"Blueberry Babies outta the oven Philippe!" Ryan called to the front of the bakery.
A tall lanky man with a flour stained apron burst through the door.
"Ah, Ry! You angel you must be reading my stomach! The customers will be thrilled that your world class berry muffins are at last ready!" Philippe exclaimed as he helped her in taking out two muffins and offing them, Small crumbs forming along his mustache.
" Calm down, they're not going to be world anything if you keep trying to eat the merchandise." Ryan said smacking his hands away taking the uneaten pastry from him and setting it down among the others.
" But Ryan you must know how delicious, and tantalizingly good they are."
This was a warning flag to Ryan's ears. The assistant manager never complemented on her baking this much. " What do you need to say Philippe?" Ryan said placing the muffins on serving trays.
" What can't I just give you a good job for so many worked hours in front of this god FORSAKEN - the Sanchez Wedding canceled- OVEN and for giving you gift of happiness to so MANY- the groom ran off with the brides sister - BRIGHT eyed customers who love to see-"
" WHAT?! The Sanchez Wedding CANCELLED?!" Ryan said as she slammed the tray down on the counter. " Are you serious? Philippe.. " she turned towards him with her hands splayed in rage. " Please tell me you at least got their security deposit, the wedding is tomorrow!"
"Was tomorrow..." Philippe tried to joke with her.
" Ryan what do you think I am stupid? Yes I got the deposit..." His lagh was full and hearty and then it died out. "... But I am stupid enough to not check if it would bounce or not ."
" Philippe..." Ryan said through her teeth balling her fists. " That wedding was going to be my rent for the next three months."
" Don't worry, I have a plan." He said putting his shoulders on Ryan's confidently.
" What may that plan be?" Ryan stared him down.
" We sell our bodies to the night." He smiled, nodding his head up and down excitedly.
Ryan's expression was grim, " SOoo .. you mean to tell me that in all that time and product wasted, your plan is to become escorts..."
Philippe laughed. " Ryan do you think I was serious? No.. no. ..." he paused. " Just you"
Ryan pushed him away tearing away her apron and turning off the oven. " I'm going home to talk to my land lady, and by the time I get back. I trust that you can find a better way to push a Wedding cake meant for an army and 300 Cupcakes that have ' Diego and Luna forever' written all over them in custom royal icing, or I swear it this time Philippe, I'll quit."
" You won't quit, you love me too much for that." Philippe said stuffing another muffin in his mouth as she reached the front door.
" Good Bye Philippe. AND stop eating the muffins!" She yelled back and with that walked onto the London streets to clear her head.
As she walked she thought back to just a few months ago when she saw a flyer on the window of a diner, for a one bedroom apartment. Ryan thought that it was about time to leave the over crowded nest of the dorms and find her own way. The collage dorms were an okay to get away with living from place to place and to meet new people but she'd rather shower alone. Mrs. Hudson the land lady was very kind and offered her tea when they first met. They spoke of how Ryan worked full time and then some at a nearby bakery. How Ryan's passion was baking and culinary and gave her a plate of chocolate cookies to sweeten the deal. Mrs. Hudson fell in love with the thought of the baked goods smell every day to make up for the fowl scent the building already had.
They saw into the three flats she owned. The lower one wasn't in question "livable" according to Mrs. Hudson so they looked into the other one bedroom she had available. Ryan was amazed. High ceilings and a great view of part of the city. It was small but small enough for her. The two shook on it and Ryan moved in with only her clothes and some sentimental items. Being such a rocky start for Ryan, she asked Philippe and secured herself a pull out couch and a few items here and there from his ex-wife's that he thought suited Ryan. She was on her way to putting together a home for herself, something that she hasn't had in a long time.
When Ryan made her way home and up the stairs to her flat, not quite ready to face Mrs. Hudson about the recent fall through with her next renters check. On her way up she saw the second floors flat's door ajar.
'Better a time as any.' Ryan thought.
" Mrs. Hudson?" She said while opening it to see a man unpacking some books onto a shelf. His facial features were very prominent, Curly dark hair and a very stern look in his eyes.
" I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to barge in. Mrs. Hudson didn't tell me that she had a new tenant. " His gaze was alarmingly straight forward. "So I ... will be on my way then..." as Ryan turned out she saw Mrs. Hudson coming up the stairs.
" Ryan, Good to see you deary, I've seen you met Sherlock." She came through and went to clear his kitchen table. "Sherlock this is Ms. Clarke. She lives above you."
" Hello, " She extended her hand to shake his, "It's nice to meet about all that."
" Are you a opposed to the Violin during the night" He asked shaking her hand.
" No, that's probably the best time to play. Why?" Ryan smiled.
" One should know parts of their neighbors patterns. When they tend to make noise, take a shower due to the tap. Although I cannot make promises to when these things will happen just that they eventually will." He went back to shelving books.
