"So leave yourself intact, cause I will be coming back"-Coheed and Cambria
Disclaimer: They aren't mine!
A/N: My first Sherlock Homes fic! A little VDay fluff ;-)
Holmes sat alone in his room with his pipe in one hand and his near empty flask in the other. Or at least, he thought he was alone. A shadow detached itself from the wall to sit next to Holmes.
"Someone else has hired you to manipulate me so soon?" Holmes voiced his thoughts.
"Why are you always so moody? Maybe I'm here because I wanted to see you," Irene retorted.
Holmes acknowledged that this could be bad, very bad. He knew he had to tread carefully around this woman, The Woman. As much as he wanted her, Sherlock Holmes was no fool and knew there is no possessing that which cannot be possessed. 'She seems to know my buttons so well though,' he mused. Now she shows up on Valentine's Day like nothing ever happened. 'Sometimes you just can't win' Holmes thought to himself. It was with this thought that he grimaced and with his grimace that Irene spoke again.
"I would say 'A penny for your thoughts?' But seeing as you are Sherlock Holmes, that could leave me receiving tons of irrelevant information," she winked and continued, "Before you tell me what is actively concerning you, perhaps some light?"
This statement was accompanied with another wink. 'God this woman is maddening' he smiled in spite of himself as she started lighting candles. Even though he really wanted to wait for her to explain herself, he is Sherlock Holmes and too curious for patience.
"What concerns me at the moment is you Ms. Adler and your presence in my home. Breaking and entering, while hardly surprising mind you, don't seem to fit the occasion. If this is a social call why not knock?"
"Formalities Mr. Holmes? And here I thought we were passed such things!" She was teasing him and he knew it.
"Evasiveness dear Irene doesn't suit you either," Holmes responded sharply.
"Now that's better Sherlock, it's almost like we know each other," this was followed with a giggle and another wink as she turned back to him from the candles! Holmes was slowly losing his inner battle. 'Damn Valentine's Day! Any other day I'd be able to handle this, handle her!' In a futile attempt to keep his remaining dignity he quipped,
"Do we though? Really I mean, really know each other? You never stay long enough for me to grasp much more than your lovely scent!"
And with that she was laughing! Actually laughing, in his face! It was an unusual sight for him to say the least. He was not used to anyone laughing at him other than Watson and this disturbed him.
"Pray tell what exactly you find so funny Irene when you haven't even stated your purpose for this evening's visit!"
"You Sherlock, I find you extraordinarily amusing. You can wallow in denial all you'd like but the truth is still the same. You've missed me and you know it. You have been incredibly bored without me around Sherlock admit it!"
"I will do no such thing! I have had plenty of cases and of course tracking Moriarty is always a pleasant task thanks to you!"
"Your mind begs to be stimulated! With Watson rarely around and you busy with all of these 'cases' that you immediately solve, you're left with little to do but drink," Irene accused.
"While it may seem to you Irene that I have taken drinking up recreationally let me be the first to say that it is not what it seems. I just, well, I like alcohol," Holmes replied with a smile. His drinking is not something he's unaccustomed to hearing about from anybody. He liked to solve cases and everyone cheered him on for that. He loves to drink alcoholic beverages and the same people previously cheering are now chiding!
"That conversation is for another day," Irene began pointedly, "your 'habit' is not the reason I have come to you today." Irene shivered and moved closer to Homes. "It's so cold this time of year don't you agree?"
Holmes chuckled and put his arm around Irene, "Are we ever going to quit playing this game?"
"I'd like to think that you rather enjoy our banter more than you let on!"
"Irene I think you're charming and this is not news to you. Now on with the reason for your visit before you drive me mad!"
Irene then turned to face him, suddenly very serious. "I'm here Sherlock because I still owe you an answer. I can't help but feel guilty for not being considerate enough to answer a question from you asked out of honest curiosity. You were considerate enough to leave me a way to escape before the Yard arrived and now I feel I owe you more than just an answer."
Holmes looked at her questioningly and was about to speak before he was cut off.
"He drew me in with money. I know, no big surprise there. However he kept me in his pocket when he put your life on the table. I do not wish to lose you Sherlock even if I technically don't have you to begin with. What fun is the game without a worthy playmate? Your life, your existence means too much to me and I would protect you at all costs. So there you have it. You. You were the weak spot, the chink in my armor Moriarty discovered and exploited."
The usually infallible Sherlock Holmes was speechless, even if only for a moment. Quickly recovering he responded,
"Well, um, right then. And what more could I need Irene than this admission?"
"I've really looked forward to doing this without you passing out," as Holmes looked at her questioningly Irene leaned in and kissed him softly at first. As their lips moved against each other their movements became more frenzied. Irene drew back for air and smiled at Holmes.
"Happy Valentine's Day Sherlock. Not only will I help you catch him, but maybe we can even figure each other out along the way. In any case," another nip at his lips, "it should be interesting and very fun," she finished seductively.
A/N: FIN here? Or continue? What'd you think anyways? A much different world than Hannibal Fandom but an intriguing relationship nonetheless! Happy reviewing! ;-)