Chapter Seven - Relationships

Lestrade returned from his vacation to find everything exactly as he had left it, and best of all his Sargent did not murder the consulting detective. Lestrade commended Sally on maintaining the peace while he was away, and within five minutes of his return, there was a call and they were back on a crime scene with the prancing consulting detective nearby. Everything was back to normal.

"Oh yes Sargent that makes perfect sense and then I suppose afterward the murder decided to-" Sherlock's insult faded off with a shake of his head. Lestrade raised an eyebrow. That was new.

Had Sherlock just censored his insult toward Donovan? Had Donovan tactfully avoided jumping down his throat or threatening to shoot him in return? This was very new.

The detective inspector did not make a big deal about it. This new occurrences was not unpleasant after all. He decided to just continue as if everything were normal and enjoy the moment, because he was a very logical man, and he knew a peace like this would not last long.

Two weeks into his return, Lestrade witnessed Sherlock censor his insults more than once, and Donovan's unusual sense of calm around the consulting detective. He did not expect this miracle to last so long, and finally he began to question it. What could have possibly happened while he was away?

At first it was comforting that the pair was no longer at each other's throats all the time, but after two weeks of the miraculous peace it began to make the Detective Inspector feel strange and uncomfortable. Lestrade is a fairly logical man. He only celebrated Christmas because his wife was catholic, he did not believe in supernatural beings or miracles. Yet there prancing right in front of him, cooperating together and even passing inside jokes was the most unbelievable miracle anyone could dream up. He had to find out was going on and soon, before he completely consented to losing his mind.

The Detective Inspector decided to find one of them alone and carefully, carefully investigate the source of the mysterious truce which had occurred in his absence. He had to be careful about these things, because even though the peace was new, it was not unpleasant. Before he had fully composed his thoughts Lestrade spotted a cab pulling into the crime scene and noted the consulting detective's arrival. Carefully, he reminded himself as Sherlock approached the scene and began his newest quest.

He never got a word in. So distracted by the case being unfolded before him Lestrade completely forgot to inquire about the strange companionship. Then, with a sudden thought as if he had forgotten something Sherlock paused his expounding and turned to him.

"Where is Sally?" The consulting detective asked. Lestrade's eyebrows rose so high they nearly met his hairline.

"Wha, What?" Lestrade failed to hide his surprise. Sherlock gave him a bored expression.

"Sargent Donnovan, where is she?" annoyance was evident in Sherlock's voice and only increased as he continued to speak "She has been absent from her flat as well. I thought I would ask you before I began my own investigations."

"Well she's not gone missing." Lestrade's voice was strained then he fully processed the statement "You went to her flat?" His eyes were wide.

"Yes, obviously." Sherlock snapped "It was Friday night." Sherlock missed Lestrade's expression as he stared off with a sigh, his hands in his pocket. "And she has yet to answer my text…" He added with a sigh, then snapped his attention back to Lestrade's exasperated visage "So where is she?"

"How am I supposed to know?" Lestrade snapped only to receive a discerning glare from Sherlock which forced him to search his mind. "Wait," Lestrade shook his head "There was an emergency, she's been working on a case and had to jet suddenly."

"She's working on a case? I was not informed of this."

"Well she does not have work with me on my cases all the time you know. She's a pretty good Sargent, even better now, and it is about time she's started to do things on her own." Lestrade shrugged over his shock "It's really about time she's considered for a promotion. Then she would not be here at all"

Sherlock blinked several times as he digested the information. Sally was working on a case, alone, and she did not ask for his help. She was capable, and even facing a possible promotion. What would that mean? How would that affect his Friday nights, their game, and those quiet evenings in? Would she leave now that she apparently had no more use of him? He shook his head from his thoughts and was just about to press Lestrade for more information but a chime from his mobile stole his attention. He scanned the text. "Your victim was killed in self-defense, find his wife." He said suddenly as he turned to leave.

"Wait, what's going on?" Lestrade stopped him.

"I solved your case and now I am on recess. Problem?"

"I mean what is going on with you and Donnovan?"

