Chapter eleven: Drowning in Darkness

The moment we got back from Agra, Mycroft was at the airport with the children, Sherlock's parents, a doctor and an ambulance. Sherlock, insisted on carrying me all the way to the ambulance, depositing me in the back before planting a kiss on my forehead and hurrying off! I endured all the poking and prodding from the doctors, but as I suspected, John had done a good job patching me up and I was dismissed from the hospital.

Molly and Charles actually dropped in on me to see how I was and to offer to watch the children. However, Mrs. Hudson insisted on supervising all four of them, she loved it. Molly and Charles were actually engaged now, which was a lovely thing. I'd put Charles's heart through the ringer as Sherlock had done to Molly for years, so, it was almost appropriate that because of Sherlock and I that they were able to find each other. They were a good couple and would make each other far happier than Sherlock or I ever could have.

My phone rang, informing me that it was Sherlock calling to check in on me, again. Honestly, at times that man was a bigger child than our children were! He's called me several times already, making sure everything was alight.

I picked up the phone. "Hello darling. I hope you have a problem because I'm fine."

He exhales. How did you know?

"I just guessed." I nestled under the blanket on the couch, being careful not to jar my shoulder. "Where are you?"

Vauxhall Bridge. He exhales deeply. Something's not right.

I figured, otherwise you wouldn't be calling me."

Well, I could be calling you to have phone sex. I rolled my eyes. But I'm not sure if the kids are near you or not.

"Well, I never put the phone on speaker Sherlock because I never know what's going to come out of your mouth." He laughs lightly. "Most of the time…it's fairly pleasurable or entertaining"

Did you know that the first time we kissed? He questioned as I flashed back to our rather forced kiss. Well, somewhat forced. That kiss told us that we loved each other.

I smiled as I reached for my water. "Yes, I remember it very clearly. You ruined my dress."

Well, it kinda worked out in the end. It was also the first time I saw you naked. I choked and blushed. The mirror.

"God, Sherlock!" I rubbed my neck. "You say the damndest things at times."

And you love it.

"Maybe I did, but back to business, please." I cleared my throat. "You've piqued my curiosity; it's been a while since you've asked for my help. So, what feels wrong? Is it lady Smallwood?"

Yes, she's innocent. He exhales. So, clearly, we've missed something. But, you don't seem too surprised.

"I never thought lady Smallwood capable of being a traitor. She's like the female version of Mycroft." Sherlock let out a groan. "I know, it's not a pleasant thought."

That's a rather horrifying thought.

"I think they'd make a cute couple."

Now you're making me sick.

"Well, you can't say it wouldn't be possible. They're around the same age and both have the same work ethics and sense of style. I daresay she can keep up with Mycroft and keep him guessing."

Tammy, he sounded distraught. I need to unsee them as a couple in my head now!

"Sorry darling, but you brought up nudity first. But, I'll be the more mature adult and I'll focus on your call now."I hear him mutter something, but chose not to ask him about it. He's a little irritated, I can sense that. "So, whoever alerted the terrorists, they had to be connected to lady Smallwood, someone close to her." Sherlock makes a sound, but I dismiss it as I continue. "Someone who she'd trust…but could never suspect. This is one of those, 'person you'd least suspect' moments. Someone probably so small and insignificant that they wouldn't pose a threat to anyone."

I've got it!

"What?"

I'll call you back.

"Wait!" I shout, my voice causing the kids to run in. And like that, he hangs up on me. Oh you! I hate you sometimes!" I groan and look at my children, who've all picked that moment to enter the room. "If you two weren't present, I'd be cursing now."

"Daddy causing trouble again?" Linda asks.

I chuckle as I pull myself up from the couch. "Not really."

"You shouldn't get up now." Sherlock Jr. stated matter-of-factly. "You should get some rest, relax and allow your body to heal."

I pause and eye him. "How much did your dad pay you to say that?"

He swallows before saying. "5 pounds."

I laugh. "5 pounds?"

"He first offered 5 quid, but I told him that if I was going to be telling you what to do, I'd be in trouble, so, he needed to pay better."

I chuckled. "Are you sure you two are four going on five and not fifteen?"

Sherlock Jr. nodded. "I'm sure."

"Ok, now, can you two go find Mrs. Hudson? I need to talk to your father, which means, I've got to go find him."

