Here's the next one shot in Secrets Divulged. Sorry for the delay. I've been out of town with crappy hotel wifi and then hit a bit of creative drought. Now, I'm home and little refreshed. Remember, these shots aren't chronological, so the events in this are set before Sherlock & Zoe go to the U.S to visit her sister in July. This one picks up right from where Secrets Kept ended. I don't own anything but Zoe. No copyright infringement is intended.
Not Your Housekeeper
Sunday Morning
After John and Mycroft left, Sherlock huffed and fell back into his chair, his robe fluttering around him. "Mother…he had to tell our mother!" Sherlock said. His facial expression reminded Zoe of a child who had tasted a lemon for the first time.
"Well, from what you told me your brother likes to pry. Today should be unsurprising," she said shrugging her shoulders.
For John and Mycroft to show up this morning meant they had been watching for Sherlock to do something. Bringing her over last night had been the sign Mycroft needed to swoop in. Zoe imagined the encounter would have happened a lot sooner if she hadn't been so busy lately.
Sherlock rolled his eyes. "My mother will hound me until she meets you. I can already hear questions about babies and family gatherings," he said. Zoe laughed at the way he visibly shuttered at the thought. They were far off from even discussing children. She wouldn't be adverse to meeting his family though.
"Your dramatics are only going to make this more stressful. Just schedule a meeting and get it over with. I'm more than capable of fielding questions," she said sitting on the arm of his chair. She gently wrapped a curl around her finger before letting it fall free and spring back into shape.
Sherlock only grunted.
"Can we get back in bed until Mrs. Hudson is awake or are you up for the day?" she asked.
"If today had gone as planned we wouldn't have gotten out of bed in the first place," he grumbled.
"Come on, grumpy," Zoe said. She pulled his lithe form up from his hunched position in the chair and led him back into the bedroom.
They had been lying together for a few moments when a thought occurred to Zoe. She sat up and let her gaze sweep the corners of the room slowly. Her frown caught Sherlock's attention.
"Finally realizing how invasive my brother can be?" he asked.
"I'm just wondering what kind of resources he's been using to keep track of us. We certainly get up to things and the thought of cameras is unsettling," Zoe said.
"There are no cameras. I checked for those right after the gala and have continued to do so since. If there were cameras Mycroft and his team would have seen more of me than they would wish to. I don't think anyone would complain about you though," he said while still lying down.
"It's not the complaining I'm worried about," she murmured before she got comfortable again. The thought of some government techie seeing her in their private moments did not sit well with her. She doubted it would work, but she thought about bugging Mycroft until he gave up the details of the surveillance. Deciding to let the matter go for the meantime, she playfully tugged some of the blankets away from Sherlock who pulled them tightly around himself in retaliation. She giggled and sighed into the pillow beneath her head.
When the couple woke up for the second time, Zoe felt more rested. With a quick stretch, she climbed out of bed and decided to take a shower before Sherlock used all the hot water, which had happened before. Sometimes he got lost in his mind palace while he showered, which led to extended time in the shower before she had to knock on the door to get him moving again. After showering, she put her toiletries back in the overnight bag she used to store her belongings and went out into the kitchen to make tea. She wore a pair of light-wash jeans, a gray Star Wars t-shirt, and a pair of black and gray Adidas sneakers.
After several minutes passed and Sherlock didn't emerge from his room, she realized he was dragging his feet.
"You are aware that I will go downstairs and meet Mrs. Hudson with or without you, correct?" she called out.
No response. She narrowed her eyes and went to see what he was doing. She found him staring at the ceiling. He didn't move when she cleared her throat and leaned against the door frame.
"I'm sure she'd loved to hear more about how romantic you can be," Zoe said.
Nothing. Rolling her eyes, she turned on her heel and returned to the kitchen where her still steaming cup of tea was sitting. She picked it up and headed down to the flat below. It didn't take long for the door to open after a knock.
The landlady wore a confused, but polite expression. "Hello, dear. How can I help you?" she asked.
Probably wondering how I got in the front door.
"I'm Zoe, Sherlock's girlfriend. I just wanted to come down and say thank you for the cake you made for my birthday. It was delicious," she said with a smile.
