A Study In Living With Sherlock Holmes 5/22
Title: A Study In Living With Sherlock Holmes
Disclaimer: I do not own anything or anyone from the BBCSherlock universe.
Genre: General, Friendship, Angst, Drama
Rating: Several chapters will have some angst, ptsd, references to drug use and alcoholism, murder, crime, violence, language, and sexuality.
Characters: John Watson, Sherlock Holmes, with appearances of DI Lestrade, Mrs Hudson, Mike Stamford, Molly Hooper and others.
Summary: John Watson moves into 221B Baker Street after the events of 'A Study In Pink'. He had no idea what he would be in for, living with an eccentric genius like Sherlock Holmes, but if the first twenty four hours are anything to go by, then he knows he's in for a ride
Word Count: 2,219
***************************
Date: February 3rd- Day 4
Time: In the afternoon, not quite sure
Location: London, Coffee Shop
***************************
"So you're still living with him then?"
John nods as the waitress sets down the biscuits they ordered, and takes a sip from his tea. Mike Stamford had called him, haven gotten his mobile number from Sherlock apparently, and asked if he wanted to get together for some tea.
John had nothing pressing to do. At the time he was reading about some of Sherlock's cases, and ignoring Harry's calls, and trying to figure out how to put the case with the cabbie into words on his blog.
John mentally twitches. Blog.
Maybe he should just get a journal and write in that instead...
"Well, glad it's working out. Sherlock's not an easy person to get along with in passing, I doubt he'd be easy to live with."
"So far.. no problems."
"Hasn't played the violin at two am yet has he?" Mike asks with a smirk.
"This morning, yes. But he warned me about that." Just not the fact that he plays at two am...
John hadn't been sleeping well last night.. nightmares, Afghanistan... It was too quiet, the flat was that is. Sherlock had skipped out around eight, and John just watched some telly before kipping off to bed.
Then he remembered waking up, stifling back shouts as the war receded from his mind. He heard noise downstairs, and knew without a doubt Sherlock must have heard his moans at least before he woke up.
Yes, excellent flatmate material he is, with PTSD and nightmares that will keep anyone awake.
John couldn't bring himself to go back to sleep, not wanting Sherlock to hear him have more nightmares, but then he heard the violin playing. And he knew at that time Sherlock was not exaggerating about his skill with the violin. The soothing music had helped calmed his mind, and somehow John was able to get back to sleep, this time with no nightmares.
Whatever problem that plagued Sherlock inadvertently helped John.
"So has he had a lot of flatmates before?" John asks curiously.
"I don't know. I just know he was muttering about breaking down and getting a flatmate. I asked him about it at the time, and he said that the place he was eying was a good place, but in able to afford he would need a flatmate. He sounded quite put out about the whole thing. Of course Doctor Rhyse didn't help matters."
"Doctor Rhyse?"
"One of the trainers. Sherlock and I were in cafeteria when we were talking. Rhyse and Sherlock don't get on, not since Sherlock told him his wife was having an affair with the postman, and how his life apparently was quite the cliche." Mike grins. "Then again not many liked Rhyse, so they saw this as just desserts."
John shakes his head, taking another sip. Sounds like Sherlock though. He's only lived with him for four days now, but he's getting a feel of the man. "What did Rhyse say?"
"Said that no one in their right minds would live with someone like him. Sherlock just took it face value, then told Rhyse that he needed to keep an eye on his daughter. I won't get int all of that, but later Sherlock admitted he knew he would be a difficult person to live with, and that it would have to take someone incredibly patient and tolerant to do so."
"That would definitely be the truth," John murmurs.
"Next thing I know, a couple hours later, you're walking right on by me."
"Come on, who would want me for a flatmate."
"You're the second person to say that to me today."
"Who was the first?"
"And the rest is history."
Mike chuckles. "Indeed. So you are getting on then?"
"Reasonably. He's quite the character... something new every day, and I'm not bored."
"I believe you on that."
"So, tell me, how does Sherlock have access to the labs in St Barts?" John asks curiously. "It's obvious he doesn't work for St Barts."
"No, no he doesn't. And I'm not sure how... all I know is that some sort of arrangement was made, with the head of Research. He's been there.. oh for three years now, I think."
"You two seem to get on all right."
"He seems to tolerate me, more so than the others," Mike admits. "Then again, I treat him with respect and I don't feel threatened by him. I'm perfectly comfortable with how I am, and he knows it, so he doesn't go out of his way to point things out about me."
"Unlike with Doctor Rhyse," John murmurs, or with Sgt Donovan and Anderson...
