Chapter 14

Panting, Sally sat up and opened her eyes to look around the room.

Everything was okay. Just another nightmare, she told herself and sunk back into the pillows, looking at Mycroft who was still asleep, thank god. She hated to wake him with things like this. They were just silly dreams.

Turning around she looked at the clock on the bedside table and saw she barely had slept 4 hours.

Great.

Having these dreams it felt a bit like she was a little girl again. Back then when the abuse had happened she hadn´t slept as well, always scared he would come to her room once more. And even later when he was gone the nightmares had been normal for her for quite a while.

After a few years though and after regular talks to her best friend they had been nearly gone.

Until her and Sherlock had seen their tormentor again last year.

At least this time they had defeated him, she had told herself and she had been right: the dreams slowly became better. And then Moran happened. From then on she had dreamed nearly every night.

Just like now. Only this time Svenson had been featured as well- as if she hadn´t had enough people she could have nightmares of already. Shaking her head at herself Sally decided to get up as she knew she wouldn´t find more sleep right now anyway. She was still too riled up from the dream.

Restless.

That, and she felt even more icky than before which made her decide she would shower first and then try to sleep again. Maybe the warm water would calm her somewhat and make her feel more human- it wasn´t like it hadn´t helped before.

Tiptoeing towards the door she made sure she wouldn´t wake Mycroft. Of course Myc had told her to wake him if she had bad dreams again, because he wanted to be there for her, but Sally wouldn´t if she could help it.

They were just dreams. There wasn´t any real danger.

Her brain was just stupidly replaying bad memories every night, so she wouldn´t let these memories let steal Mycroft´s sleep as well.

Especially in nights like this one, when he desperately needed to rest.

Because who knew which political crisis or dangerous thing he would have to deal with tomorrow? It wasn´t like that Mycroft´s job paused when some idiot decided it was good to attack them again.

No really, Sally knew she could deal with this alone. Just a nice long shower to get down from thedream and then she would crawl into bed again and sleep some more. She could do that.

Turning on the shower in the bathroom, she stepped under the spray after putting out a towel and another shirt and shorts for her to sleep in. The warm water felt wonderful as it ran down her back and she reached for the soap as suddenly her world tilted.

It was dark.

Laughter.

She couldn´t move. The taste of blood was prominent on her tongue. They must have hit her again, she thought and tried not to panic.

Expecting to hear and see Moran any second now, she crouched down to hide and -

She had to get out of here. They-

Moran couldn´t get her again...

What if...

Then suddenly she was grabbed, arms around her, pinning her.

A voice.

The world tilted into focus again and all of a sudden there was Mycroft.

"Calm down, Sal. It´s all right. You´re safe."

Holding her breath she looked around and knew he was right.

Safe.

In their bathroom. The shower and...

"You must have slipped and hit your head on the faucet." Mycroft deduced and now she felt the sting at the right side of her head, just below her hairline.

"It´s all right. Just a small bump. Anthea is getting an ice pack." he went on further and Sally couldn´t help but to feel embarrassed.

A flashback.

Stupid, silly little memories. Impacting her. Again.

"I´m sorry." she said, sounding small and broken even to herself, and Myc only looked at her sadly before trying to take her into his arms once more. This time she let him.

"You have nothing to be sorry for."

#

It had taken another hour to calm down and for both of them to shower. John had taken a look at her small bump and declared her lucky and the injury superficial. She was glad because no way she would have gone back to hospital right now.

After that they had had a small breakfast then they went to the Yard to get Sherlock. Anthea had indeed worked her and Mycroft´s magic and now the Yard (and later in the afternoon the world) believed that the video had been tampered with.

Sally was really grateful that this worked, even though she didn´t like to manipulate evidence like this. Nevertheless Moran hadn´t been an innocent man and Sherlock had acted when he was still in shock. No jury would deem him fully responsible after what Moran had done to them. And even if there hadn´t been a trial: the damage done with the video had been more than enough in addition to what Moran had done, Sally thought, and shuddered.

At least the world wouldn´t get to know that part. Being branded a victim like that was hard enough in front of the few people that did know who had seen the feed. She didn´t want strangers to look at her like that and Sherlock thought the same, she was sure of that.

