As always I do not own anything pertaining to Sherlock Holmes, The Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Estate, and BBC Sherlock.
Security had been relatively easy compared to Paris and some of the other airports of the world right now. Everyone was on high alert even without chatter. So be it. The one duffel bag was carry on and the only piece of luggage he had allowed himself. He strode through the terminal heading for the street and the taxi queue.
Only one person knew he was due back into England on this particular flight but even half expecting to see a certain female welcoming party he was not prepared for the gushing greeting she gave him, practically throwing herself at him from halfway across the lobby and all but wrapping herself around him.
She pulled his head down so that their foreheads touched. Utterly taken aback, he let the canvass bag slip to the floor and stood frozen in place one part of his mind wondering if she planned to go so far as to try to kiss him and at the same time hoping that she wouldn't dare.
"Oh, lord, Sig it's been so long! I was half afraid that I would never see you again but I never allowed myself to doubt you I had to believe that you wouldn't let me down."
She pulled away from him still looking intently into his face then gave what appeared to him a very sincere smile as she reached down to snatch up his bag while slipping her arm around his, turned and started leading him through the doors onto the street.
He sighed, the play by play running itself through his mind's eye but instead of the sleek black car he was expecting she led him towards a bright lip stick red convertible. He could almost feel his eyes cross. Well, at least it was more inventive then he would have given his elder brother credit for but it did not alter the end results.
As they approached the monstrosity she released him and started to move to the drivers side until a distinctive jangling arrested her. She turned stiffly.
"He will not be at all happy about this."
"He will recover no doubt."
"He wants a debriefing."
"He knows full well that it is premature. There is one loose end. The most dangerous. It cannot be allowed to dangle any longer."
She was strong enough to attempt a standoff although she knew it was a battle she had little chance of winning and they both knew it.
"I'll drive you where ever you need to go."
"Thank you, but no. I know what I have to do. You can provide my cover."
She eyed the keys hanging from those long graceful fingers, gave a resigned huff and stalked around the bonnet. He was gracious enough to open the door. She slipped by him to settle into the passenger seat and commenced to ignore him. Giving a slight but mirthless smile he climbed behind the wheel. Now the hard part began.
He slid the car into a civilian parking slot in front of the Yard and shut it off. For the last twenty four hours he had run several scenarios through his mind. While more then one might have been plausible this one was the most straight forward and all things considered the simplest.
He got out and moved to hand his companion out of the car.
"You managed to act over joyed to see me, now act distraught."
She reached out to pull him near.
"Would it be so surprising to know that hadn't all been just put on?"
His head ticked sideways, eyes narrowed slightly as he regarded her. She watched as something moved behind the blue-green eyes and they seemed to soften.
"Perhaps less then you might imagine."
With that he linked arms with her and started towards the Yard's front lobby.
"Distressed."
She sighed deeply and leaned into him tucking her head to nestle into the hollow of his neck, her shoulders shaking slightly as he draped an arm around her.
They entered the lobby and approached the front desk.
"We need to see one of your best detectives."