Sherlock stared off thoughtfully as he considered the question. He thought on his evenings with the Sargent. Most of the times, they were the peaceful segments of the week. Sally would just work at her breakfast table with a cup of coffee at her side and Sherlock was allowed the peace to just sit silently and think for hours uninterrupted. They were not all quiet nights of course, some nights they would argue, especially after a case, but it was never anything hostile never as close to what it was before. It was an insightful and stimulating debate between somewhat like minded peers. Sally had her flaws but Sherlock enjoyed the contrast. Then there was that one night, that rare occasion Sherlock found himself playing his violin to, surprisingly, a very appreciative audience.

"I learned how to shoot at fifteen, but before that I played the violin." Was Sally's casual response to Sherlock's surprise and Sherlock filed that little unknown fact about the Sargent in the well maintained files of his mind palace. He never stopped to wonder why Sally had a place there at all, it just sort of happened. The thought of deleting it never once crossed his mind. But what did all this mean? What exactly as going on with him and Sally? Sherlock blinked out of his thoughts, and considered the new information. She had taken a case and kept it secret, only informing him of her absence now at her return. What did that mean? Why did that matter?

"Hell If I know." Sherlock turned once more to leave and was not interrupted in his exit.

Sally met him at the door. Her curly hair was pulled up, still wet from her shower. She wore a towel around her neck to catch the water and was dressed in light comfortable clothing which meant she had no plans of leaving for the rest of the evening. Sherlock noted all these things as he stepped into her modest flat. His eyes took in the scene before him. Everything was exactly as he had last seen it, not one thing out of place. Had she been gone longer than he missed her?

"Sorry for jetting like that something big came up. I had hoped to be back by Friday, but that did not happen." Sally said with a sigh then turned into her kitchen. "Do you want something to drink?" She was being unusually hospitable, it was almost distracting.

"A case." Sherlock said suddenly. "You are working on a case." the betrayal was evident in his tone and at it Sally's eyes widened. She did not expect that. Lestrade was back, it should not matter to Sherlock if Sally took on a case on her own or not. But apparently it did, and she had no idea how to respond.

"I guess I am." She said simply.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Sherlock assumed she had been gone for almost a week. "We could have finished it by now." With that Sally frowned. She took a deep breath and reminded herself that he was unintentionally rude, so his insult to her skill was probably, unintentional, even if it was genuine. She blinked several times before she finished her reminders and returned to her cheek.

She could snap at him reminding him that she owed him no explanation, that he was not her superior or even her co-worker, and that everything he was allowed to do was because they allowed him. But something in his tone delayed her. Why did she sense betrayal? She shook her head from these thoughts and fought the soft feelings that attempted to emerge.

"Forgive me." Came her sarcastic drawl "I was not aware of the apparent fact that I should now report all my actions to you."

"Well now you are." Came Sherlock's too assured reply which incensed Sally.

"Excuse me? If I want to work on a case alone, I can work alone. I don't have to tell you everything."

"I never said you did, I only asked why. It obviously would have gone a lot faster if you had involved me."

"Maybe I did not want to involve you."

"Well, why not?"

"Because this is my case, and I am very capable of finishing it without your help." Sally snapped and it suddenly became clear to Sherlock. He tilted his head back as all the pieces feel in order.

It seemed utterly familiar but oddly unexpected. Why unexpected? He wondered, his mind raced "I see" he pulled in his bottom lip to withhold a frown. "I see" He said again more to himself as he scanned the flat for some sort of escape. A truce had been broken it seemed. Sally had intentionally left him out. She had exclude him because he was different in the same way her peers excluded her, intimidated by her ability. He could not help but feel a bit betrayed by one he had assumed kindred. As he scanned the flat, he wondered if he even still welcomed after such a treachery.

Sally could not remain stern in her haughtiness after witnessing the obvious struggle in the consulting detective. He actually looked crestfallen and it unbalanced her, but what was she supposed to do about that? This was her case and- she took one more glance toward the crestfallen Sherlock then sigh. She placed her coffee cup down with another sigh. "What do you expect me to do? Call you the minute I start something new? I am not going to allow myself to be crippled by depending so strongly on you."

"That's not what I want." Sherlock said "I never aspired to cripple you."

"Then what do you want? An amazed audience to feed your ego? Because I'm not that, I never was, and I never will be."

