Here's another Sherlock story I wrote! Go check out my other two if you haven't; they're called "The Computer Criminal" and "The Devil's Assassin"! I hope you guys enjoy :) I don't own any Sherlock material or characters.
"Natalie, was it?" John smirked, looking at the absolutely gorgeous woman sitting across from him. Her cologne wafted across the dinner table, chestnut hair falling across her shoulders in perfect waves, pink lipstick sparkling, green eyes dazzling, and smile as infectious as Sherlock's bacteria experiments.
"Yes," she laughed, it sounded like angelic chimes, "John Watson." She reached across the table and gripped his hand, her soft fingers tracing his worn knuckles. If only she knew what these hands had done in the past.
Lestrade had been trying to encourage John on dates with several female friends. He went on one when he first asked to oblige the Detective Inspector, but it never ended well. Since then, he'd been trying to avoid any other confrontations, but it was a free Saturday night and he was feeling rather lonely.
Natalie was miraculous, the epitome of perfection as he deeply enjoyed her company. He wanted to invite her to a bar afterward, possibly grab late night drinks, talk the night away, and finish off the evening at her flat. Heaven forbid he ever took a woman to 221B. Last time that happened, Sherlock was candid in his current experimentation of the human eyelid. John's date left rather quickly after that, citing her reason as feeling unwell. Watson couldn't blame her.
"The place looks like it's shutting down for the night," John looked around as waiters folded the tablecloths and collected the last bits of silverware. Customers straggled to the doorway, stumbling out for the night.
"Where to next?" Natalie's eyes glimmered.
"I was thinking maybe a nice bar, grab a few drinks?"
"That sounds delightful."
John felt relief blossom inside his chest. The night was going great, and he'd be sure to repay Lestrade in full given the next opportunity.
Just then, his mobile buzzed. Not now. John knew exactly who it was.
Natalie didn't seem to notice.
"Any ideas?" she cocked her head.
"There's a good pub down the street, we can start there and-"
His mobile buzzed again.
"Was that mine?" Natalie furrowed her brows and pulled her hand away as she grabbed her purse. She rummaged through the pouch, searching for her mobile.
"No," John exhaled with irritation. He slipped it out of his back pocket and clicked the "ignore" button.
"Anything urgent?" Natalie asked.
"Not at all."
His mobile buzzed twice.
John growled as Natalie looked up at him, her gaze hardened a little.
"I'm sorry, my partner, he's very persistent-"
"Partner?"
Another buzz.
Natalie exhaled loudly.
"Not partner partner, but my colleague."
"Does your 'colleague' know you're out for the night?"
"Yes, he does," John angrily replied. Jamming his thumbs down onto the keys hard, venting his annoyance. The second he sent his message, four more buzzes vibrated from his mobile.
"Do you need a moment?"
"No, no," John shook his head, "I apologize. He's a detective."
"A detective?" Natalie narrowed her brow, "But I thought you were a doctor?"
"I am a doctor."
Another buzz.
"But if he's your colleague, what is a detective doing with an army doctor?" Natalie crossed her arms.
Two more buzzes.
"We work together. He solves cases, I tag along on them."
"So, you lied to me?"
"Wha-no! No, I didn't lie, I really am a doctor."
One more buzz.
"And a detective? Well, he seems very demanding. What, is he Sherlock Holmes?"
"Actually," John opened his mouth, trying not to sound like a complete idiot, "Yes, he is."
"Okay," Natalie dropped her purse on the table as she pushed herself out of her chair, "that's it, we're done."
Two more buzzes.
"Natalie, wait! Where are you going?"
"Look, John, I've been rejected on dates before, but never have I ever been so humiliated. Sherlock Holmes? Do you think so low of me? That I'm an idiot?"
"Not at all! Natalie, seriously, it's Sherlock Holmes!"
"Oh, really? You have his contact?"
"Sure!" John held up the phone for her to see, but she looked at him with even more anger in her eyes. He didn't even look at the screen when it rang, instantly knowing it was his flatmate. John turned the screen to face him and he cursed to himself. It was an unknown number, a random combination of 10 digits that could belong to anyone or anywhere in London. Sherlock did that sometimes, used unknown numbers to keep from anyone catching onto his investigation.
"No, seriously, I have his number. It's in here somewhere," he clicked the buttons on his phone, but Natalie was already walking.
Another buzz.
"Yeah, sure," she pulled her jacket onto her shoulders, "Have a good night, John. I'm sure you and Mr. Holmes will be very happy together."
Her heels clacked off into the night as Natalie disappeared out the door. John was left, open mouthed, watching her go off. What the hell just happened?
Buzz.
"What?!" John flipped open his mobile so hard, he thought it'd break.
"Emergency. Back to Baker Street, quick as you can. Call when you're there."
The line went dead.
"Really?" John held the mobile in front of him as he angrily yelled at it, "Was that it? You bastard!"
He hit his knee against the table leg as he tried to stand up. Pain flared in his muscle as he cursed to himself. John stormed out of the restaurant, hailed a cab back home, and grumbled as yet another night was ruined.
He slammed the front door closed, retreating from the London cold and into the safety of his flat. Mrs. Hudson's flat 221A was quiet, the lights dim. She was probably asleep, it was nearing midnight. John shed his coat on the hook and stomped up stairs.
"I'm here!" he called, his tone tinged with irritation, "You said it was an emergency, it better bloody well be one!"
He climbed the rest of the stairs and trudged through the doorway. The flat lights were on and bright, Sherlock probably on a crazy experimentation spree with some new chemical combination.
"Well?" John walked in, but stopped abruptly. The flat was full, crowded with familiar faces. Standing by the doorway was Mrs. Hudson, her hand placed over her lips and brows creased in worry. Greg Lestrade mingled by the kitchen entrance, a full glass of drink in his hand. Andersen was sitting on the couch, head resting back against the cushion as he tapped his fingers against his leg. Donovan leaned on the fireplace, holding Sherlock's skull in her hands as she felt the ceramic cranium. Mycroft was sitting in Sherlock's deep, square framed chair. His cane rested against the arm and his well-manicured suit and shoes hugged his figure. His legs were crossed, his back against the armchair, and fingers steepled under his chin, just like Sherlock. Holmes was nowhere to be found. The atmosphere was grim, and nobody would look him directly in the eye.
"What's this?" he looked at each individual, his heart rate instinctively rising.
"John-" Mrs. Hudson began, her voice wavering.
"Mrs. Hudson," Mycroft interfered, without looking at her, "please."
"Someone speak up, tell me what's going on. Where's Sherlock?"
"John, where were you?" Lestrade took a sip of his drink.
"I was out, now what are you lot doing here?"
Nobody would talk.
His temper flared,"It's bloody nearing midnight, there are five people in my flat, a gorgeous woman will never want to see me in her life again, and Sherlock's not here. Now someone tell me what happened!"
"Take a seat," Mycroft motioned to the empty chair facing him with his cane.
Watson obeyed.
"John," Mycroft shifted slightly, "my position in the British government, as you know, is one of advantageous prestige."
"Okay?" he huffed, "And?"
"It's also one of burdensome detriment. I have enemies, John, rather nasty ones at that. Decisions are made, ones that don't suit others. It takes careful consideration in the midst of controversy to decide the most beneficial course of action for our nation."
"Where are you getting at?"
"Oh, come on already!" Andersen leaned forward, "Just tell him!"
"John, this may not be easy to hear-" Lestrade began.
"Sherlock has been taken," Mycroft sighed deeply, almost as if it revealed some emotion. Almost, "and we don't know where he is."
Chapter 2 coming soon! Leave me a favorite/follow/review! Stay tuned!