Chapter Text
Arthur could not believe that anyone, anywhere, at any time, could be as happy as him. He was going to marry the most wonderful man in the world, had a BIG family that loved them both and who were going to be part of their lives forever. He looked at each face around the table, wondering a moment where John and Sherlock had been for so long, but concentrating mostly on how everyone was smiling. Even his mum! Not that she was teeth-smiling, but she wasn’t frowning as hard as she normally did, so it was the same thing as a smile.
“Arthur, you’ve been quiet. You see why I’m a little worried?”
“Oh Skip… it’s all just so wonderful. And we can have this anytime! Maybe not with everyone at the same time all of the time, but it’s not just me and Mum anymore, or you by yourself. It’s everyone! And it’s all because you, Skip! Maybe it didn’t happen in a very good way, what with you and your little problem, but it all worked out for the best. No… better than the best! It’s brilliant! Skip Brilliant!, even. Mr. Sherlock and Doctor Watson got to be boyfriends, Mycroft and Greg got to be boyfriends, we’re getting to be husbands!... Mum hasn’t been complaining about money nearly as much and Douglas… well, Douglas has made lots of new friends on the trips Mycroft has been sending GERTI on and that’s made him very happy, which is just as it should be when you make new friends. And it’s all because of you! Isn’t that wonderful!
Martin was not about to accept a scrap of credit for anything good that had happened of late, because that would mean accepting the blame for all of the bad and that was something that was threatening to cripple him already. No matter what Sherlock said or anyone else believed, there was a lot of guilt and blame resting on his shoulders. But at least he didn’t have to carry it alone. He would always have some help when things got too heavy to carry and that help would be completely thrilled to shoulder a corner of the load.
“I would say it’s all about you, Arthur. You’re the one that’s tied the whole business up in a box with an enormous bow. Without you, we’d all be in our own little corners starting at a wall, so I think you deserve the credit for the good things that have been happening. And I, for one, am in awe of your talent for waving your magic wand and getting the good to come bubbling up from anyone and anything you’ve seen, even the lost causes in my family. You’re a special person, love. The most special person I’ve ever met and I’m not the only one who thinks so; just look around at everyone here and I can tell you they all think the very same thing. Oh, are you getting misty again?”
“Perhaps a little.”
“You have to promise me that you won’t cry at the wedding, because you’ll start me crying, too and I’d rather not have us up there in front of everyone unable to go through with things because we’re crying too much.”
“I’ll try, Skip, but this is one time I don’t know if I’ll be able to do more than try, because I’ll be so happy that it’s going to have to come out in some way, maybe several ways and, after singing and shouting and dancing, crying is about the only thing left.”
“I’m sure you’ll do your best. Now, if I’m not mistaken, there’s a little cake that hasn’t been eaten and I know how you hate to leave little bits of cake behind.”
“I do! It’s not right that just because people started on other parts of the cake first that some bits don’t get to be eaten and have to go and live in the rubbish. And I think I have enough room in my stomach for half of what is left. Do you have room, too?”
“I think I can find space. I just hope Mycroft was serious about getting started a little later tomorrow. I’m fairly certain I’ll need a good bit of sleep for all of this celebration to properly digest.”
“I know! This has been amazing. Mycroft is the best! I have no idea how he does it, besides magic, which I’m not entirely convinced is not case, but I’m very grateful for it. I mean… a fairyland! And yummy cake! And, well, I do have to give him a lot of credit for our bracelets because I had no idea what to do and he helped me come up with an idea and then made sure that I got exactly what I wanted and… aren’t they wonderful! I’ll show you my model later and you can see just what a super job the nice jeweler did with these. But the important thing… Mycroft listened to me. Mycroft and Mr. Sherlock and Doctor Watson and Greg… they listen to me and, even when I’m a bit excited and having a hard time saying what I want to say without using lots and lots of words, they listen and don’t think I’m silly for what I have to say. They’re like you, Skip… and I’ve never really had a lot of people like that in my life. And now that we’re going to be husbands, I’ll get to have them forever and…”
Arthur had to take up a napkin and dab at his eyes before his tears began to run down his cheeks.
“Now, that’s going a little more than misty.”
“I cannot say that’s not true.”
“Well here…”
Martin pulled the platter with the last of the cake over towards him and took up a sizeable forkful to hold in front of Arthur’s mouth.
“Eat cake.”
Arthur wiped his eyes a final time and opened his mouth wide for the very large hunk of cake and took it into his mouth in one large bite.
“You will have to suffer them from now on, with all their various nonsense, and I have to say that I’m glad for it.”
“Ebn fr mr shrlk?
“Yes, even for Sherlock and, believe me, I never thought I’d say that in this lifetime. But… he’s… well, he’s not the same. Not the same at all, and it’s not quite as hard to be in the same room with him as I thought it was going to be. And he’s treated you well, which is all I really find I care about right now.”
That was something Martin still could not fully understand, but he wasn’t going to waste precious time analyzing their situation. Maybe it was the distraction of Greg’s shooting, maybe it was just spending a little more time with Sherlock and letting his mind acclimatize to his presence. Maybe it was seeing a slightly more human side of his cousin after their return from the… trip… to London with Mycroft. Maybes… and it really didn’t matter which one was right. He could stomach being with Sherlock well enough that future visits should go fairly smoothly and that was all that was important because Arthur would be heartbroken if he couldn’t continue to be fully enjoy and visit with every member his new, albeit strange, family.
“He has! I know Mr. Sherlock isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I think he’s brilliant. And not just brain brilliant, either. And… oh, hold on a moment.”