"Yes I know and I don't want that either." Sherlock snapped then with a sigh he sank onto her sofa "I just wanted to go with you." He examined his words as he knew Sally would, she would not understand his reasoning, and he was fine with that. He would never want to willingly admit his true purpose, his true desire, not to be left out not to be excluded, and based upon their cautious truce, he had hoped she already knew these things. With a shake of his head he accepted his assumption to be incorrect and registered the Sargent as she took a seat near him.

"I did not mean to exclude you." She said simply. "Well at least, not in a spiteful way. I just want to finish something on my own."

"Why can't I help?"

"Because you'll steal it before I have the time to properly consider it."

"Yes, and while you are considering it the suspect runs wild and claims another victim."

"Not in these cases. These cases are closed." Sally said simply "I have more time and less distractions. This is how I earn my worth, while you are around."

"A cold case..." Sherlock said to himself "Why would you consider those?"

"Like I said this is how I earn my keep while you are around." Sally said with a shrug. "It's like unfinished puzzles. All the pieces are there, I just have to figure out which ones are missing and how to connect them."

"Oh…" Sherlock stared off as it sank in "Oh, that's brilliant actually." His eyes widened "Yes, let's do it."

"No." Sally raised her hands before his excitement could overcome him "No this is my case, these are my cases. Back off."

"What? Why can't we-"

"No Sherlock. You're not needed here go work on the important ones." Sally waved her hands dismissively "You're too valuable to be distracted."

"I thought you were not going to appeal to my ego."

"I'm not" She said quickly. "I just don't want your hands in my cases."

"Well why not?"

"Oh hell this again!" Sally pressed her fingers against her temples. "Look, working on these cases maintain my sanity and my passion for this job altogether. The reason I had to result to such cases is because you solve everything you put your hands on less than five minutes completely ruining the art. And so I am here, this is my space. I'd let you join it, but I don't want you to ruin it, this is not an insult, this is me maintaining sanity."

"Oh so I suppose I should just take the idea of me ruining the art of something I am also passionate about as a compliment then?"

"Yes of course." Sally mimicked his assured tone from earlier and Sherlock looked as if he were about to throw a fit. She wondered if he really would. He was such a brat. But there was some charm to it all, maybe she could allow him to join her, as long as he promised not to ruin it. She took one more glance at the fuming Sherlock, Then finally she relented. "Fine." Sally said then raised her hands "You can join me but you do it on my terms."

"Your terms." Sherlock scoffed

"Yes, my terms." Sally snapped back "I am the only one with permission to access to these files, not even Lestrade can let you in without a lot of grief if I don't want him to. So yes. My. Terms."

"Fine" Sherlock scoffed again "And what exactly are your terms?"

"I'm not going to tell you what I am working on." Sally said simply then took a sip of her lukewarm tea.

"What?"

"I'm not going to tell you, but you can participate if you like."

"That does not make any sense."

"Of course it does, you want to help and I don't want your brilliance to ruin the case before I can solve it. This is the best solution."

"It sounds like you're enjoying this, who is the freak now?"

"Still you, I'm just trying to advance my skills, maybe get promoted while I'm at it."

"Or unwind."

"Say what you want, do you want to be a part of this or not?"

"And why would I agree to this?"

"Because you like the challenge." Sally said confidently and for one moment her eyes gleamed. Sherlock tilted his head back, the corners of his mouth turned up. A small began to dawn on him then she began to speak once more. "How about solving a crime, you don't even know about? Finding veiled murderers of veiled victims. It's a puzzle within a puzzle. Sounds "fun" right?"

"Indeed." Sherlock smirked.

"I won't tell you anything, and you can't cheat and hack my computer or something like that. Just come along and see if you can figure out what I am doing."

"And if I figure out what you are doing? Then what?"

"Then you can attempt to solve it before I do."

"Attempt?" Sherlock scoffed. Sally rolled her eyes.

"Yes, attempt."

"Yes, Yes, whatever" Sherlock waved off her comment "Let's get started." He scanned her flat again "You just returned from Belgium not much of a lead there but it is a start."

Sally restrained herself form being amazed at his observation, anyone could read someone's mail and figure out where they have been.