The older woman gasped. "Oh, hello! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. When Sherlock mentioned the occasion it took me a moment to wrap my head around it, but then when I really thought about it I wasn't surprised. I mean the flat smelled like perfume once or twice. I figured he realized it and starting opening the windows after you left. It's not hard to notice when someone actually keeps food in the fridge and no limbs," Mrs. Hudson said, her reply quickly turning into rambling.
Mrs. Hudson proceeded to pull the younger woman into a hug.
Zoe couldn't help but chuckle at the woman's energy as she returned the embrace. It was warm and cheerful.
"I'm glad to finally meet you," Zoe said. She continued but a little louder. "I also wanted to apologize if we've ever been too loud, especially last night. Sherlock was extra romantic and —"
"Mrs. Hudson! Where is my tea?" Sherlock called from upstairs, cutting Zoe off. She grinned.
Mrs. Hudson rolled her eyes. "I'm your landlady, not your housekeeper!" she replied.
"The kettle should still be hot," Zoe called up the stairs.
The pair listened as his footsteps faded away from the landing.
"Would you like to join me for breakfast, dear?" Mrs. Hudson said.
Zoe looked away from the stairs and nodded. "That sounds wonderful."
The pair enjoyed the meal as they discussed all of the crazy antics Mrs. Hudson had to put up with as Sherlock's landlady, Zoe's job, how the couple met, and Mrs. Hudson's late husband.
As the woman spoke, it wasn't hard to see that she was smarter than most people gave her credit for. The flat was well kept with items from travel resting on a shelf in the sitting area. From her spot at the kitchen table, Zoe admired Mrs. Hudson's decor, especially the beading that hung in front of the back door entrance.
"Oh, those two just got into all kinds of things. John's blog is a good read if you find the time to give it a glance," Mrs. Hudson said.
Zoe nodded. "I"ve heard about it, but haven't had the time to give it a good read," she said.
She made a mental note to check out the doctor's famous blog.
Craig
"You're joking, right?" Lestrade asked incredulously into the phone. He was on his way into Scotland Yard on Monday, trying to balance his mobile phone against his ear, a newspaper under his arm, and a cup of coffee. The caffeine was just what he needed. The man wondered for a moment if he was still half asleep and simply misheard what John had said.
"Not at all. We walked in and she was there. Clothes were all over the flat. It was awkward," John said. "Turns out they met while he was away and they've been together officially since just before he came back," the doctor continued.
"Hold on a moment," Lestrade said walking into the station. He nodded and greeted the officers and detectives around him before retreating into his office, hoping that nobody needed him at the moment.
"Sherlock has a girlfriend? Is she weird? What does she look like?" he questioned after he closed the door behind him.
"She was very nice, given the circumstances. And she's beautiful. You'd have to see her for yourself," John answered.
"I need to see this with my own two eyes," the detective inspector replied.
It took two weeks for Lestrade to have a legitimate reason to drop by Baker Street. John and Sherlock were working on a case and he needed to bring them new files. Usually, he emailed them but the doctor had texted and told him that Sherlock's girlfriend was at Baker Street at the moment. It wasn't long until the detective inspector was standing in the sitting area, trying not to get caught looking around.
"I bought over the new case files. It looks like there was more than one person's blood on the knife found at the scene," Lestrade said placing the folder on Sherlock's desk.
"Do you think Mr. Roads fought back then? Maybe he injured his killer and we should be checking hospitals for anyone who came in with stabbing injuries," John said.
"She's downstairs," Sherlock said.
Lestrade and John shared a look before Lestrade turned to the consulting detective with a confused expression.
"What?" Lestrade said.
"Zoe. John has probably been gossiping about her like Mrs. Hudson and her friends gossip about basically everything. She is downstairs at the moment if you want to go and make sure she's not a figment of my imagination or a woman hired to keep me company. Better yet, share that theory with her," Sherlock answered not looking up from his laptop.
Knowing he was caught, Greg gave his friend a sheepish look. "I was just curious," he said quietly.
"Isn't there a phrase that says, 'Curiosity killed the cat.'" Sherlock said.