Martin followed Arthur’s eyes and saw Mycroft beckoning his fiancé over for another of their private chats. Maybe he would always have a little, or a lot, of jealousy about the ways in which Mycroft could bring happiness to Arthur, but there was no denying that Arthur loved every bit of it and didn’t love him any less for it.
“Hi Mycroft! This is brilliant! Everyone is so happy and, oh, it feels funny to move my arm around with my new bracelet. Not bad funny, but weird funny. I like it though, so weird good funny.”
“A little reminder of your impending union, what could be nicer?”
“Nothing at all. Not one tiny thing. I can’t wait to show it off, either. Everyone is going to want an engagement bracelet once they see ours. You should start designing yours and Greg’s now so that it’s ready when you ask Greg to be your husband.”
Mycroft had been wondering just when Arthur was going to raise the topic and was somewhat surprised that the boy had taken quite this long to do so.
“Arthur… I can assure you that such a question is not on the horizon at this point. Gregory is far too fragile, both physically and emotionally, to provide a properly thought-out response.”
“So you are going to ask him.“
“That was not exactly the thrust of my response.”
“He will say yes, you know.”
“As I stated, there will be no question given for him to provide an answer.”
“But you will someday, and he will say yes and you should have something ready so you can give it to him when you ask him. This will also give you time to show your design to me first, because I have a good eye for jewelry, if I do say so myself, so I can make sure it’s a design that Greg will love!”
Mycroft allowed his mind to play for a moment with the thought of his Gregory, whole and well, wearing a ring that matched the one Mycroft would wear on his own hand. Then he packed the thought away and tucked it neatly into a corner of his mind. The time to bring it out again was far in the future, but it would remain safe and sound until it was ready to match his day-to-day joyful reality.
“I shall give that due consideration. Now, it is getting quite late and I feel I should return to Gregory’s side and verify his continued health.”
“OH! Greg! I really did forget that he wasn’t here because… well, you know why. Yes, someone needs to check on him and spend some time with him… oh, he’s been alone all night, hasn’t he? That’s not fair at all…”
Arthur’s smile was fading quickly and Mycroft moved in quickly to keep his spirits from flagging.
“Gregory was quite adamant that we take the time and enjoy this evening, Arthur and it would not do to take his generous offer and undo it by bringing sorrow into our celebration. This is but one event in the chain of events that will lead to your wedding and I am quite sure that Gregory will be able to participate in many of them, once his healing has progressed beyond this very early stage. However, I do believe that it is time that I take my leave and ensure that he is resting and calm in preparation for tomorrow.”
“And because you’re worried about him and want to make sure that he’s ok and you miss him a lot and don’t want to be away from him for very long.”
That went without saying.
“I have no idea what you mean.”
“Oh, you’re teasing me. You’ve got your teasing smile on and I know better, anyway. Greg’s so lucky to have someone who’ll tease him and make him laugh. He laughs very nicely, too, so yes, I do think you should go now and make him laugh a little so he doesn’t feel so lonely anymore. I think Skip and I need to leave soon, too. He’s starting to look sleepy and when Skip gets sleepy, he can get a little baffling and that’s probably not a good thing with Mum, Douglas and Mr. Sherlock all in one place. We don’t need to add flustered to baffling now do we?”
“I think that would be a situation to avoid, yes. Now, is everything in hand? Do you require anything else from me at this point?”
“I can’t think of anything. You done everything I could possibly have imagined and things I couldn’t have imagined if I had tried to! This has been the best engagement dinner ever!”
“I am very happy that you are pleased with your evening, my boy. Now, I shall sneak out before I am stopped for any non-essential activities. Do not hurry to make an early start to the morning… it shall take effort to prepare Gregory for transport and you may, if you wish, simply meet us at the airfield.”
“Nope. I’m going to help, too. No offense, Mycroft, but I’m good at things like getting ready to fly and it would be best if you had someone there with those skills to make sure you’ve got everything ready to go.”
Not that Mycroft had really thought Arthur would not be there for every second of the transportation process, but he would have felt remiss not making the offer. And… it would be good to have another hand there for the little things, while John was dedicated to the larger, more critical matters.
“Your company would be more than welcome. Until tomorrow?”
“Until tomorrow. Bye, Mycroft! And… thanks again.”
“You’re quite welcome, Arthur.”
Arthur would never conceive that the joy he took from such little things as a party could never approach Mycroft’s joy at giving him such little things. How wondrous the coming years would be…
__________
“Mycroft made the mysterious exit? Why am I not surprised?”
“Oh, Skip… you’re already getting baffling, aren’t you?”
“Am I? I had no idea. Actually, I still have no idea… what does that even mean?”
“Skip, I think you may need a bit of a sleep.”
“Soon… I actually have a bet with myself as to when Douglas is going to start asking about when Mycroft’s coming back to Fitton.”
“Why would he do that?”
“I think he has a little crush going.”
“NO! Wait… really?”
“Well… ok. Not really. But I do think he wants to see how much headway he can make against Mycroft’s wit and charm and how far into Mycroft’s pockets he can reach before he’s noticed.”
“Skip, that’s not nice.”
“It’s Douglas, Arthur… what do you expect? And do not take off your bracelet to let him see it or feel it or show it to a mate or anything, understand? Bracelet stays on your wrist at all times when Douglas Richardson is within sprinting distance.”
“But Skip, I want people to see it and feel it and…”
“People, yes. Douglas, no. And watch out if he wants you to ask any favors of Mycroft… no matter how simple they sound, they won’t be and he knows by now that Mycroft won’t deny you anything.”
