Irene
John refused to believe what he saw.
The thing was, when you refuse to see something, you carry on as nothing is happening. So when the good doctor came home from his shift at the surgery an hour early and saw Sherlock having tea with Irene-supposed-to-be-dead-Adler in their living room, (sitting in HIS armchair) he froze, blinked a few times at the scene and the two surprised faces, turned to the left and decided tea was the solution to everything, as always.
He heard the distant mumbling in the living room, the shifting of a chair, and footsteps slowly entering the kitchen.
„John-"
„No."
„But John-"
„No."
Sherlock grumbled, but did not dare to get any closer to John. He had not anticipated his return so early. He had business with Irene, a new case she brought to his attention and also something she had to tell him, quite important. And she had helped him during his time away from London. How could he refuse her?
„What? You're not even going to let me explain why she's here?"
„Oh, you mean why there is a dead woman in my living room, who i expect to be gone once my tea is ready?", he said, the second part of the sentence even louder, so she could hear him from the kitchen.
"She is not going to leave, John.", Sherlock said, and it was final. The fact that these words made the doctor more mad than anything the consulting detective could have said, seemed to be one of the things he was spectarularly ignorant about.
The kettle whistled and John poured the hot water over his tea bag, before speaking, trying to remain calm.
"You realise that when Mycroft finds out about this, he's going to be pissed."
"Don't worry, John. I'm not going to stay.", said Irene, who had appeared behind Sherlock, eyeing him carefully. The doctors jaw clenched, and he turned around, so he didn't have to see her.
"I'm not talking to you. You're dead."
Sherlock sighed, but he could almost feel the smirk that crawled onto Irenes face.
"Talking to ghosts then, are we? Don't worry, i'll be out of your hair soon."
The detective ushered her out of the kitchen, returning to the living room and John remained, clutching onto his steaming cup of tea like it was a lifeline.
How could she be alive? Mycroft was certain that he-. And then it came to him. Sherlock must have had something to do with it.
Thoughts about his appearance came back to him. He had always said that he had spent some time with Molly, then going to America for a while. John presumed he had stayed with her. Before he could think any further, Irene was suddenly back in the kitchen, keeping her distance.
Sherlock, as it seemed, was playing his violin quite loudly – whether to not hear their conversation or to think, John didn't know.
John surely did not want to start a conversation, he did not even want to talk to the woman in front of him. She seemed to notice, because she took a deep breath and spoke up.
"My flight back to L.A. leaves in three hours. I had business to take care of, but i'll be gone in a while. You don't have to worry."
John finally found the courage to look at her. She had dyed her hair, it was slightly darker than the last time he had seen her. Her makeup was very discreet, as were her clothes. A simple skirt and a jumper, very different from her usual getup. That was how she tired to escape Mycrofts eyes.
"Why are you here, then? Business with Sherlock, was it?" He almost hated himself for the jealousy and the anger in his voice, but if Irene noticed, she was kind enough to not play with it.
She shook her head though.
"I owe this man my life. I helped him during his... disappearance, but no favour in the world could ever pay him back what he did for me. So the least I could do was see him while I was here and invite him to my wedding."
He almost dropped his teacup in shock, the violin playing even louder now. He had never thougt he would hear the words wedding and Irene Adler in one sentence, but he was positive he did not mishear.
"Y-You're getting married?"
As if sensing his disbelief, Irene took another step and held up her hand for him. It surely was no ordinary wedding ring. Instead of a band of metal, Irenes right ringfinger had a band of ink around her finger that went on to form small handcuffs that were gracing the back of her hand. It was a small tattoo, a great idea for a wedding vow and, that was the most important part, irremovable, for life – so not a joke.
"Her name is Lucy. Lovely woman. Look, John. I know you and I are not friends, I am pretty sure you hate me. But Sherlock accepted my invitation, and he can bring a plus one. So if you decide to go with him, you are hereby invited. It's your choice, the wedding is in two months. And now go and talk to him, he's playing that instrument because he doesn't want to hear us killing each other."
After saying that, she left. At this moment, John had thought that he would never see her again – but after Sherlock had told him the long and exhausting story of what Irene had done to help him, he had agreed to go to the wedding. But one thing was sure. The Woman would never be a friend of his, and he would forever be jealous for not being able to help Sherlock in these difficult times, while Irene had the chance to mend his wounds.
Irene Adler gets married in the original books in her first appearance, to a man with lots of money. So I thought her getting married is not so off the line. What do you think of it? Do you like her handcuff-weddingring-tattoo? I think it's great..
NEXT UP: ANDERSON ! (I'm saving Mrs. Hudson for one of the last)
