Ciara sat patiently as time ticked by. The world outside was calm and the buzz of the early traffic rush had dissipated since she had arrived at 221B. Now, she was waiting for the younger Holmes brother to say something about her taking up residence in John's old room. He was deep in thought. When first she came in, he was confused. He immediately recognised her from the evening before, on a date with none other than his brother. He would have liked to think she was coming to him for help on escaping from his brother, or even more fun in the event that his brother had been abducted. Oh he would have welcomed her with much enthusiasm if she dropped that sort of treat in his lap. Instead, she came to inform him of an agreement she had reached with Mrs Hudson, who failed to inform him of such. Wasn't it a legal obligation for him to be given notice? What a nuisance. He wasn't quite sure how he felt about it all. He had intended on keeping John's rom unoccupied in the event that he would ever return and their old life would resume. But with Mary and Rosie, a new chapter had begun for his friend, and he would just be holding onto the memories, gathering dust so as not to tarnish their authenticity or times gone by.
And yet, there was an even more chapter waiting to begin sitting right in front of him. A female who had gone on a date with Mycroft Holmes. He had accompanied her into the apartment and made an attempt to introduce her, but Sherlock had been trying his best to get under their skin, making it clear that he didn't want either of them there. This woman had turned her back to Sherlock, asked Mycroft to leave and silently stared until he sighed and obeyed. That was odd. Mycroft did the ordering, not the submitting. And even on the rare occasion that he submitted, he did so with a fight and dignity. Now, he simply didn't seem bothered with being on the other end if the stick. Oh, his brother was whipped! How long had it taken this sorceress to gain control over such a powerful man. Mycroft was just about to exit when he halted and gave Sherlock a tense look.
"I expect you to behave yourself and give her your full attention, brother mine" he said, picking up his umbrella and striding out. Sherlock said nothing, turning on his heel and plopping down into his armchair, lost in his thoughts. Ms Murphy, meanwhile slowly made her way to sit on the settee. She then proceeded to explain the situation in a calm and collected tone, though she may as well have been screaming, for Sherlock cared little for the 'why's and more for the 'how's.
She didn't appear to be mentally unstable. She clearly didn't work with him from the nature of the past encounter and the way she was dressed. Long hair, not tied back, jeans and a short sleeved blouse. Very casual wear so she didn't invest much interest in maintaining appearances. Slim build, so relatively active and health conscious-
"Okay, I can see that you're doing your mental exercises and such, but I'm afraid I'll be cutting that short. I'll be moving some things in over the next day or two and hopefully will be officially settled in here by Friday. I promise to do my best not to interfere with you line of work, I just ask that you respect that when I am in my room, I do not want to be disturbed. I know you'll have your usual curiosity so I'm not going to forbid you from raiding it when I'm not occupying it" she said, getting up and heading out the door. She was just at the top of the staircase about to descend when he leapt off his chair and glided to stand in the doorway.
"How is it that my brother is interested in you?".
"That is for you, him and I to figure out" she retorted without missing a beat. She bid Mrs Hudson a goodbye to her way out and left Sherlock to seek out his violin and begin to try and phantom what could possibly arouse Mycroft's liking for another person, let alone one of the primarily nurturing hormone-driven sex. They came from relatively affectionate parents, so he wasn't compensating for anything. He had been functioning just fine hitherto on his own. What changed? Wait! This was all too convenient. With John gone, his brother was now planting someone to keep an eye on him, make sure he didn't do anything erratic like taking drugs or who knows what. But if she was a spy, then Mycroft would not have been so blatant about bringing her into his home, let alone allowing her to take charge of the situation. Sherlock greatly dislike this. He needed Watson there to help him with this puzzle. Although John had taught him a great deal, he still often misunderstood things that possessed the illogical motives driven by complex emotions. Balancing probabilities Mycroft cared for both of them, and this would be a convenient way of having them both looked after. Sherlock would just have to wait and see what was so special about this woman. Or…..