“Skip, I think you’re being a bit…”
“No, I’m being a lot. Trust me on this, love. If it concerns Mycroft, Douglas says ‘Do X’, you say ‘I shall not do X!’ And be very emphatic about it.”
“I shall not do X!!!”
“Good, just like that.”
“Is anyone allowed to know about the enigmatic X or is a password required for unlocking the secret?”
“AH, Douglas heard about X!”
“It’s alright, Arthur, he doesn’t know what is X, so you’re safe.”
“For a certain measure of safe, perhaps, however, Arthur has never been able to withhold any information from me for longer than…”
“Don’t try to get me involved with your crush on Mycroft, Douglas! And don’t stick your hands in his trousers, either!”
“…the time it takes to truly let the issue whirl in his brain as would a fish in a blender. It comes out about as recognizable, as well.”
“You know, Mr. Sherlock and I had a conversation about fish and my brain, but there wasn’t a blender involved that time.”
“And that is the last I want to hear about fish or brains unless it involves another course of this feast. You two… come with me. Douglas, do not pilfer the flatware.”
Arthur and Martin followed meekly after Carolyn who gathered her handbag and marched towards the door.
“Now, I have graciously allowed you the opportunity to fly to London and waste yet another bit of my valuable time skipping and prancing around the city. So, here are the rules… you will return my plane in the same condition in which you find it tomorrow at the airfield. You will not garner an arrest record during your stay nor do anything that will require legal intervention. Consider medical intervention also on your list of things that you will not entertain. And I shall not receive any communication to disrupt my holiday that begins with the words ‘Mum, are you sitting down?’ Do I make myself perfectly clear?”
“We’re just going for a little visit, Mum. And I think Skip and I do quite well on our own. And when we’re on our own together, then… well, then we do more than quite well!”
Carolyn looked at her son, who was making his best attempt at a ‘so there!’ face and wondered exactly when her baby Arthur had become the man standing in front of her. A man soon to be married, god help them all, and who had shown more courage and strength than a thousand of the idiots who saw him as a silly little clown who had no talent beyond making a fool of himself.
“I shall be the judge of that and I do not anticipate rendering my verdict until you take down my last words as I lay on my deathbed. However, I shall say that I am at least slightly more confident that you will not unduly shame MJN than I have been in the past and that I have some faith that if a perilous or expensive situation arises, you will find some method to extricate yourself that involves neither a prison cell nor a cemetery. And that, before you ask, is without the assistance of any of Martin’s familial contacts. Which do ease my mind, nonetheless, and I expect you to make use of them freely if your own wits come up short.”
“Well, that’s… not unpleasant, Carolyn. Thank you.”
“You can call her Mum now, Skip.”
The volume of two horrified ‘NO!’s’ had Arthur rapping his head trying to dispel the ringing.
“Arthur, you may be joining the legion of the conjugally joined, however, I am not adopting Martin like one of the shelter animals you are forever trying to sneak home under your jacket when you volunteer for an afternoon. That being said… I shall be a mother-in-law and do expect the proper treatment, as such. You will visit regularly, wear whatever clothing with which I choose to gift you, consume whatever meals I deign to place in your refrigerator, deposit any adopted children on my doorstep not one minute later than the agreed-upon visitation time and never, under any circumstances, make me wait for your daily phone call when we are not flying because I will visit upon you my most strident wrath.”
“That’s one of the deadly sins! I remember that one. And lust, because Skip used it twice on his list.”
“And that is another thing. You will not share with me the details of how you implement any of the deadly sins, most specifically lust, within the confines of your home.”
“I think that is something we can guarantee you, Carolyn. And… the rest. We can guarantee all of that fairly easily.”
“Good. It would not go well for you if you didn’t. Now, I must go and commence packing. And inform Herc he also needs to commence packing. I plan on making use of Mr. Holmes’s bribery for as long as I possibly can, so if you decide to have an extra day or so to extend your bacchanal, you have my permission to take them. DOUGLAS! We are leaving! Arthur… Martin…”
Carolyn brusquely yanked her son and his fiancé, in turn, by the collar and pressed a quick peck on each of their cheeks, then dragged Douglas out the door before he had a chance to disrupt her tender moment.
“I think your mother’s happy about the wedding.”
“Of course she is. WEDDING!”
Arthur danced in place and Martin just shook his head as Sherlock and John joined them.
“Well, guess you’ve got the blessing from both sides of the family, mate. That’s one hurdle cleared.”
“Huzzah. That’s the easy part, John. Now, I just have to find a place to live, try and finance a wedding…”
“Oh, Skip… you’re definitely baffling and it’s time to get you home.”
“Arthur, do you actually know what ‘baffling’ means?”
“I am almost certain that I’m at least partly right and that’s enough for me right now, so come on. Mr. Sherlock? Doctor Watson? Are you coming too?”
“Well, we’ve eaten all the food and drank all the champagne. Since there’s no karaoke or jugglers, I think we’ve done all we can do here.”
“WEDDING! We could have karaoke AND jugglers! Oh, this is going to be the best wedding ever!”
John tried to avoid the eyes of both Sherlock and Martin as he pulled Arthur out of the restaurant, hoping Sherlock’s irritation didn’t extend to their bedroom. Or… if it did, that Sherlock was feeling very creative in showing his displeasure…
__________
“I would have been far more happy with you if I had found you sleeping, my dear.”
“Uh oh, Dad’s home and he’s miffed.”
“Please tell me you have taken some rest this evening.”
“You have taken some rest this evening.”
“You are very fortunate that your appearance is extraordinarily pleasing to the eye, Gregory.”
And Mycroft was not disappointed in his prediction that Lestrade would laugh his musical laugh and that his slightly-affected irritation would not withstand its sound.
