Author's Note: Hello all! I know it's been over a year since I last wrote Johnlock, but I came up with a new alternate universe (called - creatively enough, I know - Pendentverse) that I just had to share. I'm going to try to make it as simple as possible to understand; however, if you have any questions or anything was made unclear, please feel free to ask me about it. Hope you enjoy!

John Watson had heard warnings since he started his first year at Uni. Professor Holmes was one of the toughest professors, and to get a passing grade from him was a Godsend. Most explained that he just expected too much from most of his students, and he had no issue with publically humiliating anyone. However, Professor Holmes taught anatomy, chemistry, biology, and psychology. For most medical students, it was practically impossible to avoid having a class taught by Professor Holmes unless they started planning year one.

After making it a year and a half, John found himself at an impasse. Professor Holmes was teaching a topics course called "Proper Criminal Investigation and Forensic Techniques." It centred on using common sense and medical knowledge to solve crimes at the scene of the crime. In fact, he even claimed that every crime could be solved at the crime scene if someone just knew what they were looking for. Despite knowing he might come to hate this class, John couldn't keep himself from enrolling. It was just far too interesting to pass up.

Now, he was sitting in the front of the class, waiting for Professor Holmes to enter. The lecture hall was half-full, meaning a good 40 to 50 students, and everyone buzzed with excitement. Pulling out his notebook, John settled into his chair. He sat in the front of the lecture hall, knowing that it kept him from getting too distracted. Quickly, he marked the date at the top of his page and then waited.

Time ticked by slowly, and John could hear people starting to get restless. Chairs squeaked, papers shuffled around, impatient sighs emitted, and the rapping of pens replaced the previously excited chatter. Ten minutes after the class was supposed to start, the side door burst open, banging against the wall, and Professor Holmes strolled in. He was just as everyone described: tall, gaunt, striking, with unruly, dark hair, and cold, silver eyes. Removing his coat, he carefully draped it over his chair before turning on the projector.

"Welcome to this module. If you're unsure of what this class will be about, please refer to the title of this course and then leave my classroom immediately because you are too unintelligent to pass," Professor Holmes stated. He opened up a PowerPoint and immediately flipped it to the first slide. Waiting a moment, he glanced around the room. "No one has left yet. A promising start indeed." With that, he clicked to the next screen, which showed the definition of the course given in the module catalogue. "This is also information that you should have previously known. If you just blindly joined this course due to needing another credit, I would suggest that you quickly remove yourselves and sign up for a different course instead."

John didn't dare look behind him to see if anyone would leave. Even so, he didn't hear anything, and that was enough for him. His pen remained at the ready to write at any moment.

Flipping to the next slide, Professor Holmes continued, "I will teach you the techniques required in order to understand a crime scene and all its aspects. I will also put those techniques to the test. All of your homework is optional. I will not collect it nor will I grade it, as I don't have the time for something so frivolous. If you have questions about it, my office hours can be located online. If you continue to have issues with keeping up, I suggest you drop my course."

Shocked, John began to worry that maybe interest wouldn't be enough to get him through this class. He rapidly wrote himself a small note to check the drop date and other open modules that he might be able to join.

"Now, I have solved countless cases with these techniques. I have also tried – fruitlessly, let me assure you – to teach these techniques before to both NSY detectives and your peers." He flipped to a new slide, this one of how the grades would be split. "There are going to be three tests this semester. Your later tests will weigh more than your first one. This is why I advise you to do your homework." He then turned to face them. "All of the cases you will see both in your homework and in this lecture room are ones that I solved on behalf of NSY, thus ensuring that the solution to the crime will be within the photos and evidence files you will receive. The most key aspect that you can take away from this, though, is that you need to observe and not merely see." John wrote this down as well, feeling the need to write down something by this point.

Suddenly, a bloke called out, "How are we supposed to know that you're not just talking a load of crock?"

John nearly choked on laughter when he heard that. Who would dare to talk to a professor that way, nonetheless one as notorious as Professor Holmes?

"You want evidence," Professor Holmes noted before smirking. "Very well." Walking around his desk, he leaned back against it. "Your government has - quite cleverly, I must admit - convinced you that there are two types of people in this world - Independents and Dependents - and that with one simple test, they can tell you which type of person you are."

John shifted uncomfortably as he heard this. He still remembered taking the Independent-Dependent Test, as did everyone. John had been just as excited as everyone else to finally turn thirteen. He couldn't wait to be declared as an Independent and make his family proud. After all, Independents had all the power and respect in the world, and John felt he was definitely in that rank. He had no doubt about that.

"From there, though, we do the rest of the work for the government. Independents become more confident, more resilient, have larger goals in life. Meanwhile, Dependents become more introverted and nurturing, less likely to voice their opinion even if they're right, and more needy in regards to affection. Why does this happen? The simple answer is that it is expected of them. As an Independent, you cannot afford to be weak. You must be ambitious in order to obtain a Dependent's affections. Meanwhile, Dependents must be quiet and sensible in order to attract an Independent because they are under the impression that Independents cannot handle criticism or being wrong." His eyes flickered across the faces of the students, and they landed on John for a long moment. It seemed almost longer than the other ones. "Most of you have been turned into sheep, blindly obeying what the government and media tells you. That you should be a certain way or else you're not really an Independent or Dependent or what have you." He shook his head. "You don't think anymore. Not that many people thought to begin with."