Nevertheless they would work through this. In the end they had won. Not Svenson, Moran or Moriarty.

When they entered the Yard, Sherlock had just been let out of the cell and was sitting in Lestrade`s office. He looked as tired as she still felt but smiled at them. Greg, to Sally´s surprise was back again as well, as was Anderson and she wondered if both of them had slept at all as she had just seen them about 7 hours ago.

While they all settled down in Lestrade`s office as they still had to wait for Sherlock´s discharge papers, she was surprised when Anthea led Anderson into the office and then closed the door.

"Mr. Anderson." Mycroft nodded at him. "Anthea was just about to fill us in on Mrs. Svenson and I thought you might want to hear it as well."

A nod and Anderson settled down on a chair next to Sherlock of all places, who strangely said nothing for once. Sally had to grin at this. Wonders never ceased apparently.

"Anthea?" Mycroft now nodded at his assistant and the woman did as she was told.

"Mrs. Ella Svenson, 34 years old, born in Scotland. Lost her parents at 3, went into the foster system, where she met Moran. They shared a room together at the Glasgow children´s home at one point, but we couldn´t find any other records connecting them. Despite a few minor charges like shoplifting she went to the police and then joined the MI6 7 years ago. Her supervisor said she did everything by the book. Never showed any signs of not being committed to the cause."

"And yet she was friends with Moran?" That was John, who like Sherlock, looked deep in thought about all this.

"Yes, we believe so. As Moran was Moriarty´s right hand she must have been their insider into the MI6. Since she went in so long ago it was only caught now. We thought that if Moriarty had intel into the MI6 it must have been someone younger, someone easy to manipulate, who had just joined. The Glasgow branch checked her a few times but according to them nothing ever came up." She huffed at that, clearly not happy by the work done by her colleagues and Sally thought the same. Somuch for the all knowing intelligence agency.

"Anyway, we searched her flat and came back with a few things, including something which looks like a diary. We only started to analyze it, but according to it she was in love with Moran, who didn´t reciprocate her feelings. She also did not like Moriarty but helped him because Sebastian Moran talked her into it."

"So she was a crazy bitch in love? That´s it?" Sally couldn´t help but groan and Anthea smiled at her outburst.

"Essentially, yes. At least she didn´t have any accomplices from the looks of it. She was resourceful cause she worked as agent, but she was a loner, except for her desire for Moran. So far it looks like there aren´t any more threads. She and Moran seem to have been the very last of Moriarty´s people, but of course we´ll keep on checking, just in case."

"Small mercies." John commented and laughed at Sherlock´s huff. "Yes, Sherlock, I want to be optimistic for once. I hope we have seen enough of Moriarty´s crazy network forever."

"Well, at least now we know how Moran fled the MI6 headquarters a few months ago." Anderson intercepted and Mycroft nodded.

"Yes indeed. The supervisors have been informed of this and there will be a thorough investigation on how this all could have happened. I believe a few heads will roll." Mycroft smiled at this and Sally nearly had to laugh at the gleam in his eye. Her lover clearly would have a say in this as well which wasn´t a surprise since Svenson had killed two of his team. Samson had even been killed right in front of them as the dose in the epi pen had been lethal immediately.

The other agent, Rowling from the shift before, had been found dead in his car trunk in the street. They were still reconstructing how that had happened. "But I wanted to take the time and thank everyone in this room again for making sure Svenson didn´t prevail." Mycroft continued and turned to Lestrade who nodded.

"No need to thank me. I was just protecting my friends."

Anderson looked a bit humbled as Mycroft turned to him. "Mr. Anderson if I can do anything..."

The forensic expert waved him off. "What Greg said. I was just looking out for my friends and colleagues of sort."

Sally saw Sherlock´s lips twitch at the "of sort" but again the consulting detective didn´t say anything. Maybe he was really tired?

It was just moment that Anderson´s cellphone rang and he answered it. "I have a crime scene. You lot go home. Most of you still look like you partied through the night and not in a good way I might add."

