Hello my dears! Hoping you're all well?! So this a little ahead of intended posting, but today marks the One Year Anniversary of posting PErcy's adventures. I can't believe it's been a year! I've learnt so much and spoken to some wonderful authors and readers who are both inspiring and lovely. Thank you so much for all of the support, it really does mean so much and keeps me writing.
Disclaimer: All Characters belong to their respective owners, no copyright intended and this is non-profit. Thanks to Madam-Hawki for letting me play with Adelaide. Thanks to naturerocs for letting me play with Angie too. I only own Percy.
Hope you all enjoy!
Chapter 8 - Killing Summer Love
August
August passed in a haze of heat and passion. John and I seemed unable to keep our hands off each other. There were a few occasions of getting caught, once by Mrs. Hudson and by Molly, the second time she'd caught me with a man, she must have a warped sense of who I was. There were some close calls with Angie too. I'm going to honest, the sex was fantastic, mind blowingly good. As brazen as that is, it has to be said. Heaven forbid any of my family read this, but its likely knowing whom they are. I suppose I should clarify, John and I did actually do more than just sleep together. We went on some truly romantic dates. John really was a wonderful man. He is funny, kind, strong and frankly should be married with beautiful children, for some odd reason he's settled for me. I really didn't know john was such a film buff. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of movies. He's also really into space, he know loads about astronomy. WE had a romantic picnic at the planetarium, interspersed with an account of John and Sherlock's misadventures there.
Angie wasn't speaking to me. Baker Street was filled with awkward silences and death glares. A Watson glare is quite unnerving.
September
As the Summer heat started to wane and the Autumn leaves started to turn and fall John and I found ourselves falling into a wonderful routine. We spent most of the week together except when work kept us apart. We decided to avoid causing more friction at Baker Street and generally resided in my little flat. I enjoyed cooking for John, who made a wonderful breakfast, but was a disaster at other foods. Towards the end of September, we both took some time off work to be together. We took time getting to know each other and we talked about our lives. We talked for hours, it was hard and there were many tears form us both, but it was cathartic. The experience made us stronger people and made our relationship stronger. I was surprised that Mycroft hadn't yet poked his nose in, but maybe he was respecting my privacy for once?
I'd been seeing John for couple of months and life was good. Angie and I still weren't really talking, but we had a civil tolerance of each other going on. I think she was still getting used to seeing John and I together, I was still getting used to it too. For he first time in months, I was truly starting to feel happy.
October 7th
We spent a blissful three months together and it had felt like a lifetime. We got the time to bond. I saw more and more of the side to John that needed loving and looking after. He was a man who'd faced death and seen the horrors of war to find redemption and companionship before Jim ripped that away from him. I was finally seeing the true reach of Moriarty's destruction. He broke more than reputations and bank balances he destroyed lives form the inside out. How could I forgive him for that?
John still suffered from nightmares; they'd been triggered after he saw Sherlock fall. Most nights he woke with a start, panicked and hurt by the tricks his mind was playing. Usually I could hold him close and stroke his hair and he'd clam down and we'd fall asleep together, but one night he just cried. I've never seen such a broken man. I wished I could tell John that Sherlock was alive and he'd be back eventually, but I couldn't. I hated keeping such a life-changing secret from him.
I hoped I would never hurt John Hamish Watson. He was my saving grace; I hoped I could be his too. I'd been clean since John had stayed with me and helped me through coming down. I had no cravings, I felt more secure than I had in months, and the drugs just lost their appeal. I had fallen for him so quickly. It was hard keeping our relationship a secret. Only Angie and Mycroft knew the extent of our relationship. I didn't want Jim finding out before the divorce was finalized. I hadn't even told Adelaide, if she asked me why I was more cheerful I just told her I was finally moving on. It wasn't a lie. I looked over to John, he was watching me and I flashed him a loving smile. Who'd of thought, a Holmes falling in love with a Watson?
John POV
John watched Percy dance around 221b. She sang and hummed along to the radio as she cleared up after their late lunch, both of them having time off today. It was an odd sensation for him, one moment it was like Sherlock's twin was right in front of him, as quickly to be replaced with a vivacious and lively opposite who bared a striking resemblance to his lost friend. The strangest occurrence was when he'd woken up alone, he'd gone down stairs to find Percy stood looking out of the living room window lost in thought. She didn't move, barely breathed and it took an hour to come back to the real world, her eyes a familiar shade of silvery green. He'd thought about it few times, that maybe his attraction to Percy was the comfort the similarities to Sherlock provided. The advantage being she was also female. It was flattering that someone as beautiful and young as Percy wanted to be with him. He'd known that Percy had had a crush on him when she was growing up; he always brushed it off as childish notions, especially when he came home and saw sixteen-year-old Percy happy with a boyfriend. He didn't have chance to really see his shadow as he'd been dealing with Harry and one of her drunken tirades after a break up.
