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Chapter 10

MURDERER STILL LOOSE ON THE STREETS OF NEW YORK!

Eight weeks had passed and the police and Sherlock had failed to find the killer or killers who murdered the Birch's. Sherlock had been going over the crime over and over, he was determined to find the killers, and that determination had only increased when another body turned up. Only a week after the two birch murders a homeless woman was found hanging in a warehouse close to the docks. She had been mutilated, tortured, and the second Sherlock laid eyes on the body he knew what the killer was. He wasn't just a killer, he thought himself an artist, but that wasn't all.

This killer didn't just kill out of spite. Everything he did seemed to be very deliberate very precise and that told Sherlock one thing; that the killers were doing this for something or someone. Maybe for each other, maybe for an unwilling victim or accomplice. Sherlock was sad to say that he didn't know enough, he needed more, and there was only one way he was going to get it. There would have to be more murders and Sherlock was haunted by that thought and scared of the murders that he would have to see to catch these people. But so far, he was left just looking at the case with no new victims. All the weeks passed, Sherlock didn't know what was going on. He had thought another murder would happen by now, but all had been quiet. It made him think there was something he was missing, but he couldn't see what. It made him hate himself because he was just sitting there waiting for someone to get killed and he couldn't do anything to stop it because he needed it to happen. Though he worked so hard it felt like he was trying to. Sherlock had hardly done anything, but work in the weeks that had passed. The crime scene photos were imbedded into his mind. He saw them at all times even when he wasn't looking at them. Even when he was training Kitty or sitting with Joan he had them hidden behind his eyes. He didn't sleep anymore because they were there. He knew from the look on Watson's face that she was worried. That she thought he was over worked, but he knew she also understood. He had to catch these people; this case had affected him more than any other had. If Joan didn't force him he wouldn't even be eating that was how bad it had gotten, but today was going to be different. Sherlock had promised Watson that much.

"Today I will forget the case. It will be just about us," Sherlock had promised kissing her forehead then her belly. Today was about them, their baby, and the family they were starting. They were going to see their baby today, have a sonogram, and then spend the day together just the two of them at home. There would be no Kitty, he wouldn't look at the case once; today was for them. Sherlock had promised that and he knew as he dressed that Watson would see to it that he kept it.

"Sherlock hurry up, we don't want to be late," called Watson from downstairs the excitement hidden in her voice, but still he could hear it. She couldn't wait to see their baby just like him. As she waited downstairs Joan couldn't help wondering into the dining room where all the case notes were scattered across the room. The crime scene pictures were there too. One stood out and picking it up Joan couldn't stop looking at it. There was Mrs. Birch, the victim Sherlock kept seeing as her, and as she saw all that had been done to that woman she understood his fear. What had been done to that woman was horrible, more so then she had ever seen before, and suddenly she was glad she hadn't been there. She didn't think she could have handled that crime scene and she had seen worse when she had been a doctor. For some reason Joan found she couldn't look away; not until a pair of strong arms suddenly held her.

"No looking at those today, remember," said Sherlock making her drop the photo her head turning to look at him. Their eyes met and nothing was said between them though both their excitement was clear. Today was the day and as Sherlock placed his hands over her belly Joan leaned in kissing him. Today they would see their baby.

"Yes, I know. We made a deal," said Joan taking his hand from her belly using it to lead him out of the house.

"Slow down, Watson. We'll get there, I promise," whispered Sherlock loving the excitement and the smile that wouldn't leave her face as he locked the door turning in time to have her wrap his arm around her as they hailed a cab. As they stepped inside Joan couldn't help, but feel like they were already a family.

"So, we never talked about this, but do we wanna know?" whispered Watson looking at him. As the taxi started moving he looked at her their eyes meeting and Joan could tell he hadn't really thought about it until that moment. And then she really looked into his eyes. There was a sparkle in them that told her that in that moment Sherlock realized that soon he was going to be a father.

"Do we?" said Sherlock holding her close as the car continued down the street.

"I don't know…a small part says no, but an even bigger part says yes. I mean we get to find out if we are having a son or a daughter…I can't decide. Do you want to know?" said Watson refusing to let her eyes linger from him.

"I feel the same way, Watson. I don't honestly know or know if I will until the moment finally comes," said Sherlock letting his belly brush over her belly making her smile as he leaned in kissing her soundly.

"It's up to you, if you want to know we'll know," whispered Sherlock as her hand covered his.

In that moment, their eyes met and slowly Watson nodded silently telling him that yes, she wanted to know.

"Then today we find out if we are having a son or daughter," said Sherlock with a single kiss to her temple.

"This is going to be great…and we can finally decide what color to paint the babies room," exclaimed Watson letting her excitement gush out making Sherlock smile down at her.

"Come on, sweetheart, let's hurry before you get too over excited," whispered Sherlock when the cab came to the stop and stepping out and into the hospital both walking quicker than they thought possible. They didn't have a long wait. Watson was taken to a too cold room and before she knew it the nurse had her laying on a table. Sherlock stood by her side his hand wrapped around hers both hearing their hearts beating as they waited for the doctor to come in.

