"Did you finally find some to take you in, Sherlock dear?"
Sherlock froze as his owner appeared from the shadows. He swallowed the lump in his throat as he knelt at the Sith's feet. "I-I'm sorry, Master. I was captured during the battle."
"Then you meant to return to me?" The Sith asked almost angrily. Sherlock cringed at the heated tone of Moriarty's voice.
The boy hesitated. "I didn't run away, Master. I swear."
"Then you shall return to me."
The cold began dragging him down. "The Jedi, he won't…"
"Then kill him."
Sherlock felt the shadows coil around him, he struggled to breathe. "But I-I…Master!"
Sherlock woke up silently screaming, Lestrade was gone from the room. The boy sprang from the comforting bed as though it were on fire. The understanding that he may never have a bed again washed over him, the boy gingerly played with the corner of the covers. It had been so soft.
Lestrade opened the door to the room with a bright grin. "Hey, kiddo."
"Hello, Mr. Lestrade." Sherlock said quietly. The knight gave him a questioning look, Sherlock bit his lip. He wished the friendly eyes would look away, but they held their gaze.
"You alright there, Curly?"
"A nightmare, Master." Sherlock nudged the bed with his barefoot. Lestrade motioned for the boy to follow him into the meditation area, Sherlock obeyed heavy heartedly. Lestrade knelt on the mat and sat back on his hunches, the little boy followed suit. The knight smiled encouragingly.
"Have you ever done a tea ceremony before, Sherlock?"
"No, Master. I have never drank anything other than water." Sherlock said mildly.
Lestrade motioned to a small kettle and two tea bowls. "Two Jedi, usually master and student, wake every morning they are joined by their bond and have tea. It is a very, very old tradition, but it has been one of my favorites since I was your age."
"I thought…" Sherlock's voice trailed off.
"Yes?" Lestrade was incredibly patient.
"I thought you didn't like you master." The boy flinched once the words were free from his mouth.
"What gave you that impression?" Lestrade sounded amused, not at all angry.
"Just that you have medical training, good medical training not just basic, and your still a field Jedi. It wouldn't have been your choice to put in so much effort into one thing and not follow it. Also you don't really respect a lot of authority figures, probably because yours over used his power. But you're also kind to people who have been trod on, which means you're sympathetic because you've been in the same spot."
Sherlock sucked in a deep breath.
Lestrade was grinning at the boy so whole heartedly Sherlock couldn't help but blush.
"We are not bonded, Master. Doesn't that render the tea ceremony invalid?"
"The ceremony will not be performed today, Curly. But we will take morning tea together, if that is acceptable."
"Of course, Master." Sherlock was nervous about the taste of tea. Would it be a great insult to the man who had taken him in if he didn't like it?
Then again he was planning to return to his Sith master.
Sherlock's stomach clenched.
"Your nightmare still haunts you." Lestrade passed the boy a filled tea bowl.
"Yes." Sherlock said simply.
"Drink." Lestrade said, knowing he couldn't make the child speak. Sherlock licked his lips nervously, before tipping the contents back into his mouth. Warm, sweet liquid swept over his tongue in a loving caresses. Sherlock chugged it down greedily.
"Curly." Lestrade chuckled. "Slowly. Drink it slowly. Jedi do not gobble."
"It's good." Sherlock said with surprise. "It's very good, Master."
Lestrade nodded his thanks and sipped his own tea leisurely, his brown eyes never left the face of his new padawan. Sherlock cringed and placed his empty tea bowl down. Lestrade set his own aside.
"Are you hungry, Sherlock?" Lestrade's voice was gentle.
"I could eat." The boy squeaked.
Lestrade made him a semi-large breakfast, which the boy ate fervently. He had never had such good food in his life, let alone warm food. Lestrade watched the boy eat as though he would never eat again. The knight frowned.
"I have a meeting to attend today, young one. Will you be alight in here alone?"
"Yes, Master." Sherlock mumbled. Lestrade passed him a small comm link.