"It was the fry's wrapper hanging out of your coat pocket. You should consider taking care of the grease stains soon." Sherlock said in that matter of fact tone that never failed to irritate Sally. She stood and turned from him. She would not be defeated. Not today. Because she had won, this was her case, she was in control and for a change things would finally go her way.

"We will leave in thirty minutes. Get ready." Sally turned into her room.

Sally scanned the pastries in front of her with a smirk. She knew she had him. She glanced back at the consulting detective who was no doubt taking in everything around him, trying to place it in neat folders to figure out the case they were working on which is why she smirked. During their time out she had only done one productive thing for the case she was working on and the rest was play time. She wanted a drink at a particular coffee house and so she went there, then she wanted a new suit from a particular tailor and so she took a look. She might have talked to the tailor's assistant a little longer than normal, and asked a few semi-important questions while she made Sherlock try on a new suit for the sake of maintaining their stealth. Those questions may have been really important to her investigation, but Sherlock would never know. Hopefully he was too distracted by her other seemly random stops to figure out her case before she was ready to let him.

"All done here." Sally announced then bit into her pastry. "You didn't get anything at all?"

"I don't eat while I'm working." Sherlock sigh "Although at the pace you are going I may starve before we finish."

"This is true." Sally said with a nod. "You sure you don't want to give up? I'm pretty sure Lestrade could use the help."

Sherlock scoffed. "Let's go, what is the next string of this harebrained investigation?"

"That wasn't very nice." Sally feigned hurt and for once Sherlock was the one to roll his eyes. She smirked. "Our next part comes into play in about three hours. We need to visit this, rather," Sally frowned "interesting club. I actually need your help here because nature has not bestowed upon me your gifts. I'll text you the address. Try and dress the part."

"What exactly is my part?"

Sally shrugged as a cab pulled in front of her "Single guy with nothing to do on a Saturday night looking for fun." She turned to leave "Oh and our suspect is a male, so dress nice. Ok bye." the cab sped away before Sherlock could get one word in. She knew he would come, there was no way he would give upon the case so easily. She secretly hoped that he would, because as much as she did not want to admit it at the moment, she really did need him in this aspect, and was a little happy he decided to join her. With that thought in mind sally crossed her fingers and returned to her flat to review her files and prepare.

Her curls were pulled in a tight topknot away and off her bare shoulders and the rest of her slim frame was wrapped in a little black dress with moderately comfortable heels which she would be able to run in, and her badge hidden beneath her tight outfit. Sally always came prepared when she was undercover, never know when you have to chase someone down. And as for her companion, well she tried not to look at him too much to preserve her pride, because he was well, slightly dashing.

Sherlock had smooth his unruly curls tightly back which released the full view if his unique face, unlocked its drastic features, and allowed those alluring, captivating eyes to roam and mesmerize unhindered. It was as if he were release from the formfitting suit and crisp pressed shirt to a sleek long sleeved muscle shirt with firm fitting trousers. It was simple but captivating, it looked as if he had just stepped out of a high fashion magazine, which nearly made Sally paranoid. Did he knew more than he should about her case already? No, that was not possible, he's just naturally this attractive- What! Sally killed the idea.

Sally blinked as she shook her head from her thoughts. She did not have time for this. She had to keep her cool. But she could not help but berate herself for not noticing this exquisite form beside her all this time, maybe she wasn't as good at her job at she thought. She shook her head again, she really did not have time for this. Then a low timber beside her ear stunned her.

"Sally I think we had best begin with that security guard over there, if my research is correct he has a history of…" Sherlock's voice trailed off, Sally's knees almost weakened in an attempt to swoon.

"No!" Sally shoved Sherlock away abruptly. "You don't have to whisper in my ear." She snapped hands still outstretched.

"Then how else are we supposed to communicate over this volume?" Sherlock snapped back.

"What?" Sally snapped proving Sherlock's point about the volume. Sherlock took Sally's wrist and as he lowered her separating arm he could not help but notice that her pulse began to rise. He glanced at her and even in the dim lighting noticed her cheeks darken. He leaned in to speak once more and noticed her eyes widen before she turned her face away. Sherlock smirked.

"What would you like me to do Sargent Donavan?" His deep voice rumbled and Sally nearly gave into her swoon before she shook her head.

"Just go stand over there, talk to that bartender and you know flirt or whatever." She waved her hands dismissively.

