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[jumpthegun]

You've reached Dr. John Watson. Please leave a message.

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[devoutish]

[There's just... a brief baffled pause before Alfie answers.]

The woman, John.

[jumpthegun]

[There's a longer pause on John's end.]

Oh. [He clears his throat.] Right. Yeah. Thanks.

[devoutish]

[And now for the inevitable question:]

What's this other thing, then?

[jumpthegun]

Nothing.

[Because that's not going to fly he follows up:]

Sherlock.

[devoutish]

Again?

[jumpthegun]

Never trust a drug addict. He had three bloody prescriptions for narcotics. He tried to get a fourth after I let him borrow my tablet. I've canceled everything and now he's pissed off at me. I just- I swear to god, I wanna strangle him sometimes. He won't even admit he's an addict, says it's all measured out to help him think.

[devoutish]

Three prescriptions means he likely has three bottles on him now, if not more.

[jumpthegun]

At least four. I got one for him that's not repeating. I don't know what happened. He was doing better. We hadn't had a danger night since the Woman... [John's anger shades into disappointment.] He's usually better than this. I know he is. He's even been trying to quit smoking.

[devoutish]

Are you going to take them?

[jumpthegun]

No. I've done enough damage for one night. I have to go perform an amputation tomorrow. I don't want him running off in a huff before I get back if he's too out of sorts.

[devoutish]

[Jesus Watson what is your life.]

Who's the patient?

[jumpthegun]

[Complicated.]

Stein. Couple of fingers. He and Kid are at the aquarium. I'm taking Mr. Taylor with me to keep him away from Sherlock. They'll just feed off of each other if I leave them alone with this bloody anomaly.

[devoutish]

Still playing nursemaid to the serial killer? How long is that gonna go on?

[jumpthegun]

However long he's hanging about Sherlock.

[Because as frustrated and angry with the other man as he is, John's not about to let any harm come to him.

Barring a well-deserved sock to the jaw.]

[devoutish]

And that'll be a while--?

[jumpthegun]

Presumably. I'm not exactly thrilled. But it's Sherlock's call until Mr. Taylor does anything else.

[John is a good soldier. Most of the time. Occasionally Sherlock tests his patience beyond the limit. And that's when he gets grabbed by the collar and threatened.]

[devoutish]

Not a democracy, are you.

[jumpthegun]

[You're funny, Alfie.]

I pick my battles.

[devoutish]

And yet, you were a captain.

[jumpthegun]

Captains report to majors.

[devoutish]

Major Sherlock. Who are the troops?

[jumpthegun]

[Okay. Admittedly, that sounds ridiculous and John snorts.]

He had a homeless network back home.

[There's a brief pause as he gets a little more serious.]

He's a civilian, but he's just got... you reminded me of him when we met. Some men have a presence, right? You can just feel it when they walk into a room and speak. You've met him, right? Maybe you didn't get that, but when we were back home and he was on a case... You'd be hard-pressed not to listen to him.

[devoutish]

I was joking, mate. It's an analogy, innit.

[jumpthegun]

[So, maybe that was a round about compliment to Alfie's leadership, as well. But the man has already seen his private notes. It's not that much of a secret how John feels about him.]

Yeah. He's just hard to say 'no' to. I put my foot down when it's needed. [See the cancellation of the prescriptions.] Mr. Taylor hasn't done anything since the murder and we're minding him, which is about what we'd have available for punishment anyway.

[John can understand that it's the best situation he could hope for in a practical sense. Even if he doesn't particularly like it. ]

[devoutish]

I wonder if he truly doesn't mind, or if he's looking to take you off your guards.