Prince St. John Watson, the Regent during his father's, King Eric, vacation, will be turning twenty-one this month. He has been making most of the decisions and ruling the kingdom for nearly three years. When he was not playing king, he spent every precious moment with his love, his husband, the Consort Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock was his former Personal Guardian. Now the two of them have guardians, "lurking about," as John was wont to say. 

He liked a little more privacy now. The damned Personal Guardians nearly walked in on the two lovers more than once. Sherlock was less shy about being seen in the altogether or in en flagrante delicto, but it made the Prince just plain angry. "If I'm the bloody king, why can't I get a minute to myself. Where you this bad, Sherlock?" He jumped off his side of the bed and huffed into the water closet to relieve himself.

Sherlock threw the covers back and swung his legs over the side of the bed. John glanced back at Sherlock's well-formed body and smiled at Sherlock's nakedness. Locke replied cheerfully, "Sweetheart, I do not remember angering you this often, but I do recall that I was watching over you much more closely than the current coterie of Guardians." Sherlock smiled softly, "Of course, I believe I was looking as much as watching."

The Prince walked over and stood in front of Locke. "I kind of remember looking at you." Locke reached up, grabbed John's ears and pulled him down for a resounding kiss on his chin. John took Locke's hand and pulling him toward the water closet, suggested, "C'mon, let's get wet, sweetie." He caught the eye of a Personal Guardian, "lurking about," as John described it, and glared at him, daring him to follow them. The guardian resumed his "at attention" stance, but didn't move. He decided that there are much worse duty stations to which he could be transferred.

The kingdom had been blessed with three years of peace and prosperity. The populace was beyond content and after an initial shock, accepted the Regent's life choice and loved their prince and his consort. King Eric loved his son and son-in-law, and was very proud of the way Prince John was handling himself and his responsibilities.

All was well, one would think, but John and Sherlock were feeling an empty hole in their over-full hearts. There was one thing that the boys could not accomplish. They wanted children. Sure, sure. They could adopt, but that wasn't a satisfactory solution, at least not to them, not at that moment in time. They had spoken about it a couple times, but neither wanted to admit how much it bothered them. John had fantasies of rocking a baby boy with startling blue eyes and wavy black hair in their old-fashioned rocking chair. Sherlock could see a tiny girl with his John's silky blonde hair and sweet smile toddling around after her beloved fathers.

John's devoted mother, the Queen Alicia, knew that something was bothering her boys, Locke having also become a good son to her. These two were so much in love and so unfailingly cheerful that the pall hanging over them recently was glaringly clear to her. She didn't know how to ask them without causing more unhappiness.

She decided to ask their Godmother, the good Green Witch, Darwinia, if she could divine the problem and perhaps find a way to help them. Darwinia loved her St. John as her own, and having spent time getting to know Sherlock, she believed there could be no finer young man for John's mate than Locke. Darwinia hastened to visit when the queen intimated that there may be a problem for or between them.

It took her a couple days to get her daily operations running smoothly without her constant intervention. As soon as was feasible, she appeared before the queen to inquire as to what she needs must do. The queen couldn't really tell her anything other than her vague suspicions of trouble in paradise. Darwinia agreed to interview the guys and see if she could pick up on anything.

The guys were flattered that the Green Witch wanted to talk with them. She met with them at Court, but declined an interview until they could be "private," as private as one could be nowadays. Later in the evening, the three were seated in John's quarters, (...carefully ignoring two guardians propped against the far wall...) sipping tea, and talking non-essentials, Darwinia listening carefully for clues that the boys didn't even realize that they were spilling. She finally just asked them if they were happy. "Something is keeping you from complete happiness. I want to help. You know you're my children. I cannot be content to see you less than joyful." 

These comments caused a heart-wrench for both boys. They glanced at each other, a touch of sadness in their eyes. Locke murmured quietly, "Darwinia, I know you're supposed to be a witch, but sometimes when I realize just how perceptive you really are, it's scary." She smiled a gentle and indulgent smile. Reaching across the little table at which they were gathered, she touched his cheek. "Children?"

John nearly sobbed, "Yes. But we can't. I love Sherlock so much, but I can't give him children." He turned adoring eyes on Locke.

