Chapter seven: Read all about it


Sherlock groaned as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. Lisa was such an annoying girl! She complained the entire time Mary and him were in the hospital room with her. Once she was give a shot to help her allergies recede, she started shouting at them to get out. No matter how they tried to tell her that they wanted to stay, she just wouldn't hear of it. They couldn't get her to shut up! Only once she threatened to tell his father that he was harassing her, did he give up and leave.

Mary shook her head. "I'm sorry about that."

"Don't you dare apologize for that kind of behavior."

"She's spunky."

"That's one word for it."

Mary whispers. " I wish I were more like her."

"Don't." He says as he stops and turns around. "If you had any resemblance to Lisa Walker, I'd probably shoot myself that endure another second on this earth!"

Mary smiles slightly. " I only meant that…..we'll, she was almost," he instantly understands what she means and kicks himself for not realizing it sooner. "hurt and…she hasn't cried yet."

"She probably wanted us out of the room so she'd be free to do that." He commented quietly. "You don't know, looks can be deceiving. And Lisa, probably is a good actress."

"I'm not."

"You're open and honest." He says firmly. "It's always much more refreshing than having to deal with a drama queen any day. She's the kinds of woman who gives our job a headache. The kind who makes it so difficult for us to do our job."

"And my kind," she asks. "the broken ones, do they make the job any easier?"

"You're the kind that….hurts our hearts." He's very careful with his words. "But it also makes us see the worth of our jobs. We…caught the two men and that quiets the demons at night. Believe me, when I say that several men are haunted by the things they've seen. But the comfort comes to them when they help reunite a child with its family. Or you stop a bomb from going off or you do something to ensure that someone's life is out of danger. The pride you feel, is unlike anything that anyone could describe."

Mary nods. "I see."

"So," he asks. "would you be interested in checking out a crime scene on occasion?"

She shook her head. "No thank you. I can see why my father got such a kick out of it. It's a very crazy, dangerous and yet fascinating life. I am not really that interested in it now. At some point in my life, the very near future, I might be. So, could I take a rain check on that offer?"

"Of course. It'll be fun, quite educational in fact for you." He regretted those words the moment they left his mouth. He sounded like a teacher speaking to a child. He couldn't apologize, for that would only make it worse.


Sherlock exhaled as he walked down the hall towards his mother's hospital room. He made it a point of checking on her every night, when he could before going home. He started to push the door open to hear his mother laughing lightly. "Sherlock, you're such an idiot."

He paused for a moment. "You keep saying that," his father said. "and yet you remain blind to the fact that proves that I am not."

His mother's voice sounds flirtatious. "And what is that?"

His father's tone become serious, a serious tone that he's never heard him speak in. "I married you. Marrying you was the smartest thing I ever did."

Mother doesn't speak for a moment before saying softly. "Thank you. And I think I did the smartest thing ever by accepting you."

Before the situation turns into a romantic one, Sherlock knocks on the door before entering. He smiles when he sees his father tucked into bed with mother. It feels a little unusual, but they're both dressed. Mother smiles and sits up slightly with father's assistance. "Sherlock. Your father told me that you went out with Mary. How'd it go?"

He groans. "It was awful."

Mother laughs lightly and he frowns at her in confusion. "I'm sorry…you reminded me of your father for a moment. What happened?"

"Well, we ate out, talked, went bowling and then Lisa calls and asks me to send the police over. Her date, had drugged her and had unsavory intentions. Fortunately, for her, she was allergic to the drug."

Father nods in agreement. "Lucky her indeed. So, what happened?"

"Well I went down, made the arrest and then I walked Mary home."

"So…how was it with Mary?" Mother leans forward. "Did you have fun with her, in spite of the arrest?"

He exhaled. "It was….quiet, slightly uncomfortable at times though. But yes, at times it was fun actually, and I was surprised by that. She's actually a lot prettier than she looks," his father's eyes narrow slightly. "I never noticed it before though. But, there's nothing romantic between us and I don't think there could ever be. I do think we accomplished what I'd resolved to achieve. She's much more relaxed now around me."

Mother frowns. "I just had a thought, but I'd prefer to discuss it with your father first though."

"I think," father folds his hand over mother's hand, toying with her wedding ring. "I know exactly what you're thinking. And no, it's absolutely out of the question."

"Are you thinking that Mary has," he pauses for a moment before asking the ludicrous question. "feelings for me?"

Mother nods. "It's just a thought and possible."

"Impossible. She gave no indication and I don't want anything to do with any woman at this time. It's fine for Linda, but I believe I'm too young to start thinking about such matters. I don't have a flat of my own and I doubt that I'm ever going to leave Baker Street since it suits my needs so well at this time. My job is too dangerous to involve anyone personally in my life. besides, I'm happy as I am. Aside from occasional twinges of wanting someone to talk with, there's no one I can think of whom I'd like hanging around. Besides," he smirks. "I haven't met a single woman who I like better than you mother."

Mother laughs and rolls her eyes. "Oh, you've got your father's tongue." Her smile fades. "Now, as long as you're happy, that's all that we want from you. If you don't want to get married in the near future, that's fine with us."

"Thank you." He paused and added. "Can we not mention this to anyone else? I don't need anyone else talking about it."

"Well, considering I know," his father began. "your mother knows, your siblings know, your sister's boyfriend knows, Lisa and her parents know, John knows and of course every guy who was at the crime scene knows, I really can't think of anyone else to tell! Outside of the newspapers, but they probably all ready know. We'll probably read all about it tomorrow morning."