"Are you hoping for a boy or girl, Watson. Or do you have a preference?" whispered Sherlock making her look up at him smiling. That smile made him bring her hand to his lips. He couldn't wait for the moment to come, to know if he would have a little girl to keep boys from or a little boy to keep from driving his mother crazy. He was scared too. What kind of father would he be?

"I don't care…what about you?" whispered Watson smiling as he kissed her forehead.

"No preference, I don't care about carrying on the family name or anything like that. I just want our baby to be happy and healthy," breathed Sherlock looking up in that moment. The doctor entered the room in that moment ending their moment with his none to silent approach. It was then that Sherlock felt his heart pounding, the moment was finally here.

"Are we ready?" said the doctor nodding as their nodded putting the cold goo on Watson's belly and then suddenly their it was; their baby right there on the monitor. For a moment, they couldn't take their eyes off the screen, off the little form growing inside of her, and then Sherlock looked down at his wife. Watson was crying all over herself her hands clutching his and ridding her of those tears he suddenly kissed her all over her face. As he did she found that he was doing the exact same thing and holding each other close they looked at the monitor once more.

"Do you have any idea how much I love you right now?" exclaimed Sherlock kissing her once more. Watson looked at him in that moment and nothing had to be said. This was officially the best moment of their lives. They had once just thought themselves lucky to simply have each other, but now they both realized all that had changed. Their whole lives in fact, for they would have a baby, and it would never again be just the two of them. Now from this moment forward they would be a family. They were only getting luckier. They wouldn't just have each other, they had their child. Their child, something special created from the love they shared. It was then that it happened again. The case invaded that moment, those same crime scene photos blasting through his mind, and closing his eyes Sherlock tried to shake them away. But it wasn't that easy. The crime scene photos flashed behind his eyes and then looking at Joan he could already see she knew what he was thinking. Touching his cheek, Watson merely stared at him as she tried to help him through this. Laying his head against hers they both closed their eyes waiting for those photos to leave. Watson knew as they did that this wasn't his fault he just couldn't help it now.

"What would I do without you?" whispered Sherlock opening his eyes once more peering down at her. Joan didn't respond only looking at him still and kissing his cheek only then did she look at the monitor again. Nothing would ruin this moment for her not even those damn photos.

"I promise to never let anything happen to you, Watson. You or our baby," whispered Sherlock making her look at him one last time; she already knew that.

"Do you want to know the sex?" asked the doctor breaking the silence that had built around them as they shared this moment.

"Yes, "said Sherlock and Watson together. They both stared at the doctor intently then waiting for him to say it.

"You're having a girl, congratulations," said the doctor giving them both a smile. In that moment, Watson cried more feeling as Sherlock held her.

"We're having a little girl," whispered Watson grabbing his hand.

"And she'll be as beautiful as you while at the same time as smart as me," exclaimed Sherlock making her laugh. That laugh was soon smothered away though when he kissed her hard on the lips making it quite clear to her just how happy he was. They would have a daughter. Soon he would have two little ladies to protect instead of one. They walked hand in hand out of the hospital afterward, Watson laid her head gently on his shoulder, and nothing was said.

"I love you," said Watson suddenly making him look at her.

"That's why I've been so worried about you. You've been working on this case so hard that I'm afraid you'll break. And I can't lose you now," exclaimed Watson her eyes begging him to understand where she was coming from in that moment as they entered a diner sitting down together.

"You don't need to be," said Sherlock kissing her hand as he sat down across from her.

"I am scared though, Sherlock. We're having a baby and I need you to be here with me. I know you must solve this, but I don't want it to mean I'll lose you. I can't…I love you too much…I love you," exclaimed Watson crying as she clutched at his hand. She looked deep into his eyes in that moment feeling as he touched her cheek with his other hand. She leaned into his touch and this time it wasn't just in instinct it was because she needed to know he was there. Sherlock stared at her for a long time. He wanted to tell her that that wouldn't happen. That there was no chance of that happening, but he knew he would be lying. He was losing himself to this case and even he knew that. And looking at her he saw that worry in her eyes.

"You won't. I will catch this killer, Watson, then it will all be over," said Sherlock wanting her to believe that even though he sometimes didn't.

"I know," whispered Watson with a smile that made him smile. She always had absolute faith in him. But what he didn't see was that she was still scared that before he did catch this killer she would lose him in the process. This case had turned into something extreme, an obsession, and the more he worked on it the more scared she became that he would lose himself trying to catch this monster. Watson couldn't help thinking in that moment that even though he found her replacement she would still have to do her job. The job she had taken so long ago, she would have to take care of him, and keep him on track. It would once again be her job to keep him from losing himself as she had done since the day they met.

"Alright, Sherlock. Just promise me you'll be careful and come to me if you need anything. Whether I'm pregnant or not I'm your partner, not Kitty, and if you need me I'll be there. We're a team after all," said Watson not letting him break eye contact as she spoke until kissing her hands she nodded. She still saw the deep reluctance he had to have her anywhere near this case, but looking into his eyes she saw he knew. He knew that she was right. Kitty would never be his partner; the only partner he would ever have was the one he called his wife. They were a team no matter what.

