Chapter Text
"John, do you really half to leave?" Sherlock whined. He was sitting on the foot of the bed watching his best friend pack for his trip to the US. He had been asked to be part of a consultative team of former military doctors. It seems as if the army wants to improve their triage techniques. It came out of the blue. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and John jumped at it.
"Yes, Sherlock, I do. You would to if the roles were reversed." John replied slamming the lid of his suitcase. Sherlock flinched at the resounding click. "Besides it'll do us a both a bit of good to be a part. Let the gossip hounds find a different bone to chew."
Sherlock looked so lost sitting there, staring at his hands laying limply in his lap. Sherlock knew everyone thought they were a couple. He even fancied himself in love with his best friend. But the past few weeks they seemed to be drifting apart. Getting on each others nerves, more so than the usual. So when the offer came, of course John jumped at it. He would have too, if were honest. It's that he hadn't been with out his best for for so long. He wast't sure what to do with himself.
John sighed, looking at the floundering soul before him. He felt a tiny bit remorseful that he was leaving him. By the father, he was wearing him out. He lasted longer than any of the others ever had. He did intend to come back after his vacation. He just need time away.
"Sherlock. I'll keep in touch. It's only for a couple of months. I"ll be back at the end of the summer."
Sherlock looked up with pain filled eyes. "That's what they all said."
That unnerved John a bit. Did he know who he really was? The man was brilliant, so there was always the possibility. He cleared his throat. "Yeah. Well. I best be off. Cab's waiting." He gave a last look at his friend, debating if he would accept any for of touch. Deciding against it,he picked up his case and went to meet the cab.
Sherlock waited till he heard the door shut before he pulled the whit feather out from his pocket. He twirled it in his fingers before standing up. He walked to the wardrobe and retrieved a box that was hiding in the false bottom. He opened the box and dropped the feather in to join the other three.
Red-beard. Victor. Mary. John. He stroked each one reverently, remembering that point in his life when each of his guardian angels finally had enough and left him. John was the longest. He promised to be back. The others just 'died' to escape him. It was enough to drive anyone to the dark side. Yet, he refused to join the legion of demons. While no angel himself, he knew they need him. There was to much evil in the world.
Sherlock closed the box and put it back in it's hiding spot. He supposed another poor fool would come and try to handle him. This should be interesting. He didn't plan to go along with their guise this time. Perhaps if they knew he knew, they might stay.
*****
It didn't take long for Sherlock new angel to show up. Lestrade called him to the yard immediately. No arguments. Sherlock wanted to ignore him, just for spit, but he was so utterly bored. No cases since John left and non of his experiments held in interest long enough.
He walked into the DI's office to find him chattering away with an auburn haired man of about the same age as Greg. Instantly he knew that was his new guardian angel. The dark haired man paused in mid sentence to look at the detective. His eyes twinkling and a barely contained smirk told Sherlock he knew about his plan.
Greg turned at the pause in conversation "Sherlock. Come meet an old mate of mine. This is Nick Turner. Nick, Sherlock Holmes."
Nick stood and offered his hand, daring the younger man not to take it. Sherlock gave him a once over. Same height as him. About two stones heavier, but solid muscle. Hair, long, but not overly so. Just to his shoulders. He looked in the man's hazel eyes and took the offered hand.
"Don't see that everyday?" Greg commented on the hand shake.
" I can abide by social niceties when the mood strikes, Graham." replied Sherlock haughtily putting his hands in his pockets. "Why did your call me here? There obviously isn't a a case. You know better than to introduce me to your friends."
Lestrade cleared his throat and ran his hand over the back of his neck. "There's the Sherlock I know. Actually, I did want you to meet Nick. With John gone, I thought you might be getting lonely..." soon as he saw the eyebrows dip and the lips purse, Greg knew he let the wrong thing slip. "bored. I meant bored and have some time to show him around a bit."
"Why would I do that? I'm not your personal tour guide. Have Anderson do it. He doesn't do anything useful around here." Sherlock was about to leave when Nick spoke up.
"Sherlock, wait. I had Greg ask ya. I figured you might have a lot of free time on your hands, ya know."
Sherlock turned to glare at the older man. "What do you mean, Mr. Turner." he asked icily.