"Correct." Mike looks at his watch. "Nor do I have a crush on him, like poor Molly Hooper and so many other girls there that try without any luck to get his attention."
John briefly remembers the young lady that came into the research lab to hand Sherlock coffee. Something about lipstick..
"Crush on him does she?"
"Oh yes. Horrible one. And he knows it I think.. it's how he's able to get what he needs from the morgue."
Okay, John can see where the word sociopath can come in now. But.. it seems like he has tendencies towards a sociopath nature, but not quite there.
Although why John is hung up on this, he has no idea. He's been bothered by Sherlock's diagnosis, but it's not his place to question it really, since he's not a psychologist.
"Blast," John hears Mike mutter and notices the man checking his watch. "Best be off. Thanks for coming by. Good to see you again."
"Good to see you."
***************************
Location: 221B Baker Street
Time: Evening, around 7 pm.
***************************
John turns down the volume, silencing the shouting people, as he hears familiar footsteps. Only a few days living together and John has come to recognize Sherlock's footsteps.
"Hello," Sherlock greets, as he comes in. "Anything fascinating on the telly?"
"Jeremy Kyle."
"Ugh, boring," he mutters.
"Not much else on," John admits. "And couldn't decide what else to do." He had stalled on his writing of the taxi case, and decided to put it off lest he get frustrated and decide not to write it.
Sherlock goes into the kitchen, opening the fridge. "Beer?"
"Bought a couple."
"Hmm."
"What?"
"With an alcoholic for a sister, I would think you would shy away from alcohol."
John does his best not to clench his jaw at the mention of Harry.
He's just commenting.
Just commenting.
"I don't drink often, no. And I stay away from the heavy stuff."
Sherlock turns around. "I touched a nerve."
"Yeah."
He comes back into the room, and once again those cool blue eyes are raking over him, coming to whatever conclusions that pop up. The slender man frowns. "Mentioning your sister.. not good?"
John exhales. No point in getting upset. Not when he confirmed it at Lauriston Gardens. "Sorry, don't mean to be tetchy."
"You talked to her today."
"How...?"
"Your hand is shaking, and you're rubbing your leg... plus you're more irritable about the mention of her, when you were quite calm when I first deduced about your sibling."
John stares at the man, and then shakes his head. "Well, you were right. I did talk to her. If you call a five minute conversation being yelled at as talking."
"Drunk?"
"Halfway there."
Sherlock nods. "Change your number then?"
"That's your solution?"
Sherlock shrugs. "Only logical one I can think of. Change your number, she can't get a hold of you to yell at you. She'll learn to call when sober."
"Change your number a lot have you?"
"To avoid Mycroft?" Sherlock says, the disdain for his brother clear. "No point. He finds it out anyway."
"Suppose it's hard to hide from a man that can control CCTV."
"Understatement. Although don't you love his idea of concern for my well being?"
"It's a bit.. startling, yes."
"You're not the first you know."
"First person he kidnapped?"
Sherlock drops into a chair, turning on his laptop. "In regards to me. Lestrade doesn't know who he is, but he got abducted.. About a day after we met when I solved a case for him. Told me the next time we met that if he ever gets abducted again because of our association he was going to arrest me on accessory charges."
"They wouldn't stick."
"That's what I told him. He didn't care for it."
"No, I imagine not."
"How did your tea with Stamford go?"
The man changes subjects as quickly as one takes a breath. John doesn't bother to find out how he knew.
"Fine. Wanted to see if I was still living here, or if you driven me out."
Sherlock chuckles.
"Have you had any prior flatmates before?"
"I have had three all together. Longest one I had was six months, and that was because he was a flight attendant and hardly ever here. So technically we were flatmates for all of two weeks."
"What sent him packing?"
"He found a liver in the fridge."
"What, no eyeballs in the microwave?"
Sherlock smirks. "No."
"I found a couple fingers though," John says, figuring he might as well get it out of the way now. "Not sure what the liquid was. Left it alone."
"Good. It needs to stay that way for two more days before I check the results."
"Is this going to happen often?"
"Is what?" Sherlock asks as he types an address in Google.
"Am I going to be finding body parts in the fridge often?"
"You'll also be finding them in the freezer."
"Sherlock."
"What? Oh don't worry, I'll make sure they won't contaminate anything. But yes, I tend to bring home body parts for tests when I can't stay at the lab any longer."
John takes a breath. "All right."
"Is that going to be a problem? You're a doctor, you shouldn't be affected by body parts."
John's tempted to smack upside the head. "I'm more worried about them being in the bloody fridge."
"As I said, I take the proper precautions."