And with that he was off. Greg was shaking his head at Mycroft´s expression. "Yeah he is getting cocky because he is not scared anymore, Mycroft. That´s normal behaviour for him. He means well, though."

"I believe so. But he was right, we could need a bit of rest including you inspector. I took the liberty of arranging 2 free days for you and Sally, after the press conference that is."

It was just that moment that a young sergeant came with the papers and soon they were on the way towards 221b. Since the press would only be notified in afternoon at the press conference they would at least get there in peace, Sally thought. Part of her wanted to help Lestrade face the questions but her boss had told her he would be all right. "Sally, I have faced the press alone in the past." he had said and then spoken to Mycroft and Anthea again, who in no doubt had set everything up already.

Maybe they were right. It was good to finally get a breather.

#

John Hamish Watson was tired. Or maybe he was just getting old and feeling these nights of fighting crime and evil baddies more, either way- he was glad the thing with Svenson was over.

Keeping an eye on Donovan and Sherlock especially he hoped they would get some rest now which they desperately needed after all this. Hell, he was glad that Sherlock was finally here again.

A few minutes ago they had arrived at 221b and while Mycroft was still giving orders to Anthea outside, he had promised Mrs. Hudson to help her with the scones and the coffee she had made for them. Sally and Sherlock were already upstairs while Lestrade was trying to find a parking space somewhere. Just as he had taken the plate of scones he wandered upstairs and stopped in front of the door.

"You look tired." Sherlock said inside and John had to grin at Sally´s brusk but obviously well meaning "Look who´s talking."

They were silent again and John was about to walk in as Sherlock spoke again.

"How are you really?"

A sigh. "I don´t know. I just don´t want to talk or think about it okay?"

Sherlock´s answer was just a "Hm."

Silence once more. Maybe he should go inside after all? But then there was still a chance of them needing some time alone. They needed to talk in John´s opinion. Especially after Sherlock had just ran off after the whole disaster.

"You know..."

Sherlock again.

"... yes I know I can talk to you. Normally that´s my line, you know?" Sally huffed but there was a smile in her voice. "I..." She stopped and let out a long, noisy breath as if to take some courage. "You don´t have to worry. I will talk when I need to. Hell, the others already tried, you know? And yes, you all want to help but I first have to deal with it alone. It´s the way I am."

John expected another "Hm." to this but...

"How about you start with stopping to blame yourself."

She... okay now a lot of things made sense to John.

"I´m not..."

John could practically imagine the look Donovan was receiving from Sherlock now, even though he couldn´t see it as the door was only open a tiny crack.

"How did you?"

And now he could imagine Sally shaking her head.

"Deducing bastard."

Okay he hadn´t expected that. It sounded angry and he wanted to go in and prevent the fight as...

"Stubborn bitch."

That seemed to rile Sally up again and her voice grew a bit louder.

"Look who´s talking! You´re the one who ran off like a scared goat."

"Overthinking damsel!"

"Huh? What? I`m not a damsel."

"No. You are not. That´s the point actually. "

A small laugh from Sally. Then: "No, I´m not." Before John could hear them both laughing silently.

"You´re still a stubborn git, though." Sally said, albeit with affection and Sherlock´s "Likewise." Sounded the same.

John could hardly stop laughing himself as he realized the two of them still threw "pet names" at each other like they had at crime scenes so long ago. "Maybe some things would never change," he thought and decided to finally go in, nodding at Mycroft who was now standing behind him, listening to the conversation as well.

When he entered the flat Sally was sitting in his chair in front of the fireplace, looking rather spent while Sherlock had settled down on the couch.

"Listening in on us?" Sally teased and John choose to say nothing to this while he started to get coffee cups and plates for everyone. He wasn´t surprised as Mycroft choose to say nothing as well, but knew that the words everyone wasn´t speaking were just as clear.

Sherlock had been right, Sally needed to stop blaming herself for what had happened. And he needed to stop running, like Sally had said. And they knew everyone in the room would help them with that.

They had to, right?

#

John couldn´t tell if there had been noise or if it had been just plain intuition that woke him, but he immediately realized he was alone in bed. Sitting up he looked around and choose to wander into the living room.