Locke took his prince's hand, and squeezed his fingers gently. "Love, you're the one I'm worried about. You will be king...with no heirs." They scooted closer together on the little parson's bench on which they were seated and wrapped their arms around each other. Locke stroked John's hair and quietly shushed his snuffles. Darwinia once more marveled at how much these two were so in tune to each other.

"My darlings, I must do some research to see what is the best thing that can be done for you. May I see you again in the morning?" They both nodded gratefully. If anyone could help them, it would be this witch. She disappeared out the door, leaving the two commiserating on the little bench. 

After a few minutes, Locke picked John up and carried him to their bed. He sat him on the side of the bed and carefully undressed him. He dropped a soft silky nightshirt over John's head, and tended to his own uniform, donning a short sleep shirt, and carefully hanging both his and John's discarded clothes in John's chiffonier. 

John sat with his hands clasped between his knees. "Sherlock, you are too good to me." Locke smiled gently and kissed John's trembling lips. Sherlock shooed the guardians away with a wave of his hand. They retreated to their cots in the far corner and proceeded to ignore what they knew was coming.

"Let's get some sleep, sweetheart. Who knows what Darwinia will have us doing tomorrow." Locke flopped onto the bed and dragged his love against his body, spooning John and kissing the back of his neck. John shivered deliciously. "Johnny, I love you...Always have...Always will."

A/N: For those that would rather not read sweet smut, the next FIVE (5) paragraphs are a love scene.  You may wish to skip this scene. Pick up at "The Green Witch summoned the boys......"

"Sherlock, I need you tonight. Love me?" Locke flipped John completely over to face himself. Gazing at John's precious face, he dropped his mouth to John's and gently moved his soft lips over John's still trembling lips. John parted his lips to Locke and accepted Locke's tongue, sucking it eagerly. Locke deepened his kiss until John was breathless and quivering all over.

Reaching under the sheets, Locke wrapped a large but gentle hand around his prince's straining manhood. Slowly, very slowly, he caressed John's male member from the tip to his abdomen, and then from abdomen to tip. All the while, his lips drew the breath from John's mouth. John, moaning softly, clutched at Locke's shoulders and arm, each moment an aching ecstasy drawing closer. Breathing raggedly, John gave in to the demands of his body and exploded in heated joy, his whole body going lax, Locke having to support his head for a moment. Locke held him close until he came back to him. John mumbled on a gasp, "Now you."

"No need, darling. My deducing mind tells me that I'm going to have one helluva dream as soon as I fall asleep," he chuckled.

"Please, Sherlock, I need to...I want to please you," John pleaded in a pitiful voice. Locke searched his face and decided to indulge him...like that was a chore or something. Locke took John's hand and wrapped it around himself. He rolled John toward him and trapped his throbbing manhood and John's flexing fingers between their tummies. 

Wrapping his arms tight around John's waist, Locke pressed his hips against John in a slow rhythm a few times, and immediately succumbed to the pleasure/pain that his prince always gave him. John watched Sherlock's beautiful face as he tumbled in glorious heat. As Locke's eyes came back into focus, John touched his lips to Locke's mouth and peppered his face with tiny kisses. "I love you, Sherlock." Locke, with moistened eyes, smiled gently, and held his love close until they both fell asleep sated and warm.

The Green Witch summoned the boys to her apartment in the public wing at 10:00 am, for breakfast and a consultation. Locke made sure that they dressed very carefully in their very finest and appeared at her door exactly on time. She had a Lady in Waiting with her, who answered the door and escorted the gentlemen to Darwinia's terrace for a beautifully laid out brunch. The Lady seated the Prince and was approaching his Consort when Locke waved her away, gifting her with one of his beautiful smiles. She blushed and lowered her eyes. All women were flustered around the gorgeous Sherlock. He never even noticed. Darwinia noticed and just shook her head wonderingly.

For a few minutes, they carried on the basic small talk conversation of family and good friends enjoying a light meal. As appetites became satisfied and minds became agitated, the conversation lagged and long silences became common. Prince John broke the ice. "Miss Darwinia, have you divined a solution for us?"

