"To be honest, I was expecting more blood."
After four long months, Sherlock was back. He had just finished talking with John and Mary. He had interrupted John trying to propose to Mary. It didn't help Sherlock win John back over as his friend.
Lauren handed Sherlock a handkerchief. He wiped the blood from his mouth. John and Mary's cab pulled away and sped down the road leaving Lauren and Sherlock to stand there.
"I'm glad you find this all so amusing." He sniffed. He took the water bottle Lauren handed him and poured the water over the rag. Sherlock managed to get most of the blood.
"Only a little," she leaned against the building wall. "Of course, I expected with John's anger that you would have be carried away. He was very hurt when you died."
"What do you know of Mary?" Sherlock asked as he started walking. She followed thinking about her first impression. "Does she seen trustworthy?"
"You got the same sort of impression as I did, I take it?" Lauren wasn't too surprised. "I considered all the facts too. She's like a good person…however," she stopped seeing Sherlock nod.
"Yeah, I know."
"Are you going to ignore it?" Lauren grabbed his arm bringing him to a stop. "For John's sake, are you going to ignore it or not? Who knows? What if this will come back to bite us in ass?"
"I don't have all the answers, Lauren." He confessed. "I'll store it away till it becomes important." He started walking again and Lauren followed. "Mycroft needs me to get started immediately so I'll need your help."
"About that, Sherlock," Lauren said. "I have to talk to John. Maybe I could tell him what happened and try to convince him that it's all right and all that stuff."
Sherlock shook his head. "I need your help."
"No," Lauren insisted. "You need John. He's your best friend."
Sherlock finally agreed. "Fine, I'll get Molly to help me."
Lauren's eyebrow rose.
"I owe her a thank you. She did help me." Sherlock defended.
"I'd tell you but, I'm hoping you will notice before you say anything really stupid. I have asked you to be nicer to her. Sherlock," Lauren looked at him.
"I'm not going to manipulate her." He promised.
"That's not what I'm worried about." Lauren sighed. They walked the rest of the way in silence. Sherlock had things on his mind and Lauren had things on hers. So when they arrived at 221 Baker Street, she was half pay attention.
"Are you coming in?" Sherlock asked.
"What? No, I'm headed to Molly's. I've been there since I had to leave my old home." Lauren sadly thought of life before Egypt and California.
"When can I expect you with your things?" Sherlock asked.
Lauren turned to him alarmed. "So you were serious about me moving in."
"Of course, I was." He shrugged. "Now that John has got a girlfriend, I need someone to help pay rent." Lauren was about to tell him off when she saw the look in his eyes.
He was teasing. She smiled. "It's good to have you back. I'll bring my stuff later tonight."
They parted ways for the night. Lauren headed start for John's clinic that he was working at. When she arrived, he wasn't on break so she waited behind the counter chatting with Mary till a patient arrived and signed in.
"So you've known John about four years? Were he and Sherlock a couple?" Mary chuckled.
"You know the answer just fine. They weren't. I still don't see why everyone keeps thinking that. It ruined a lot of John's relationships. I can tell you're a different though." Lauren leaned back in the roll chair.
"Am I now?" Mary giggled.
John came out of his office. "What's so funny?" He saw Lauren sitting there. "Is this the person who had to see me?"
"I need to talk to you, John," Lauren started but John raised his hand stopping her.
"If Sherlock sent you then I don't want to hear whatever apology he has," John growled.
"Actually, Sherlock doesn't know I'm here." Lauren said smoothly. "I wanted to talk to you myself."