The Lazarus Machine

Chapter 9

Sherlock wasn't nearly as annoyed as he thought he'd be when John invaded his sanctum with tea and food.  Of course, it wasn't Sherlock's conservatory, and the way John looked around the place, it was likely John's sanctum long before Sherlock had claimed it.

The quiet man put him on edge, sort of, or pulled him away from the edge.  Sherlock wanted to talk to him, or listen to him.  Shocking, that second one.  John had no necessary information about science or a mystery or a puzzle.  Yet Sherlock wanted to hear him speak.

So Sherlock ate, because it seemed to please John, to make him more comfortable.  And then Sherlock realized what John must have been occupied with while Sherlock was off exploring this afternoon. 

"Is the company you keep the reason your brother thinks you should marry?"

Of course it was.  Obvious, he wanted to say.  Mycroft's fingerprints were all over this man.  He ought to remember that, to not allow himself the ease. 

"Has he ordered you to keep a tight rein on me, then?"  John remained inscrutably silent.  The conversation happened, even if John did not wish to admit it.  "I expect he has.  All he cares for is power and the proper image of things.  It is understandable that he'd want a loyal spy to keep watch over his shockingly uncouth embarrassment of a brother."

"I apologize, Mr. Holmes.  I seem to have stepped into a puddle of which I knew not the depth."

Sherlock waved the entire conversation away from his head and changed the subject.  He would come up with a way to get even with Mycroft if it was the last thing he did.

But first, what to do about Captain John Watson?  Was he going to prove a help or hindrance to the work?  He seemed thoughtful, meek even.  The years at war, though, and a certain… presence made Sherlock wonder otherwise. 

"Why do you call me Mr. Holmes when I call you John?"

The abrupt change in conversation flustered the man only momentarily.

"It's impolite to assume familiarity."

"Do you feel slighted when I do so?"  John didn't act offended.  Sherlock liked to offend people as a matter of course.  Provocation more adequately displayed their true selves.

"No."

"Then call me Sherlock.  After all, we are rather betrothed, are we not?"  Sherlock's let his voice dip lower and was pleased when John didn't appear to know what to say.  In fact, he excused himself shortly after and left Sherlock to his supper plate and cold tea.

Sherlock nibbled on another tartlet and considered the best way to make an ally of Captain John Watson.