"I promise you, Watson," breathed Sherlock making her smile again when he made that promise.

"Thank you, sweetheart…now come over here," whispered Watson beckoning him closer to her side of the table. Sherlock quickly moved across the booth to her side and taking her into his arms they simply held each other.

Not another word was spoken between them after that. They left the diner in each other's arms until suddenly Watson's seemed to tighten around him. It made him look at her as they continued to make their way home.

"Let's walk home through the park," whispered Watson looking up at him as he wrapped his arms tighter around her too looking down at her.

"It'll take longer?" whispered Sherlock saying it more as a question. He didn't know why she would want to take the longer way home. But when she smiled up at him he had an idea why.

"Yeah that's what I want. I want to have this day with you without any distractions. I want it to be just you and me for a little while longer, so let's walk through the park. That way no one can bother us…not the way they can once we get home," said Watson slowly running her fingers down his chest. They stood there in the middle of the side walk as she waited for her answer, but Sherlock almost seemed reluctant to give one. He wanted to stay with her walking all over the city all day with her. If he didn't have that case to solve he couldn't help thinking that he would love to just spend every second of his life with her. Her and soon their baby girl.

"Watson, sometimes you truly amaze me," whispered Sherlock before crashing his lips down onto hers.

"You are right. We need some alone time," said Sherlock slowly as their lips parted making her smile. Watson was so happy in that moment she was nearly jumping up and down as she looked up at him accepting that as his answer. Suddenly they were moving again their hands intertwined. Watson let her head fall onto his shoulder as they entered central park. As they did she took a deep breath just breathing in the beauty around her and when she did she caught Sherlock watching her his smile almost hidden as she did this.

"I love you," whispered Watson quietly as they moved through the park feeling as he kissed her head in response.

"So…you excited. You're going to be a father to a beautiful baby girl?" said Watson suddenly feeling as he held her closer at the very mention of their baby.

"Of course, I am," breathed Sherlock turning her in his arms to pull her close his eyes boring into hers before he held her face in his hands gently kissing her.

Watson quickly laced her arms around his neck as he kissed her. It was not merely a little peck on the lips, no this was a kiss that if she didn't already know, would tell her just how he felt about her. It made her smile into that same kiss because suddenly she thought herself so silly. How could she have ever thought he would lose interest in her or stop loving her in any way? This man loved her and she would never doubt that again.

"I love you," said Sherlock as their lips parted laying his forehead gently against hers. Sherlock didn't move them to continue home in that moment as he stared down at her. Part of her wondered what he was thinking when he did that, but shaking her head she didn't dwell on it. She knew that somehow it involved her and how much he loved her.

"I couldn't be happier, Watson, but also more scared. I have no idea how to raise a daughter…at least with a son I would have had some idea, but now…now I'm clueless," whispered Sherlock leaning into her touch when she touched his cheek.

"Sherlock, I know what you're feeling. I'm scared too, but I know we'll be okay. After all we'll be doing it together," exclaimed Watson smiling up at him. She didn't move to kiss him then she knew that wasn't what he wanted in that moment. Instead she just held him close and as he did the same everything felt right. Just like it used to be.

Nothing else was said between them when they finally parted. After a moment, they started walking again hand in hand once more. They were completely content, so content that the closer they got to their home they failed to notice the police sirens that didn't seem so far away. Those same sirens only seemed to get closer the closer they got to the brownstone. They were so engrossed in each other they didn't even notice they were being followed by a man dressed all in black. But then they didn't notice anything. They only started to pay attention when they stepped onto their block finding that their path was blocked by a police barricade. A huge crowd of police was right in front of their home.

"Sherlock…what's going on?" exclaimed Watson both of them rushing to the front of the crowd quickly breaking through the barricade towards their home.

"Sherlock…what the hell is going on?" said Watson again clinging to him the closer they got to the chaos. This was so scary. They dealt with this type of stuff all the time, but never right in their own home. They tried to keep that one place for themselves especially when they found out about the baby. Now they had more than themselves to keep safe.

"I don't know, but there's detective Bell. He will know," said Sherlock holding her just as close as they approached the detective sitting on the stairs staring at something across the street making them follow his gaze.

"Sherlock," screamed Watson stumbling back nearly falling if Sherlock and the detective hadn't caught her Sherlock's own eyes wide.

"I was hoping the bodies would be moved before you guys got back," exclaimed Detective Bell moving to help Joan sit on the steps as Sherlock just stood there staring at the bodies. It had to be the same killers, the second he laid eyes on it he knew it was.

The killers had gone a step too far this time. They had left twelve bodies strung up across the street from his home. Twelve mutilated bodies for him and his wife to come home to. And staring at the bodies Sherlock felt cold inside when he realized why. This was a challenge. Sherlock looked at all of them for a long time before focusing on Watson again. Sitting next to her, Sherlock pulled her into his arms soothing her as she cried. This was the same group of killers, they had done this as a message to him, a dare to him. They knew he was on the case and looking at the bodies Sherlock knew they were daring him to catch them. And looking at Watson he knew that they were now in danger.