"And why should I do that?" Sherlock watched the effects of his proximity and his voice upon the Sargent and raised an eyebrow. Sally caught his revelation and incensed.

"Just do it." She snapped. "Our suspect is known to target tall attractive males especially brunets." Sally's hand flew over her mouth at the information she had just released. Sherlock smirked for two of his own reasons, then decided to comply. He turned to his task with another smirk and left Sally to fume at her mishap.

"I should let him get abducted." Sally grumbled to herself then took a sip of her beverage. Sherlock was the perfect bait, he had attracted almost everyone's attention and Sally knew her suspect was probably in the mist of all of that. After solving her last case with Sherlock, which involved the arrest of a working women and her handler, Sally followed her uneasy feeling and began to pursue the case on her own. She traced the victim's interactions back and found that there were other deaths similar in his wake. She then traced those victims history and found the same pattern in Belgium.

They were all attractive males, no extended families with various employments in high fashion, probably due to their appearance. She believed that she was looking for a serial killer who may have settled in London after his last attack. If she had learned his pattern well, he was still in London, and this place would be his typical hunting ground.

Sally had nearly given her case way earlier and she knew by the look on Sherlock's face that it was only a matter of time before he fully pieced it all together. She frowned at his act and glared at his head. He was probably working through the case as he sat. Sally slammed her glass down.

"Well, I guess someone's having a rough night." Came a cool response from behind her followed by soft fingers gently passing over her bare shoulders. "Want some company?" The woman asked and Sally almost rolled her eyes.

"I'm not interested." Sally said bluntly.

"Well then why are you here? And alone? Trying to play hard to get." The woman sat in front of her.

"Hardly, I'm here with a friend." Sally scanned the dark-haired woman before her then tilted her head toward Sherlock. "I'm watching his back. He's been wanting to get out for a while now, but because of the recent attack you know, a few weeks ago, he's become somewhat of a shut in. So I'm playing bodyguard." Sally watched the woman's eyes darken and a frown tugged at her lips.

"Well he won't have to worry about that." There was deep feelings within this woman's voice that Sally could not help but notice.

"What do you mean by that?" Sally pressed the woman who abruptly turned her face away in response. She pulled her hands into fist as she clenched her teeth. Sally gently touched her shoulder to gain her gaze and noticed she was shaking. "What's your name?" Sally asked.

"Trish." Came he force reply.

"Ok Trish, I'm going to need you to tell me everything you know about that last victim." Sally said seriously. She really did not like being undercover too long, it made her feel dishonest.

"Why do you need that?" Came Trish expected question.

"My name is Sargent Sally Donavan." She lifted her badge "I have been studying this case for some time now so anything you can give me on it will be helpful." Trish's eyes went wide. "I'm sorry for the lie earlier but I do not want to deceive you any longer. What do you know? And where can I go from here?"

"You are very direct."

"I have to be. I am taking this case very seriously and I want to bring whoever is behind it to justice. So if you know anything your cooperation would be greatly appreciated."

A small frown nearly broke across Trish face before she nodded. "Ok, but not here." She looked over her shoulder. "Come with me." She stood and Sally stood with her. She took one last look at Sherlock over her shoulder then shrugged, he'll figure out she was gone sooner or later. With that Sally turned and left the club with her new lead.

A/N: That was longer than I expected, I think they might get longer as time goes by, but anyway tell me what you think .

Thanks so much for your feedback Icecat happy you're still enjoying this. Hope it only gets better as the cases start, because, (dun dun dun) they have begun.

So nice to have you onboard QueenNaberrie, you have great insight but I might be going a different direction, I usually tend to do what I ought not do (like writing this story lol)… And most of the times it works… I hope this still works for you and everyone else

Yes Eowyn, you are exactly right, and I think it is going in that direction. I can't wait to see what happens next

This is my first time presenting a story as it unfolds as opposed to already having it outlined, written, and edited. It is risky to write impromptu like this for me, because I'm naturally very hesitant, but the feedback from all of you is making this a very enjoyable experience. Thank you all and please let me know what you think about this chapter as well . I'll start on the next one and hopefully will have it up in a month (trying to work with datelines too is new but I like it so far)…