Chapter Two - Apathy
Over the past few weeks it had happened more times that Sally would have liked to admit. Sherlock had baited her and she had answered his lull only to be humiliated afterwards. The second time it happened he was charming and almost apologetic of his first display. It was a believable act and Sally was not the only one fooled, but of course, Lestrade is considered "ordinary" as well.
Sherlock had pranced around his crime scene as usual then seeming as if he had drawn a blank he turned to the still fuming from their last encounter Sally Donavon. At first he was very blunt in his inquiry for fruitful deductions, but when he noticed the steam coming from Sally's ears, he settled. Then he began with a somewhat charming, but no doubt condescending compliment of Sally's attire. It bounced back at him, she never needed anyone to tell her how good she looked, especially when all her peers were mostly men. So he attacked from a learned weakness her sympathy and her justice.
"I know you are disappointed by my presence here." Sherlock said and earned Sally's glare "Hard feelings aside we are both here for the same purpose. And while I am unable to... communicate as properly as you have mastered, goal is still common."
"Well, never expected you to admit a failure." Sally snapped but Sherlock could sense from her tone that he had softened her a bit and with a secret grin, he continued to reel her in. Before he knew it he had her fully in tune and his inspiration fully in bloom. Of course when he finally cracked the case, almost everything Sally had suggested was wrong, and of course he could not stop himself from pointing that out, and so Sally left scene fuming once more, only to have a similar experience happen just a week later.
The fourth time Sally would have none of it. She shut Sherlock out and all his charm, all his false apologies and his logic, until finally it seemed as though he had snapped. In his very Sherlock way he turned to insults instead. It was not as though Sally was not used to the consulting detective's views of her, her team their work and all boring ordinary people but it was something about these insults that baited her and made her fight back.
Sally fought back in the most intellectual way she could and poked holes in his own theories about the case and to her surprise, she actually got one right. That was all Sherlock needed to spin the spindle and weave the crime scene together in a matter of minutes which of course in turn humiliated Sally and her team all over again.
Even Sherlock's compliment to her finally getting something right smelled sour to Sally. He had tricked her again, and humiliated her again, even if it wasn't as painful as the first few times, it still happened. Once more Sally vowed to never assist him, again and once more she fumed and stormed away to her car, again.
Sally ignored the rouse as she knew it was. She shook her head and set her lips this was not happening today. Not again. Not now, not ever again. She turned sharply from the lure and refused the bait. Sherlock Holmes would not make a fool out of her, again. She know she had said that before, and had failed before, but she really meant it tonight.
Tonight would be different she assured herself. She would not even make eye contact with the arrogant genius. No she would look at her phone scan her email and wait until he solved the case then she would go out for drinks. It was the weekend after all, why couldn't she enjoy drinks too if someone else was so willing to do her job for her? With another flick of her wrist Sally comfortably fell into a game of solitaire.
"Sally,"
"Nope." Sally shot down the beckoning lull with another flick of her wrist.
"You have to admit that is a tad unprofessional." Came Sherlock's drawl.
"You have to admit that you're a tad unprofessional." Sally was quick to bite back.
"Would you even look?"
"That's what you're here for, do your thing freak."
Sherlock leaned up from his task before a smirk broke across his face. It seemed Sally would not even give him one glance, did he affect her that much? He hummed to himself as he debated the best way to lure her back into the game.
Flattery was pointless he knew, but she had actually begun to improve over the past few weeks. However he still needed to find another lull. Insults would only get him so far before Sally actually decided to try to kill him. Sherlock knew their tentative peace treaty could only stretch so far, she had returned to the name calling after all. He placed his hand under his chin as he fell deeper into his thoughts. Finally he gave up with a sigh.
"How about you tell me what did not happen here." Sherlock said finally and received a resigned shrug.
"She wasn't murdered." Sally supplied sarcastically with a twist of her head and a trademark roll of her eyes before she returned to her game completely missing Sherlock's reaction to her words.
"Oh!" His hands went into his curly hair as his eyes began to frantically scan scene before him. "Oh!" He said again louder and Sally shook her head.
NO this was not happening again! Sally mentally screamed as Sherlock began to construct and deconstruct the scene before him. She about-faced and began her fuming march to her car.
"Wait, where are you going?" Sherlock called after her but Sally hardly stopped to answer him.
"You've got it all worked out now don't you." Sally called over her shoulder "Everyone you can come back in."
"Wait, don't you want to know how?" Sherlock stood.
"I don't care." Sally lied and she knew it came out as such, but she had a long week and a glass of dark liquor beckoned her. Lestrade walked into the scene with an apologetic expression.
"Sorry I'm late, what've we got." Lestrade began to explain about the wife situation but Sally shook her head.
"Not to worry our favorite freak has taken care of it within record time. Truly a genius that one." Sally pulled on her coat. "Makes our job a lot easier don't you think." She turned and left.
"Well, that was pleasant." Lestrade noted the Sargent's leave and Sherlock's frown. "What is it I thought you two were getting off great." Lestrade waved his hands distressed and Sherlock narrowed his eyes. Lestrade was late quite frequently in the past few weeks and things had become progressively better with his wife. He was constantly pushing Sally to task on her own and supporting Dimmick. something was up.
"When is the vacation?" Sherlock asked.
"Well it hasn't been approved yet." Lestrade began to mumble not at all shocked that Sherlock had figured it out, "I had hoped to let Donovan try her hand at this while I was gone. It's about time you know." He pushed his hands in his pockets "Her performance during the Waters family case was notable. She's young accomplished, already a Sargent. And she's smart." Lestrade gave Sherlock a look who did not object "If I had to choose between her and Dimmick well, you know."
"Is this vacation permanent inspector?"
"No no of course not. Just thinking ahead you know." Greg sighed then glanced down at the victim and back to Sherlock "Well, we will see what happens." Lestrade strode out of the room as the wheels in Sherlock's head began to turn.
Dimmick and Sally, the race was on between those two and they hardly knew it. Sally had climbed really far up which was no easy task in a predominately male job, the odds were already against her but she had potential. With her returned ambition Sally could climb up and very easily overshadow Dimmick. But what would that mean for Sherlock? Would she shut him out of all the fun if she were promoted? He grimace at the thought. Sherlock turned from the scene. If he was going to secure his privilege he had best start now.
AN: Going to up the raiting for future chapters just to be safe. Please tell me what you think about it so far, and thanks for the review Icecat and guest.
- Dee