"My sweet Prince John, yes, I have. Please hear me out. This is not an easy solution, but it is the correct and best solution."

"Ma'am?"

"Since you do not want to adopt and want children of your own blood, you will need to impregnate a surrogate mother, with your own sperm, from both of you, to fertilize the appropriate female's eggs. I am speaking in multiples, because I have divined a way for you to have twins, a boy and a girl, an instant family, and no need to go through this process again someday." She paused to allow her pronouncement to sink in a little.

Locke looked thoughtful. John surmised, "That does seem preferable to adopting. I like the idea of having our own child," He paused and glanced at Locke with an affectionate smile. "My heir apparent wouldn't be an "anybody" just plucked off the streets. How do we find a suitable surrogate, the right woman?"

"I have found her already." John and Locke both blinked. "I wish to be the surrogate for your babies." A profound and awkward silence ensued.

"Miss Darwinia," John demurred, "I appreciate your offer, but we couldn't ask you to do this."

"You're not asking. I am offering. I am the only one who can do this. With my unique abilities and physical being, I am able to ensure the outcome that we, yes, we desire. John, you are and have always been my darling baby boy. Why would I not want to carry my own grandchild?" She smiled sweetly.

Locke spoke up. "Even were I not able to deduce the ulterior motives here, I know there is much information that you have not imparted, ma'am." He gazed at her face, detecting only sincerity. "What, dear lady, are you not telling us?"

Darwinia smiled an ethereal and wistful smile. "Children, as you know, are the product of love. In order to have children, one must make love. Sex will make a baby, but only love will let it thrive." She leaned across the table and touched both boys on the cheek. "I know how much you two love each other, and I know that there's enough love in your hearts for a baby or two."

Locke and John glanced at each other and smiled the warm and affectionate smile reserved for each other. The witch continued. "In order for this to work, you must make love...with me." A double set of double takes... "I said you must attend me and let me finish." She made sure they were listening again, and finished her explanation. 

"I know it will be difficult for you. It will not be difficult for me, because I love the both of you so much, and my body will respond as my heart already does. You must find a way in your  hearts to make "love" with me. Not just have sex, which for you two would be difficult in and of itself, but you must love me." She paused and kind of chortled, "It will only have to be once."

The guys didn't see the humor and were unable to smile about it. "Please think about it. I will give you time to decide. Do decide in favor. I'm so looking forward to the whole experience." She smiled a naughty smile. "Being pregnant, I mean." Locke almost smiled at that one. He stood and reached for his prince's hand, helped him to rise, and holding his hand, led him to her door.

"Miss Darwinia, we will contact you soon," Locke advised. 

John nodded fervently. "Don't give up on us, Darwinia. Locke and I will talk about it and call on you soon. Right, love?" They strolled back to the Prince's secluded quarters, trailing the ubiquitous guardians in their wake. Not much was said. Two minds were whirling: busy deducing, rationalizing, fantasizing, imagining, and projecting.

When Locke had delivered Prince John to his rooms, he excused himself, claiming that he wanted to be alone to think about what had transpired and what could happen. He went to the library to his favorite, private collection of reference books and research papers, to see if what he suspected could be verified.

Locke spent a couple hours reading local kingdom lore. He researched The Green Witch herself, and found out some very interesting facts that he planned to share with John. He was pretty sure that John had already decided that he would do it. After all, Darwinia has been his nurturer and protector since the day he was born. It is very unlikely that he would turn her down, and he felt there was enough love in John's heart for Darwinia to meet her specific criteria. Locke thought that he would have to teach John a little about loving a woman, but figured John could handle it.

The problem here is me. Why would I want to make love to a woman? I don't even have sex with women, not after that first disastrous "betrothal" that his parents had arranged for him. I understand the mechanics of sex, and also now I understand the implications of what is required. How can I "love" her? I need to really love her. He sat a while longer, reading and ruminating. He found more information about The Green Witches, the race of women who are the magicians of this world, the race of virgins. 

He returned to the rooms he shared with his John, his mind whirling again. "We have to talk, Johnny." He took John by the hand and led him to the sofa. They sat together, arms around each other, snuggled together, a lot quieter than they usually were, both thinking about the major decision they must make.