" Very right. " She cleared her throat. " Well I'll try to keep quiet I know how annoying upstairs neighbors can be. Used to live in dorms."
" You sounds as if your proud of that. Interesting." he remarked. "Thank you for your concern but I doubt you can keep that empty promise. Your very impulsive, also an insomniac due to how bitten your nails are, the bags under your eyes and pupil size, you've been awake for about thirty two hours working on a project for work. An American baker moved to London to keep her family away. By the flour on your sleeve and for the angle of it splattered, you lost a huge client and you won't have the rent for this month with nothing to keep you occupied besides your work, your going to be in and out of this complex a lot and rearranging furniture or possibly moving out of it for at least a few weeks, hopefully you'll be outta here by that time, because your right," He stared her with his eyes intensely. "Upstairs neighbors are annoying ... oh and try not to stomp too hard on the left side of your living room, the floor creeks."
'What was this guy's problem? No- don't be that way Ryan, you just met him. Give him the benefit of the doubt, maybe he's had worse up stairs neighbors and is cautious. Oh gosh now he's staring at you, say something.' "So, How did you know about my family?" She asked mentally kicking herself for asking that question but as Sherlock was opening his mouth, Ryan cut him off, " Never mind, doesn't matter. Just Wow, you pretty much have me figured out, don't you?" she grinned at him " Color me impressed." She laughed. Ryan spotted his violin pointing to it looking to change the subject. " So, do you play often?"
" Yes when I'm not working." He answered with a sigh looking back down to his books.
" I'd love to hear you play sometime but as you said its going to eventually happen. So I'll keep an ear out." Ryan turned to leave, looking back. " It really was nice to meet you Sherlock."
"Holmes, Sherlock Holmes." he stated plainly looking up at her. " You as well Ms. Clarke."
" Oh, it's Ryan, just Ryan and Mrs. Hudson can we talk later?" Mrs. Hudson nodded and shooed her off. She smiled waved to her land lady and left. Sherlock turned to Mrs. Hudson who was staring at him sternly.
" What is it?"
" Don't you scare her off, I need the money even though its not coming in now, it will. There's tea on the pot for you." Mrs. Hudson said leaving herself.
Sherlock rolling his eyes sighing and shut the door behind her. Going back to sorting his books he couldn't help but notice the dodge for his answer and the slight hitch in Miss Clarke's voice after he evaluated her. Normally he wouldn't give it a second thought seeing how often people usually tell him to piss off but she was kind...this made him think. ' Interesting.'
The Next few days flew by with work, Ryan took the long home to avoid emptying the last few remaining boxes which were always the hardest to empty. Ryan thought if she were to empty them she would be stuck here for good. Which she deemed silly but it scared her in a way, like it was too good to be true. She hasn't had a decent place to live in over two years, hopping from state to state and from dorm to dorm. Her mind slipped on to how far a few cases of beers can get you and then some.
After she had cleared her head and ready to tackle the last few ends of the unpacking process. About ten feet away from the door, Ryan stopped and felt around in her pockets for her keys to 221B, but nothing was there. She checked her purse but nothing there except her wallet and phone. With a sigh and thinking about where the last place she left them, a blondish man with a cane started to knock on her door and a taxi rolled up out coming Sherlock.
" Ah Ryan, " Sherlock called out to her and made it up a few steps to her. " Good Morning."
" Morning." She smiled and waved relived that he was in a better mood than the last time she had seen him. " You wouldn't so happen to have the keys yet would you? I seemed to left mine ...somewhere."
" Oh so you live with Sherlock too?" The blonde man asked curiously and pointing to Sherlock. Her diving back into her purse seeing if she missed something the first time.
" No, just same building." She extended her hand out to greet the man. " I'm Ryan by the way I live in 221A."
The blonde man stared at Ryan and seemed to lose his train of thought as she faced him . She stopped him in his tracks, the girl was about five foot three and had beach waved brunette hair that reached her shoulders. Clearing his throat he finally spoke up " J-John Watson, Pleased to meet you." and shook her hand for a few more seconds more than needed according to Sherlock as he cleared his throat in annoyance.
" So, this is a prime spot. Must be expensive." John asked and looking at the building.
" Mrs. Hudson the land lady is giving me a special deal. Owes me a favor. A few years back her husband got himself sentenced to death in Florida. I was able to help out." Sherlock explained knocking on the door.
" So you stopped her husband from being executed?" John asked.
" Oh no I ensured it." Sherlock said with confidence. Ryan widened her eyes and laughed.
" More to that story I'm guessing. What is it you exactly do for a living Sherlock?" Ryan questioned. Mrs. Hudson flew open the door before he could answer.