Before Lestrade could answer a female voice spoke. "But satisfaction brought it back. Zombie cat, but still."
The three men turned to find Zoe standing in the doorway. She wore a canary yellow, pleated o-neck, sleeveless dress that complimented her brown complexion and a pair of gold, metallic sandals. Her cheek bones were dusted with a light brush of golden highlight that made her glow beautifully. Today was a day where the sun graced the city with its presence.
"Sorry to interrupt, gentlemen, but I'm headed out to meet with my editor. Just wanted to let you know before I run off," she said focusing on Sherlock. She did give the other two a smile though.
Lestrade stood frozen as he took her in. Sherlock, not liking the way the inspector stared, spoke suddenly as he stood swiftly.
"This is Craig Lestrade. Craig, this is Zoe. Introductions have been made and case files have been shared. I will let you know when we have something," Sherlock said making a shooing motion at the man.
"It's Greg, Sherlock," John said with a huff.
"Nice to meet you, Inspector. I'm familiar with your work. It's part of the whole journalism gig," Zoe said kindly.
"Right, hello," Lestrade said shaking himself from his stupor.
"I wish I could stay and chat longer, but I'm already a little late. Mrs. Hudson has a lot to say and kept trying to feed me more," she said, chuckling at the last bit. She popped over and kissed Sherlock on the cheek before heading out.
"Until next time, gentlemen," she said with a wave over her shoulder.
After the front door closed downstairs, Lestrade turned to Sherlock with wide eyes. "She might as well be a bloody supermodel."
Diaper Duty
Friday Evening
"She's not going to shoot you or anything," Sherlock said. The low sounds coming from Zoe's record player that sat on the side table made him glance at the device. "What is this?"
"Turn it up," she requested. He did. After a moment she spoke again. "I'm sure you've heard of or at least have heard a song by Prince. It's called "Purple Rain"," Zoe said poking her head out of her bedroom down the hall. Sherlock was sitting on the couch in her flat.
"And I'm more nervous that Mary has a bad taste in her mouth from the last media-related person she dealt with. I mean she shot you because you interrupted her from killing him. She may be a little tense around people who collect facts and tell stories for a living," she said, now back in her room.
Sherlock scoffed and ran a hand through his curls. "Purple rain sounds dangerous. It doesn't sound healthy for anything it falls on," he began. "Regardless, you and Magnussen are completely different breeds of people. We wouldn't be standing here if you were anything like him," he said. Sherlock pulled his phone from his suit jacket pocket and tapped away the screen, letting John know they'd be heading over soon.
A cough-like noise came from Zoe's room. "I'm not even going to get into the meaning behind the song. Also, I'm going to be nervous regardless of what you say at this point. John and Mary are your friends and I want to get along with them," Zoe said.
She said nothing of how strange she thought it was to be friends with someone who shot you. At the sound of her heels clicking on the wood floor, Sherlock looked up. "Are these shoes too dressy?" she asked.
His eyes focused on the navy blue pumps on Zoe's feet before meeting her eyes. "John and Mary are a very casual pair. We are not. The shoes are fine," he said.
"Let's do this," Zoe said. He grabbed her lightweight jacket from the rack near the door while she grabbed her purse.
"I wish we could have gone out somewhere, but it's really a hassle to find a nanny sometimes," John said as he led Zoe and Sherlock into the home he shared with Mary, and now their young daughter Rosie.
Zoe gave the doctor a smile and shook her head. "This is more than okay, John. It would have been more of a hassle for the four of us to try and go out without drawing a crowd," she said.
"Yes, but now we'll have to survive Rosie's crying," Sherlock mumbled. Zoe nudged him. "As long as she's dried, feed, and comfortable she should be okay. Rosie is still at the age where she sleeps quite a bit," Zoe said.
"You've dealt with children before?" John asked.
She understood the unstated "Any kids of your own?".
"My older sister has a son. He's ten now."
John nodded and led them into a cozy sitting area where Mary gently rocked Rosie. She looked up at the trio's entrance. "Hi, I'm just trying to get her down for the night. We should be okay for a while after that," she said. Zoe walked forward and peeked at the little one who was fighting sleep on her mother's shoulder. Her eyelids would droop, only to fly back open.