"Good. Oh there's some Bangers and Mash left over in the microwave."
"Leaving food for me now?"
"At least eat it Sherlock."
"Later."
John drops it there, figuring that he at least got some non committal answer about eating. He then decides to get an answer to a question Stamford didn't know.
"How did you get access to the labs in St Barts? And permission to get body parts from the morgue and such?"
"Who said I had permission?"
"You would have to get it, Sherlock. Otherwise you would have been banned from the premises at some point."
Sherlock grins and John sees amusement in his blue eyes. "Well, in the beginning I didn't have permission, and I was illegally using the lab. Didn't have access to the morgue at the time, and couldn't break into it to get access. But that changed about a month after I officially became a consulting detective."
"What happened?"
"The Head of Research caught me illegally using the lab, threatened to have me arrested. I gave her the number to Lestrade, and she locked me in her office while she called him from another. She apparently didn't want me to overhear. I took advantage."
"You snooped?"
"I snooped. She used my mobile to call Lestrade, so I found hers on her desk. Also I hacked into her computer. Found out through some emails, texts, and a couple of quick calls, she was paying a lot of money to have her husband followed. According to the emails and the quick chat I had with the private investigator she hired, she was convinced her husband was stealing from her and cheating on her, but couldn't prove it."
"What did you do?"
"When she came back in, having calmed down a bit after Lestrade talked to her, I offered her my services. I offered to get her the proof she needed, in exchange for getting permission to have access to St Barts."
John finds himself amazed at all this. The presumption, the nerves, the gall. All Sherlock.
"Did she take it?"
Sherlock grins, pride coming off him in waves. "Of course. She was intelligent enough to see that her incompetent PI was getting nowhere. It was obvious the husband was paying the PI to also not find anything. I found payments in his bank accounts traced back to the husband. Not only did I find the proof of him stealing thousands of dollars from his wife, I found undeniable proof of him cheating on her, with multiple women, plus add on the prize on top- he was also doing drugs. With that evidence in hand, she was able to divorce her husband and have the prenup nullified, so she wouldn't lose anything by divorcing him. I kept my end of the deal ,and so did she. A research lab of my own, and access to the morgue."
"Amazing. I mean seriously, amazing."
"Have to admit, a bit disappointed though. It was a lot more fun getting in illegally."
John bursts out laughing.
NEXT CHAPTER
Disclaimer: I do not own anything or anyone from the BBCSherlock universe.
Genre: General, Friendship, Angst, Drama
Rating: Several chapters will have some angst, ptsd, references to drug use and alcoholism, murder, crime, violence, language, and sexuality.
Characters: John Watson, Sherlock Holmes, with appearances of DI Lestrade, Mrs Hudson, Mike Stamford, Molly Hooper and others.
Summary: John Watson moves into 221B Baker Street after the events of 'A Study In Pink'. He had no idea what he would be in for, living with an eccentric genius like Sherlock Holmes, but if the first twenty four hours are anything to go by, then he knows he's in for a ride
Word Count: 2,219
***************************
Date: February 3rd- Day 4
Time: In the afternoon, not quite sure
Location: London, Coffee Shop
***************************
"So you're still living with him then?"
John nods as the waitress sets down the biscuits they ordered, and takes a sip from his tea. Mike Stamford had called him, haven gotten his mobile number from Sherlock apparently, and asked if he wanted to get together for some tea.
John had nothing pressing to do. At the time he was reading about some of Sherlock's cases, and ignoring Harry's calls, and trying to figure out how to put the case with the cabbie into words on his blog.
John mentally twitches. Blog.
Maybe he should just get a journal and write in that instead...
"Well, glad it's working out. Sherlock's not an easy person to get along with in passing, I doubt he'd be easy to live with."
"So far.. no problems."
"Hasn't played the violin at two am yet has he?" Mike asks with a smirk.
"This morning, yes. But he warned me about that." Just not the fact that he plays at two am...
John hadn't been sleeping well last night.. nightmares, Afghanistan... It was too quiet, the flat was that is. Sherlock had skipped out around eight, and John just watched some telly before kipping off to bed.
Then he remembered waking up, stifling back shouts as the war receded from his mind. He heard noise downstairs, and knew without a doubt Sherlock must have heard his moans at least before he woke up.
Yes, excellent flatmate material he is, with PTSD and nightmares that will keep anyone awake.
John couldn't bring himself to go back to sleep, not wanting Sherlock to hear him have more nightmares, but then he heard the violin playing. And he knew at that time Sherlock was not exaggerating about his skill with the violin. The soothing music had helped calmed his mind, and somehow John was able to get back to sleep, this time with no nightmares.