“I better start buying the wrinkle cream now before I lose my superpowers.”
“I think it is I who should be worrying about wrinkles. And the greying of my hair.”
“You’ll dye it. We’ll be lowering you into the ground and your zombie hand will be grabbing for a bottle of tint to do a touch up before you’re stuck behind the Pearly Gates and out of reach of the shops.”
Mycroft was both astonished and annoyed by how easily his Gregory could know his mind. The fact that in his personal effects was a very clear statement as to how his hair should be presented for the funeral service, therefore, would not be shared at this particular moment.
“Be that as it may, I am still awaiting an answer on your level of energy.”
“I nodded off a bit, if that makes you happy. Got a nurse to give me a few puffs of her cigarette, too and…”
“WHAT! I SHALL HAVE THE ENTIRE STAFF TERMINATED!”
“Ok… don’t make jokes about smoking when I’m already sleeping on the couch for… not sleeping.”
“Gregory Lestrade…”
“Yes, my dear Mycroft Holmes?”
“You do adore…”
It was only then that Mycroft’s mind put together various signs into a less-than-comforting picture. His Gregory’s smile was wide and beautiful, but there was a sheen on his skin and the slightest tremor in his fingers that complemented the way his beautiful smile did not completely reach his eyes.
“Adore what? Really, gimme a list. A big, long list of adorable things about me.”
“Very well. It is adorable that you are lying, not resting for a moment while I was gone, and that you are extremely overtired and doing your health an ill-service. Oh, do pardon me… that is on my list of items not adorable about you.”
“Bastard.”
“Fabricator.”
“Wasn’t tired.”
“You are utterly exhausted, if the physical signs tell their tale properly. Why would you do this to yourself, Gregory? You are indescribably lucky to have survived your ordeal, yet you seem absolutely determined to turn your back on that luck and allow yourself to expire, regardless.”
“You’ve got no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I have every idea and I am not at all pleased with my observations. You are to undergo an extremely stressful trial tomorrow and you are not…”
Sometimes, quite frequently of late, Mycroft thought himself the least intelligent individual on the planet. Taking his usual seat next to the hospital bed, Mycroft lay his hand over Lestrade’s and simply held it gently.
“I am sorry, Gregory… in my own joy to see you made comfortable in my… our… home, I had neglected to reflect on what might be your feelings about tomorrow’s events. And that you were not confident about your relocation from the beginning. Perhaps we should take some time and discuss the issue.”
“Nothing to talk about.”
“You do become quite petulant when you do not wish to discuss a matter that is distressing to you, don’t you, my dear?”
‘Nope.”
“My point is made.”
“I just wasn’t tired; leave it at that.”
“Or rather, your mind would not allow you to rest, racing as it was through all of the potential problems and missteps that could occur. Problems and missteps that could gravely impact your well being.”
Lestrade’s scowl was not nearly as fearsome as it could be, verifying again both his lack of energy and his state of mind.
“I’m not scared.”
“I think that is a matter of debate, actually, and… I must say now, having been alerted to the issue, that I would be more concerned if you were not approaching tomorrow with extreme trepidation. For us it will be an easy thing, but I have overlooked how terribly far you are away from being healed. And how close you were to leaving me alone.”
Mycroft simply sat as his partner frowned, then fixed a determined grimace on his face, only to have it slide away a few moments later to be replaced a look of weary resignation.
“I was always worried that being with you would leave me hobbled. Can’t figure out one thing about what you’re thinking, but you can read me like one of my common-person’s books.”
“I do believe you frequently peer beneath what I try to present as the reality of what lies behind the masquerade.”
“Bollocks. I can only know what you tell me and just hope it’s the truth.”
“Gregory… you are being contentious simply as an attempt to turn away my attention from you fears about tomorrow and I will not have you expend precious energy on an argument that you are provoking based solely on nonsense. If you relay your concerns to me, perhaps I may find some method to allay them. Even if not, I would want to know your mind going into this ordeal so that I might provide you with the support you both require and deserve.”
“I’m not a kid.”
“I appears we will revisit that particular notion often during our lives, for your actions are often at odds with that assertion… it is not childish, my dear, to have concerns about your health and vitality when facing a course of actions that threaten to compromise it. If you were to undergo further surgeries or face an illness, I would expect you to have worries; there is no difference in this case.”
Mycroft simply adored Lestrade’s fierce pride, it gave him character that few others could hope to achieve. However, it would also be something to guard against if it blockaded lines of communication on matters of importance, such as this one.
“Please, Gregory… talk to me.”
“I don’t want to die again, is that what you want to hear?”
“There is nothing I want to hear, so I would hope you would simply speak truthfully and from your heart.”
“I don’t know what to say. I cheated death once and now I’m putting myself right back out there for it to grab me again. I know that stuff’s not in good shape inside me right now. It’s nowhere near what one would call in good shape. And they’re going to toss me in an ambulance, then on a plane where who the fuck knows what could happen, not that I think Martin’s going to do anything but a great job piloting the damn thing, but…”
“But there are many unknown factors that could confound a simple and uneventful trip.”
“Yeah… I guess that’s it.”
“And what perfect sense it makes. Again, I have not honestly placed myself, proverbially, in your shoes to view our departure, but now that I do, I understand clearly your point of view. And it has been weighing on you since the decision was made, has it not? Despite your very skilled concealment of this fact from all of your circle.”
“I don’t like to bother people.”
