Abbie's POV.
I crawled into the front seat of Bailey's car. It was so early. Like, two hours, too early...
"Whose brilliant idea was it..." I had to stop to yawn, "to get up this bloody early, anyway?"
Bailey waited to move until I was strapped in. "I think I suggested it, and John agreed."
"Oh. So I can beat you both with a stick at the gym?" I teased, smirking weakly.
Bailey laughed. How was she so awake?!
I managed to stay conscious the rest of the drive, even though Bailey's smooth driving made it very hard. When we picked up the men, I noticed that they both looked like they had gotten plenty of sleep. I sighed, and straightened in my seat. I was at least going to greet them properly.
"Morning gents!" I said smiling.
"Morning!" Said John. The two climbed in the back, and as they did, I noticed Sherlock had a gun under his long coat. My eyes widened slightly, and I brought my gaze to his, silently questioning his motive. He caught it, and put his index finger over lips, telling me to keep quiet. Then he winked. I kept my surprise to myself, trying to act normal. I turned back to the road before me. Our little secret, I suppose...
We made it to the gym a few minutes later. As we climbed out and began heading in, Bailey noted Sherlock's choice of apparel.
"Really, Sherlock? A suit and button down shirt? You might as well keep the coat and scarf on too, cuz I'm gonna school you!"
My mind immediately went to the gun under his suit jacket, so I did what any rational best friend would do. I hinted lightly at potential danger. "Remember what Foaly said in book one: 'If your feeling cocky, it's because there is something you don't know.'" Bailey and I have read many of the same books, and watched many of the same movies, and have a reasonable list of favorite quotes. We tend to remember the ones from Artemis Fowl, Percy Jackson, Lord of the Rings, ect, the most. (This one was from Artemis Fowl, in case you were curious.)
We made it into the gym, and Sherlock shed his coat. Bailey was out on the floor, running a few stretches. I sat down on the edge of the stage up front with John.
Sherlock walked out onto the floor with Bailey, and I watched in silent agony.
"Ready?" She asked him.
"Absolutely," he grinned, pulling the hand gun.
Bailey gave the gun a "really?" look. Then CRACK! The gun was half way across the room. Bailey had smacked the back of his hand and the soft part of his wrist at the same moment, which forced him to let go.
"Come on!" Bailey complained. "I wanted hand on hand! And Abbie, I saw that. Thanks for the warning." She stuck her tongue out at me. I returned the gesture. Although, I had been impressed by how quickly and calmly she took on the situation.
"Hmmm." Sherlock mussed, seemingly unperturbed. "Well, then you need John. I am not fond of that sort of thing."
John stepped up, smirking at Sherlock's back as they passed each other.
"Don't go easy on me please. That is so boring," Bailey said. I noticed how close Bailey's and Sherlock's personalities were. Yes, Bailey was not ungracious and manipulative, but they both get bored rather easily, they both prefer one or two close friends, and they are both very observant. They also looked quiet a bit alike, which was odd.
Sherlock sat down a few feet away from me, but I didn't have time to contemplate that. I was too worried about how quickly they cracked down on one another.
John was stronger, but Bailey was faster. This kept them in a head lock basically for fourteen straight minutes. That was the most terrifying fourteen minutes of my life, needless to say. Every time they hit each other, (which was way more times than I wanted to keep track of) I winced. At one point, I whipped my head away as Bailey took a hit hard, just below the eye. As I did, I caught Sherlock smirking at me. He returned his eyes back to the fight, and I fought inwardly to keep down a blush. What was it about this guy that I liked so much? He was cold, uncaring, calculating. He was everything my nature fought against.
But then again, why was he actually here? I thought. Why are they wasting valuable time with us when they could be investigating whatever case them came to work on? My reverie was gone in an instant though when I heard another grunt from Bailey. They were both pouring sweat, and Bailey had a black eye. I knew they wouldn't stop on their own, so I decided to do the motherly thing and break it up.
"Guys." No response. "Guys!" Nothing. "GUYS!" I shouted. That got them to wake up.
"What?" They both asked. Bailey was rather annoyed, because John had sent a punch to the face, and she had bent back until she was parallel to the floor. That is where they froze. I had to hold down a grin at comedic nature of the scene.
"It's been fifteen minutes. I think that's enough." I looked to Sherlock, who nodded in agreement.
"Yeah," John said between fits of gulping air. "She is most definitely in. Great fight!" They shook and I smiled at Bailey.
"That was the best I have seen you fight yet!" I said tossing her a bottle of water.
"Thanks!" She took a long draft, the equivalent of half the bottle.
"Next," Sherlock said, motioning me to John.
"No," I said immediately.
"What?"
"I said no. There is no way I am fighting him after he's already been nearly beaten to a pulp!"
He looked confused for a second, then just shrugged.
"So fight Sherlock!" John said.
"What?! Are you crazy?!" I asked.
"Come on, what the big deal, Abbie?" Bailey asked. "He wants to fight less than you do, so you'll be evenly matched!"
The big deal was that I had actually been hoping I wouldn't have to fight. I knew he wanted to see us in action, but fighting for show always made me uncomfortable.
"Look, I have heard about you both," I nodded at John, " and I know danger when I see it. He," I gestured to Sherlock, "Is flagging red hot danger."
"Oh, Abbie. You are truly ridiculous."
"Fine! I'll do it! But you will have to be the one that explains to my parents why you have to pay for my funeral."
I kicked off my shoes and socks, allowing my toes to grip the cold maple floor. I took a swig of water before stepping out on the floor. We met, center ring, the confidant detective, and the uncomfortable teen, staring their opponent down before attacking.
"Are you offense or defense?"
He rolled his eyes. "What do you think?"
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Chapter Song: I couldn't decide which one to do on this one. So I want opinions! I had 'Another One Bites the Dust' by Queen, but does anybody have any other suggestions?
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Thanks for reading! Have a great week!
-Pianist