"What's your point?" the same bloke asked.

Rolling his eyes, Professor Holmes responded, "I know that you already have a Dependent because you were strong-headed as a boy and enjoyed sex with her far too much. I know that you are now regretting that decision because she isn't what you want in life. Too clingy. Too needy. And the sex isn't what it used to be because she no longer has to impress you."

The classroom went silent, and John dared to glance back. The bloke had gone red in the face, and he snatched up his binder and backpack before storming out of the room. John looked back at Professor Holmes in awe. How on Earth had he known all of that?

"Anyone else share the same sentiments?"

John averted his eyes and wrote down a note to not insult or otherwise infuriate the professor. No one else said a word.

"Good. Now, take note that if any of you are squeamish about seeing blood, broken bones, corpses, and anything else you can imagine being included in solving crimes at the crime scene, I advise you to spare your stomachs and drop my course. I will not tailor to your needs. You might call this heartless, but let me assure you that murderers do not care what your triggers are. Catering to your requests will not prepare you for the future. So let go of those petty feelings now or - as I said previously - drop out of my class."

Although John could feel the tension in the air, he couldn't help but appreciate Professor Holmes's sheer honesty. It was a bit off-putting, yes, but also refreshingly new. Smiling to himself, John jotted down a few more notes.

"Here's your syllabus," Professor Holmes stated before splitting the stack in half and handing a stack to John and a guy sitting just a few seats off to the right of him. "I'm not your babysitter. Everything you need to know about this course is stated here. If you don't notice an exam date until the day before, that's your problem, not mine. I will not give you extended time to work on anything. It's time you all learned that every action has a reaction, and those reactions have consequences."

Immediately, John pulled out a highlighter and began to mark the important dates. He wasn't about to let anything pass him by.

"We will be studying Independent and Dependent cases separately so the less observant of you can notice the different trends between these crimes," Professor Holmes continued. "Now, unless any of you have questions, it's time for you to get out of my sight." No one raised their hand. After a couple of minutes, the students began to pack up their items. Just as John was about to rise and leave, he saw a shadow cast over him. Looking up, he found Professor Holmes looming over him. "It's illegal to keep your status hidden, you know."

John started, his heart sinking and his heart quickened with adrenaline. How had he figured it out? Immediately, John touched the back of his right shoulder only to find cloth there. He had definitely worn an Independent shirt today. His tattoo was hidden... so then how? "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You touching your tattoo just proved me correct," Professor Holmes stated, smirking. He then crossed his arms and examined John. "You think they graded your test wrong. How many times did you retake the I.D. Test before you just accepted that you scored as a Dependent?"

John scowled but said nothing in reply.

Tilting his head, Professor Holmes hummed softly to himself. "I am assuming five."

John flushed with anger and humiliation. "Six," he offered firmly, at least wanting to prove Professor Holmes wrong on that account.

"And yet you're still unable to accept the fact that you're a Dependent when you clearly are."

Jaw setting, John bit back, "I am nothing like a Dependent!"

Professor Holmes looked thoroughly amused by the statement. "Nothing? I must say that I've never seen someone in such denial before." With that, he grabbed John's backpack and set it down onto the table. He proceeded to open it and pull out the folder, which contained the syllabus, and notebook. "You were remarkably eager to write down things today. No one else did. And I see you highlighted the information I told you to note. Extraordinary eagerness to please is one marker for a Dependent."

"I've seen Independents who were also eager to please," John pointed out defiantly.

"Yes, well, I did say one marker for a Dependent. However, I do feel the need to point out that you were the only person in class to take notes. A class otherwise full of Independents."

John shook his head and snatched his folder back. "Are you going to report me then?" he inquired. A Dependent hiding his or her status was far from the worst crime in the world, but John would still prefer not having any black mark on his record.

"No, that isn't my current plan," Professor Holmes answered honestly before handing John back his notebook. "But I will if you drop my class. And I expect you to be wearing appropriate clothing come Wednesday."

Shocked, John retorted, "No one will respect me if they know!"

It was the most painful truth of his life. As long as John portrayed himself as an Independent, he was respected and his opinions mattered. The moment they found out the truth, his words had less significance. They started to see him as less capable, which was more than frustrating in group situations.

"And why, might I ask, do any of them matter?"

John sputtered, shocked by the question. "They matter because they're my peers. They matter because I have to work with them. They matter because they have all of the power in the world, so the only thing I can do is-"

"Change that," Professor Holmes cut in. "People have been fighting oppression for centuries. It used to be based on race or gender or economical status, but now it's based on one small tattoo. And as long as you keep yours hidden – remain ashamed of who you are – you're never going to change anyone's perception of Dependents. You have to shove it in their faces that you are just as good as they are if not better."

"Yeah, that's easy for you to say. You're an Independent. What do you know about any of this?" John bit back.

Professor Holmes smiled, but John caught a flash of pain. His smile was tighter - not as cocky - and there weren't any crinkles around his eyes. He was just smiling with his mouth. Shocked, John started to feel guilty when he realised that he touched a sore subject.

"More than you think, actually," Sherlock finally answered before turning on his heels. Walking back over to his desk, he fetched his coat and continued walking. "Let me remind you that I expect to see you in proper attire next class. Goodbye, John Watson."

John said nothing in reply, instead shouldering his backpack. Fighting the urge to hit something, he all but stormed out of the lecture hall.

So much for staying hidden.