"But, then I won't get my money!" Sherlock Jr. protested.

"I'll take you both shopping and your father will pay for it." I reached for my phone and dialed Sherlock. He didn't pick up. So, after trying him twice more, I finally dialed Mycroft. I needed to know what was going on. This case had so much surrounding it and Sherlock had been under stress for so many months that I needed to be present for it ending. "Where are you meeting Sherlock?" I asked as soon as he picked up the phone.

What? He sounds astonished. How did you-

"Never mind how I know. Where is he headed?"

Sea Life London Aquarium inside County Hall.

"Thank you, I'll see you there."

No, you can't-

And I hang up on Mycroft, head to my closet, and select an old, beige dress. To be honest, I'm not sure why I had to go where Sherlock was. I'd been shot, my shoulder was killing, but some great force was propelling me to go forward. It was as if something horrific was going to happen.

The aquarium was surprisingly deserted, but then it was near closing time. I met Mycroft and a crew of officers outside. Mycroft clears his throat. "Tammy, you shouldn't be out of bed."

"Room with the sharks." I declare. "He'll be there."

"Fine." He sighs and we walk briskly towards the shark display, with Mycroft leading me. I try not to feel uneasy, but it's a weird feeling of animals trapped behind glass, especially fish. Their eyes always creeped me out, they always looked lifeless. "Nervous?"

I shake my head. "Something's wrong Mycroft. I don't know what. Sherlock hung up on me mid phone call and I've got this horrible feeling in my stomach."

"What kind of feeling?"

"The feeling I felt," I paused for a moment as I tried to place it. "when I saw Sherlock jump off the room."

My words spurned Mycroft to move faster. The halls are even more eerie with the creepy lights and a sense of tension made this trip less desirable. It was as if we were drowning in this bizarre, deep blue darkness. I clutched my shoulder, keeping pace with Mycroft as we neared the shark display.

"So yes, I say jealousy was your motive after all," I recognize Sherlock's quick fire tone, informing me I've missed another one of his deduction sections. I've got a sick feeling that maybe Sherlock's tongue got the better of him and he pushed her too far. I'm not sure why, she seems calm, but that's never a good sign. "to prove how good you are," at that point Mycroft and I enter the room. "to make up for the inadequacies of your little life."

"Well, Mrs Norbury," Mycroft sighs as we observe it's the secretary that Sherlock's drilling. Mary is standing beside him and she looks worried. We briefly hold eye contact for a moment before turning back to Sherlock and Vivian. "I must admit this is unexpected."

"Vivian Norbury, who outsmarted them all," Sherlock drawls out sarcastically. "all except Sherlock Holmes." everyone slowly starts to move forward slowly. Sherlock speaks softly as he holds his hand out to her. "There's no way out."

"So it would seem." She smiles a little. "You've seen right through me, Mr. Holmes."

"It's what I do."

I frown, the tension in the air is wrong. "Sherlock," I breathe out. "enough."

The woman tilts her head to the side. "Maybe I can still surprise you." She raises her arm, revealing she's got a gun, which she's now aiming at my husband.

My heart flies up in my throat as Greg takes a step forward. "Come on now." He reasons with her. "Be sensible."

The woman hesitates for a moment before saying. "No, I don't think so."

The moment she fire the gun, my heart stops in my chest. I gasp and cover my mouth as everything unfolds in slow motion for me. I can see the bullet heading straight for his chest and a cry comes from my lips. Sherlock moves, stumbling to the side and I reach for him only to be hindered by Mycroft. It's only when Mary falls to the ground do I realize that she's shoved Sherlock out of the way…taking the bullet herself.

"Surprise." Vivian practically sneers at us.

I'm vaguely aware of Greg and the other officers disarming Vivian as Sherlock and I instantly hurry to Mary's form. Sherlock reaches her first and instantly begins to press on the wound. I grab her hand and she squeezes it tightly, whimpering in pain as Sherlock tries to keep her calm. "Everything's fine. It's gonna be okay." He turns towards Mycroft and orders. "Get an ambulance!"

"It'll be fine Mary," I assure her even though I'm sure I'm lying to her. "John's on his way, he'll take care of you." it's at that moment John runs in the room. "He's here Mary." The look on John's face made me sick to my stomach and a small part of me told me that Mary was dying and there was nothing anyone could do.