Whatever problem that plagued Sherlock inadvertently helped John.
"So has he had a lot of flatmates before?" John asks curiously.
"I don't know. I just know he was muttering about breaking down and getting a flatmate. I asked him about it at the time, and he said that the place he was eying was a good place, but in able to afford he would need a flatmate. He sounded quite put out about the whole thing. Of course Doctor Rhyse didn't help matters."
"Doctor Rhyse?"
"One of the trainers. Sherlock and I were in cafeteria when we were talking. Rhyse and Sherlock don't get on, not since Sherlock told him his wife was having an affair with the postman, and how his life apparently was quite the cliche." Mike grins. "Then again not many liked Rhyse, so they saw this as just desserts."
John shakes his head, taking another sip. Sounds like Sherlock though. He's only lived with him for four days now, but he's getting a feel of the man. "What did Rhyse say?"
"Said that no one in their right minds would live with someone like him. Sherlock just took it face value, then told Rhyse that he needed to keep an eye on his daughter. I won't get int all of that, but later Sherlock admitted he knew he would be a difficult person to live with, and that it would have to take someone incredibly patient and tolerant to do so."
"That would definitely be the truth," John murmurs.
"Next thing I know, a couple hours later, you're walking right on by me."
"Come on, who would want me for a flatmate."
"You're the second person to say that to me today."
"Who was the first?"
"And the rest is history."
Mike chuckles. "Indeed. So you are getting on then?"
"Reasonably. He's quite the character... something new every day, and I'm not bored."
"I believe you on that."
"So, tell me, how does Sherlock have access to the labs in St Barts?" John asks curiously. "It's obvious he doesn't work for St Barts."
"No, no he doesn't. And I'm not sure how... all I know is that some sort of arrangement was made, with the head of Research. He's been there.. oh for three years now, I think."
"You two seem to get on all right."
"He seems to tolerate me, more so than the others," Mike admits. "Then again, I treat him with respect and I don't feel threatened by him. I'm perfectly comfortable with how I am, and he knows it, so he doesn't go out of his way to point things out about me."
"Unlike with Doctor Rhyse," John murmurs, or with Sgt Donovan and Anderson...
"Correct." Mike looks at his watch. "Nor do I have a crush on him, like poor Molly Hooper and so many other girls there that try without any luck to get his attention."
John briefly remembers the young lady that came into the research lab to hand Sherlock coffee. Something about lipstick..
"Crush on him does she?"
"Oh yes. Horrible one. And he knows it I think.. it's how he's able to get what he needs from the morgue."
Okay, John can see where the word sociopath can come in now. But.. it seems like he has tendencies towards a sociopath nature, but not quite there.
Although why John is hung up on this, he has no idea. He's been bothered by Sherlock's diagnosis, but it's not his place to question it really, since he's not a psychologist.
"Blast," John hears Mike mutter and notices the man checking his watch. "Best be off. Thanks for coming by. Good to see you again."
"Good to see you."
***************************
Location: 221B Baker Street
Time: Evening, around 7 pm.
***************************
John turns down the volume, silencing the shouting people, as he hears familiar footsteps. Only a few days living together and John has come to recognize Sherlock's footsteps.
"Hello," Sherlock greets, as he comes in. "Anything fascinating on the telly?"
"Jeremy Kyle."
"Ugh, boring," he mutters.
"Not much else on," John admits. "And couldn't decide what else to do." He had stalled on his writing of the taxi case, and decided to put it off lest he get frustrated and decide not to write it.
Sherlock goes into the kitchen, opening the fridge. "Beer?"
"Bought a couple."
"Hmm."
"What?"
"With an alcoholic for a sister, I would think you would shy away from alcohol."
John does his best not to clench his jaw at the mention of Harry.
He's just commenting.
Just commenting.
"I don't drink often, no. And I stay away from the heavy stuff."
Sherlock turns around. "I touched a nerve."
"Yeah."
He comes back into the room, and once again those cool blue eyes are raking over him, coming to whatever conclusions that pop up. The slender man frowns. "Mentioning your sister.. not good?"
John exhales. No point in getting upset. Not when he confirmed it at Lauriston Gardens. "Sorry, don't mean to be tetchy."
"You talked to her today."
"How...?"
"Your hand is shaking, and you're rubbing your leg... plus you're more irritable about the mention of her, when you were quite calm when I first deduced about your sibling."
John stares at the man, and then shakes his head. "Well, you were right. I did talk to her. If you call a five minute conversation being yelled at as talking."
"Drunk?"
