July 28 - Middle Child Syndrome

[pompey_01]

Title: Middle Child Syndrome
Author: Pompey 
Universe: BBC Sherlock
Rating: PG
Warnings: none?
Word count: 350
Summary: Being a middle child means getting overlooked frequently.
Prompt: July 28 – honorary family member

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“Mycroft, we CAN’T!” Sherlock was trying to sound imperialistic but he couldn’t hide the thread of desperation underneath. “Gunshot wounds are reported to the police.”

“In light of the present emergency, I will overlook the implied insults to my intelligence and my influence,” retorted Mycroft, trying to reclaim his mobile. “He needs immediate care. Do you not understand that?”

Sherlock struggled to maintain pressure on wound and still keep Mycroft’s device from him. “You know what we were doing when he was shot. And you know why. You’re very good at what you do, I’ll admit, but are you that good?”

“I am trying to save his life!”

“And I’m trying to salvage what life he’ll have after recovery!”

“How is it you can both manage to ignore me even when I’m the subject of the argument?” John finally broke in, speaking quickly to conserve what little air he had left in his lungs. Or lung, rather, since he was fairly sure the left one was in the process of collapsing.

“Hemothorax,” John continued tightly, fighting the urge to cough. “Maybe pneumo. Need flutter shield. Square piece of plastic. Three sides attached. Fourth side loose. Lets air out.” Mycroft actually ran out of the room and returned with a large food storage bag. John nodded and it was passed to Sherlock, who laid it over the wound and pressed down three sides of it.

Mycroft crouched by John’s head. “Dr. Watson,” he said quietly, “I have no formal training but I know you need surgery.”

“Tube thoracostomy,” John gasped out. He turned his head and caught Mycroft’s eye. “Use your secret staff. Yeah, those ones,” he added when Mycroft frowned and opened his mouth to respond.

Sherlock lifted his eyes to Mycroft’s. “Use them.”

Mycroft’s lips thinned but he began tapping on his mobile. “This is an abuse of special services,” he complained.

“Tell them it’s for your brother,” Sherlock snapped. “They’ll do it for a Holmes.”

Mycroft paused and raised an eyebrow. “My second, secret, never-before-heard-of brother?” 

John smiled faintly but wryly. “Just call me the overlooked middle child.”