Another similarity to Sherlock was how little he knew about Percy. He knew her as a child and slightly as a young adult, but he'd been away in postings and on ops in Afghanistan by the time she was old enough to know as an adult, then she fell back into his life like a firework. That's what happened with Percy, people got too close and got burnt. She was bright and drew you in to her light, but there were so many shadows around her too. So much about her was a mystery, he knew a surface thing like her favourite colour was purple, but that hadn't changed since she was six. He knew she hated mushrooms, but so did Angie, he knew these details because Percy had lived at their house as much as Angie had at hers as children, but now, her views on life, politics and the deeper questions were blank. Also, not that he wanted to talk about it, but she never mentioned Moriarty unless she really had to. She would just clam up and change the topic; she would never be over him. He knew he'd always have to share a part of her with that spider. There was a small part of him, a minute part, that made him want to confront Moriarty and sort the whole mess out. Especially as there was now a gaping canyon sized rift between Angie and Percy. They'd argued in the past, but it was rarely that big or lasted long. The longest time he could remember was a day, at most. This had been going on for nearly seven months. They were being coolly civil for his benefit, but they were a long way from resolving their falling out.
He smiled when Percy picked up Billy. She studied the skull with such intensity it was like she was reading its mind; she then smiled and put him back on the mantelpiece patting it fondly. He'd seen Sherlock do something similar once. It was so bizarre how similar they were having lived all their lives apart. How had he and Angie never connected the dots? She even had some mannerisms that were just Mycroft. They were the small quirks of eyebrows and sardonic grins that made your soul shiver, when she was annoyed you felt the full force of where her genes lay. She could also do an uncanny impression of Moriarty. When she'd come home from work in an odd mood that then fractured and exploded and melted into sinister clam in the space of minutes. It had been quite a sight, and a very long night. Percy came across as scarier than Moriarty, where his eyes reflected no light; hers showed you the emotion you'd feel if you died at her hand.
His musing couldn't help but wonder to the more physical side of their relationship, it's how it had started, a rather passionate and drunken one-night stand. It had been exhilarating and comforting, for them both. A familiar face you could trust, but something new and was slightly forbidden. They both knew every one disapproved, but no one to his knowledge had said anything, not even a visit from Mycroft yet and it had been months already. Percy knew more than a few tricks and was very good in bed, better than very good, the best he'd encountered yet. That sounded cheap and sycophantic, but he was so comfortable with her and she was talented. She knew how to play the smouldering temptress and girl next door at the flip of a switch; it was never dull. She made him feel young again, alive again; it held back the pain of losing Sherlock just enough to function again.
Percy sat in Sherlock's chair reading one of his science books, the image familiar except she had her glasses perched on the end of her nose and was only clad in one of his jumpers and some robot printed shorts. Her long black hair held up with a pen and chopstick, she looked incredible. His stomach lurched just enough, his heart beat a little faster. He was falling for her and fast. She looked up and caught his staring, she gave him a warm smile and went back to her book, pulling the pen out of her hair and adding notes to Sherlock's book. He almost stopped her and then realised it was like Percy was talking to Sherlock, she was replying to his copious notes with her own vast knowledge. They would have adored each other, quietly, but if you knew them then it would be as plain as day. This made John feel warm, maybe, one day; they'd all be okay?
Meanwhile across town in a nondescript bar Adelaide Thompson was being stood up and inadvertently finds herself sat next to James Moriarty. She had no idea she would meet the man and not the monster.
Jim POV
Jim barely registered the person sitting next to him. He'd had a spectacularly shit day. It was that simple. Everything had gone wrong from the get go. Thank God for anonymity and false trails. All he wanted was to get severely drunk, pass out and try again tomorrow.
"Um hi." A girl said nervously, not a girl a young woman. Jim glanced sideways at her.
"What?" He asked indignantly.
"Sorry my mistake. We're sat next to each other. I was just trying to be friendly."
"Sorry. Bad day, a very bad day." He mumbled. He didn't have the energy to be the criminal. He was too tired. He hadn't slept in days.
"Ah. That makes two of us then." The woman sighed.
"Why are you being friendly to a total stranger?" He asked more sharply than intended.
"I've just always been brought up to be nice to others." She shrugged.
"Don't be too naive; you don't know who might be listening." He smiled devilishly. Some habits were hard to break.
"Why would I worry about someone listening if I don't have anything to say?" She quipped.
"There are dangerous people in the world." He replied quickly. People like him, he thought.
"I know, I'm doing an internship and have just been moved to Scotland Yard to help with murders. I'm a forensics officer." She replied confidently.