"If you need me, you call." He placed a gentle hand on the side of the boy's head as he rose. Sherlock only nodded. Lestrade walked through the door quickly his cloak swishing around the corner before Sherlock realized he hadn't bowed as his master had exited. The boy ran from the table and through door. He reached for Lestrade's sleeve and tugged fiercely, the knight turned curiously. "Miss me already?"
"I didn't…I mean…I'm so sorry, Mr. Lestrade." Sherlock bowed awkwardly and waited for the impending blows. He was shocked when his master knelt in front of him and took his shoulders.
"What in blazes are you talking about, Curly?"
"I-I didn't bow to you when you left, Master." Sherlock flinched as Lestrade's fingers tightened.
"Stars, little one, it is alright. You are still learning the Jedi ways. I do not fault you." Lestrade said softly. Sherlock's eyes widened in shock. "It is alright, Sherlock. Go back inside, okay? Eat your fill, I'll be back." The knight stroked a soft hand through Sherlock's dark curls and rose gracefully. He gave a small bow, followed by a small wink. Sherlock returned the bow swiftly.
When Lestrade had gone Sherlock glanced his bare feet where the oversized tunic fluttered around his ankles. He didn't want to leave. His new master was kind and soft. Moriarty would have beat him senseless for forgetting to bow.
Sherlock knew he had to get to the hangar bay and find a ship to take him back to Moriarty. If he stayed his Sith owner would no doubt hurt Lestrade in time. Sherlock turned to change, Moriarty wouldn't be pleased if he showed up dressed as a Jedi.
oOo
Greg wasn't stupid.
He followed Sherlock closely, he had sensed the nightmare in the other room. Sherlock was so afraid of Moriarty punishing him the boy had begged for forgiveness in his sleep. He watched Sherlock climb into a Y-wing, the boy was dressed back in his Sith uniform. Greg noticed that Sherlock had kept the long Jedi robe.
Greg clambered up on the passenger silently. Sherlock was pressing buttons that booted up the ships navigation system. He pulled himself into the co-pilots seat, Sherlock's eyes widened to the sizes of holo-orbs.
"I-I…Master I'm…" The boy was terrified.
"Sherlock, I think we should talk."
"Yes, Master."
oOo
Sherlock found a sack and filled it with food.
He ran through the temple towards the direction he thought the hangar bay would be. He could hear ships coming and going and found a Y-wing suitable enough to take him to his master's planet.
He glared at the controls as if he could make them do as he wanted with will alone. He pushed his dark curls from his eyes and began pressing buttons. The co-pilots door opened and Lestrade slid in. Sherlock gasped.
Lestrade would know of his padawan's betrayal. The knight would know that all of his hard work was for nothing, Sherlock was trembling. Lestrade would hate him now, even if Sherlock had wanted to go back Lestrade would never take him back.
Lestrade glanced at Sherlock with a tender gaze. "Sherlock, I think we should talk."
Sherlock covered his face and braced for a beating. "Yes, Master."
"Curly, what are you planning?" Lestrade's voice was quiet.
"I need to go back, Master." Sherlock said in a small voice. "He said…Moriarty, my master…"
Lestrade reached from his seat, resulting in a flinch from Sherlock. Lestrade rested his hand on the child's knee softly. Sherlock had steadied himself for a whipping, Lestrade would take him back to his cell any second. The Jedi gave his knee a small squeeze.
"Curly one, he cannot find you here."
"I...can't believe that, Mr. Lestrade. He is the most powerful Sith that has ever lived." Sherlock wanted to hold Lestrade's fingers, but stilled himself. He wasn't a child. He was a Sith Lord.
"I see." The Jedi knight said softly. He reached for the under compartment of the ships haul and pulled out binders. Sherlock nodded understandingly, he held out his wrists to be chained.
Lestrade shook his head and pushed the child's hands down. "You are frightened the Sith will punish you for running away."
"Yes, sir."
