With no supervision, Eliza was free to make her own hours and decided to close the shop at 12:00 and reopen at 4:00, giving her some freedom until her customers needed another dose of caffeine. Thinking about the previous night and that morning's events she sat down on the couch, overcome by curiosity as she pulled her laptop out of its case. Being a café the shop had unlocked wi-fi and she quickly let her fingers sprint across the keyboard, typing into her favorite search engine; Sherlock Holmes.
Clicking on article after article she was stunned by what she read as the images and words on the screen danced in her eyes. Her mouth was agape as she concentrated fiercely on the new information before her. Sherlock Holmes, a once seemingly great detective who solved many complex cases, had committed suicide after being exposed to the world as a fake, even hiring an actor to be his nemesis. If it were not for the pictures in the article she would have assumed the man living upstairs was an impostor. Slowly closing the laptop she leaned back into the sofa, reflecting on this new information and her previous conversations with the peculiar man upstairs.
"Why is the shop closed?"
"You have to stop doing that!" Eliza exclaimed, putting a hand to her chest as if to calm her now racing heart. She avoided his eyes, silently freaking out about more than his elusive entry.
Sherlock cocked his head to the side, examining her strange state.
"You've found out."
"How-"
He turned briskly, and started pacing the room as he explained. "The laptop in your lap is on, but asleep, meaning you have recently used it. Since the shop has been closed for *checks watch* 20 minutes now I calculate you were doing more than just checking your email, but not long enough for a show or game. This means research, and by your obvious curious nature and being in deep enough thought to not notice me come down I can conclude that the news was shocking. This and the way you looked especially frightened when you saw me and are avoiding eye contact confirm that you have discovered who I was."
Eliza looked with awe and terror at the man now scrutinizing a painting on the wall opposite to her, not knowing what to say. Sherlock suddenly turned and rushed toward her, never breaking eye contact as he sank into the armchair across from her.
"So what do you think?"
"I..." She stammered, biting her lip nervously but then looked into his eyes and continued calmly; "I don't know why you did it, but I imagine it would take an ingenious man to fake his death to the world."
Eliza finished with a sheepish smile and Sherlock returned it.
"But I don't understand why you told me who you are, I could have never found out." She said in a questioning tone.
"Perhaps." Sherlock replied bluntly, ignoring the unsaid question.
Eliza looked down and decided not to pry, at least not now.
"So why did you do it?' She asked.
Seeing no better option, he told her, He told her about Moriarty, Moriarty's three break-ins, the trial, the kidnapping, the set-up, his flee from the authorities and how he realized he was going to die.
Sherlock paused at this point, reading her face as she processed his story.
"Go on." She said, focusing her eyes on his once again.
Sherlock continued, telling her that he formulated a plan, that he arranged for Moriarty to meet him on the rooftop, how Moriarty explained his scheme, how he threatened Sherlock's friends, how Moriarty killed himself just to make him suffer, how John came, how he said goodbye and that he jumped. He left out Molly and everything she had done though, he didn't want to explain that right now.
Sherlock saw the tears welling behind Eliza's eyes as she whispered "How could you do that, make your friends believe you're dead?"
"It was necessary."
"Yes, but why still? I mean, how long are you going to let them believe that you're dead?"
Sherlock's voice changed then, enunciating every syllable with a ferocity that frightened Eliza .
"I need to make sure that no one will harm my friends, by any means possible. I will hunt Moriarty's followers until it kills me if I have to."
Eliza opened her mouth to tell him that he shouldn't hurt anyone, but then closed it. Moriarty was obviously an insane genius so there was no doubt that if his follower's had another chance to hurt Sherlock in any way they would. She then thought of her family and friends at home, how she would do anything for them.
Wavering slightly she quietly replied "I suppose I understand."
"Good, because I may require your assistance, nothing too major, small errands." He said nonchalantly, having no idea that the future had other plans for them.
"Me? What could I possibly do?" She said in a way so modest and insecure that it reminded Sherlock of Molly.
Eliza saw a flash of a frown before he stated "I have hired a few private investigators to collect information for me, as I have to remain hidden. I am telling you this because I have made your cafe a drop off point. You will collect packages, discretely, and bring them to me as soon as possible."
"Excuse me?" she replied in a sassy tone, placing a hand on her hip.
Sherlock leaned back, curiously confused. "I've offended you."
"Yes." she said with a slight frown. "You have no right to order me around like that" she stated calmly and then abruptly stood up and strode to the counter.
Sherlock's eyes followed her and he looked puzzled, thinking Everyone always obeys me, ugh, women are impossible. Sherlock then took a deep breath, his eyes closing as he said "Would you collect the packages for me?"
From the counter, her back to him, she smiled slightly and then with convincing irritation in her voice she said "I'm not sure..." and bit her lip with pleasure.
With growing frustration Sherlock held in the urge to sigh bitterly and begged "Please?'
"Well, if you put it that way... " Eliza said, coming back over to him and unsuccessfully hiding her pleasure. "Sure" she finished, and handed him a cup of tea.
"Peppermint" Sherlock said, pleased enough that she remembered to not be angry.
"Sugar, milk and honey." She said as she set down a tray she had fetched from the counter.
"Honey?" Sherlock asked quizzically.
"You should try it, I prefer it to sugar." she said with a smile.
"I've always had my tea with two sugars." Sherlock stated.
"Sherlock Holmes, rejecting a chance to experiment, I think that's unheard of." Eliza teased.
"Fine" Sherlock said, plopping up from his seat and snatching the honey like a toddler throwing a tantrum. After pouring a spoonful in he stirred his tea, raised it in a cheers to Eliza, which she returned, and they both took a long sip.
"It's... different." Sherlock said.
"And?"
"It's satisfactory." he said, though when he lifted his mug again he smiled, pleased by the new sensation.
"As long as you're still alive Sherlock Holmes, you should try living a little." Eliza said with a nonchalant half smile, unknowingly sparking curiosity in the world's only consulting detective. "You had better go, I'm opening shop soon." Eliza said, checking the clock and rising. Sherlock stood, brushing off his trousers.
" I will need more tea at 8:00 exactly." He said as he started up the stairs.
"Eh-hem" Eliza coughed loudly, shooting Sherlock a look.
"Please" Sherlock pleaded with a loud exhale and eye-roll.
"Alright Sherlock" Eliza replied with a smile before he continued up the stairs and she re-opened the shop.
Okay, I hope you like it so far.. I know there's not much mystery yet but go easy on me, I'm new at this.
Quick question, I am huge Sherlolly supporter but I definitely think Eliza and Sherlock (Ellock? Sherliza? I should have thought of this..) have a connection. So please leave a review with your thoughts on it, or the story, or predictions, anything that could potentially be helpful.
Sorry if this was a bit long.
Thanks for reading! 3 Eleora (that's my name ^.^ )
