Disclaimer: Why am i still writing these disclaimers?
Kate here to say i just loooovvveee this story and i hope you do too!
Much Love
Kate
Kate woke sitting upright in between two men. Watson sat flipping through a small notebook, and was Sherlock leaning against her sleeping. She was exhausted. Sitting up straighter, she rubbed her eyes.
"Good morning." Watson said beside her.
"Good morning." She returned thinking back to yesterday's events. She looked around her.
"Am I in jail?"
"Yes."
"Damn. I was hoping to go to the pub tonight."
"You could get bailed out."
"There isn't anyone to bail me out. Did they get Dredger?"
"No, he's still out there." Kate huffed and leaned forward causing Holmes to slip and wake up. Kate moved to the ground where she leaned her back against the bench and stretched her legs. Watson turned to Holmes.
"I haven't slept all night. Not a wink. Why I ever believed…" Watson gave a small laugh and Holmes stretched. "That I would get to have tea with Mary's parents is beyond me." Kate frowned. She knew they were engaged but she didn't like his constant talk of Mary.
"Having been talked into going with you."
"Sorry Watson, but you followed out of free will. Ten minutes remember?" Kate recalled. He ignored her.
"I've been reviewing my notes on our exploits over the last seven months. Would you like to know my conclusion? I am psychologically disturbed." Kate looked up at Watson confounded.
"How so?" Sherlock asked.
"Why else would I continually be led into situations where you deliberately hide your plans from me? Why else?" Holmes frowned.
"You've never complained about my methods before."
"I'm not complaining." Watson argued.
"Then what do you call this?"
"How am I complaining? I never complain. When do I complain about you practicing your violin at three in the morning, or your mess, or lack of general hygiene? Or the fact that you steal my clothes?"
"Uh, we have a barter system." Holmes interrupted.
"When do I complain about you setting fire to my rooms?"
"Our rooms."
"The rooms! When do I complain about you conducting experiments on my dog?"
"Our dog."
"On the—the dog!"
"Gladstone is our dog." Watson leaned in close to Holmes.
"Where I do take issue is your campaign to sabotage my relationship with Mary." Holmes stayed silent as he stared at Watson in dismay. After awhile he nodded.
"I understand."
"You're sensitive, Watson." Kate agreed.
"What you need is rest." Holmes observed. "My brother, Mycroft, has a small estate near Chichester. Beautiful grounds. There's a folly. We can throw a lamb on the spit."
"Does we include me? Because I haven't seen Mycroft in ages."
"Yes, you can come." Holmes assured not taking his eyes of Watson. Watson sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Holmes, if I'm to go to the country, it would be with my future wife."
"I just told her she can com—"
"No, no, not Kate. Mary."
"Oh, her." Watson glared at Holmes.
"You are not human!" He snapped.
"John Watson?" A police officer then called.
"Yes?"
"Your bail has been posted." Kate turned to see Mary standing behind the bars. Watson got up and so did Holmes. Kate got up as well to follow. After Watson was through, the officer closed the gate on Holmes.
"Just Watson." He said mockingly. Kate rolled her eyes and looked at Watson. He looked back at Holmes then turned to Mary. Kate turned back toward the bench and saw three men in front of her and Holmes. The biggest one glared at Holmes.
"I hope you get bail by breakfast. Cause the boys are getting hungry."
"To which the barman says "May I push in your stool?"" Kate laughed along with the others then raised a hand.
"Oh, I got one! Two leprechauns walk—"
"Holmes." Lestrade said standing in front of them. "You're out."
"What about Kate?"
"They didn't pay for her."
"Who are they?"
"Friends in high places."
"Well, I go nowhere without Kate." Holmes stated. Kate smiled happily at her cousin's words. Lestrade eyed them for a moment thinking it over then sighed.
"Alright she can come." Holmes smiled and rose from the bench.
"Until next time, Big Joe."
"Always a pleasure, Mr. Holmes." Big Joe smiled as they shook hands.
"Bye, Big Joe." Kate said giving him a hug.
"Goodbye, Miss Kate. I'll be sure to stop by Danny Boy's as soon as I'm out."
"Splendid!" She gave one last wave then followed Holmes. As soon as they were through the gate Lestrade was all over Holmes.
"Please tell me what all this is about." Thrusting a paper into Holmes's hands.
The headlines read "London in Terror" and "Blackwood Walks With the Devil".
"All in good time, my friend." Lestrade sighed.
"Holmes, if you don't tell me what's going on soon, I'll have you in there
playing Victoria and Albert faster than a bookie's runner." He handed a
handkerchief to Holmes.
"Now, clean yourself up and make yourself look presentable." Holmes turned
to Kate.
"Kate, I think this is a visit I should take alone. You may go home, the pub,
whatever pleases you." He smiled at Kate who smiled back.