He pulled out his phone and sent a text to John saying that he had the most interesting and difficult case of the year and to hurry over. He knew he need not say anymore as John had been busy with his practice up until recently and asked to only be contacted about cases if his help was truly vital. And Sherlock believed this one would baffle the doctor as it did him the previous evening. 23minutes later, a cab pulled up outside and John rushed in, slightly out of breath from the climb and adrenaline.
"What's the case?"
"Mycroft and a woman"
"Okay. So government business? What does she represent?"
"No, John. I mean, Mycroft involved with a woman"
"….You mean he had dealings with her?"
"I mean, he went on a date with her. For fun. And now she's going to be living here in your old room"
"Wait, what?! Mycroft is seeing someone?"
"You're making me repeat myself" Sherlock sighed, exasperated. John let out a laugh of disbelief. Hell must have frozen over.
"She must be something. What do we know about her?" he asked, taking a seat in his armchair. Sherlock followed suit and sat across from him.
"Well, she works in a hotel. Middle aged, average height, relatively healthy. Sh-" his analysis was cut short by the sound of footsteps outside on the staircase. In walked the woman of the hour, carrying a few plastic bags with newly bought clothes. She stopped short on seeing that Sherlock was entertaining someone.
"Oh, I didn't realise you had company. Sorry, I'll just dump these in my room and be out of your way" she apologised. John stood up and smiled warmly.
"No trouble at all. I suppose you're taking my place at 221B? John Watson" he introduced, extending his hand to be shook. Ciara stopped and beamed, giving a firm handshake.
"Ciara Murphy, and I suppose you're hearing about my invading Sherlock's home courtesy of his brother's recommendations?" she chided. John laughed and shook his head.
"Actually, we're just trying to figure out how you and Mycroft…..ehrm, how do I put it-"
"How do we click?" she offered, smirking at how obviously baffled the dynamic duo were by Mycroft's regression to normal behaviour.
"Yes, that's what we're dying to know" Sherlock chimed in, reminding the two that he was still present. John gestured for Ciara to join them and they sat down together in the sitting area.
"Well, I can't quite pin point myself how it has come about. I guess just having sent a lot of time chatting with him and pulling strings at the hotel where I work to make his affairs go smoothly is really how I've gotten on his good side? Plus, the most recent development in our relationship started out more as a tease until he decided he wanted to experiment I guess?" she seemed to question the last part herself. John and Sherlock were scrutinising her closely. John could not get over how ordinary she was. Sherlock however, was that bit more perceptive as usual.
"You haven't always worked in the hotel business. What was you previous occupation?" he asked, leaning forward in his seat. Ciara nodded approvingly, gazing at the floor for a moment to gather her thoughts before she continued.
"Correct, I was formerly a forensic psychologist, but after diagnosing Jim Moriarty with antisocial personality disorder aka as a psychopath, I was forced into early retirement for my own safety. I travelled for a bit and eventually settled on working as a maid in the hotel industry. It was through this line of work that I met your brother properly, and he eventually went on to landing me my job at the Flower Bed. As to our relationship progression, studies shpw that humans seek out affiliation for a variety of reasons. It can be for reducing uncertainty about oneself, the need for emotional support in times of stress or to gain attention and boost their self-esteem. With Mycroft, I would hypothesise that he has always tried to act as a sort of role model for you throughout his life. When you deviated from his image in befriending Dr Watson, he began to re-evaluate things and is renegotiating whatever form of cognitive dissonance he is experiencing about his attitudes towards interpersonal relationships" she explained at length, waffling on in the hopes that her theory made some bit of sense to her audience. "Now, I do hope that clears things up a bit more. I can feel you're still not satisfied with my explanation, but it'll have to do for now. Figure the rest out yourselves detectives and we can hopefully become fast friends. Can I get either of you a cup of tea?" she offered, making her way to the kitchen. John and Sherlock glanced at each other while she was out of sight, rummaging through the cupboards.
"Looks like you may just have yourself a house keeper" John joked, referring to her line of work. Sherlock smirked and his nostrils flared slightly as he laughed under his breath.
"And a shrink to boot" he replied softly, watching his new flat mate prepare their beverages with a newfound respect.