Vatican Cameos (A BBC Sherlock Fanfiction)

20. The Bloody Guardsman

WELLINGTON BARRACKS.
*******************************

A group of Guards are marching back to the barracks, they arrive back and are in the parade ground marching into position preparing to be dismissed.

"Company, halt! ... Right turn!" Says The Parade Sergeant.

The trio are at the entrance to the barracks. John has given his wallet containing his military ID card to the duty sergeant.

"We're here to see Private Stephen Bainbridge." Says John.

"He's on duty right now, sir ..." Says the Duty Sergeant, handing John the wallet back

"... but I'll certainly let him know when he's free."

"And when will that be?" Asks Elisabeth.

"Another hour." Answers the Duty Sergeant.

Bainbridge, with another Foot Guard, is on duty outside the gates of the barracks. He stands fixed in position and tourists take photographs. Over the other side of the road and a few yards back from the pavement, The trio are sitting on a bench in the park looking towards the gates.

"Do you think they give them classes?" Asks Sherlock.

"Classes?" Inquiries Elisabeth.

"How to resist the temptation to scratch their behinds?" Asks Sherlock.

"Afferent neurons in the peripheral nervous system." Says John.

Sherlock turns his head slightly in John's direction.

"Bum itch." Says John.

"Oh!" Says Sherlock.

They sit in silence for a few seconds.

"So why don't you see him any more?" Asks Sherlock.

"Who?" Says John.

"Your previous commander, Sholto"

"'Previous commander.'"

"I meant 'ex.'"

"'Previous' suggests that I currently have a commander."

"Which you don't."

"Which I don't."

"'Course you don't." Says Sherlock.

"He was decorated, wasn't he? A war hero." Says Elisabeth.

"Not to everyone. He led a team of crows into battle." Says John.

"'Crows'?" Asks Sherlock.

"New recruits. It's standard procedure; break the new boys in – but it went wrong. They all died; he was the only survivor. The press and the families gave him hell. He gets more death threats than you."

"Oh, I wouldn't count on that." Says Sherlock.

"Why have you suddenly taken an interest in another human being?"

"I'm ... chatting."

John and Elisabeth both raise their eyebrows and look round at him. Sherlock half-turns his head and looks at them out of the corner of his eye.

"Won't be trying that again." He says.

"Changing the subject completely ..." Says John.

He pulls in a breath through his nose, then looks at Sherlock again.

"... you know it won't alter anything, right, me and Mary, getting married? We'll still be doing all this."

"Oh, good."