Chapter Two

One week later...

Molly woke and turned over to snuggle against Sherlock, only to find his space empty. Her eyes focused on the alarm clock next to the bed. Half past two. He wasn't working on a case at present. He'd never been much of a sleeper, but usually at least, he remained in the room with Molly. Especially since his second "death". She needed reassurance he was there.

She shuffled out of bed and wandered down the hall, peeking in the children's bedrooms.

All were asleep. Good.

A little farther and she entered the living room. She found him there, clad still in his pajama pants, staring blankly out the window.

Molly was about to call out to him when he spoke, already have sensed her arrival.

"The nightmares have started again. "

"What? Laura? "

Sherlock nodded.

"I didn't hear anything. " Molly felt guilt at that. Unwarranted, but present.

"I scarcely did. If I had been sleeping, I likely wouldn't have. " He said as way of easing her.

"What happened? "

"She was crying. In here sleep. Pushing herself against the bed, like trying to escape something over her. "

"So, did you wake her? "

"No. I didn't think. I just...grabbed my coat and tossed it over her. "

"Does that still work? "

"Yes, thankfully. I just... with time it seems she has forgotten a lot of what happened to her. I had hoped it would all go away eventually. "

"I know. "

"Its just...why NOW? She hasn't had a nightmare in over 3 years. "

"Nightmares happen, Sherlock. We will talk to her in the morning. See if she remembers anything from the dream. "

The next morning didn't help. Not only did Laura not remember anything, she bit out at her father for treating her like she was still a baby.

"I don't need your coat like a security blanket. "

"It helped, love. " Molly intervened, seeing the hurt look on Sherlock's face. " Children often remember things from early on. Especially scents. Im a grown woman and I still find your father's scent soothing. "

Laura scoffed at that.

Deciding the change the subject, Molly set breakfast on the table.

"So, excited about the new school? "

"Not really. Im not hungry, Im heading off. Uncles car is probably already out there waiting to take me. See you. "

With that, she slipped on her coat and swished out of the room.

"Well...that went well... " Sherlock said, tossing his napkin on his untouched plate.

-oOo-

At the new school, Laura already felt out of place. Mycroft had pulled quite a few strings to get her in. She was surrounded by some of the smartest children around, top shelf everything. But everyone looked at her like she was from another planet.

Ignoring them, she stood and scanned the room. Her hands clasped behind her back, eye brow curved up. There really wasn't much for visual stimulation. As she turned to see the other occupants of the room, she was a little taken aback at what she saw.

There were 12 students in the room. 3 were abused at home, one of which, sexually. One had an eating disorder, probably anorexia. No, as Laura's gaze dipped down to the girls bulging nap sack, seeing a wrapper...make that bulemia. Almost missed that. Two of the children had one parent in common, probably father, and neither one knew it. 1 was allergic to a new washing powder used on her uniform. One had recently started wearing a bra, and uncomfortable one at that. 1 was a speed reader, and 2 were passing notes thinkingly unobserved. The last...

Laura drew a blank.

A young man, likely her own age. But there was something different about this boy.

As if he realized her eyes on him, he looked up from pretending to look at his book and smirked at her. Not a friendly smirk, she noted.

"Miss Holmes, please do sit down. " The stern instructor ...instructed.

She sat down but couldn't stop glancing over to the boy. He had very tense green eyes. Secrets there. AH! A puzzle.

This could be fun after all!

-oOo-

John sat with his laptop on his lap, watching Sherlock pace.

"You ok? "

"Hmm? What? I'm fine. "

"I see. "

"I said I am fine. Now, anything? "

"Not much. Here at least. A few things across Europe. Abroad...but nothing that really snaps attention. "

Sherlock lets out a growl.

"Nothing from Lestrade either. I'm going to go mad, John. I need something to preoccupy my mind. "

"Aside from domestic issues? "

"They aren't... issues " Sherlock spat out. "I am assured Laura's behavior is rather normal at this stage. Doesn't mean I don't want to lock her in her room daily. "

"I can imagine. Well, maybe a couple of smaller cases would do? "

"Boring doesn't help, John. "

Sherlock placed a hand on his hip and pointed out the window.

"Why is the whole of London behaving so well? Its like it is doing so just to spite me. "

"Maybe it is... "

Sherlock glared at John then back out the window.

"Even the neighbors are being decidedly less entertaining. Mrs. Copple across the street ..."

