THREE MONTHS BEFORE
Céline was standing in a gallery with a glass of wine in a group of patrons, watching as a painting was revealed. The event had a black tie dress code and she wore a floor-length velvet turtleneck dress with an open back. Sherlock and Watson stood beside the director of the gallery as he unveiled the painting on stage. They were both in tuxedos. Applause erupted from the audience and Céline made eye contact with Sherlock. She giggled at his uncomfortable facial expression. When the applause died down the director spoke.
"Falls of the Reichenbach, Turner's masterpiece, thankfully recovered owing to the prodigious talent of Mr. Sherlock Holmes." As he spoke he removed a small box from his pocket. "A small token of our gratitude." Sherlock took the box and opened it.
"Diamond cufflinks. All my cuffs have buttons." Sherlock explained, not wanting to wrongly accept the gift. Watson nudged him.
"He means thank you." Watson quickly corrected. Another applause erupted and when it died down the event began again. Sherlock quickly went to Céline and wrapped his arm around her waist. Watson went to flirt with some of the women looking at the painting.
"Can we go?" Sherlock whispered into Céline's ear. "I want to go." Céline giggled and nodded before finishing her glass of wine and passing it to a waiter. As they left photographers and paparazzi cornered them.
"Sherlock, is this your girlfriend?" One of the reporters asked as Sherlock hailed a cab.
"What is it like dating such a genius?" Another reporter asked.
"What is a typical date of yours like?" A third reporter asked as Céline and Sherlock got into the cab. Sherlock quickly closed the door behind them and asked the driver to take them to 221b Baker Street. Once they were off he adjusted his tie.
"Thank god that's over." He sighed, taking Céline's hand. She squeezed it reassuringly.
"I hope you know, you deserve all the praise." Céline softly spoke, watching him with a look of pride. Sherlock brushed it off and shrugged.
"Some days I'm not sure." He honestly replied. Céline thought about Watson's latest paparazzi scheme involving Sherlock's iconic hat and giggled. Sherlock gave her a small smile.
"What are you giggling at?" Sherlock asked, blushing. Céline smiled at him.
"I was just thinking, it's a shame you didn't bring the hat." Céline teased. Sherlock flushed a deeper shade of red and grimaced.
"I will never bring the hat if Watson doesn't make me." Sherlock grimaced.
That evening Sherlock was fast asleep in Céline's arms. She couldn't sleep, and to make it worse, for some reason, she was getting a bad feeling in her gut. She gently removed Sherlock's arms from around her. He slightly woke up and protested at this, pulling her close again. Céline giggled a bit and kissed his forehead.
"I'll be back in a minute." She whispered as he pouted.
"I'll be counting." Sherlock sleepily spoke, letting her get up. Céline stood and stretched, leaving the bedroom and grabbing her coat. She was wearing her sleeping gown but she wanted to take a walk to clear her head. After tying her trench coat and slipping on some flats she stepped out into the cold night air. Céline took a deep breath before starting her usual short walk. The street was quiet. For the first time in weeks, there was no paparazzi waiting outside and she was thankful. After a few minutes of walking in silence, her phone suddenly buzzed in her pocket. Céline quickly took it out, expecting it to be Sherlock. But instead, it was a blocked number calling her. She felt really frightened suddenly and let it ring until it went to voicemail. After a moment of her phone being silent. Céline turned on her heels to walk back to 221b Baker Street again but to her dismay, the phone began ringing again once she got to the front door. Céline looked from the phone to the street, no-one was near. The street was empty, no-one was watching. Out of morbid curiosity, Céline answered and brought the phone to her ear.
"Hello? Who is this?" Céline asked. She could hear breathing on the other line and felt a cold chill down her spine.
"You've made him into a Robin Hood haven't you?" Moriarty spoke. Céline felt her heart stop but before she could move to hang up he spoke again. "Don't hang up or you'll be sorry." Céline looked around again, pressing her back to the door to 221b Baker Street.
"Why are you calling me?" Céline finally asked, feeling frightened.
"I dunno." Moriarty spoke, his tone flippant. Céline thickly swallowed. "Enjoy him while he lasts, it's not going to be much longer."
"Who are you to say that?" Céline quickly snapped back.
"He's going to come and play with me tomorrow." Moriarty continued. "And you won't be able to stop him…" Before Céline could reply there was a click and Moriarty had hung up.