June 22nd, 2005
Mycroft's POV
Sherlock has avoided him since Saturday. Yet again he has messed up when he was trying to do something right. How can he run a country from the shadows, track hundreds of agents and missions, and quietly manipulate a multitude of politicians and bureaucrats yet he keeps making mistake after mistake with his brother? It seems to defy logic, but that is what conclusion he comes to as he stares blankly at the paper before him.
He has an appointment with Doctor Watson at two pm to discuss his brother, the progress, and plan going forward. Perhaps he should discuss the difficulties he is having, maybe the doctor could give him advice on how to be of assistance since he is clearly doing something wrong and has been for a while now.
Closing his eyes, he pinches the bridge of his nose and bites back a sigh. There is two more meetings between now and then, he needs to get his head in the game and deal with the problems in the best possible manner. That doesn't happen if he's distracted.
Forcing his mind to clear, he focuses on the situation at hand.
The two meetings seem to drag on, mostly because he keeps getting distracted and it's not something he appreciates. Not in the least. Despite that, he manages to keep his features smooth and bland, not giving away any of the turmoil his normally fixed mind is in.
When fifteen minutes to two, he is ready to go, all of the paperwork has been completed that needed to be done before he left. His afternoon work will all be delivered to him after his meeting with the doctor so he can complete it while he is at home.
His assistant gives him a peculiar look but doesn't actually say anything. Probably a good thing, it's not like he would actually answer her. This is one topic that he tries not to discuss with anyone. Maybe that is why he is having so many difficulties with it. He knows there are some things that have to be discussed in order to gain clarity, however he has a hard time opening up. Moriarty was not wrong when he accused him of cutting off his emotions for his career. At the time it seemed like the best course of action. After all, it's not like they have ever really helped him.
With his mind still spinning, working through so many details, he absently takes everything in as he moves to the car, and checks his surroundings. He had gone from agent to controller faster than most would expect. Actually, if Moriarty wanted he probably done the same thing. The only reason the agent doesn't know is his attachment to Pike. Hmmm. That's one of those relationships he has a hard time understanding. Particularly considering how fiercely they protect each other and those they consider theirs.
It makes no sense. Moriarty is definitely a psychopath, Pike is definitely not. Yet they work as one of the best teams in MI5 or MI6. When those two decide that they need to deal with a problem it is a brutal and efficient task. They tend to go radio silent, which drives the handlers crazy, but they accomplish their goals with a type of precision that he wishes some of the other agents had. The only other team he can think of like that is 006 and 007. Both teams have different dynamics. He's just happy the pair hasn't decided to team up together since Trevelyan came back, cleared of all charges.
When the car comes to a stop, he waits for his PA to get out before he does, his mind automatically scanning the area to make sure that there is not a threat before moving into the building.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Holmes. Doctor Watson will be with you shortly," the receptionist informs him politely, a warm smile gracing her features as she greets him. "Would you like tea or coffee? We always have some in the back."
"Tea," he replies quietly.
"Letty will be right out with it," she responds with a nod before turning her attention back to her computer.
He takes a seat, and less than a minute later a rather plump young woman with a pleasant smile brings him the tea. It takes him three minutes to drink the tea, and it's five minutes before Doctor Watson escorts a young couple from his office.
New patients, he thinks as he studies them, correction: new patients who have recently adopted a hard of hearing child and wish to adapt. He watches as the doctor bids them good day, reminding them to check with the resources he emailed them, before turning towards him.
-Hello Mycroft, come on back,- the doctor greets him, motioning towards the back hall and his office. –Leave the cup, Letty will come get it shortly.-
He nods in agreement, setting the cup on the small table and standing to follow the blonde to his office.
Once they have settled into their spots, the doctor inquires, -How have you been?-
He takes a deep breath, considering how he wishes to answer that question. Part of him hopes to have a confidant in John, another part of him cautions against it.
-Ah. Yes.- the smaller man remarks, eyes watching him narrowly. –Jim mentioned that Sherlock overheard a not so favorable conversation over the weekend. If you would like to discuss it, I can promise it's not something I will discuss with someone else. Nor will it go onto the computer file.-
He bristles at the implication, before common sense has him asking, -What about the paper files?-
Lips curving in a smile, the doctor responds, - I keep two different sets. One that the other doctors can read for in case there is a patient that needs to see someone else. A second set which I would like to see them read, I have considered giving a set of fakes ones of those to Jim to see if he could break the code.-
Several minutes pass in silence as he considers the implications. He does need someone to discuss his brother with that he can mention his fears and worries. Doctor Watson is a perfect candidate. As much as he dislikes Moriarty, he has to admit the two have been good for his brother. He is still upset about Saturday. What were they thinking?
-What were you thinking Saturday? How foolish could you be to take someone in such a fragile state out like that!- he exclaims angrily.
-No more foolish than you were by cutting off the only support he had.- Doctor Watson replies blandly.
Twice he opens his mouth to snarl at the younger man only to snap his mouth shut and glare instead. After all, the doctor wouldn't be able to hear what he was saying.