It was there where he found his Sherlock, standing in front of one of the windows, looking out, deep in thought. The press that had been there that evening had been long gone as they had chosen to give a statement. But who knew if they´d be back tomorrow if they couldn´t find someone else to report about? John sincerely hoped not, since he wished for some peace for once.

"Sherlock? You all right?" he asked, walking up to the consulting detective.

"Of course I am John. Some people simply need less sleep than others. "

John couldn´t help but smile at this. Stubborn git. Sally had been right. Nevertheless he (- and her) would only talk when they wanted to. There was no making them do this, but he´d be there once Sherlock would open up.

But apparently now wasn´t the time.

"It´s a waste of time anyway. I have been behind with my experiments and Lestrade gave my some cold cases weeks ago that I should have been..."

Yeah right. It was then that John decided to stop his boyfriends ramble by simply turning him around and kissing him. Sherlock seemed to be surprised for a second, but then he kissed back and John thanked whatever power there was in the heavens for small mercies.

And it was surprisingly easy to urge Sherlock to more kisses as the consulting detective seemed to melt against John soon thereafter. He was probably not the only who had missed this, John guessed, and let his hands wander under Sherlock´s shirt.

A moan was another indicator that he was right and he smiled into the next kiss before both of them had to get some breath again.

"So you coming back to bed?" he asked, half tugging his boyfriend towards the bedroom already.

"I told you, I don´t need any more sleep..." Sherlock started but another kiss followed before the consulting detective could speak further.

"Who said anything about sleeping?"

Before Sherlock could even say anything to this John let his hand travel into Sherlock´s pants where he found him half hard already.

"Well it seems you agree with me."

Sherlock snorted at this but didn´t put up any more resistance and soon thereafter they fell down on their bed kissing again. What followed was the two of them getting lost in each other, just feeling for once.

In the end John wasn´t surprised when Sherlock was the first to fall asleep soon after, convinced the consulting detective had been bone tired anyway. So John simply snuggled up to him, enjoying the moment of hearing the man whom he loved sleep and snore slightly, finally safe in his arms.

#

Another day gone, Sally could hardly believe it. Luckily she had escaped the press all day, thanks to the good organisation of Anthea. A few reporters had turned up at 221b and bothered the neighbours there, but after Sherlock had given a statement even they had gone.

If that had been because they had reported everything they wanted or if it had been Mycroft´s work she simply didn´t care this time.

It was over.

Finally.

Svenson and Moran could rot in their graves and so could Moriarty, damn it!

Finishing up with rinsing her mouth she put the toothbrush away and wandered into the bedroom where Mycroft was already waiting. It felt so good to simply snuggle up to her lover for a little while without having to worry about assassins or some world crisis. Mycroft seemed to enjoy that as well if the long kisses and his wandering hands were anything to go by and Sally moaned as he found that spot on her neck which made her go crazy.

They were just about to go further as Mycroft´s mobile started to ring. Mycroft grimaced as he reached for the phone and Sally could agree. So much for a little bit of peace.

Thankfully it didn´t take long as only 2 minutes later Mycroft rang off again.

"That was Anthea. Apparently Mrs. Tumbleton died in her sleep today. She went to bed right after she was brought back from the Yard but never woke up. They think her heart gave out."

Sally simply shook her head, out of words at what to say about this. What the hell? There´d had been so many questions she had wanted to ask her old neighbour after John told her the story of how she had showed up at the Yard.

Mycroft seemed a bit out of words himself, but took her into his arms and she snuggled up to him once more.

"I ... how? I mean, I wanted to ask her so many things that...?" She stopped again. This was beyond weird, right?

Mycroft seemed to think similar for once.

"Sometimes life works in weird ways, I guess."

Sally huffed at this.

Mycroft guessing? That was new.

Nevertheless maybe there were really more things between heaven and earth than even Mycroft could comprehend.

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So yep that was the last chapter- only an epilogue left. Hope you guys enjoyed the ride... we´ll see if I ever write more...

Thanks goes to seven percent for betaing again and to you guys for reading and especially to the ones commenting!