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[jumpthegun]

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

Comments

[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.

[jumpthegun]

I don't doubt it's looking to take us off our guards. It's why I'm taking him with me up to the aquarium instead of leaving him with Sherlock. Best case scenario, he'll encourage Sherlock to be an idiot on his own. Worst case, he'll hurt him.

[And Sherlock really doesn't need the encouragement to be an idiot.]

Mr. Taylor offered me the Vicodin he's picked up from somewhere for Stein, trying to get on my good side.

That's what started the whole argument. Not that, but I asked Sherlock if I could have some of his morphine for the surgery. He told me to just prescribe it. I said that'd be a waste. He offered me a few pills and then took my tablet to prescribe himself some more under my name. And then he said he wouldn't. I nagged, he gave me some Fentora, which isn't even his prescription, either. That's Bucky's. I'm gonna have to cancel it, as well, stop doing recurring prescriptions that turn up at the pharmacy. There's too much opportunity for abuse.

[devoutish]

[Good god, Sherlock is a mess.]

Has he got any of my prescriptions?

[jumpthegun]

I dunno. I'd probably have to fight him to get a look at everything he has, and he's better hand-to-hand than I am.

[devoutish]

Watson, you'll be happy to know that I now understand much better why you constantly put yourself into ridiculous and dangerous situations.

[jumpthegun]

[That gets a quiet huff of laughter.]

Sherlock didn't start that trend, mate.

[He chose to go to Afghanistan, after all.]

[devoutish]

But he's helped normalize it for you, hasn't he.

[jumpthegun]

Mm... s'pose so. Not sure if you remember, but awhile back, I sort of snapped at you when you said this place reminded you of the war. [Back when they hadn't been allies. John runs a hand through his hair and his voice goes a little softer.] It was because of something Sherlock's brother said to me. The first time we met... He told me to fire my therapist. Said she'd got it wrong. I wasn't afraid of the war, I missed it.

It's not normal. [And he's a little hesitant to admit it to Alfie because of that. But here they are.] Running with Sherlock was like being back in the war. [The excitement, the danger, the adrenaline. If John didn't have his morals, he's very aware this would probably make him a prime candidate for some sort gang in Alfie's time.] Just... in London.

[devoutish]

It reminds me of the war, and it doesn't.

If we leave, if we can go, will you miss it here?