Smirking ,"Nut'n. Just with your best friend gone and no cases to work on. 'Sides, I would live to hear you okay that fiddle of yours."
Greg could see the anger coursing through Sherlock. He was very surprised he hadn't started deducing him as per his usual defense. "You know, Nick. Sherlock is pretty shy about who he plays the violin for. Perhaps another day."
The two dark haired men glared at each other. Daring the other to make the first move. It was Sherlock who gave in in first, but not the way any of them expected.
"It's fine, Greg. I would be delighted to show your friend around. We might even get in some 'fiddle ' playing. " In a swirl of dark wool, he left the office, not caring if Nick followed or not.
"Better get after him, mate. He won't wait for you long." Greg told Nick while pushing him out of his office. "I'll call ya after work."
__________*****_________
Sherlock was waiting at the bottom of the stairs, smoking a cigarette. He threw it down as Nick stopped beside him. "I know who you are." Sherlock state without looking at the man next to him.
"Figured ya did. Let's find us a quiet place and we'll talk."
"Of course, Mr. Turner. I know all the place of interest in London." Sherlock responded icily.
The two made there way to a little used park. Sherlock like to come here to get away from the prying eyes of his brother as well as the paparazzi. They settled on a bench that was tucked under a tree. It was secluded and also allowed one to watch the duck on the small pond.
Neither spoke, unsure where to start. The silence between should have been uncomfortable. They were strangers after all, but for some reason it wasn't. It was like sitting with John. Content would be the best way would be the best way to describe it.
"So how'd ya know?" Nick asked casually.
"Lestrade would never ask me to show an friend around. That and... I was expecting you."
"Expecting me, huh. Makes sense. They said you was a smart one."
"Who told you?" Sherlock asked, a little frown on his fore head.
"You're other guardian angels." was the reply.
"I thought a person only got one. You are the fourth." Sherlock paused, unsure if he should ask. Unsure if he really wanted the answer. "I believe I know the reason as to why they left, but could you confirm it." he asked.
"Sure. You're a pain the ass. It's bad enough to deal with ya on a regular day. To live with ya takes the patience of a saint. We ain't saints." Nick answered cheerfully.
"I figured as much. So why keep sending someone if I'm so difficult?"
"You're right. Everyone should have a GA. However, there are a few...
Nick paused to glare at the young man, "who prove to be difficult. You're one of 'em. Brother is too."
"Of course Mycroft would be." Snorts Sherlock.
"Don't get cocky. He's only on his second. You my friend are such a pain in the butt that we have two regulars keep'in an eye out for you. That ain't counting your brother."
"Can I assume I am of some significance then? Afraid that I'll go to the dark side?" Sherlock asked sarcastically
Nick rolled his eyes and thought ' He really is a narcissistic ass.' "You know what they say about folks who assume, right?"
Sherlock didn't move a muscle. Nick groaned, "Why do I even try." he asked to no one. "I can't say. Before you ask, I don't know. I just go where I'm told. John needed a vacation. You need some tough love. So here I am."
That caught the younger man's attention. "What do you mean tough love?" he asked turning to stare at the angel.
"Just what I said. Every one of your previous guardians was to soft on ya. There were time it was what you needed, but most of the time id din't work. Made ya more spoiled. John came close, though. It really isn't his style, that's why he burned out. Me? Tough love is my specialty. I don't put up with no bodies shit." Nick respond calmly.
"For an angel, you swear a lot. Isn't that against some rule?"
"Nah. We have to blend in. Society ain't no goody two shoes. I'd stick out like a sore thumb if I played by the old rule."
"Your accent and manner of speech suggest American. East Coast. Are you really an old friend of Lestrade's or is it just a cover?"
"Hey. You got it right. Greg and me went to uni together. I studied music but had a knack for science, too. That's how we met. I'm here for a working vacation, could say. I have a couple gigs I gotta do while I'm in town."
That intrigued Sherlock. Science and music. It probably was all for show. He shouldn't get to excited. It was to convenient to have his two favorite interests in one man. It also didn't escape his attention that Nick didn't really answer his question. He refuses to risk his heart anymore. These creatures always seem to bring out his sentiment. This time it won't work. Nick is to brash for his taste. So why was he getting butterflies in his stomach?