Chapter Two: Neighbors

Dull. Extremely dull. He almost missed Moriarty at the rate of idiocy of criminals were currently. Drug deals, petty murders, shoplifting. There was absolutely nothing interesting to work on. Even Molly had been busy with something meager enough not to drop off some spare eyeballs.

John was out getting milk, and it was taking four minutes longer than usual. Sherlock typed in the password to the Apple laptop and took a few minutes browsing John's recent posts. It was mostly blabber about the last crime and John's engagement.

He met Mary weeks ago, and made a few comments with John fidgeting slightly every moment. She was definitely the best choice in women John had made, a bit more witty and knew when to speak. He gave her credit for not having a habit of stalking Sherlock, like the last one.

There were a few comments from those pesky 'fangirls,' as John called them, on the engagement post. Puns on John's name in the media mostly. They called themselves 'Sherlockians.' Flattering, but the loyalty was simply stemmed from his good looks.

The door creaked open and three people stepped in. He had noticed the moving going on. There was going to be a new neighbor inhabiting 221C.

"John," He didn't look up. "and this must be Harriet." He glanced at the blond woman in semi-interest.

"Harry." She grimaced. "It's Harry."

John rubbed his forehead and glared at Sherlock. He motioned to the woman next to Harry. "This is Charlotte."

"Bishop. Charlotte Bishop." She stiffly nodded to Sherlock, eyes barely meeting his.

His eyes scanned over her. Easy and obvious.

"You've been in the military, have interest in hunting, been recently recovering over a relationship that probably didn't work because he left without warning-" He watched her shift and tense. "That's just from your baggage."

"Sherlock." John hissed as Harry put a hand on Charlotte's shoulder.

He noticed her reach to her neck, where a silver fox was hanging from a metal chain. She quickly put her hand back down. New by a few months and worn everyday. Hasn't been sleeping well, caffeine addiction probable. No, definite.

She was going to break down and weep because of the relationship mention. He knew these people more than they knew themselves. The dark-haired woman was already trying to hold back her shaking. Sherlock could see it in her tight grip on her shirt.

He was almost entertained again, waiting for this new neighbor to break down after only after a few hours in her new home. Finally he would have the place upstairs to use for experiments again instead of Ms. Hudson dragging him out for the resident.

She was visibly shaking now, breaths coming heavily. John was saying something quickly, probably apologizing on his behalf. He kept his eyes on hers, scrunching his eyebrows together slightly.

Her brown eyes weren't watery, but dry and something else he couldn't place.

Charlotte marched out of the apartment, yanking Harry with her up the stairs before he could start off again. John followed after while Sherlock slumped back into the couch with the laptop. That wasn't as fun as he expected. The sense of uncertainty lingered after they all left and Sherlock found himself glancing at the door, itching for another look at the woman.

Did he really misread her? The reaction was different from what he expected. Probably some unneeded assumption on his part. Time outside of actual cases were making him soft. Sherlock shook off the strange feeling and the familiarity of the gaze in Charlotte's eyes that sent a small shiver down his spine.

He was getting restless. Why wasn't there another good murder by now?

He sighed as he heard John stomp back down the stairs.

Of course, a lecture from Doctor Watson.

I'm planning to update next Tuesday or sooner. Constructive criticism is helpful and desired!