" Sherlock, " she opened her arms up to him as he greeted her with an embrace. " Oh Ryan too? You left your keys on the landing deary."
Ryan kissed her cheek and made her way inside to the side table in the landings hall. " Oh thank you, I was beginning to think I left them in the freezer again.." Ryan laughed and waved off to John and headed up stairs to her flat.
With a new potential neighbor, Ryan thought that it would be nice and also for the sake of her waist, to bring down slices of wedding cake. Philippe took half and her the other. Only problem is that it took up most of her fridge. So leaving her keys and purse up stairs Ryan went down stairs with plates of cake in hand. Seeing the door open, she knocked on the door frame with her foot. " Knock Knock, may I come in?" Sherlock waved her in not looking in her direction.
" Thought I'd bring a treat for everyone, almost fresh from an almost wedding." She joked, hesitant as to put the plates down on the kitchen table that was littered with what seemed to be a science experiment. Mrs. Hudson took some of the plates from her hands and smiled.
" Oh, how thoughtful Ryan, I would love a slice for later."
" I'll also bring you some strawberry compote as topping later on for it. Makes it ten times better." Ryan smiled. " So John what do you think?" she pointed around the flat.
" Oh yes, there is another room down the hall that way, if you'll be needing two rooms." Mrs. Hudson said offering John a plate.
" Of course we'll be needing two." John said plainly, taking the cake.
" Don't worry, there's all sorts around here." Mrs. Hudson was trying to save him face, " Mrs. Turner's next door's ... got married ones." she whispered as she set down a plate at Sherlock's desk.
Ryan coughed on her bite as she heard Mrs. Hudson make a judgement of someone she had just met. Ryan silently with a raised eyebrow asking if he was. John mouthed the word NO and Ryan smiled in confirmation and sat on the edge of one of the chairs.
" Oh Sherlock, the mess you've made." Mrs. Hudson said and moved some items to the side of the table and set down her slice. " Thank you for the treats dear."
" Oh your welcome. Anytime, well anytime I'm baking, I usually make enough for everyone." Ryan said looking up and down at Sherlock's book collection. Definitely very old books and some new mixed and matched. She wondered how he organizes them all.
" I looked you up on the internet last night." John stated from the arm chair.
Sherlock turned and with hands in pockets looking to John and to Ryan looking intently on his collection he said. " Anything Interesting."
" Found your website, 'The Science of Deduction'." John responded. Sherlock looking very proud he smirked.
" What did you think?" Sherlock's smile dimmed as he saw Johns reaction.
" You've got a website?" Ryan turned and asked. " Are you a detective?"
" He says that he could identify a software designer by his tie and an airline pilot by his left thumb."
" Well I wouldn't put it past him, he's already got the whole scoop on me and this is the second time meeting him." Ryan said with a smirk from what Sherlock could point out. Something wasn't right about the way her smile came across, it was subtle but to Sherlock it didn't seem as genuine as it were when they first met.' There it is again this uneasy feeling when she smiles. I wonder why.'
" What about these murder suicides Sherlock, Thought that'd be right up your street. Three exactly the same." Mrs. Hudson came in with a paper she found from the kitchen.
" Three what?" Ryan asked coming over to look over the paper with her land lady.
" These three people commit suicide in the same way." Mrs. Hudson pointed out. This scared Ryan, someone carlessly roaming the streets, murdering helpless people. Anyone could be carted off and murdered. These types of articles and stories always kept Ryan on her toes especially since she walked everywhere.
" Four," Sherlock wandered off towards the window. " There's been a fourth, there's something different this time."
" How do you figure?" Ryan said looking out the other side of the window to see a police car. Hearing steps behind her hastily walking up the stairs. It was a man slightly tall with dark graying hair.
" Where?" Sherlock demanded.
" Brixton, Lauriston Gardens." the man said and spotted Ryan.
" Hello... Would you like a slice?" Ryan offered and smiled hoping that someone will take it but he kindly declined and smiled.
" Whats new about this one? You wouldn't have come to get me if there wasn't something different." Sherlock said rolling his eyes again.
" You know how they never leave notes? This one did, will you come?" the man said.
"Whose on forensics?" Sherlock looked to Ryan up and down to see if she might come in handy as his assistant for this case. 'Most likely not, she looks to be the researcher type, she couldn't keep her eyes off of his books the moment she walked in and most likely on this case there was a body. With her almost natural squared stance she has some kind of stomach for but then again Mrs. Hudson did say not to scare her off. She may come in handy sometime in the future.'
" Anderson,"
" Anderson won't work with me." then his gaze went to John, a military man who looked like he's dealt with the dead on more than one occasion. Sherlock may as well test him out.
" Well he won't be your assistant." The man spat.
" I need an assistant." Sherlock spat right back. " I won't come in a police car. I'll be right behind."