“Expressing justifiable concerns about your own welfare cannot be categorized as ‘bothering people.’ I shall be honest, Gregory, and share with you that John has already discussed with me this very situation, where you would demonstrate great reluctance to speak with full truth about your condition or share with us details either of your emotional or physical welfare. While I do applaud your desire to spare us what you see as burdensome behavior, I would ask that set aside that desire for the more practical mindset of assisting us most fully to facilitate your recovery.”
“It’s not what I’m used to.”
“Perhaps not, but neither have you been in such a situation prior to this time. It is expected that your behavior would have to change to accommodate a new circumstance. I have promised myself that I shall not overwhelm you with my own form of bothersome attention; can you make a promise to not underwhelm myself and Doctor Watson with your needs?”
“I suppose I can try.”
“That is all I can ask. Now, if you like, I shall describe to you every aspect of our journey, so you shall have a fuller picture of the expectations, and I would appreciate you notifying me of any feature you would like modified or alerting me to any aspect you feel has been overlooked. Subsequent to that, I shall gladly share with you all of the details of this evening’s festivities. Will that be satisfactory?”
Though his love would never admit it, Mycroft could see the relief flood through Lestrade’s body, likely from both the admission of his concerns and from them being taken seriously and acted upon. Though he knew he was very much the same in this regard, Mycroft could only hope that his Gregory sincerely tried to be more open and up-front about his feelings, because he did not trust his own skills to properly recognize when there was a difficulty that was being camouflaged. That he nearly missed tonight both the indicators and their meaning was terribly worrying.
“I would actually like to know more about what’s going to happen and I’m dying to know about the big party!”
“Metaphorically speaking, of course.”
“Pfftt….”
__________
Mycroft was more than a little pleased that Lestrade fell asleep during their discussion. In fact, the moment he began speaking, the ease that had started to creep into his Detective Inspector’s bones continued to grow to the point that Mycroft felt rather irrationally proud of his voice’s effect on Lestrade’s well-being. There was a comfort in knowing that, as for no other in his life, any distress his lover possessed could be soothed to a great degree through the simple act of conversation. And, with Lestrade soundly asleep, Mycroft was able catch his own very welcome nap before John arrived to begin preparations.
“You two have a good night?”
“Do me the kindness of not allowing Gregory to be witness to your ludicrous leer. He has already expressed his frustrations with his enforced celibacy and I would rather not have to rebuff his feeble advances an additional time.”
“Yeah, poor bloke. He’s not going to get his bell rung for quite awhile, not that there aren’t other ways you can express some physical interest that will keep his spirits up. Well, as up as they can get at this point.”
“Your lurid imagination is not something I shall choose to indulge.”
“Your loss. Did he at least get some rest? I’m going to give him something to keep him calm through the trip, but a good night’s sleep is going to be important, too.”
“Unfortunately, he has enjoyed but a few hours… I am ashamed to admit that I did not observe how disturbed he truly was about his relocation and it preyed upon his mind most strongly while we were at dinner.”
“And, of course, he didn’t choose to share any of it until you called him out.”
“Truly. It is as you predicted; however, I hope he and I have come to some agreement that will preclude this situation in the future.”
“That’s going to be helpful, because I’m going to need every bit of information he can give me if I’m to provide the best quality of care.”
“We can but hope. Now, with what do you require assistance?”
“Nothing, really. Not right now, at least. I’m just going to start getting some supplies together for the plane, make sure I’ve got his records up to date… Arthur will be here in a few minutes and I know he’s anxious to get all of the decorations packed away properly so they’ll be ready to put up when Greg’s in his new room. He’s a little paranoid right now that we leave something behind.”
“Then I shall help to ensure that we do not. I, also, would not be pleased to find that any of Arthur’s artistic endeavors were left to languish.”
“Or yours. I wouldn’t have expected it, why I don’t know, but you’re good. And Greg thinks so, too.”
Mycroft hid the tiny flash of pleasure he experienced hearing John’s genuine compliment of his work. Perhaps it had been a foolish thing to put aside his art for so long…
“That is gratifying to hear and you have my thanks.”
“But if you start putting up nude portraits of yourselves, you’re going to have to hire a new doctor.”
“Is there a time that your mind does not descend into the depths of depravity?”
“Haven’t found one yet, but I’ve still got a lot of years to find out.”
“Oh! Find out what? Is this a game? I want to play! When’s my turn?”
“We have yet to commence a game, however, for there is very serious work to conduct. John must begin preparing the way for Gregory’s transport and we must organize and stow away the artwork for Gregory’s enjoyment in his new residence.”
“Yes! That was my plan, too! I brought a nice big box to put everything in, along with my supplies to make more once I see Greg’s room. Is it going to be big?”
Mycroft ran his mind’s eye across the room he had directed his staff to prepare for Gregory’s use.
“It will be sufficient in size to properly display what has already been created and nicely accommodate more.”
“Hurray! I have LOTS of plans for new drawings. And some puppets I want to make. And, of course, a petting book.”
John just smiled and waved at Mycroft as he left the older Holmes to travel alone down the road of inquiry.
“A petting book?”
“Sure! You take each page and put something on it that feels nice, like the flannel they use for pajamas and the fur they sell in the fabric shops that’s not real fur and sometimes blue, and the stuff they make shiny scarves out of or good scratchy wool. Then, when you’re feeling down, you can pet something in your book and feel better!”
“Very creative. Gregory will be very pleased. Now, shall we begin?”
“Let’s. And I’ll be very quiet so Greg doesn’t wake up. He looks very tired.”
“He is rather fatigued, for we talked rather late into the night. However, he was very excited to hear the details of your grand evening.”
“I’m so glad. I got a little worried that he would feel left out and sad.”