"Alright, bye Holmes." Kate strutted away heading back to the house. She
planned on changing, then going to the pub for another night of spirits.
When she got back to the house she took a long awaited bath. She poured lily scented bath salt into the water and breathed deeply. Her muscles relaxed as she gave a moan at the feeling. She sat for awhile in the water, dreaming as she did often, but something new appeared in her daydreams. A man, which had never happened before. He was leaning against a tree on a hill.
She saw herself walk to him unafraid, anxious to see him. When she reached him she smiled and touched his arm. He turned around and she was able to see who it was. It was Watson. He smiled at her and took her in his arms. Slowly their faces grew closer, and just when their lips were to touch a knock came at the door.
"Yes?" Kate called standing and wrapping herself in a towel.
"It's Mrs. Hudson, dear. I was wondering if you'd like a spot of tea before you left."
"Some tea would be lovely, thank you. Give me a moment, let me put on my robe." Kate rose from the tub and put on her oriental silk robe. She walked to the door and let Mrs. Hudson in.
"Just put it on the table next to my vanity. I'll sip at it while I dress."
"Right Miss." Mrs. Hudson said walking to Kate's bedroom. Just then a bell for the door rang. Mrs. Hudson disappeared the reappeared in Kate's room.
"It's Mr. Watson, Miss. I let him into the study. Shall I tell him you'll meet him there?"
"Yes" Kate said almost immediately. "I'll be there in a moment." She quickly put on some trousers then a shirt and walked into the study where Watson stood waiting for her.
"Hello John. What brings you here?" She asked pouring some tea for them.
"Hello Kate. I came to apologize for my behavior this morning, and the fact that it was partially my fault you were landed in jail." Kate gave Watson a smile and handed him his cup and taking a sip of hers.
"It's perfectly alright, John. One would expect to get caught in such things when they are acquainted with Sherlock Holmes." John smiled at her lightly staring her in her eyes.
"It's curious how he could have a cousin like you." He stated. Kate blushed nervously.
"Is that a bad thing?" She asked.
"No, no, it's just. You are so….oh, the words that would describe you, Kate." Watson leaned back against a desk and sipped his tea before setting it down.
"What sort of words?" Kate asked hands folded behind her back.
"Kind, admirable, enchanting, gracious, and at the same time passionate, cunning, and dexterous. You really are one of a kind."
Kate looked down at her feet. Why was he talking to her like this? What about Mary?
"Thank you, John."
"It's my pleasure, Kate." It was silent for awhile before Kate spoke.
"I better finish getting ready. I told Jack I'd play at the pub tonight."
Watson smiled. "Of course. Mind if I join you, it seems I have no plans tonight."
"Why not?" Kate smiled and left to finish dressing. She didn't dress elaborately, in fact she dressed quite plainly. She donned a simple brown suit and boots. Her lips were colored a light red and her hair was pulled back with a rose colored ribbon. Grabbing her guitar she walked back into the study.
"Ready?" She asked Watson who was still leaning against the desk. He nodded and they walked outside.
"Taxi!" Watson yelled at the street raising a hand. A carriage stopped at once and they climbed in.
"Danny Boy's in White Chapel." Kate said getting comfortable. The coachman turned to her.
"Would you be the wondrous Kate I keep hearing about? The one who sings and plays like the angels themselves?" He asked smiling.
"Aye, the very same, sir." Kate smiled.
"I've heard much about you, Miss. Talk of the Dublin Lass has spread like wildfire. Expect a large crowd tonight, Miss." Kate's eyes widened and she grinned.
"Excellent! Let's not keep the waiting then!"
"Aye, Miss." The coachman got the horses going and Kate leaned back in her seat smiling to herself. Watson looked on smiling.
"You're getting quite popular. They even have a stage name for you!"
"The Dublin Lass…I love it. It suits me." Kate said.
"That it does." Watson agreed.
They stayed silent the rest of the ride, both smiling softly and looking out the windows. When they arrived Kate noted the coachman was far from wrong. Danny Boy's was packed. Watson and Kate got out of the carriage and walked through the crowd of people to get inside.
"She's here! The Dublin Lass is here!" Someone called out making Kate blush lightly. Jack came over to them and hugged Kate.
"Welcome back, lass. Watson we saved a seat for ye over at the bar."
"Thank you, sir." Watson said tipping his hat. He made his way over and sat down as Kate was taking her place on the stage. Behind her sat Shaun, the man with the flute, and the man with the drum. She talked for them for a moment the strummed her guitar lightly. The pub quieted considerably. She plucked tuning it here and there for a moment before she was ready.
"Take it away Caine!" She said turning to him. He started to beat his drum at a rather fast pace and soon the flute player joined in. The kept the quick beat for awhile before Kate joined in singing in Gaelic.
