This is not how I originally planned for this chapter to go, however a combination of a migraine from external reasons and a chatty Jim resulted in this instead. I look forward to seeing what folks think.
June 20th, 2005
Jim's POV
He's sitting in the lobby watching all the people coming and going, almost bored out of his mind because of the inactivity. These people are dull. So very ordinary and boring with nothing to keep his attention. The only almost interesting one is the boy in foster care because his birth family is abusive. A few quick text messages and one picture message later and he's certain that situation will be dealt with in a satisfy manner.
He blinks when Jasper slides into the seat next to him, handing him a tiny ear wig that seems different from the normal ones.
–You're slipping Jim. Normally I can't sneak up on you. – His friend remarks with a few quick flicks of his fingers, combining ASL, BSL, and their own personal quick hand signs. It makes for an interesting occasion when others try to understand.
–I'm bored.– He replies, rolling his neck and shoulders. –These people are boring.–
Chuckling, Pike tips his head, eyes flashing around the room as he takes them in with a similar ability. –That's why I'm here. I know better than leaving you to your own devices too long. –
He sits up a bit straighter, normally an answer like that means Jasper has something for him or has a challenge. He likes challenges, they keep him occupied. Actually, he wants to know what John thinks of his answers to the challenge. He'll have to ask later. For now, best pay attention to Jasper, because that sassy little shit sometimes makes the details the key points and other times doesn't but never in a pattern.
–I saw what you wrote up for the doctor, I'm taking it one step further. You have to figure out which person from your list you are to assist with a situation. You can't use the network for anything other than simple information, and only three people from the entire thing. Sebastian is off-limits. As are most of your handy weapons I have already put away for you.- Pike states, each motion clear and full of extra meaning that he is already processing.
Which of the many people that they ran into while on the rounds with John has Pike decided he should help? That's actually a difficult one because he hadn't been paying attention to what sort of troubles they had, only why they bother to get out of bed every day.
Hmmmm, what to do, what to do. With Pike limiting his use of the network and forbidding him from calling no his favorite sniper that makes things a bit more tricky since he can't actually have them do the footwork. Add the fact he doesn't actually leave Sherlock except when the younger genius is seeing the doctor, well that just adds to the to the challenge.
Though, now that he thinks about it, it's kind of funny he is being paid to be a stalker, when normally he's told not to be a stalker.
He spends nearly the entire time his ward is in with the doctor considering his options. Can he solve this one before Pike leaves?
Also why the new earwig? Unless it's one of Pike's earwigs that he wants tested out without having to go to those idiots they work with to do so. That'd make sense. Particularly since his best friend delights in being a head of the times with computers, gadgets and technology.
They haven't had anyone in need of dying lately, he thinks as he continues to consider the options. It's none of the people over thirty they saw. Not the two trans men, or the one trans woman, or that group of non-binary folks, though he probably should send Seb to see if he can be of assistance.
He jumps slightly, body tensing as Jasper pinches the underside of his rib cage.
-I said help, not send Sebastian to deal with a side problem.- his best friend informs him with a scowl. –Back to the actual problem.-
A smile tugs at his lips but he doesn't actually do so, because he isn't supposed to be smiling over someone who knows his mischief so well and sticks around. He's pretty sure that's considered unhealthy.
-Send Sebastian after someone and I am blocking each and every one of your accounts for however many weeks as amount of people he 'deals' with.- Jasper states firmly.
He considers pouting but knows it will do no good. Instead he turns his mind back to the problem, listing off all the people they ran no matter how minor a run in.
Who does his partner think he should help without sending an assassin, sniper, spies or thieves to assist?
That's a tricky one. What other ways can he help? Well he can give money but he leaves that in Pike's more moral hands. He can threaten and terrorize. He can match people together. He can provide assistance of the physical sort but really he prefers sending his minions for that. He is good at negotiating and contracts. Remembering details that other people miss.
Wait a moment, that's it, the kid who was trying to negotiate that they passed on the street. He was dealing with a landlord of the unsavory sort. The type who normally avoid him because even when he was a criminal he kept his word unless given a reason not to. He might be ever so changeable, but nothing is done without purpose. That's the key.
-The boy, trying to negotiate for housing with the slum lord. He's the one you think I could help.- He declares, relaxing back into the chair without giving it much more thought.
-That's part of it. Now tell me why you and not the others?- Pike queries, fiddling with his phone.
That was only part of the answer? How? Wait, the challenge was who can he help without use of his network, sniper, or access to weapons. The kid's the right answer only there is something more. What more is there?
He can pay the kid a visit. No, that's not it, because if that was it he would have already had it and his minions wouldn't be off limits. How else?
His eyes narrow as he glances over friend. Oh.
Oh.
-You're an arse.- he comments
-Catch on finally did you?- Jasper replies, glancing up from his phone to smirk in his direction.