"Ah Scotland Yard, not the brightest lot." Jim ribbed. They were clueless, they had him in their cells and all it took was access to the cable network and a fake identity and he was away free.
"They have their good ones." The woman countered. Jim chuckled quietly.
"Do they? Well they have you." He commented.
"You are too kind. They have gotten a lot more done since I turned up." She quipped with a smile.
"Get stood up? Shame, you're pretty." He chuckled. It was easy to spot, the disappointment in her demeanour and the fact she was alone in a bar, but not trying to pick up a guy at random.
"Yeah, by an ungrateful sod. Thanks." She said and suddenly looked deep in thought.
"You're welcome." He said with a half smile. It nice being normal for once, not having to act.
"Adelaide Thompson by the way." She introduced and offered her hand.
"Jim, Jim Moriarty. Nice to meet you Miss Thompson." He returned shaking her hand. They lisped into silence for a few moments. Jim cast another sideways glance at the woman sitting next to him. She looked back at him, her eyes narrowed as though she was trying to work something out.
"Moriarty?" She questioned.
"Yeah, why?" He snapped.
"Not the Jim married to Percy are you?" She asked.
"What do you know about my wife?" He asked defensively. Not that they had a marriage to speak of anymore.
"Percy is one of my closest friends." She defended.
"Really? You must be new. Are you her live in pet?" Jim pushed spitefully.
"Pet? No we don't live together." Adelaide answered with a frown.
"Interesting. Where does she live?" He fired off quickly hoping to take the woman off guard. So far she seemed unafraid and intelligent, he could see why Percy liked her.
"With all due respect Mr. Moriarty I can't tell you where she lives unless she wants me to. Sorry." She replied professionally leaving no room for argument.
"You're very loyal. I can see why she likes you." Jim replied quietly, he didn't miss Adelaide's smile at his comment.
"I just try my best for those whom I value." She said plainly. He took a breath, what would he have to lose? She seemed trustworthy.
"I take it you know the situation between Percy and I?" Jim asked tentatively.
"I do, yes. I've often spoken with her about it and have had to sit with her through the tears." She replied, her voice cold.
"She's upset? Really?" He found himself asking and feeling the kindling sparks of hope burn inside him.
"She is sometimes." Adelaide nodded. She paused for a while looking uncertain. She looked directly at him and spoke quietly. "She still loves you but she just needs some time." She paused again looking guilty. "I shouldn't be telling you this. Sorry."
"She still loves me? That's quite a miracle." He said astonished. "If you were me, what would you do?" He asked thinking out loud, but paused and interrupts himself before Adelaide could answer. "Why am I asking you this? Just tell me the truth. How bad is it?" He rushed, almost babbling.
"She just needs some time to sort out how she feels." She replied with a sweet smile.
"That's girl code for 'she hates you and is seeing someone else' isn't it?" He groaned. He knew he shouldn't have asked.
"Jim, I swear on my life, she isn't seeing anyone. Well not that I know of and she tells me a lot. Please just trust me when I say she needs some time." Adelaide consoled.
"If you know who I am, why aren't you scared of me?" He asked, truly curious. It wasn't often he met someone who would be so honest and candid with him.
"I've heard stuff about you and that's all it's been, hearing stuff. I can't exactly be scared of something I can't see. And since you haven't done anything to me yet I have no reason to be scared." She said honestly.
"Rumours and whispers, so she's being nice then." He chuckled darkly to himself. "I shouldn't expect anything less. There is something about you Miss Thompson and I can't quite put my finger on it." He told her. It was true she was different.
"The rumours aren't just from her. You forget I work for Scotland Yard." She smiled knowingly. There it was again, an intelligence and wit that was so uncommon in ordinary people.
"I'm amazed Scotland Yard remember who I am." He chuckled again they were such idiots.
"Your case was rather large Mr. Moriarty." She added playfully. "What do you mean there's something about me?" She asked suddenly, looking confused.
"I don't know, but I am buying you dinner. No point in you protesting." He stated plainly. He wanted to find out more about Adelaide Thompson and he would do anything for information on Percy, since he'd received the divorce papers he'd been more desperate than ever.
"Umm, you are still married to my best friend." She replied hesitantly. For now, was all he could think.
"Yes, I know, why?" He asked confused.
"You just asked me out for dinner. I don't want to risk losing Percy as a friend." She babbled nervously. He couldn't help it, he laughed, real proper laugh. It wasn't that she wasn't attractive, far from it, but he only had eyes for Percy.
"Oh honey." He laughed. "You are too young for me, and like you said, I am married. I wasn't asking you out, I was offering you dinner. You intrigue me, Percy trusts you, that's usually a good sign." He explained calmly.
