Chapter One
AN: This story takes place a few months after the end of Series 3. Enjoy, R&R, I don't own Sherlock or any of the other characters except for Ariel Quinn.
"Miss Quinn?" the cheerful receptionist called out as she scanned the waiting room of the doctor's office. A young woman stood up and hesitantly approached the counter. "You'll be in room four, and Dr. Watson will be in to see you shortly."
"Thanks very much," the girl replied in a near whisper. She walked down the hallway towards the exam rooms, glancing over her shoulder every few steps. She hoped she wasn't calling too much attention to herself, looking as suspicious as she did. But she also knew that once she was with Dr. Watson, she would be safe.
Once inside room four, she tried to busy herself with various pamphlets on flu prevention and safe sex practices. Her hands shook and she resolved to simply pace around the office. Doctors always keep you waiting, she thought. She ran over in her mind what she might say, how she could possibly explain to him what had been going on the past few years. What would he say? Would he believe her? Worst of all, would he go to the police for help? Not wanting to risk it, she debated sneaking out of the office before Watson even arrived but…
"Hallo!" he said with a smile as he opened the door.
So much for waiting, she thought.
"Ariel Quinn, is it? Just a routine exam or is there something specific that's concerning you?"
She grinned at the sound of someone calling her by her real name. He had given her many names in their time together. May I introduce my wife, Maria. This is my ailing sister, Rebecca… never Ariel.
"Everything all right?" Dr. Watson asked politely. She nodded, trying hard not to be completely swallowed up by the moment.
Someone is being kind to me.
Someone is taking care of me.
I finally escaped. I found Watson. He will take me to Sherlock and everything will be all right.
"Erm, yes. Routine exam please." She finally uttered. She hadn't thought of a good way to ask for his help. She knew enough about him… recently married, pregnant wife. It was risky, dangerous even. But she couldn't do it on her own.
"Good then. All right, Ariel, I'm just going to start by checking your heartbeat," Dr. Watson said as he tugged his stethoscope up from around his neck and plugged each ear piece into his ears. He closed his eyes, listening, then stood up and tried his best to hide a look of concern.
"Your pulse is very rapid, Ariel. Are you sure there's nothing you want to tell me?"
Ariel shrugged, rolling her eyes at her own stupidity. Of course he'd check my heart first and of course it would be too fast to ignore. Oh well, I had to tell him at some point.
"I need your help," was all she could summon at first. Watson smiled a sympathetic grin and sat in a chair across from the exam table. He leaned forward with his elbows propped on his knees, appearing eager to listen and help. What a nice man. Ariel did her best to continue, but it only spilled out in disjointed bits and pieces.
"I was kidnapped three and a half years ago. I knew I needed to find you. You and your friend, Mr. Holmes. I can't do it without you. Please." Without warning, Ariel bent forward and began to cry. For just a minute, she let out deep, heaving sobs of simultaneous terror and relief. When her cries stopped, Watson went quickly to his feet.
"Kidnapped? Well, are you hurt? I'll get my wife to ring the police. Don't worry, we'll take care of—"
"No!" Ariel yelled, shocking Watson enough that he nearly jumped backwards. She spoke again, "You mustn't. You and Mr. Holmes are the only people I can talk to… For now, at least."
Watson pinched the bridge of his nose as he let out a sigh, "Please, you'll have to tell me more if I'm to take you to Sherlock."
Ariel's voice trailed off again, "He talked about you two. For the first few months that's all he would talk about. He-"
John interrupted, as delicately as he could, "I'm sorry but… who is he?"
Ariel's eyes met his and she shrugged her shoulders. "Sometimes, he said his name was Just Jim… That always made him laugh. Then after a while he kept saying that I might remember him as Richard Brook."
Watson slowly rose out of his seat, eyeing Ariel very carefully. He reached into his pocket for his mobile and sent a message:
COMING BY SOON.
DON'T LEAVE THE FLAT.
Ariel continued, her voice more shaky and unsure than ever, "But I think to you two, his name is Moriarty."