"She's beautiful," Zoe said giving Mary and John a smile. The couple expressed their thanks before Mary asked John to turn off everything on the stove and set the table. The man obliged while Sherlock and Zoe sat down on the sofa. They took in the toys that sat in the room as well as all of the baby-proofed corners and electric plugs.
It wasn't hard for Zoe to admit to herself that she was nervous about getting to know John Watson and his wife. John was a big part of the detective's life. It wasn't hard to tell from the media coverage and from chatting with Mrs. Hudson that the doctor's friendship had taught Sherlock a lot about emotions, social cues, and how most "normal" people interact with each other. She knew that without this friendship, Sherlock would have never shown up at that restaurant after their first encounter.
As for Mary, Sherlock decided it was best not to keep secrets. He had explained several days ago what happened last year with Magnussen, and how they had all come to a sort of understanding. It was still difficult for Zoe to imagine anyone other than Sherlock Holmes being able to stay friends with someone who shot them. She had planned to be friendly for his sake and try her best not to appear uncomfortable.
Sherlock brought her out of thoughts with a comment about how expensive children are because of all the new ways companies tried to sell you to protect and entertain them. Zoe agreed that they were not cheap, but that so many of the new items were actually helpful.
"We didn't have socket plugs and Mycroft and I never electrocuted ourselves," he murmured.
After a few moments in comfortable silence, Mary came back downstairs. "She's out like a light," she said. "Let's have dinner, shall we?" she continued gesturing towards the table that John had set.
Zoe was actually surprised at the table layout. John had put down placemats, napkins, silverware (including a salad fork), and glasses. She didn't imagine he was a salad fork kind of man. She wasn't even sure if Sherlock had more than a few pieces of silverware in his flat. Mrs. Hudson probably replaces what he does have when he uses them for experiments.
As Zoe and Sherlock joined the Watsons, Sherlock pulled a chair out for Zoe to sit. He paid no mind to John and Mary's surprised faces. John shrugged and followed his friend's lead and pulled out a chair for his wife, who rolled her eyes at the action but took a seat.
After the meal, John seemed excited to ask questions. "Weren't you weirded out by some stranger asking to kiss you in public in a foreign country?"
Zoe laughed heartily for a moment while Sherlock glared at his friend.
"That's kind of smooth if you ask me," Mary said, "John told me the story," she continued, directing the statement at Zoe.
"It didn't hurt that he looks the way he does. I was intrigued and it felt like something out of a movie or a book. As a writer, it drew my attention for sure," Zoe said.
"I wouldn't put it past Sherlock to fake a criminal investigation to get someone's number," John said teasing his friend.
"I would not, that's too much work," Sherlock replied. John chuckled.
Mary smirked. "How did you get Zoe's number?"
Zoe could have sworn Sherlock was turning pink. "I simply asked at a later date," he said avoiding eye contact with them.
Not wanting to make him too uncomfortable, she drew the couple's attention back to her. It didn't take long to explain how Sherlock had pretty much entertained her with his knowledge over the days following that unexpected dinner. There were walks through the bodegas, conversations over food while sitting near fountains, and moments of silence watching the sun set.
They parted three days later as Sherlock went after another spider on Moriarty's web and Zoe back to London to finish and publish her article. The address to her fan mail P.O. box was the only way to keep in touch.
At first, Zoe didn't have much hope that a letter would actually come. Two weeks later, Sherlock's first letter arrived. She had made sure her publicist was on the lookout for it so it didn't get sorted with the other letters.
"Sherlock, a romantic letter writer. Who would have guessed?" Mary said with a grin.
Sherlock huffed. "You've met. Can we go home now?"
A cry from upstairs interrupted any responses. They all looked towards the stairs. "Do you want to learn how to change a diaper, Sherlock? I think it's overdue," Mary said.
Zoe couldn't hold back a laugh at Sherlock's horrified expression.
I rewrote parts of this more than once because I wasn't sure how I wanted Zoe to feel around Mary. Next up, it's Sherlock's turn to meet Zoe's friends and Mama Holmes finally gets Sherlock to answer the phone. We'll also have our couples first interaction with the press soon.
-K