"Oh." She blushed. "Sorry my mistake. Well in that case." She beamed.
"Don't worry about it. Order whatever you want, I have a tab." He said dismissing her embarrassment; it was kind of sweet really.
They ordered their food and it was served quickly, just the way he liked it. There had to be some advantages to being a high class criminal.
"So forensics, how did you stumble into that?" He asked taking a sip of his red wine.
"I grew up in New Zealand and it's always really been a passion of mine. I am just drawn to the mystery behind it. London seemed a good place to start." Adelaide explained.
"That sounds wildly familiar. Percy always wanted to go to New Zealand we've just never got round to it. Probably never will now." He added forlornly.
"Its a lovely place and don't stop holding onto hope." She said gently, patting his free hand.
"How did you meet Percy? You have to be special to get her to open up; she's actually quite shy around people she doesn't know." He wondered. Maybe this would solve the riddle of Adelaide Thompson?
"I worked with her and then got reassigned to Scotland Yard. We just became friends in the process. She was one of the first people to actually treat me like a normal person."
"Ah, that explains it. Maybe you can tell me what Percy does at work?! Eight years and I still don't understand it, and that is saying something. If you're not normal, you're special, don't let any of the ordinary people tell you otherwise." He said firmly.
"Paperwork mostly. I was her intern for a while. She taught me a lot of what I know. I try not to; I usually get called horrible things by two 'special' people in the office." She explained. She sounded hurt. Also, that told him nothing about what Percy did at work.
"Does she know what she does? Honestly? I will work it out eventually." He sighed finishing his wine. "They're idiots, but then again its Scotland Yard."
"Government work, sorry I am bound by confidentiality agreements." Adelaide grinned. Her expression changed as she thought about works. "Ugh, they are beyond idiotic sometimes. I take it you haven't had the pleasure of meeting Anderson yet?"
"Which one is he? There was an occasion after a small gas explosion..." He trailed off, the memory focusing more on the fact that it was a time not long ago when he and Percy were at odds again.
"Really annoying, doesn't know how to control his hands or eyes. I guess you don't have that problem since you aren't working with the idiot. Always worries about 'his' crime scene but can never pick up the important details. I seriously wouldn't know what Greg would do without me around." Adelaide carried on, Jim found his mind burdened with thought of his estranged wife and how many incidents where he caused their parting.
"Oh him, yeah I had fun threatening him. Not that bright is he? He assaulted Percy when she was nineteen." He replied absently. That was such a long time ago when things had been much simpler.
"WHAT!? Oh he is not in for a pleasant week then. He is the dullest person I have ever met." She seethed.
"Oh he was suspended for months without pay, but Percy wouldn't press charges, Mycroft sorted it out. I was asked to remain in the shadows." He said with a roguish grin.
"Ah, probably for the best. Greg is a huge help with dealing with him as well. I need another drink." Adelaide sighed.
"Agreed." He nodded, motioning for another bottle of wine. His plan was to get drunk and slowly but surely, he was. "Order anything and don't worry about the cost."
"Thanks. Can I call you Jim?" She asked meekly.
"Of course, it's my name." He retorted.
"Sorry. I'm just still a tad nervous being around you." She blushed.
"It's alright. I'm not going to hurt you. You're perfectly safe." He told her honestly and openly.
"Thanks, its probably just misplaced nerves. So tell me a bit about yourself. I have to get to know my best friends partner don't I?" She gave a warm, comforting smile, her optimism steeling the embers of hop in his heart.
"I suppose you do. Jim Moriarty, the Consulting Criminal at your service. Everything you've heard is true and it isn't...I grew up in Ireland and moved to London, met Percy." He said succinctly. If Percy was shy around strangers, he was worse. He didn't trust easily, neither side of him did. The Criminal could be anyone and anything, but the man was simply a man.
"Ooh I've always wanted to visit Ireland." She said excitedly.
"It rains a lot." He quipped.
"Ah, so basically London weather then?" She laughed.
"Wetter, if that's at all possible?!" He smirked. "Sorry, I'm not used to being myself around strangers." He admitted. He found himself telling things to this woman, and he didn't know why.
"You have absolutely no need to apologize. I'm not usually this... chatty around people I don't know. I'm just trying to make conversation." She eased his worries with her open manner.
"It's a nice distraction, thanks."
The wine and the conversation kept flowing. They sat laughing and joking and essentially playing twenty questions. Jim felt more human and younger than he had in months, he felt like himself and Adelaide finally understood what Percy meant about Jim. He was a man; a good man with a huge heart, the Consulting Criminal was just a mask he wore.
Jim's mind kept drifting back to Percy, it always did, but he needed, wanted Adelaide's advice. If Percy was pouring her heart out, then maybe there was something he could do to make things right?