"Yes? " John said, looking from Sherlock's hip to hand and then out the window.

"I quite forgot what I was going to say. "

John smiled and lifted his brows looking Sherlock up and down.

"Was it...Im a little teapot? "

Sherlock squinted his eyes at his friend then lowered his hand. He sat down in his chair and ran a hand through his hair.

"I need to clean house in my mind palace. It used to be so tidy. Now... definitely need to delete some files. "

"Is that wise? "

"John... "

"Sherlock..."

"Shut up. "

-oOo-

Laura sat under one of the large trees that graced the grounds of the school to eat her lunch. She was quite hungry after skipping breakfast.

She did start feeling sorry for the way she was treating her father and Molly. He really must learn though, that she isn't a little girl any more.

She did admit to herself at least, that indeed her father's scent did sooth her. It was warm and familiar and made her feel safe.

"Can I sit here? "

She didn't hear him approach. She didn't like that one bit. It was puzzle boy.

"I'm Matthew Evers, by the way. Your Laura, right? "

Laura simply shrugged her shoulders and watched him sit.

He was rather pleasing to look at. Soft featured with a little twinkle in his eyes. His light blonde straight hair a striking contrast to her dark curls. He also didn't share her alabaster skin. He spent much time in the sun, she deduced. But doing what? Playing?

"You're father is Sherlock Holmes, aye? " The boy said suddenly, sending small alert pricks up Laura's spine.

"What of it? "

"Nothing. Just heard a lot about him from my dad. "

Something crossed over those green depths for only a moment, but long enough for Laura to catch it and deduce it.

"When did he die? "

"Couple years now. Him and mum. I live with my grams now. "

"That's good. " Laura said, not really encouraging further sharing.

"Interesting man, your dad. "

"Really... " Laura said, taking a deep breath. For just ONE DAY she would like to NOT hear about her father.

"Yeah. How he faked his death. Twice. "

"Once. The second time wasn't on purpose. "

"Yeah, well... still. Dad told me about the first one. "

"Moving on... "

"No, I mean he SAW it. "

Laura looked over sharply at him.

"He what? "

"He was working across from the hospital your dad took the leap from. Saw him on the roof and ... "

"And...what? "

"Nothing... never mind. "

"No. Its MY father. Tell me. "

The boy shifted uncomfortably.

"He recorded it. On his phone. After he hit the ground, or thought he did... dad went out and..."

"Was your father demented? "

"Hey, he thought it might be helpful. In case the police...But.. see, he wasn't heartless. "

"Meaning ? "

" He said he saw the look on Dr. Watson's face and decided it ... if the police needed help then he would...but... "

"Not very articulate, are you? How did you get in here? "

"Hey! He was nice enough not to put it online or anything! "

"I'm so grateful. "

The two sat in silence for a long while.

Laura looked up.

"What happened to the recording. "

"My dad put it on the computer in case it was ever needed. I think he ended up forgetting about it. I only came across it by accident. "

"You've seen it too? "

"Yeah. Look, forget I said anything. "

"Like I could. "

The boy flustered a bit.

"You want to see it? I mean, your dad's still here, so you know he didn't really get hurt. "

Laura knew she was going to regret it, but she nodded.

Matthew pulled a tablet out of his sack.

-oOo-

Sherlock was in the process of putting his coat on. He had his mobile tucked against his ear barking instructions at Lestrade who had finally come through.

John picked up his bag and opened the door.

Sherlock dropped the phone when he saw Laura run in and grab him about the waist.

"Laura? What's wrong? Why aren't you in school. "

"Im so sorry, daddy. But I needed to see you. "

She was shaking like mad.

"What's happened? "Sherlock quickly left detective mode and went into father moment the second the word daddy was once again used.

"I saw it! Saw you fall. Saw the body... the blood... "

"What? How? Darling... "

"No...I know it...you are here and ok. That isn't it. "

"Then what, love? "

"One of the people...pulling uncle John away... I've seen him before. "

"Where? "

Laura pulled back, looked up at her father and gulped..

"I saw him at Scotland Yard. Talking to uncle Greg...daddy...he's a policeman. "

"Not unusual, given the circumstances. "

"No! Daddy please listen... "

"What? "

"He was wearing a ring. I saw that ring before. He wasn't wearing it at the Yard, but he was in the video. "

"Where did you see it? " Sherlock stiffened, already knowing the answer.