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[drpsychosomatic]

Alright, own up. As hilarious as this all is, Sherlock, and by god, I’m sure you’re going to love explaining all of this, I’ve had quite enough. Not sure exactly what you’ve done to irritate Mycroft this time round, mind you, but I’m guessing it probably has something to do with nearly getting both of us killed.

Again.

So, assuming you’re even out

Comments

[sh_consulting]

[It took several minutes of staring at the comm, while curled up in his coat on his chair (freshly back from New Zealand), until Sherlock could bring himself to answer the post. He read it over five times, frowning further with each read.

It could be a trick. He'd already made... enemies... here, and more than a few knew more about him than they should. But the comm number was brand new, and it didn't seem to be proxied... And the googling. Most who recognized him here seemed to expect something different than what he was. Older. Much Older. The previous Sherlock had proven that. So there was something genuine to this ranting text post that... put him off. No one he knew would speak to him like that. Except...

Dr. John Watson.

Not that the man had ever said anything of the sort to him before, but Sherlock had learned more about the man here than he had wanted to know.

It took even longer for him to write a reply.

First he wrote "Dr. John Watson", then "Watson", then "John" and then decided to leave out names altogether.]

I

[sh_consulting]

Not by the logic of our universe, no. No it doesn't. [There's something in his voice, there, a tiny facet of the mask slipped. The lack of logic in this place has been bothering him.]

[He's relieved, though, partially, that at least John seems to be following him...]

Unfortunately not. Though what you've stated is a perfectly sound analysis... You simply need to follow it to it's conclusion.

We are not the only ones brought to this City, as your introduction to the Porter and the Network may have had you guess.

The day I left our universe... [He pauses. A couple hours before he was supposed to meet John at Mrs. Hudson's flat... just after he'd moved in his stuff in the morning.] ...was January 30th, 2010. Here, it is now Oct 28th 2011... So luckily we haven't come too far, time wise.

Others are not so lucky.

[drpsychosomatic]

[He nods, slowly. So, before anything, then. Before they'd done anything together at all. He'd been thinking of Sherlock as his one link to reality (which, if he's honest, is a pretty poor position to find oneself in to begin with), and now the man wearing Sherlock's skin barely knows him- still thinks he has a brother, for chrissakes. So much for lifelines. His lips curve in a tight smile.]

So you have no idea about who was behind those serial suicides, then.

[sh_consulting]

[His eyes dart to John and narrow, out of interest.]

... No. Who was behind them...? [His eyes widen slightly and he draws in a breath. Suicides aren't caused by an individual. Murder is. That particular case had been nagging him in the back of his mind since he got here, even though he knew it would be exactly where he left it when he returned home.]

But you do. Why?

[drpsychosomatic]

[He frowns, pursing his lips slightly. He's not exactly the world's biggest science fiction fan, but he's seen enough daytime repeats of Star Trek during his recovery and unemployment to know the basics of time travel and the possible resultant paradoxes. He'd prefer not to be wiped out of existence, if it's all the same to you, Sherlock.]

Should I be telling you? If you're from the past, won't that effect the future? My Sherlock?

[sh_consulting]

[Because obviously Sherlock would think of any of that, having never read a science fiction novel in his life.... ]

[He twitches a little at 'my' Sherlock, all too reminded of the words of several people here. That someone would refer to him with possessives...]

No. When I go back, I will be replaced in exactly the same moment with absolutely no memory of my time spent here. From when you come from, I would have already been here.

[drpsychosomatic]

Well, that clears everything up.

[sh_consulting]

[Sherlock pauses, looking out to the city again.]

... There are a few things you should be aware of, while you're here.

[The second time he pauses, it's pregnant. Calculating exactly how much to tell the man. John is hardly his responsibility, but ultimately his even being here puts the man in jeopardy...]

You aren't safe. It would have been... much better, for you, had you not mentioned me at all in your original post to the network.

[drpsychosomatic]

[Another one of those tight, forced smiles.]
Trust me, Sherlock, I know all about not being safe because of you.

And I'm still here.

[sh_consulting]

[Sherlock's eyes narrow.]

I don't think you understand.

They knew about you. Before I did.

[drpsychosomatic]

No, you're right. I don't understand how any of that makes me less safe than regularly getting kidnapped by crazed maniacs who either mistake me for you or decide I'm the best way to get to you.

[sh_consulting]

I assume because usually those maniacs don't also happen to have super--- [he cuts off when part of that sentence finally registers.]

Mistake you for me? How could anyone mistake us?

[drpsychosomatic]

[He grins, a little apologetically.]

Not sure, exactly. But- listen, Sherlock. We can get killed just as easily with bullets or bombs as we can by someone with powers, and believe me, we're much better off, or at least we were, working together.

[sh_consulting]

[Sherlock says nothing for a moment, studying him. Working together.]

I see. [He says finally, with a hint of incredulity in his voice. That someone wants to work with him...]

... And this was a regular occurrence, back home? Being nearly killed? [The curiosity leaks into his tone. It was, of course, part of the job for him, but even if they did become flatmates, why would they think to use John to get to him? He worked with Lestrade, but no one would consider that a relationship that could be used to manipulate him...]

We're friends. Aren't we.

[drpsychosomatic]

Me and Sherlock? Yeah. You could say that.

[He should have had to think about that one a little harder, perhaps. His smile is slightly cautious as he throws back one of Sherlock's sayings at him.]

Problem?

[sh_consulting]

[Sherlock notices the reference as if he's an other, but... he still can't help it, and the smile slips onto his lips before he notices. Tiny, perhaps, and tentative, but there.]

... No.

[He still has so many questions, not the least of which being how someone came to be able to use the word 'friend' in relation to him, but something holds him back. There are more pressing matters, first.]

I would say I'm surprised, but... Considering Crane already tried to threaten me with your life, I shouldn't be.