"You seem like a good listener and if I don't explain you'll not understand and I'll never say it. Percy and I have always argued, and sometimes it caused us to separate, but we've always come back together. Even when things got so bad, we forgave each other, it happens when you put two opinionated geniuses in close confinement and blur the lines of morality. It's been six months!
We balance each other; she keeps me human and saves what little bit of good is left inside me. I don't know what I did for Percy; I would try and keep her demons at bay.
She literally dropped into my life and changed everything and I knew I couldn't be without her. I know she wasn't having an affair, but I have keep up the pretence of believing because of who is involved.
I know you've said Percy needs time, but do think that there is a chance she'll forgive me?" He spewed emotionally. He felt his hear pounding in his chest, aching with the want for his wife. He would never forgive his own cruelty towards her. Jim waited for Adelaide to digest his emotional expulsion.
"Wow, she has really changed you hasn't she." She breathed out. "To be completely honest with you Jim, talk to her calmly and tell her exactly what you told me. Cool and calm, no raised voices. She may slowly forgive you but you need to prove to her that you are willing to work for it and go to the ends of the earth for her." She said openly. She was kind but honest.
"You have no idea. Okay, that sounds simple enough. For the record, I owe you, so if you need anything just let me know, it doesn't have to be illegal. I suppose it's a thank you for looking out for Percy." He uttered quietly. His mind was reeling. He just needed to apologise, tell and show her home much he still loved, how much he'd always loved her and that he was eternally sorry.
"Is she clean?" He wondered.
"Don't worry about it. I hate to see any of my friends upset. Yes, she's clean. She's been clean for months." Adelaide smiled gently.
"Good, that's good. I worry about finding her dead because of an overdose." He admitted wearily. He had nightmares about finding her pale and lifeless a needle at her side. It wasn't how she was supposed to go, she should never die, but the when it inevitably happened it would be peaceful, painless and by his side.
"Well I certainly won't let her do that when I'm around. You have nothing to worry about though. She's 100 percent clean." She reassured.
"Is she drinking a lot of wine instead?" He asked quickly. Sometime son addiction morphed into another.
"Yes, but only when I'm around. We tend to have girls nights." She clarified. That was also good. Although, he was sure Percy was drinking more that her new friend knew.
"She has a very addictive personality. I'm glad someone is keeping an eye on her. Is Angie speaking to Percy? I may have, in anger, screwed up..." He groaned.
"I have heard, umm not that I know of. I shouldn't be telling you all this. I'm going to be in trouble with her." She worried.
"I'm in trouble enough as it is. She'll forgive you, if she's angry; tell her I forced you to tell me." He shrugged. "So they've not made up. Shit. That wasn't supposed to happen. Apparently, without Percy to bounce ideas off I'm slightly useless. This is a new feeling." He said more to himself than the woman opposite, but she replied regardless.
"I doubt that you're useless. We all experience new feelings, even the most robotic person." She replied, again consoling his fears.
"I like you Adelaide Thompson, your different, its refreshing." He told her genuinely.
"Different good or different bad?" She queried suspiciously with a raised. "How am I different?"
"Do stop fretting, it's a compliment not a death threat. I don't really make friends and I'm not fond of ordinary people. Extrapolate what you like from that." He reassured her. If he didn't like her she would be dead by now.
"I will definitely take it as a compliment. I'm glad I'm in your good books then." She laughed good-naturedly.
"I don't bite. Well not often. " He smirked. He caught the waiter's eye and handed him a black credit card with instructions to let Adelaide have anything she wanted after he left. The waiter swiftly retuned the card with a curt nod.
"It's been good talking to you. I'm afraid I do need to get home; I have to figure out a way to get my wife to talk to me. Catch you later." He smirked and stood elegantly putting on his suit jacket.
"It was nice meeting you too." She smiled. "Until next time." She waved.
James Moriarty left the bar buzzed, not drunk but feeling more positive than he had since Percy's birthday.
October 18th
I had taken a rare and unexpected late lunch break, but hunger had gotten the better of me and I needed to get out of the manic office for five minutes. I returned to my desk feeling much more refreshed and saw and a note from Anthea. Apparently Mycroft wanted to see me. I stood up and made my way to Mycroft's office. I knocked on the door and entered.
"You asked to see me?" I smiled. Mycroft indicated for me to sit opposite him.
"Yes, I have a new job for you." He said smoothly.
"That sounds ominous." I quipped.
"Hardly ominous." Smirked Mycroft.
"What do you need me to do?" I asked.
"The Americans are working on a new top-secret military project, however, they are being particularly stubborn about withholding information. One of their engineers happens to be staying in London, and hopefully you'll be able to...persuade him to open up some details." Explained Mycroft.
