Sunnydale AU: An Illicit Visit (no, not that kind)

[americas_son]

There is some definite disapproval going on in the Chandler compound over Cal's refusing to go along with the implicit decision that the Starks (especially Sherlock) are not the best company for him. It's not the first time he's pushed such a ruling - far from it - but this is something of a special case. Whether it's the shooting or the fact that Sherlock and his identity issues are generally glossed over in proper society with "He just couldn't handle his parents' death, the poor thing, at least his brother is made of sterner stuff" that causes greater concern . . .

Well. Cal has the feeling his knows the answer to that.

His own accidental death could at least be used to the Chandlers' advantage, after all.

The obvious response to all of this is, of course, to invite Sherlock over to visit.

"We'll have to sneak if we don't want to spend twenty minutes listening to Mother, though."

Comments

[if_inconvenient]

"Brilliant. I do love a good sneak."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I thought you might."

It hadn't really occurred to him that Sherlock might feel otherwise.

"It shouldn't be too hard, I've done it plenty of times."

[if_inconvenient]

"I'll follow your lead, then."

Nobody appreciates backseat espionage.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Usually we just go around the back," Cal says. "It's usually the same guy there, he's used to it."

Though admittedly, when Cal brings guests back with him, they tend to be girls.

[if_inconvenient]

Two usuallies in a dozen words. Sherlock privately doubts that this bodes well, but since the worst thing that might result is a lecture from Violet Chandler, he is willing to abide. He nods.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Which is a clear indication that Sherlock has never experienced a lecture from Violet Chandler.

Cal parks around to the left, out of the immediate view of both anyone entering or exiting the house or anyone in the pair of studies downstairs. He's also pretty sure it's in the cameras' blind spot.

(As if there would be a blind spot.)

This time, as they walk, Cal does not clink. The vials of holy water are in the glove compartment, and he keeps the laser pointer and his keys in different pockets so the rings don't hook on to the pointer.

[if_inconvenient]

Sherlock is never unaware of exactly which cameras can see them, but he says nothing. No need to ruin Cal's fun.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal waves to the guard posted in the back as they enter the house. He waves back, and politely waits until they're inside to get on his radio.

[if_inconvenient]

Naturally, he keeps an ear out, and naturally his hearing is good enough to catch the tone if not the words.

No wonder the family thinks Cal needs coddling. Ah, well. Nobody legislated that everyone in the world has to be cut out for this business.

[give-it-spin.livejournal.com]

Violet gives them fifteen seconds, enough time for them to get close enough to be feasibly within hearing range of the parlor, before she calls,

"Cal, darling? Is that you?"

The question is redundant as she steps through the parlor door to see for herself.

She's dressed in conservatively dark, finely tailored clothing, and her expression is one of blandly sweet interest. It fools the people she wants it to fool. Or at least, it prompts them to pretend to be fooled. It has the same result in the end.

(Violet's make-up is artfully applied, but the discerning eye will note that it's far heavier than it appears, and covers all her visible skin. Her eyes, the same blue as Cal's, wear colored contacts. Her neatly arranged brunette hair is a very expensive wig. In short: Violet is albino, and so skilled at hiding it that very few have ever even noticed.)

[if_inconvenient]

One eyebrow quirks up fractionally, and that is as much reaction as he gives to Violet Chandler's cosmetic peculiarities. Otherwise, he clasps his hands behind his back and lets Cal lead the conversation for now.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

. . . shit. They didn't even manage to get upstairs.

"Hello, Mother," he says.

[give-it-spin.livejournal.com]

"And you've brought a guest. You must be" - she pauses delicately - "Sherlock, is it?"

Violet descends with the kind of glitteringly false smile and greeting designed to be perfectly impeccable on the face of it while making the person they're aimed at feel as unwelcome as possible.

"How lovely to meet you." Now get out of my house.

[if_inconvenient]

Sherlock returns her smile.

"I am infinitely charmed, madam."

[give-it-spin.livejournal.com]

"You don't mind if I steal my son for just a minute, do you?" Violet asks smilingly.

The courteous thing to do, of course, would be to flag down a staff member to get Sherlock a cup of coffee while he waits.

Violet very deliberately does no such thing before she leads Cal into the parlor, closing the door securely behind them.

The ensuing lecture is brief, low-voiced and vicious on Violet's part and nothing but silence from Cal.

[if_inconvenient]

He drifts serenely closer to the door and listens without shame, hoping to at least catch the odd word. He does have very good ears.

[give-it-spin.livejournal.com]

". . . getting too old for this shit, Cal, they're not going to buy the rebellious adolescent story for much longer . . ."

(Cal expects that Sherlock is likely listening in. Violet thinks she's gotten him far enough away from the door to keep it from being a problem.)

" . . . would have thought that you'd at least have consideration for your own well-being . . ."

[if_inconvenient]

He snorts. Silently. Very silently.

[give-it-spin.livejournal.com]

". . . you know your father will be announcing his candidacy soon. You will shape up or you will be very sorry. You would be destroyed in boot camp and you know it. Now show that deluded little bastard the door and get upstairs!"

The door opens. Violet's voice, bright and sweet again, drifts out, saying clearly,

"And do tell Sherlock it was lovely to meet him, but I've just got to get back to work."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal exits the parlor, the last vestiges of a shamed expression dissolving away.

"That could have been worse." He says it quietly, so his mother won't hear.

[if_inconvenient]

Equally quiet: "I've suffered worse names than 'deluded little bastard' in my time."

He draws the line at pretending he didn't eavesdrop at all.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal would be kind of insulted if he did.

"That was the nice version."

That lecture was the warm-up. They'll get worse if Cal continues to disobey.

[if_inconvenient]

"This would be the part where you show me the door, then?"

He's grinning.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

(Speaking of doors, down the hall is one that has been ajar; it is now pushed fully shut from inside the room. Cal does not acknowledge it.)

"I probably should," he agrees.

[if_inconvenient]

"And supposing I managed to come back?"

Sherlock is already thinking through everything they could have done better. He could break into this house. Not easily, but he could.

It would even be fun.