"Halfway there."
Sherlock nods. "Change your number then?"
"That's your solution?"
Sherlock shrugs. "Only logical one I can think of. Change your number, she can't get a hold of you to yell at you. She'll learn to call when sober."
"Change your number a lot have you?"
"To avoid Mycroft?" Sherlock says, the disdain for his brother clear. "No point. He finds it out anyway."
"Suppose it's hard to hide from a man that can control CCTV."
"Understatement. Although don't you love his idea of concern for my well being?"
"It's a bit.. startling, yes."
"You're not the first you know."
"First person he kidnapped?"
Sherlock drops into a chair, turning on his laptop. "In regards to me. Lestrade doesn't know who he is, but he got abducted.. About a day after we met when I solved a case for him. Told me the next time we met that if he ever gets abducted again because of our association he was going to arrest me on accessory charges."
"They wouldn't stick."
"That's what I told him. He didn't care for it."
"No, I imagine not."
"How did your tea with Stamford go?"
The man changes subjects as quickly as one takes a breath. John doesn't bother to find out how he knew.
"Fine. Wanted to see if I was still living here, or if you driven me out."
Sherlock chuckles.
"Have you had any prior flatmates before?"
"I have had three all together. Longest one I had was six months, and that was because he was a flight attendant and hardly ever here. So technically we were flatmates for all of two weeks."
"What sent him packing?"
"He found a liver in the fridge."
"What, no eyeballs in the microwave?"
Sherlock smirks. "No."
"I found a couple fingers though," John says, figuring he might as well get it out of the way now. "Not sure what the liquid was. Left it alone."
"Good. It needs to stay that way for two more days before I check the results."
"Is this going to happen often?"
"Is what?" Sherlock asks as he types an address in Google.
"Am I going to be finding body parts in the fridge often?"
"You'll also be finding them in the freezer."
"Sherlock."
"What? Oh don't worry, I'll make sure they won't contaminate anything. But yes, I tend to bring home body parts for tests when I can't stay at the lab any longer."
John takes a breath. "All right."
"Is that going to be a problem? You're a doctor, you shouldn't be affected by body parts."
John's tempted to smack upside the head. "I'm more worried about them being in the bloody fridge."
"As I said, I take the proper precautions."
"Good. Oh there's some Bangers and Mash left over in the microwave."
"Leaving food for me now?"
"At least eat it Sherlock."
"Later."
John drops it there, figuring that he at least got some non committal answer about eating. He then decides to get an answer to a question Stamford didn't know.
"How did you get access to the labs in St Barts? And permission to get body parts from the morgue and such?"
"Who said I had permission?"
"You would have to get it, Sherlock. Otherwise you would have been banned from the premises at some point."
Sherlock grins and John sees amusement in his blue eyes. "Well, in the beginning I didn't have permission, and I was illegally using the lab. Didn't have access to the morgue at the time, and couldn't break into it to get access. But that changed about a month after I officially became a consulting detective."
"What happened?"
"The Head of Research caught me illegally using the lab, threatened to have me arrested. I gave her the number to Lestrade, and she locked me in her office while she called him from another. She apparently didn't want me to overhear. I took advantage."
"You snooped?"
"I snooped. She used my mobile to call Lestrade, so I found hers on her desk. Also I hacked into her computer. Found out through some emails, texts, and a couple of quick calls, she was paying a lot of money to have her husband followed. According to the emails and the quick chat I had with the private investigator she hired, she was convinced her husband was stealing from her and cheating on her, but couldn't prove it."
"What did you do?"
"When she came back in, having calmed down a bit after Lestrade talked to her, I offered her my services. I offered to get her the proof she needed, in exchange for getting permission to have access to St Barts."
John finds himself amazed at all this. The presumption, the nerves, the gall. All Sherlock.
"Did she take it?"
Sherlock grins, pride coming off him in waves. "Of course. She was intelligent enough to see that her incompetent PI was getting nowhere. It was obvious the husband was paying the PI to also not find anything. I found payments in his bank accounts traced back to the husband. Not only did I find the proof of him stealing thousands of dollars from his wife, I found undeniable proof of him cheating on her, with multiple women, plus add on the prize on top- he was also doing drugs. With that evidence in hand, she was able to divorce her husband and have the prenup nullified, so she wouldn't lose anything by divorcing him. I kept my end of the deal ,and so did she. A research lab of my own, and access to the morgue."
"Amazing. I mean seriously, amazing."
"Have to admit, a bit disappointed though. It was a lot more fun getting in illegally."
John bursts out laughing.
NEXT CHAPTER