"Okay sounds easy enough." I smiled, and then something clicked. "When you persuade what do you mean?" A bubble of fear ran through me. I didn't want to go back to…
"What else would it mean with an attractive young woman like yourself?" Asked Mycroft with a knowing smile.
"Err...no. I'm not doing that." I said firmly.
"Excuse me?" Barked Mycroft.
"I said no. I will happily find out information, get shot at, get kidnapped, spy on people, but I am not going back to that life." I said defiantly. Mycroft raised his eyebrow at me.
"This is hardly a time to suddenly have morals. Do what you want, but if your chosen methods are not successful, I expect you to get that information any way you can." He countered.
"I told you I would work for you again as long as I didn't have to whore myself out to every asset you thought necessary to get information from. I am not going to betray my heart." I argued passionately. My thoughts straying to John, we were happy. I couldn't hurt and betray him.
"It is too risky to attempt it without getting the desired information. You will do what is necessary." He ordered.
"Mycroft, you do understand that you're are pimping out your little sister? I will not sleep with some stranger because you want me to. I am not doing that to John." I snapped.
"John?" Questioned Mycroft with a dark smirk.
"Mycroft you know all about my private life, don't be coy." I retorted angrily. Mycroft sighed.
"This is of national importance. You're welcome to try your own methods first, but as I said, if those don't work, you will do what is necessary. There is no discussion." Mycroft said with an air of finality. I felt sick. I wasn't going to back down that easily.
"It's of national importance if I betray my boyfriend and sleep with some American so you can feel superior? This is why I stopped working for you." I spat.
"Yet you're working for me again. I told you there is no discussion. I expect to have the information by tomorrow." Mycroft said sternly.
"You are going to force me to do this?" I asked sadly.
"You are working for me, you were fully aware of what that work would entail." He dismissed.
"I am your sister, I am not some common prostitute you can hire." I pleaded.
"There is nothing more to discuss, Persephone." Snapped Mycroft, he was losing his temper with me.
"You can't force me to do this, Mycroft please, please don't make me do this." I begged.
"We are done here." Shouted Mycroft. I flinched at his tone. I nodded fighting back tears that threatened to fall.
"When and where do I need to be, sir?"
"The Pearl in Holborn at 7pm today." He answered.
"I'll report in at 03:00 hours." I replied automatically.
"Dismissed." Barked Mycroft.
"Sir." I nodded. I quickly turned and left. I went back to my desk and grabbed my coat and bag. I glanced at the time; it was already 4:30.
I hailed a cab and was on autopilot. I walked into my flat, throwing clothes across my small room as I went to shower and pretty myself up. I cried as the water hit my skin. The consequences of not doing this weren't worth contemplating. I dried my hair, curled it and put it into a complicated and elegant up-do. I couldn't look myself in the eye as I put my make-up on. I picked out a beautiful dress. It was long and elegant, yet seductive and revealing. The long black skirt hugged my waist and hips, showing off my curves. The gold metallic top hung loose and appeared backless. I looked at myself. I looked the part and I could act the part. Inside I would be dying, but the show must go on.
I pulled out a fur bolero to keep me warm and hailed a cab. Every second I drew closer I felt my heart break. I arrived at the restaurant and was directed to the bar. I ordered a glass of champagne and quietly sipped my drink, watching the people filling the room. There were businessmen, lovers, affairs, friends and enemies. I could read every touch and gesture, every glance and little secret. No person should have this ability as it taints everything beautiful. I saw my target enter the restaurant from the hotel above. It was time to get to work.
Mycroft Holmes sat in his office. He thought about his earlier conversation with Percy. Her defiance had been most irritating. The sentiment in her life caused her to become difficult and unruly. He picked up his phone and dialed. It was time to end these affairs of the heart and get back the asset he'd put so much effort into.
"Miss Watson, we have a problem." Mycroft said quickly, a hint of panic in his voice.
"What?" Replied Angie, an air of defiance in her voice.
"Persephone is in trouble." He said quickly.
"What's wrong, is she okay?" Angie asked, her attention focusing as soon as she heard Percy's name.
"I don't know, I'm being given unclear details. We think she's being followed by one of Moriarty's operatives, who is armed and very dangerous. I am out of the country. I wouldn't ask, but you are the only person I can rely on." Mycroft asked softly, adding a shake of fear into his voice, that touch of desperation that could twist even the coldest of hearts.
"What am I supposed to do?" Angie asked quickly.
"You need to find her. She said she was meeting some friends at the Pearl Restaurant in Holborn. You need to warn her." Mycroft instructed.
"Alright, I'm on my way." Angie agreed. Mycroft smiled, his plan working seamlessly.