-I don't want more friends.- he grumbles, -I am already certain my social circle of non-minions is growing by at least two. Possibly three because I have decided that the elder Holmes is an interesting challenge I wish to see if he's actually worthwhile or not.-
Shaking his head, the other agent just chuckles, -Only you Jim, only you.-
-I don't need more friends, minions are more useful. They don't require a lot of work, are easy to upkeep, and I can ignore them for the most part.- he explains, even though Jasper has heard him do that before.
He almost considers asking why they are still using sign language but decides against it since there are no voices except the receptionist that he can easily hear. Even though folks who are speaking, are very quiet and mostly doing it as a translating function. Why do people find it so hard to learn sign language? They're easy, all of them, at least all the ones he's applied himself to so far. Idiots, the whole lot of them, why isn't he allowed to—
"Stop," he hisses.
Jasper's eyes narrow on him and he remembers once more why they are friends. He might be the psychopath but Jasper is just barely on this side of not a sociopath. They are friends because their personalities slot together nicely. Even though Jasper has a conscious and often acts as his, the other agent is like his name sake of Pike.
-Got it,- he states with a lazy shrug. –Sometimes I have a hard time remembering why we get along so well when you actually care. Then you do something to remind me.-
Smirking, Jasper responds, -I get bored too. I'm just not as wantonly destructive as you.-
He nods in agreement, that sums them up in a nutshell.
After most of the lobby has cleared out he asks, -Why don't we send Mitti to that kid? He can become the boy's companion and set that landlord straight.- His smile turns cruel, -If the landlord doesn't want to be straight I am more than willing to pay him a visit if you're not going to get too annoyed with it.-
Jasper thinks about it for a bit before nodding, -That's acceptable.-
Several more minutes pass in almost silence as they people watch, occasionally signing something to each in quick hand. More to practice than to actually communicate.
-Have you considered why you wish to be friends with Sherlock?- Pike eventually asks after the receptionist leaves.
It takes him a few minutes to decide how to answer that, of course his best friend asks the question he has the hardest time explaining. -He reminds me of that boy from Cardiff.-
Neither says anything as they recall exactly who he is referring to. It was one of their first jobs together as agents, and still something he makes sure to remember years later.
-I understand,- Jasper eventual agrees. –Doctor Watson?-
-He's different.- he answers automatically. Tipping his head to the side, he states, -Actually they both are. Sherlock is almost like you, but just a bit like me. He has your creative streak and my destructive streak. John's just different.-
Anger flashes across his friends features for a heartbeat only to vanish as quick as it came. -Not surprising, we're cousins. Mycroft assumes that I adopted the name Jasper Gray, when in truth it has been me all along.-
-That explains why I've seen flashes of you in Mycroft too, when he is not trying to be the Iceman.- he comments with a shrug. –I enjoy flirting with him, it puts him off balance.-
Chuckling, Jasper nods, -Of balance is always fun with him. I enjoyed it during my recruitment and when I recruited you.-
-Of course,- he replies, -It's why we make such an excellent team. You have just enough morals to make sure I don't kill everything and I have just enough ruthlessness to ensure no one who's supposed to be dead lives.-
-We are balanced like that.- his friend responds with a nod, attention turning towards the hall the office is down.
Both of them stand as they hear the door, neither saying a word as they wait. He's aware that Sherlock is still a long ways from healed and sound of mind. With the damage done, he might never be able to escape the occasional bad day. That's something he can get. His bad days tend to end with someone in pieces. Thankfully, with their jobs, Jasper excels at finding him targets who need to vanish. Would something like that interest Sherlock?
His eyes sweep over the teenager as the pair enters the lobby. No, he wouldn't want to be the committing the deed, he'd want to be the one solving it.
-Case files? A few non classified ones?- He asks with quick hand, turning to introduce them to each other.
Jasper switches to BSL, responding, -Hello Sherlock, John.- A playful smile plays at the edge of his friends lips and his head inclines just the slightest in agreement. Perfect. –I decided to check in with my troublesome friend since he causes mischief when left on his own too long.-
John's eyes narrow as he blandly replies, -I can believe that.-
-I'm completely innocent,- he declares, thinking off all the mischief they have gotten up to over the years.
He has to bite back a successful smile when Sherlock ducks his head and smiles. With sharp eyes he watches how the teen's throat works as if he is considering saying something. Yet another step in the correct direction. When Sherlock finally comes into his own, he's going to be a fun person to compete with and spend time with. He's already more interesting the most idiots. While they're not friends now, he can easily see them becoming friends later.
Of course, he internally smirks as he continues to blandly talk with them, Sherlock might be as destructive as him. John on the other hand is like Pike with the calm and collected but fierce and loyal. They'll definitely make an interesting team.
Bidding the doctor good night, they head to the car.
He's still wondering what's with the new earwig but plans on leaving it in until he has an answer.
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So they have hit a changing point, woot!