"A 'níon mhín ó, sin anall na fir shúirí
A mháithairin mhín ó, cuir na roithléan go dtí mé.
Dúlamán na binne buí, dúlamán Gaelach
Dúlamán na farraige, b'fhearr a bhí in Éirinn
Tá ceann buí óir ar an dúlamán gaelach
Tá dhá chluais mhaol ar an dúlamán maorach
Bróga breaca dubha ar an dúlamán gaelach
Tá bearéad agus triús ar an dúlamán maorach "
Many men and woman had begun to dance in front of the stage and many people clapped their hands or stomped their foot. Kate's voice seemed to flitter around wavering around the room rising and falling.
"Góide a thug na tíre thú? arsa an dúlamán gaelach
Ag súirí le do níon, arsa an dúlamán maorach
Rachaimid chun Niúir leis an dúlamán gaelach
Ceannóimid bróga daora ar an dúlamán maorach
Ó chuir mé scéala chuici, go gceannóinn cíor dí
'Sé'n scéal a chuir sí chugam, go raibh a ceann cíortha
Cha bhfaigheann tú mo 'níon, arsa an dúlamán gaelach
Bheul, fuadóidh mé liom í, arsa an dúlamán maorach
Dúlamán na binne buí, dúlamán Gaelach
Dúlamán na binne buí, dúlamán Gaelach
Dúlamán na farraige, b'fhearr a bhí, b'fhearr a bhí
Dúlamán na binne buí, dúlamán Gaelach
Dúlamán na farraige, b'fhearr a bhí, b'fhearr a bhí
B'fhearr a bhí in Éirinn"
She finished and Watson joined in the applause. Kate smiled nodding at the crowd and readied herself for her next song. She plucked her guitar lightly and the room became silent.
" I wish I was in Carrickfergus
Only for nights in Ballygrand
I would swim over the deepest ocean
The deepest ocean for my love to find
But the sea is wide and I cannot swim over
Neither have I wings to fly
If I could find me a handsome boats man
To ferry me over to my love and die
My childhood days bring back sad reflections
Of happy times spent so long ago
My childhood friends and my own relations
Have all passed on now like melting snow
But I'll spend my days in endless roaming
Soft is the grass, my bed is free
Ah, to be back now in Carrickfergus
On that long road down to the sea
I'll spend my days in endless roaming
Soft is the grass, my bed is free
But I am sick now, and my days are numbered
Come all you young men and lay me down "
Endless applause seemed to follow, as always, but Kate only smiled lightly as she immediately went into the next song. Again, slow plucking indicating a soft melodious song was to come.
" I've met some folks
Who say that I'm a dreamer
And I've no doubt
There's truth in what they say
But sure a body's bound to be a dreamer
When all the things he loves are far away
And precious things
Are dreams unto an exile
They take him o'er
The land across the sea
Especially when it happens he's an exile
From that dear lovely Isle of Innisfree
And when the moonlight
Peeps across the rooftops
Of this great city
Wondrous though it be
I scarcely feel its wonder or laughter
I'm once again back home in Innisfree "
Watson watched Kate closely. She played what she felt, and she sang and played of love that would not work, and dreams of the heart that wouldn't come true. Watson couldn't help but wonder, was it he she was singing of?
"
I wonder o'er green hills
Through dreamy valleys
And find a peace
No other land would know
I hear the birds make music fit for angels
And watch the rivers laughing
As they flow
And then into a humble shack I wander-
My dear old home-
And tenderly behold
The folks I love
Around the turf fire gathered
On bended knee
Their rosary is told
But dreams don't last
Though dreams are not forgotten
And soon I'm back
To stern reality
But though they pave
The footways here with gold dust
I still would choose
My Isle of Innisfree "
The crowd clapped lightly as if entranced by her. Watson didn't move but watched as Shaun started to play another soft tune. He played and played moving with the music. He finally stepped back slowly and Kate rose to sing.
" Where Lagan stream sings lullaby
There blows a lily fair
The twilight gleam is in her eye
The night is on her hair
And like a love-sick lennan-shee
She has my heart in thrall
Nor life I owe nor liberty
With love is lord of all.
And sometimes when the beetle's horn
Hath lulled the eve to sleep
I steal unto her shieling lorn
And thru the dooring peep.
There on the cricket's singing stone,
She spares the bogwood fire,
And hums in sad sweet undertones
The song of heart's desire "
The violin and other instruments were long forgotten and Kate ran a hand through her hair as she sang the last few notes.
"The song of heart's desire."
The pub again applauded lightly but at the same time loudly for the Dublin Lass. Kate smiled softly at everyone before leaning down and packing up her guitar. Watson straightened waiting for her to come talk to him but she headed straight for the door. Confused he followed her trying to maneuver as fast as he could through the crowd. By the time he got out the door that taxi was turning the corner.