"I think it wise to take John with you." He added for good measure. The need for protection added to the danger.
"Alright." Angie agreed.
"Thank you Miss Watson. I knew I could rely on you and John." Mycroft said calmly. His voice laced with gratitude.
"Of course." Angie confirmed.
"Do keep me posted."
"I will."
Mycroft smiled. That had almost been too easy. He sat and waited for the chips to fall where they may. He knew that Percy would do everything in her power to shut off her emotions, she would focus on the work and she would be back to being truly useful. He'd never seen an operative so well suited to this work, so successful at acquiring the information he needed. All he had to do now was wait.
Angie Watson hung up. She looked worried and walked back into the living room. She looked at her brother sadly for a second before speaking.
"John, we need to go, Percy might be in trouble."
"What?! Okay. What's happening?" John replied quickly. Fear running through him.
"Uh, she might be being followed by one of Moriarty's men, he might try to...We just...we need to go warn her." Angie told him. John understood all too quickly the danger his lover was in.
"Oh God. Okay. Do you know where she is?" John asked. His need to gather information and plan was starting to take over.
"She's supposed to be meeting some friends at the Pearl Restaurant in Holborn." Angie told him.
"Really? She didn't mention it." John said confused. He took a deep breath. "Right, let's go. I promised her I would not let anything happen to her." John said firmly. He was a man of honour, who believed in keeping his promises.
"Right." Nodded Angie. "You should probably bring your gun." Added Angie.
"I agree." John went to his desk drawer, unlocked it, and out his Browning into his jacket pocket.
The Watsons went down into the street and hailed a cab. Angie told the cabbie where to go and they both sat in silence as the bustling streets streaked by. They arrived at the restaurant and looked around.
"I don't see her..." Angie said.
"Angie, we've got to find her. She has to be alright." John urged. He wouldn't let anything happen to Percy.
"John, she'll be fine. We'll find her." Angie said gently, placing a reassuring hand on his arms. They both continued looking around the large room. John scanned the bar, a woman wearing a revealing and beautiful dress turned, flirting with a man at the bar; he caught a glimpse of her back, the butterfly tattoo on her right shoulder blade, then she turned and he caught a glimpse of her face. It was Percy.
"Does anyone look suspicious to you? Wait, look at the bar." Indicated John.
"Is it Percy?" Asked Angie. She looked where John was looking; she saw Percy, dressed up and using her attractive form to her advantage.
"Tell me I'm not seeing this. He has his hands on my girlfriend." Asked John angrily. The man next to Percy was trailing his hand down her bare spine.
"John, just...just calm down." Soothed Angie, fearing what her brother might do. They watched in shock as Percy learned in close to the man and kissed him. Smiling at him, the man looked entranced.
"What is she doing? She...she just kissed him." Raged John, his voice rising.
"John, please don't make a scene." Begged Angie. Not wanting to alert the killer to Percy's presence.
"I have every right to when the woman I love is kissing another man." John argued. They watched as Percy leaned in close and whispered in the man's ear. She gave the man a sexy smirk and stood. She took his hand and he followed her. Any person with an ounce of common sense would be able to see what was about to happen.
"Where...Where are they going?" Stammered John, not wanting believe what he was seeing.
"It's not like that, she's probably just working for Mycroft..." Sighed Angie. Then she realised. Mycroft had set this up. "Oh, I swear, I'm gonna kill him." Spat Angie.
"What are you talking about? When does her work involve her kissing other men?" Asked John angrily. Still shocked and hurt by what he'd just witnessed. Angie sighed sadly,
"Sometimes...it's the only way for her to...get information." Angie informed him.
"No...I...I don't know what to think." He countered. He wouldn't believe it.
"I'm sorry. Come on; let's just go home." Angie said, gently guiding John back outside and back to Baker Street.
"Fine. Fine." John sighed. Not really understanding what had happened.
Angie got John home and helped him upstairs to bed. She waited up for as long as she could but she eventually made her way to Sherlock's room and fell into bed. Her last thought before she fell asleep was hope. Hope for her brother and her best friend.
October 19th
It was 2am. I had an hour before I had to report in. I untangled myself from the man's body. The engineer, as clever as he was, didn't know how to keep his computer password or files secure. He was also crap in bed. I found the necessary files, copied them onto a memory stick. I would give it to Mycroft when I reported in. It had been so easy to seduce him, to make him believe my lies. My stomach turned as I looked at the sleeping man. When would this depravity end? I quietly got dressed, keeping my bag and heels in my hand; I padded down to the reception desk and asked them to order me a taxi.
I told the cabbie to drop me outside Whitehall and I made my way inside. I swiped my ID and made my way up to Mycroft's office. I gave him the memory stick and left. I ignored his comments on my attire and said the bare minimum.