“Then, you may put your mind at ease. He was both delighted that you had such a well-attended celebration and very anxious for a gathering that he is capable of attending. You and I shall begin planning the itinerary while in London so that all preparations may be completed in time for Gregory’s ability to attend.”
“Brilliant! I love parties and I have no objection to having lots!”
And Mycroft had no objection to providing lots. Even if there be games on the horizon...
__________
Mycroft and Arthur cleared the walls and Arthur gleefully greeted Lestrade when he woke, launching into his own description of the previous night’s events and what was going on in terms of preparations for their journey. Apparently, Mycroft was amused to learn, Martin and Sherlock were in charge of ensuring all belongings were collected and deposited on their aircraft, which would then be prepared for their departure under Sherlock’s watchful eye. It was very welcome to see the cousins able to interact with less venom and more productivity than they had been demonstrating during the last visit to London.
When John returned to the room, it was impossible for Mycroft to miss the slight escalation of tension in his Gregory’s body and he was gladdened to see that John noticed it, as well.
“Getting close? I’m ready to get my chauffeured ride home.”
“All we need to do is get you unhooked from the wall and then toss you out of the window for the medics to catch and shove you into the ambulance.”
“Sounds lovely. Do I get one of those crash helmets?”
“You’re telling a joke, right, Doctor Watson? Greg is going to get a little ride in his bed to the ambulance, isn’t he? If not… well, I’ll carry him myself so he doesn’t have to be tossed and caught because that can’t be good for him.”
John had to chuckle because he had no doubt Arthur would hoist Lestrade right out of the bed and march him outside if that was what it would take to keep him safe.
“It’s definitely a joke. Greg’s gotten too heavy lying around like a big lazy cat for anyone to catch him and not break their backs. And I am ignoring that rude noise, Detective Inspector. Fine role model you make for the kiddies.”
“Maybe that’ll be my job from now on, visiting all the schools and telling kids to stay off drugs and that the cops are their friends.”
“That would be brilliant! And no one could do it better than you, Greg! No one at all. They’d listen to you because you’re a brilliant policeman and smart and if you wore a hat and nice uniform it would be even better when you gave your show. If you can’t find a hat and uniform, I’m sure Mycroft can get them for you. Or I can make them. I’ll start looking at pictures and find something really super to use as a model. Mycroft, if I make a model of a hat and uniform, do you think you could find someone to make it real and proper for me?”
Mycroft ignored the terrified looks coming from Lestrade and John and gave Arthur a very indulgent smile.
“That will be a very simple matter. However, let us see if Gregory chooses to follow that path or if he opts instead to return to his caseload and stacks of papers that are beckoning him so seductively from the top of his desk.”
“Oh… yes, of course! Let’s see what he wants to do and then I can get to work. That makes lot of sense. No use getting a hat and uniform made if it’s not going to be used except around the house.”
“Very wise. So, if I understand you correctly, John… the path is clear to begin the exodus.”
“Basically. As soon as Greg says he’s ready, we’ll get started.”
Lestrade was not happy at the eyes that turned towards him because what he wanted more than anything was a little time. Time to take few breaths, time to go over all of Mycroft’s preparations in his mind once again, time to get his head in a good place to face putting himself in the hands of fate while getting shuffled around like a bag of flour. But if he said he needed time, he’d get a lot of sympathetic smiles and pats on the arm and that put a sour taste in his mouth. And it wouldn’t change the outcome… he was leaving today, no matter what, so he might as well be a man about things and get it all over with now.
“Ok, then… looks like the room’s clear, so I guess there’s no reason to put this off. If we leave now, there’ll be plenty of time to get settled, then you tossers can watch a film or something and enjoy the rest of the day.”
“We, Greg! We tossers! You’ll be able to watch with us and it will be brilliant!”
“We’ll see how things go, Arthur. Ok, John… it’s time.”
John wanted to smack his friend so hard his head rang for lying through his teeth, but now was not the right moment. There would be words about this later, though and, from the looks of it, Mycroft would have his own set of words to add to the discussion.
“Ok… I’ll get some help and we’ll get going. I’ll ride with Greg and you two can follow us to the airfield.”
“That’s brilliant! I get to follow an ambulance and if Greg falls out the back like they sometime do in the films, Mycroft and I will see it happen and we can stop and pick him up!”
John put a large grin on his face, hoping that it distracted Arthur from the look of terror moving across Lestrade’s features and Mycroft quickly hustled Arthur out the door to get Arthur’s car ready to go.
“John…”
“Doesn’t happen. Doesn’t ever happen, so calm down. This is going to go easily so don’t worry.”
John poked his head out of the room and waved at the nurse’s station to signal they were ready to move, which set a small army of orderlies, nurses and a free doctor or two descending on Lestrade’s room and within a short period of time, Lestrade’s bed was rolling down the hallway to the waiting ambulance, Arthur and Mycroft waiting nearby with Arthur’s enthusiastic ‘hurray!’ actually drawing a smile from Lestrade’s lips. Another quick transfer and Lestrade was staring at the ceiling of the ambulance, praying that the road to the airfield was free from holes, bumps, sheep or any other cars straddling the lanes that had another surprise in store for him.
“Still, ok?”
“As ok as I can be.”
“Well, that should be increasing soon.”
“I thought I saw you put something in the IV.”
“Curses, foiled again.”
“Some sort of sedative?”
“Just to take the edge off your stress. This is going to be stressful for you, Greg, and there’s no reason you can’t have a little help with it.”
“Can I have a little top off just to be sure?”
“Nope. Then you’ll be drooling and singing and nobody wants to experience that.”
“Arthur would.”