-Now that that is in the open, shall we discuss this like logical adults?- the blonde remarks calmly, -Jim is MI6, which means that you work for a higher branch of the government, after all, civilians do not just get a psychopathic agent to act as sitter and minder. I supposed he could be freelancing, but the comment 'on loan' tells me otherwise.-
The light on the corner of the desk flashes, and the doctor taps it, a moment later the door is opened. A slender young man, not one he has seen before slips in with a tea service, setting it on the edge of the desk before slipping out just as quietly.
-Tea?- John inquires, setting up the cups before he has even had a chance to agree.
-Yes, please.- he replies calmly.
With practiced ease, the smaller man makes both cups, quietly passing him the first before taking the second for himself.
-Listen Mycroft, I understand that you have a job to do. I understand that you have made that job your number one priority, but if you want to help your brother. Honestly wish to help him because you actually give a damn and not just because you feel guilty, then you are going to have to deal with the problems between the two of you.- He goes to respond before the doctor has finished only to have a hand held up before him in a motion for quiet. -I am not saying it all has to be dealt with at once. But it will need to be dealt with. Now say whatever it is you were going to say.-
Instead of immediately speaking, he thinks carefully about the statement. Where Moriarty had almost verbally attacked him, Doctor Watson was calm. Not accusing him of anything, merely making an observation statement.
-What do you suggest?- he asks shortly, having a feeling he's not going to like the actual answer.
-First, you need to sit down and explain to Sherlock why you abandoned him. It's going to be painful. He's probably going to be furious with you. It's going to most likely cause several explosions before it's out of his system. Following that, you need to improve your communication skills. You excel at your job, I'm sure, but you cannot treat your brother like a job unless you want this to happen again.- Doctor Watson answers firmly. –Also, there will be bad days, there will be relapses. The key is to lessen their impact by being there to support him. Right now he is quite certain you would rather he died and you are only doing this out of guilt.-
John pauses to take a drink of his tea, giving him a moment to absorb the information.
His brother might not be as smart as him, but he doesn't want him dead. How could Sherlock think he wants him dead? Actually, never mind, he understands when he considers exactly what Moriarty had said to him along with this. He thought he was protecting his brother by ignoring his existence. Apparently that was the wrong choice. Well then, he will have to make a few changes. Now how to do it without putting his family at risk from his enemies? It's definitely something he's going to have to think about.
-Continue,- he requests after a few more moments of silence.
-I would suggest you finding someone you can trust to discuss things with, because from what I can tell you are bottling things up and not actually dealing with stress in a healthy manner.- the blonde suggests. Smiling at him, John continues, -I've seen you make great strides so far in order to help him. I believe you are being sincere, so I believe that you could make the necessary changes to avoid this sort of issue happening again in such a massive manner.-
He takes a deep breath, considering his options before querying, -Would you be willing to act the part?-
Doctor Watson arches an eyebrow at him questioningly, his facial expressions saying far more than words ever would, much to his amusement.
-I can be, if you'd like.- the younger man agrees with a nod, -It would not be the first time I have done something of that nature, though normally those sort of cases are given to those with more open hours than me. Still, I can do so. After hours or before hours appointments are also acceptable since I am aware that you have a unpredictable work schedule from the planning process.-
He nods, letting out a soft breath of relief he hadn't realized he was holding well that's a good thing. Doctor Watson would keep his secrets, and would be to help him deal with his brother. With as effective as the doctor is, he is mildly surprised he doesn't have a big clinic, right up until he remembers exactly how much money has been sunk into making this one as high tech as possible for staff and patients alike.
His mind quickly goes over all the staffing details, the fact there is a very low overturn rate. That a lot of the doctors are actually here under residency and only half of them actually work here full time. Those that do however, are all as dedicated as Doctor Watson. None of his staff have records, pretty close to all of them have come from lower-middle class and had to be at the top of their graduating class in order to get scholarships to finish their degrees and training. There have been quite a few who have applied to work here and been turned away for one reason or another.
-Excellent.- He comments, -Now, what do I need to know or do for this week regarding Sherlock?-
The blonde studies him for a long moment, nodding once as if deciding something.
The next half hour is spent discussing his brother, and the treatment being provided. Nothing confidential is said, and he is impressed with the doctors ability to say nothing and everything all in one round.
When he stands to leave, he comments -You would have made an excellent politician had you gone that route.-
Chuckling, John responds, -Don't you know, doctors are better at talking circles than politicians, have to be to keep up with privacy and those who try to get in it.-
He nods, that actually makes a lot of sense. He will make an appointment for himself next week. For now, his focus is on his brother and setting things right.
-Would it be possible for you to come to the flat on Sunday afternoon? I wish to have a discussion with him and feel having you there as a neutral party would be a benefit.- He states clearly, waiting for an answer.
-I can. Understand that my primary focus will be assisting Sherlock in coping in whatever fashion he needs that is not harmful to his health.- the doctor answers smoothly, nodding once in agreement.
-Excellent, I will arrange a car?- he offers, not sure if John drives or not. He knows the doctor has a license but as far as he knows he doesn't have a car.
-That would be appreciated. What time shall I expect it?- the smaller man inquires.
-Will three pm work for you?- he asks after a moment of thought.
-Yes,- the doctor responds with a nod.
-Perfect. Until then.- he bids the doctor before turning and leaving.
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