"Thank you." the man said nodding his head to us and taking his leave. It was awkwardly silent for a moment until Sherlock's mouth formed the perfect smirk and he burst with excitement.
" Four serial suicides and now a note. Ah its Christmas." he exclaimed.
" Four possibly innocent people are dead and you think its Christmas?" Ryan questioned. Sherlock looked up from his laptop and smirked at the girl.
" In my business it is. Mrs. Hudson I'll be late might need some food." he sauntered off into the kitchen to grabbed a bite of cake and put on his coat.
" I'm your landlady, dear not your housekeeper." Mrs. Hudson gently reminded him.
" Something cold will do. Ryan, John make yourselves cups of tea, this cake is going to need them, make your self at home."
And like that he was gone. Ryan took in a deep breath and started to head for the door as well. " Well it was very nice to meet you John. Don't be a stranger."
" I don't know what he's talking about this cake is amazing." John exclaimed with a half bite in his mouth.
" Thank you, I put a bit more vanilla extract in the mix, gives it extra flavor." She smiled crossing her arms.
" You made this?" He questioned.
" Yes, I work at a Memory Lane Bakery." she answered.
" Baker of Baker street." He laughed at his own joke. "Has a nice ring to it."
" Oh god," She just realized. " I am the baker of Baker street aren't I?"
" At least your a damn good baker." he complimented.
She waved off to John and headed off upstairs only to find Sherlock trailing behind her.
" Oh I thought you left, is everything okay?" Ryan asked looking concerned.
" I'm going to be in late and while I was on my way out I remembered that I don't have any keys quite yet. May I borrow yours for the time being?" He asked.
" Oh yeah sure I'm not planning on going anywhere tonight." she turned the knob and it was no good. Ryan hissed in some air and sighed "I've seemed to lock myself out. I'm having quite the day." She laughed slightly embarrassed pushing her hair behind her ears. " May I use your fire escape? Thankfully I know I left my window open. "
" Oh yes. Go right ahead." Sherlock said putting his hands in his pockets ready to wait.
" Thanks, I'll only be a moment." she said dashing down the stairs and back into Sherlock's seeing John reading the newspaper. She didn't pay him any mind, opened and hopped out of their window and up and onto her veranda and into her flat.
Sherlock checked the time on his phone, hearing her on the other side of the door banging and falling to the ground, possibly going to bruise. 'I'll have to ask her later how it develops. Cadavers only gave me so much information.'
The door opened with Ryan slightly out of breath and with keys in hand she dangled them for Sherlock.
" Oh thank you." he said taking them from her. " I'll have them back to you by tonight if you don't mind."
" Not at all, keep it. I actually have duplicates for the down stairs." Ryan said looking into his eyes for the first time being so close. A light steel blue and cheeks that she thought could cut glass. What she didn't notice was that he also observed her heart-shaped face and light grey bluish eyes over looking his own.
" Thank you." he said wondering if she lost her keys often enough to make duplicates.
" So you never said, what do you do for a living Sherlock?"
" What do you think?" He asked with a slight smirk on his face.
This caught her off guard and thought for a second he was flirting, she passed it off and answered him. " I would say detective but something tells me that your going to tell me something different..."
" I'm a consulting detective I get called in when the police are out of their depth."
" I would have never guessed that." She confessed.
" I would think not, I invented the profession." he said pride in his voice.
She nodded her head in approval and smiled truthfully, " Nice," They stood there in the hall for a few more moments in silence when Ryan broke the ice. "Well then I'd better be going but good luck on your investigation." she said cheerfully and edged to close the door not sure how to end the conversation.
Showing her a false grin he headed down stairs as she closed the door leaning against the back of it closing her eyes exhausted. She looked to her fridge and slid down the wood in sadness realizing that she still has a lot of cake to pawn off on everyone.
Ryan stood and grabbed her phone and called the bakery.
" Ryan my dear, to what do I owe this pleasure?" Philippe said with his usual grandeur.
" I'm taking the Sanchez cake back its too much for me to keep. We can hand out bite sizes out to people on the streets for publicity." she said running her hand though her hair.
" You have a gift for sales my dear! I will wait for your glorious presence to grace me once more."
" There's a potentially single woman who thinks your talking to your 'daughter' in the shop right now isn't there." Ryan said bluntly.
She heard him cough and whisper in to the phone, " Yes and don't blow it for me when you get down here."
"I'll try" Ryan joked, "Good Bye Philippe." and she hung up.
Author note: Hello and Welcome to My first ever Sherlock story! I worked so hard on this for so long, wracking my brain as to if I should either keep this to myself or let you lovelies read it. So I would like to know what your thoughts are, good or bad. Of course this being the first chapter and its more of a slight introduction to Ms. Ryan Clarke. So please comment if you wish to do so.