“New rule… Arthur cannot be invoked as an example to justify any form of behavior, good or bad.”
“So, you’re one of those… make up the rules as you go along.”
“And, since I’m the one with the magical syringe, just get used to it.”
__________
John had to admit to some worry riding through the less-than-well-maintained local roads and breathed a sigh of relief when they finally arrived at the airfield. As soon as the ambulance doors were opened, a beaming Arthur stuck his head inside and John motioned him up to sit for a second.
“I’ve never sat in an ambulance before… this is brilliant!”
“Well, let’s hope you only have to ever sit in one and not recline like this pitiful one here.”
“…eard that, …stard.”
“Doctor Watson, I do believe that Greg is having some form of a problem.”
“Yeah, it’s called chemical happiness. He’s fine, Arthur. I just gave him a little something to help him relax.”
“Oh, well that’s good. Maybe I should get some of that to give to Skip, because he gets very nervous sometimes and rather stressed when things go a bit iffy. Then he gets fidgety and stammery and all sorts of odd things tend to happen and we’re not always somewhere that I can have him take a little sit-down and sing him a song.”
“Let’s talk about that when we get to London, ok? I’ll give you some ideas for helping avoid the dreaded sit down.”
“Thanks! Oh… do we actually have to leave now?”
“The nice men waiting for us so they can get to Greg say it’s definitely time to leave.”
“Alright then… I’ll go tell Mycroft everything’s ok.”
Arthur jumped down, thanking each of the medical personnel waiting to lift Lestrade out of the ambulance and John followed after him, clearing the way to get the next stage of the journey underway. When the gurney was on the ground, John looked over to Arthur who jumped slightly, realizing he was supposed to lead the way, but marched off proudly, looking over his shoulder every two seconds to make sure everything behind him was going well.
It took a bit of time to get Lestrade situated in the cabin, especially with Sherlock insisting on hovering nearly on top of them to better observe each step of the procedure and double-checking everything to make sure it met with his approval. Mycroft found it surprisingly easy to simply stand aside and let John do his work, participating only to offer his thanks and a small envelope to each of the ambulance crew when they finally departed the plane.
“We have been waiting for an exceedingly long time, John. I do not enjoy waiting, as I am sure you are well aware.”
“Sorry about that… silly concerns about Greg’s safe travel. Next time, I’ll go with my window tossing idea and save us a few minutes.”
“I have no desire to know the foundation of your attempt at humor, but I do have a desire for tea.”
“Don’t look at me! I’ve got enough on my hands without having to worry about making tea and crashing the plane by accident!”
“Arthur! Tea!”
“Oh… I can do that! That’s my job, after all. Let me ask Skip when we’re taking off because I can’t make tea during takeoff. It’s a law.”
“Mycroft!”
“I am not going to amend the aviation code to accommodate your lack of patience, Sherlock. However… Arthur, why don’t you alert Martin that we are prepared and he may get underway at his earliest convenience?”
“Brilliant! We’re going to London!”
Arthur bounded up the aisle and barged onto the flight deck. Mycroft had to laugh seeing the young man look carefully behind him, then gently close the door. It, obviously, would be at least a few minutes until they departed so that Arthur could gain his fill of affection before the trip.
“John! Why is Lestrade smiling?”
“He’s happy.”
“What did you give him?”
“Nothing I’m sharing.”
“Pity… I have had to associate with Martin, at his most insufferable, and now I have to sit in proximity to Mycroft, who is always insufferable. And I have no tea.”
Mycroft spied a box of tea in the galley, withdrew a bag and tossed it at his brother, cleanly hitting him on the nose.
“Now you have tea. And we may have quiet. And I do believe I hear the engines making ready to take us aloft. If you are a very lucky boy, Arthur might find some hot water to marry with your lonely bag of tea and your day shall be a blessed one.”
“John!”
“John isn’t here, try again later.”
Sherlock huffed out a loud breath and threw his tea bag at the speaker when Martin announced they were about to leave, watching, then, the bag fall onto Arthur’s head as he left the flight deck prompting a loud squeak that set Lestrade laughing and Mycroft and John railing at Sherlock from the back of the cabin. The detective mentally declared that no cup of tea was going to make his day a blessed one. Unless he was also presented with a biscuit. And only chocolate would do. Eaten away from the chattering masses.
“I am joining Martin. Arthur bring tea when it is prepared.”
“Oh, I’m not sure… ok, I guess Mr. Sherlock can go on the flight deck.”
“And we are all the better for it. Now, make yourself ready, my boy and bid farewell to Fitton for the time being.”
“Bye Fitton! We’ll be back soon!”
“How wonderfully literal-minded you are.”
“Thanks. I do try. At least I think I do.”
__________
“Boring.”
“Then leave.”
“I believe it is considered bad form to open the door of an aircraft midflight.”
“Not the one that sends you back to the cabin where you’re supposed to be anyway.”
“It is, perhaps, even more boring back there.”
“You can talk to John.”
“But John will make me acknowledge Mycroft and, further, will have his attention diverted by Lestrade’s hypochondria.”
“And this is the better option?”
“I am learning to pilot a plane, which may prove useful at some point. However, I shall endeavor to do a more credible job than you should my skills be pressed into service.”
“Take a parachute. Jump. Meet us at Mycroft’s house if you survive.”
“I have previously; I do not see why this occasion would end differently.”
“Why would…”
“It is immaterial, since I shall not be leaving your lovely aircraft until Arthur brings my tea and biscuit and I have taken my turn at the helm.”
“Then you’re here forever because you are not touching any of these controls.”
“Oh look… I touched it.”
“Sherlock…”
“I touched this one, too. You can even see my fingerprint, which proves my statement.”