"If you return with the Jedi who held you captive will it help you?" Lestrade asked seriously. Sherlock gave him a strange look.
"Master?"
"I do not want you to go back to the Sith, Sherlock. However, it is your decision, and I trust you to do what is right. If you decided to go back to the Sith I am coming with you, as your prisoner to lessen your punishment."
"You trust that by offering yourself I will not go back." Sherlock said dryly.
"No. I trust you to do what is best, Sherlock. Truly I do."
Lestrade sensed Sherlock apprehension. The boy doubted him, and so he allowed the child to chain his wrists without a fight. The boy needed proof of loyalty. Lestrade reached for his saber at his hip, Sherlock immediately flinched. Lestrade lay the hilt in Sherlock's lap. "Do you accept my surrender, Sherlock?"
The boy stared at him for only a second. "Why are you doing this?" The boy shouted at last. "I don't understand! There is no logical answer to your actions, you hardly know me!"
"I trust you, Sherlock." Lestrade's eyes were blazing.
"But why, Mr. Lestrade?" Sherlock cried softly. "You shouldn't. You shouldn't, Master."
Lestrade reached for Sherlock's head slowly and pressed his thumb in the center of the child's forehead. His hands were hindered by the cuffs, but he simply pressed his left hand to the side of his padawan's head. Sherlock unconsciously reached for the spot over his master's heart.
"Sherlock, from now on we are one, so long as you accept it. Two bound in the Force, obedience, and trust. You shall learn from me and I from you. Is that accepted?"
"Yes, Master." Sherlock said in awe. The Force bound both men together tightly, Sherlock gasped as his mind touched Lestrade's and as Lestrade's heart caressed his. Sherlock leaned into Lestrade's chest, his cheek pressed against the strong peck muscles.
"I knew we were meant to be master and student, Curly. And I will not let you out of my sight. You will be protected."
They sat in silence for only a second. Sherlock managed to locate the key and unlocked his master's wrists. He sniffled as Lestrade rubbed the back of his neck tenderly. "I'm sorry, Master. I want to stay with you, truly. But Moriarty will find me and possibly hurt you. I can't…"
"I will protect you." Lestrade said soothingly. "And I can defend myself, young one."
"I…" Sherlock felt lost. He struggled to grasp the idea of blind trust, he flailed in the dark at the idea of someone protecting him. Lestrade leaned his forehead against the child's.
"It is your decision." Lestrade said softly.
"You. I want to stay with you, Master. But I…"
"Then you will stay with me." Lestrade said firmly. Sherlock shook his head.
"You don't understand. I have to go back. Eventually."
"No you don't, kid."
"Mas-"
"Sherlock, I have proven I trust you. Do you trust me?"
"Yes, Master." Sherlock said fiercely.
"Then come here." Lestrade pulled Sherlock from the pilot seat and into his arms. Sherlock wiggled uncomfortable, but eventually let the older man hold him. Lestrade carried him down from ship. Sherlock squirmed to be let go when they reached the ground to which Lestrade obeyed. Sherlock walked steadily behind him on the way back to their quarters.
The boy didn't even bother to go back into his own room, he threw himself into Lestrade's bed. The knight followed him in shortly after. He pulled the covers around Sherlock's slender body and ruffled the dark hair affectionately. "You will sleep for about a day, Sherlock."
"Because of the bond?" The boy yawned.
"Yes." Lestrade made sure the child was warm enough before flicking the lights off. Sherlock curled tighter in the blankets.
"Will you be back, Master?"
"I have some things left to do today, young one. But you should rest." Lestrade prompted. Sherlock nodded against the pillow and squeezed his eyes shut.
"Soft." The child said with pleasure.
"Safe." Lestrade murmured. "Always safe."
The knight went back into the living space of his quarters as his comm link buzzed in his pocket. He clicked it nervously.
"He wants to see you."
"Tell him I've already bonded with the boy so it's no use…"
"Greg."
"Qui."
"He still wants to speak to you."
Lestrade sighed heavily. "I'll be there shortly."