doctor comments, gray-blue eyes watching him seriously.
-I'm listening,- he answers, what sort of challenge does the doctor have for him?
-You have challenged Sherlock to remember the roads and people. I challenge you to find the reason one person that I will randomly ask you about lives. What is their purpose and motivation, the reason they live even when it is not something you understand.- the doctor states.
He blinks, rolling his shoulders and tipping his head, as he considers it. "Agreed." He responds, hands moving in agreement.
Beside him, he sees his charge give him a curious look, eyes flashing as he tries to understand the challenge and changing when he gets it. Something new enters the younger genius' eyes, something speculative, not something he quite understands.
As a psychopath, he does not understand the emotions the way others feel them, he can mimic and on the very rare occasions he bonds with someone feel them, but they are not something natural to him. This challenge because John is not asking for the logic, but for the emotion.
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