“Stop that.”
“Noooo…. I don’t think so. There. I touched that one twice. Is that a record?”
“ARTHUR!”
“Shouldn’t you be using your intercom system? I thought they would teach you that during your lesson on instrument touching.”
Arthur peeked through the door, watching closely for flying tea bags.
“Skip! Are you ok?”
“Tea. Biscuit. Now.”
“A chocolate biscuit or I shall move from touching to twiddling.”
“This is serious, Arthur. Please hurry.”
“Oh, but I’d love to watch Mr. Sherlock twiddle!”
“There shall be no twiddling!”
“Here I go… that appears shiny…”
“Arthur!”
“Tea and a chocolate biscuit coming up. Hold off on twiddling until I get back, Mr. Sherlock… I don’t want to miss anything!”
“I shall restrain myself. And when you return… there also may be poking.”
“Brilliant!”
“Help me…”
__________
“Sherlock… what did you do?”
“Nothing. There is nothing to do in this soup tin.”
“Did you touch anything?”
“Like this.”
“STOP POKING! This is serious. Did you touch anything?”
“I have been sitting here patiently waiting for this torture to end and have found nothing interesting with which to occupy my fingers.”
“Ok then… just tap that little flashing light a few times, will you?”
Sherlock cut his eyes over to look at his cousin and was taken aback at the very clear concern written on Martin’s face.
“What is wrong?”
“Just tap the light a few times. Ok, a little harder. Fine, now hit it, NO! not that hard… ok…um… this is… can you tap it just one more time? Oh, ok… maybe it’s nothing…”
“Martin… you will tell me what is the problem.”
“It could be nothing.”
“And what else could it be if it isn’t nothing?”
“That the landing gear has a malfunction.”
“What?”
“I think I said that clearly enough.”
“Are you saying we can’t land?”
“Oh, we can land… we just can’t safely land.”
“If you are choosing this time to exercise your woefully-lacking sense of humor, I must advise you that your efforts are both pathetic and distasteful.”
“Yes, that’s it. I’m going to joke about a potentially dangerous landing with my family and fiancé on board. That sounds just like something I’d do.”
“How long until we reach London.”
“Oh… Arthur’s probably dancing in the cabin and singing that he can see London out of the window right now. It’s because I’m on approach that I’m even going through the landing procedure.”
“What… what are you going to do?”
“There’s not much to do besides notify the tower, cross my fingers and hope for the best.”
“Are you being flippant?”
“No, I’m being honest. It could be a false alarm, it could be something minor, it could be… we could be sliding belly down on the tarmac. You’d better go and let the others know what’s going on and tell them to get strapped in tightly. Arthur knows what to do, so let him help.”
Sherlock made note of the grim set to Martin’s lips and held back any further comments, simply nodding, rising from his chair and moving towards the main cabin without another word.
“Mr. Sherlock! It’s London! Right there! We’re almost there! We’re… what’s wrong?”
Arthur’s abrupt shift in tone drew both John and Mycroft’s attention from their final check on Lestrade and each man quickly rose and began to move towards Sherlock, who simply raised a hand and moved towards them instead.
“There is the possibility of a problem with the aircraft that may impact the quality of our landing.”
“Details, Sherlock. What exactly is the nature of the situation and what is being done to correct it?”
“According to Martin, there is indication that the landing gear may have a malfunction, the extent of which is unknown. There is no action that can correct the problem at this time and our only recourse is to, as they say, ride it out. Arthur, you are aware of the necessary procedures for a landing that is potentially hazardous?”
“What?... oh… Yes! I do! I’ll show everyone what to do and we had best do it fast because we’re going down already. But… I don’t know what extra things we can do for Greg. I don’t remember them showing me that in the film I watched.”
Mycroft felt a spike of helplessness that he had never before endured and prayed he never experienced again. All of Gregory’s fears, fears he had marginalized… For his part, John was just as shaken and found it very difficult to release his partner’s hand, which he had taken as soon as Sherlock had finished his speech. However, Arthur took his duties very seriously and quickly had bodies moving to seats, with seatbelts buckled. He quickly checked over the straps and restraints that were holding Lestrade in place and was just finished strapping himself into his own chair, demonstrating the proper position to when Martin announced their imminent touchdown.
The first second of the landing gave everyone hope that their fears were unfounded, but the sharp lurch and ear-splitting squeal that followed dashed those hopes against the rocks. Each moment that passed was met with a jerk or a shudder that rippled through the plane and John hoped that he and Sherlock wouldn’t break each other’s fingers from holding hands as if it was the last thing they would ever do. It was after three or four eternities had passed that the plane came to a stop and John sniffed, hoping desperately that he wouldn’t smell smoke. Smelling and sensing nothing amiss, he slowly straightened up and began checking his partner for any injury. Unsurprisingly, he was swatted away, but, also unsurprisingly, was drawn back into a tight embrace that ended with very hard and desperate kiss that John returned fully. Both men looked up when Martin staggered into the cabin, but couldn’t hold back their smiles when Arthur launched himself forward to hold his fiancé so firmly Martin had to wriggle around just to get some space to inflate his lungs.
“Mycroft? You alive?”
“I believe that I am, John, though I do need to check on… JOHN!”
John hurled himself out of his seat and raced to Lestrade’s side, Arthur not a step behind him.
“No… oh, Doctor Watson…”
John began checking vital signs and sent up a silent prayer that he was hearing sirens approaching and not suffering auditory hallucinations because there was nothing he could do, as it stood, to help his friend who was losing his color as quickly as the trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth was dribbling down onto the floor…