Chapter 17: It's Not Jealousy

"Let me just get one thing straight Sherlock," Irene warned as she pulled on her satin robe, "I don't know how he looks like or where exactly he is. He's like a phantom figure working in the background of everything. I do however know just where it is that his covens are and an assumption as to where his lair might be. That is all I can provide. You will have to complete the rest on your own."

"We've done a lot together," Sherlock said as he looked to the map now, John at his side, "I'm sure we'll have no trouble getting to the Father."

At that Irene had to warn him, "It's not just you Sherlock. You've got a human with you."

"I can take care of myself just fine. I'm not just any human Miss Irene, I am a hunter," John replied. Vampires…always thinking that their human counterparts were weaker.

"Let's hope you're as good a hunter as the vampires out there," Irene said as she rolled out the map before them, "Alright look here, this is the area where the Father is the most powerful. He's got covens staked out all over here," she said drawing her finger around the area close to the outskirts of town.

"And that?" Sherlock asked noting the name of some castle ruins.

Irene smirked. Sherlock was smart always a step ahead, "That's where he hides if I'm not wrong. I've never been there myself so I don't really know." As she spoke she caught it now, the haunting red of Sherlock's eyes.

'You haven't fed in awhile…'

'That is none of your business.'

"Well that's enough information to go by. Thank you Irene. We'll take our leave," Sherlock said as he took one more look at the map, taking the picture to mind now. Quickly he steered John out of the room, making sure not to touch him more than needed. Of all times his hunger had to hit now…when their relationship was still…askew and awkward.

'You should ask him. I think his morals will bend for you Sherlock.'

'You don't know him.'

"Goodbye Sherlock and good luck," Irene said leading them to the door now as she stared pointedly at him, he was as stubborn as stubborn could get and Irene knew the only other way would be to talk to John, "You take care of him now John. Vampires are reckless and stupid and extremely stubborn, especially in the case of Sherlock," she said noting just how John's lips tilted up in the slightest of knowing smiles.

John felt the little flutter in his heart as Irene said that. It seemed as though she saw them as a pair now, the way they would take care of each other. It made him less jealous that she and Sherlock had been sort of together.

As of now, things between them were still unstable and John could sort of understand it when Sherlock told him to go home first.

"I need to give the location to Lestrade and maybe sit down for a little chat. It won't be long," Sherlock said once they were in the garage of the building. He made sure he didn't look John right in the eye though, keeping his actions subtle such as pretending to be looking out for the Father's covens.

"Okay…" John replied and Sherlock noted the slight drop in emotion of John's voice.

"You don't have to wait up for me either if I'm too late. You need your sleep John," Sherlock said giving the hunter a brief look and a rather tight smile.

"Alright, sure," John said as he got into the car now, starting the engine. His heart hurt, just a little at Sherlock's abruptness, he seemed to be pushing him away and John didn't want that. He didn't want to be pushed away. But he shoved that feeling away and stepping on the accelerator he pulled out of the lot, leaving Sherlock behind in the dimly lit garage.

Making his way up to Lestrade's office once more, Sherlock was shocked to find said vampire straddling his brother on the couch. Just a moment's glimpse was enough for him to curse as he slammed the door shut again on the startled two.

"What the hell were you doing?" Sherlock growled as he stood outside the door now waiting for the two to tidy up.

"You were supposed to knock!" Lestrade called back, his voice hoarse.

"You know I never knock."

"Well you should have heard then!" came Mycroft's retort now.

Sherlock shook his head, he had been deep in thought. Too deep in thought to hear the moans and groans of Mycroft and Lestrade mating. Instead his thoughts were occupied on his own mate if that was what he could call John. His throat was beginning to burn more and more as his hunger grew with each second. He couldn't feed on John…at least he didn't want to trouble him.

"Alright you can come in now," Lestrade said.

Sherlock grimaced as he opened the door, the lingering smell of them still hung in the air, "I'll stay here if that's alright," he said, leaning against the frame of the door now.

"Suit yourself," Mycroft answered from inside the room.

"Anyway, Irene gave us a location. The Father's covens are all situated near the exit highway out of town, headed out to the ruins of Stowerling Keep," Sherlock said.

"Stowerling? Hasn't been used in years. We haven't seen anyone go in or out of that place since forever," Lestrade said as he tried to get back on track.

"The Father could be using masking or cloaking charms. They augment your ability to see past them, and if powerful enough they'll make you think there's no one there at all…" he explained.

"That means we'll need to go on site to figure it out," Lestrade said.

"Or whatever device it is that they are using to play with our minds," Mycroft offered, "You don't look too good brother dear," he mocked, "Haven't had a drink from your blood bank in awhile now?"

"Don't…" Sherlock began as he closed his eyes, he didn't need this right now. He'd been tough on himself with John and now his brother was adding salt to his wound.

"Where is he? Where is John?" Mycroft asked.

"I left him. I made him go back first. Being beside him…just…I…" Sherlock shook his head, "I feel guilty when I take blood from him. He allows me to but it just seems as though he pities me and…" he sighed, "I don't know…"

"Are you in love with him?" Lestrade asked, it seemed the only obvious reason as to why Sherlock would care so much about John.

"W-What? No." Sherlock answered quickly, seeing Lestrade looking at him pointedly, "Maybe…Alright I don't know! I've got no clue about what I feel for him, I want to run to protect him every time and when he looks at others…."

"You get jealous," Mycroft answered.

"It's not jealousy," Sherlock said, knowing full well it was.

"Have you tried sitting down and talking to him?" Lestrade said.

"Not in this state. I'll just end up biting him and…" Sherlock trailed off as his mind flashed back to thoughts about John, naked and beneath him and crying his name.

Mycroft chuckled, "Oooh, Sherlock's got naughty thoughts in his head," he teased.

"Why did I even bother coming here in the first place," Sherlock growled as he threw his hands up in defeat. Talking to them wasn't going to get him anywhere. What he needed to do now was to get back to John, "Goodbye, you can continue with your mating calls now," he said as he shut the door once more and headed to the lift now. Tapping his foot on the carpeted floor as he waited, a little impatiently for the lift to arrive.

"Anderson?" came the voice over the phone now, low and hypnotic. "You've seen John Watson before haven't you?"

"Yes…sorry who is this?" he asked, not sure why he was telling this person nearly everything.

"You won't ask questions now. You are going to do whatever I say do you understand?" the hypnotic voice continued over the phone.

"Y-Yes…I understand…" he replied as he cradled the phone to his ear now, waiting for commands from the alluring voice.

AN: Hey you guys, so here's the next chapter up! I'm done typing up to chapter 25 now yayy! :) Leave me a comment to let me know what you thought of this chapter and i'll see you guys soon!