I walked back to my flat. The cold air biting at my skin felt oddly fitting. I didn't deserve comfort or care. It took me nearly an hour to get home, my heels hurting my feet. I stripped off and once again found myself crying under the scolding hot water. I scrubbed my skin until it was raw, wanting to wash off any trace of the night before. I felt dirty and cheap.
I changed into some baggy yoga bottoms and a sweatshirt. I wanted to hide my body. I noticed the light change outside. A new day had dawned. I felt unworthy to face it. I walked the short distance towards Baker Street and let myself in. John had given me a spare key. He said I had to stop breaking in.
"Anyone home?" I called out quietly, a part of me hoping that they would be gone so I didn't have to face to truth of my actions. I had to tell him. I had seen them enter the restaurant; I knew they'd seen me.
"Oh, hi." Said Angie surprised to see me.
"Hi." I said glumly.
"Long night?" Asked Angie scathingly.
"Something like that." I agreed. That moment John entered the room. I could feel my heart speed up with joy and almost stopped with the weight of previous night's betrayal.
"Ang..." John started, but stopped when he saw me. "Oh. Hello." He greeted, uncertain of how to react.
"Hello." I said quietly, I couldn't look at him.
"Do you want me to leave you two to talk?" Asked Angie.
"Umm..." Was all I could utter? I wanted her here, but I needed to do this alone, we needed to do this.
"Maybe you'd better." Nodded John. He stood staring at me. I finally found the courage to look up at John. Angie nodded at us both and left quietly. I looked back down at my hands.
"Exactly how often do you do...that?" John asked.
"Nothing I say is going to make it better." I whispered, my voice hoarse. I looked up at him. "I am sorry, so, so sorry."
"How many times have you done that kind of 'work' since we got together?" He asked, angrier than before.
"I haven't for nearly eight years. I didn't have a choice." I answered honestly.
"Really?" Asked John incredulously.
"I wouldn't...I didn't want to do it." I said in earnest. He had to believe me.
"You didn't have to do it."
"I did. You don't understand." I answered quietly. I felt hot tears falling down my face.
"Well, what am I supposed to do, just let you go off and sleep with other men?!" Asked John, still angry, but I could see his eyes soften.
"No, I can't ask you to do that. I don't want to lose you, but I...can't...I can't put you through this. My life isn't my own, it never has been." I stammered through my tears.
"You shouldn't have to live like that." John said, taking my hands in one of his and wiping away my tears with the other.
"I have since I was sixteen. I don't know any different." I admitted. John shook his head in disbelief.
"So what are we gonna do then?" John asked. I could se the sadness sin his eyes. I made my decision. I would never put John through this life; I couldn't bring that to him. I hated myself so much, how could I ask John to love a woman like me. I felt more tears fall, and I couldn't scream or sob, just silently weep.
"You're going to fall in love with someone else and be happy, and have everything you deserve." I gently touched John's cheek.
"And what about you?" He asked, looking at me with sorrow filled eyes.
"I don't matter." I whispered.
"That's not true." John defended kissing my forehead.
"John you're too good to be with the likes of me. Forget me, I beg you." I said. I stood quickly, but John grabbed my hand. He sighed.
"Percy..."
"Don't." I said, kissing him one last time. "Move on and be happy." I said quietly and ran.
Angie heard the front door slam. She re-entered the living room and saw John just staring into space.
"Everything okay?" Angie asked.
"I don't know." He replied lifelessly.
"What happened?" Asked Angie, coming to sit next to her brother.
"She left me. She doesn't want to put me through any more heartache. She told me to forget her, to move on." John answered. He looked so lost.
"Oh...Do you want to?" Asked Angie shocked.
"I was finally happy, content. Is there something wrong with me? They always leave me." John questioned.
"No, don't think that. You just haven't found the right girl for you yet. There's nothing wrong with you." Angie soothed.
"Angie I'm nearly forty." John moaned.
"So you got started with the dating scene a bit late, you were in Afghanistan! And...Sherlock didn't exactly help. But you will find someone." Angie consoled.
"I guess. I finally thought I'd found her. I was going to ask Percy...it doesn't matter now. Did you know she's had to do that since she was only sixteen? She was forced..." John trailed off getting angry. "Dammit all. Just sod it, sod all of it."
"I'm sorry..." Said Angie, hugging her brother to him. John shrugged her off and stood.
"You didn't do anything. I'm going out, I'll be back when I'm back." John said sullenly.
"John, please...don't do anything rash." Begged Angie, fearing john would go after Percy or worse Mycroft.
"I won't, I just need to go for a walk." John answered and left melting away into the darkness.