Watson gave a deep sigh and stared after it. He remembered the look on her face as he sang. She looked beautifully tragic, singing of love, what he knew to be his love. He didn't think he could stand to restrain himself any longer. Mary or no Mary, he knew he was greatly attracted to her.
"Go after her boy, she needs ye tonight." Watson turned to see jack leaning against the wall behind him.
"She really loves ye, and ye'd be a fool to just watch her go. I see ye watchin' her all night. Go to her Watson." Watson smiled lightly at him and nodded, then flagged down another taxi. He climbed in and settled himself.
"Where too?" The driver asked.
"221B Baker Street please."
Kate sat on the chair in front of her vanity with a very, very small glass of brandy in front of her. She normally wasn't one to resort to alcohol, much like her cousin, but tonight she really thought she needed a drink. Even in the twenty minutes it had been there she had only taken one sip.
She leaned her head on her arm as she traced the rim of the glass with her finger. She observed the golden amber color and noted in her head how much it resembled John Watson's eyes. She sighed at this thought. She scolded herself for letting herself become so stupidly infatuated with the man.
Straightening herself she looked in the mirror at her appearance. She saw great beauty, as many did, but she saw little happiness. This upset her. She stood and turned away from the mirror. She could be happy without him. Couldn't she? Just then a light knocking came from the door.
"Come in." she said softly. Sherlock entered the room and smiled at her.
"How are you doing Kate?" He asked her.
"I'm doing fine." She said smiling softly at him. He narrowed his eyes at her and studied her for a few moments. Kate just stood with an innocent expression. He finally broke away.
"Alright Kate. I'll be in my room if you need me."
"Alright Sherlock, goodnight." He nodded at her and walked out of the room closing the door. So it was that noticeable. Damnit Kate. How could she let herself do this? Another knock came at her door and it opened and someone entered. Without turning her back Kate spoke.
"Yes Sherlock, I'm fine. There is no need to worry over me." She said sighing.
"I'm not Sherlock." Watson said from behind her. Her eyes widened slightly and she turned to face him.
"John." He stepped very close to her, so close she had to look up at him.
"Kate I…" He stopped midsentence and stared into her eyes. Both of them had a quicker more deep breath as they simply stood there.
"I…" He faded off again as he brought a hand up to push hair back from her face and stroke her cheek. Involuntarily her eyes fluttered close at this and she gave a small sigh. Letting his coat, cane, and hat drop to the floor he brought his other hand up and ran them both lightly into her hair. He stroked her cheek gently with his thumb as she opened her eyes to look at him.
"I…" He whispered softly leaning further in letting there lips brush lightly. That was all it took. Both leaned in quickly to capture the others lips and kiss them. Kate leaned against him as she brought her arms around his neck holding him to her. He wrapped one arm around her waist to hold her to them. Both kissed with a hidden passion neither thought they would ever be able to expose. Kate's fingers wrapped and tugged at Watson's hair and her rubbed circles into her lower back. It was a moment of true ecstasy.
"Miss Kate?" Kate and Watson jumped back from each other.
"Yes?" She called back trying to mask the huskiness of her voice.
"Will you be having any supper before bed?" Mrs. Hudson replied from behind the door.
"Uh...yes. Send it up will you please?"
"Of course, Miss." Kate sighed and looked down. Watson turned back to Kate.
"I…." He sighed and his head dropped a little. "Mary."
Kate closed her eyes at the word that shot through her heart like a stake. The delirium of the kiss shared just moments before has vanished. Kate bit her lip and nodded. Watson made a move as if to hold her, but reached down to pick up his fallen items. With one last look he walked out the door.
Kate stood frozen to her spot. Her lips were red and swollen from the kiss, her eyes were red and swollen with tears. Her chest rose and fell with unsteady breaths and she felt a tear run silently down her cheek. She looked back in the mirror and saw herself. Eyes gleaming with tears, lips parted in a cry that she wouldn't let come. Chest rising and falling with the breaths that seemed to make her ache. She looked away.
Mrs. Hudson gave a knock at the door before entering with a large silver tray. She set it down next to the vanity and stood next to it.
"Roast beef, potatoes, and some carrots to my dear." She said softly and sweetly. Kate blinked and gulped.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Hudson, I've changed my mind. I apologize if it has gone to waste." Mrs. Hudson stepped in front of her and took Kate's face in her hands. It wasn't as Watson had though; it was more of a motherly way.
"Please it, Miss. It'll help with the pain I promise." Kate looked at her the sat in front of the food. With her fork she took a piece of carrot and started to nibble it. It was then she realized how hungry she was and she took the whole piece in her mouth. Mrs. Hudson patted her on the back.
"There you are dear. Get some rest." And then she left the room. Kate looked after her and smiled lightly. Mrs. Hudson had picked up a few tricks from Mr. Holmes.