In case anyone wonders, I did HARD ass research for the exam part of the story. I had the same exams done, but over eight years ago. Fun fact, I have a astigmatism in my right eye! If you don't know what that means, my eye sees everything blurry no matter how close or far. So my lenses are different, my right lens is stronger than my left making them thicker. It's nothing too bad, really. I am nearsighted, meaning I can't see things far away, so glasses are my life. Enjoy!
They took a cab, Helena declining to take her usual routes. John suspected something was amiss, she never looked up the window and actually kept quiet instead of correcting the driver what roads to take. John also took notice that she rubbed her eyes and cursed about the pain when the sun peeked out from the clouds now and again. He completely forgot about her eyes, he peeked at his phone seeing the reminder of her doctor's appointment well a few weeks ago.
"Have you spoken to Mycroft?" She asked, looking to John.
He tucked his phone away, shaking his head. "Not really." He decided to keep the fact Mycroft sold his brother out. John didn't need Helena to attempt a murder on Mycroft Holmes for Sherlock's death.
"He texted me a few times." She told him.
"Asked where you were?"
Helena shook her head, looking down at the car floor. "He kept asking if I was checked out. He never asked how I was, but with the lost of his brother, I was surprised he contacted me."
"Probably worried." John guessed, keeping his responses short.
Helena shrugged, squinting as her eyesight started blurring. She rubbed at them, but hissed at the pain. John glanced and gently tugged her hand from her face. "Probably should stop that."
"It makes the blurriness go away." She excused.
"But it hurts?"
"Yeah, every time something's bright in my eyes or I touch them- Hell, just blinking." She sighed trying to blink her eyes more gently to get the blurriness to go away.
Helena and John arrived at 221b just as the rain started to fall. The two exited the vehicle, John paying the driver as Helena stared up at the door. She felt her heart racing as the gold metal of 221b reflected her face at her. John stepped beside her, sighing as he clenched and unclenched his fists at his side. He glanced down and took her hand, giving an assuring tight smile.
They both entered the flat, the wood slowly creaking beneath their weight at each step. The scent of chemicals, leather and even just… The scent of Sherlock himself hung in the air once they reached the flat. Helena stepped into the main room, finding Sherlock's laptop, books, papers- everything just as they were the night they were arrested. Untouched, like time had stopped in the flat since then. Dust collected lightly over the items, even his chair small thin layer was seen on the dark leather. John's chair was clean, the cushion pressed from him sitting in it constantly as of late. John watched her take in the room, memories flooding her all at once.
"How long do you plan on me staying? I should be going back."
"Back to what? You're homeless."
"Yes I am, is it bothering you a filthy ill hobo is occupying your couch?"
The day Helena first came here, Sherlock wanted nothing to do with her. And she just wanted to get out of this flat and back to the streets. Now, she really did miss this flat during her time gone. So many cases solves, so many conversations had.
The things Sherlock had done for her; brought her brother back into her life, give her a new thrill in her life, gave her a home to stay, and most of all, a loving family she had longed for. New experiences and things she learned from him- Even learned how to love.
Her eyes fell on the kitchen, wandering in. The chemistry set that was usually set up now sat in boxes. They were packed with delicate care, wrapped up and even cleaned as if they were never used. The kitchen was spotless, no doubt Mrs. Hudson cleaning it up. Though she was sure it still hurt the woman seeing the empty flat up here, or to be since John was moving out. She had spotted some boxes in the main room, but not much since a lot of the items in the flat belonged to Sherlock.
John stood in the hall, giving an encouraging smile towards the dreaded room. Helena took deep breaths, and walked toward the door. It felt as if time had slowed down, each step grew heavy and loud as the door came closer. Her tunnel vision was focused onto the door, reaching out as her fingertips pressed to the wood. Helena deeply wished Sherlock was on the other side of this door, just sitting on his bed or setting up a case he was working on. Her fingers skimmed downward, gripping the doorknob and twisting it, but found it locked. She had no choice but to knock on the door, rapping her knuckle softly.
"Dally?" She called. "It's me, Helena." No answer, she pressed her ear to the door. "John told me you haven't left, and I came-"
"Go away!" The girl suddenly cried.
Helena was taken back, leaning away from the door. "Dally-"
"I just want to be alone!" She yelled. "I always am alone!"
Helena sighed, her hand slipping off the knob. She turned and slid against the door, sitting on the floor hugging her knees. The thought of this conversation was remembered, as she stared at the archway to the kitchen.
"I.. I don't want someone taken from my life, or Dally's new life. What would happen if she was orphaned again?"
"You're saying a case would kill me?"
"It could!"
"I won't allow it."
Helena near scoffed, well, he did allow it. She tilted her head, taking a breath.
"You know, I know how you're feeling." She spoke through the door.
"What would you know?" Her anger voice questioned.
Helena shrugged, "I lost my father too. You're lucky you didn't witness his death, Dally." she tried to reason.
"No." Dally agreed. "I just get to hear people talk about it on the news and in the papers reminding me, everyday, I am an orphan again."
"No, no, Dally." She stood to her knees, hand gripping the knob again. "Is that what you think will happen? We'll send you away?"
A soft sob was heard, a few wheezing to catch her breath. "John's leaving, you're never here, where will I go!?" She cried, breaking Helena's heart hearing this. "My real dad didn't want me, and now my other father died. What did I do!?"
"Dally, no!" Helena called. "You didn't do anything."
"Why did he do it!?" She cried, a thud was heard against the door. Dally must have thrown something, making Helena try to unlock the door at this point.
"Why would he leave me like this!? Make John alone, and you had to see it all!? He didn't care about us at all!" She cried, another thud heard, this time a shattering noise.
Panicked, Helena finally broke the lock forcing the knob to door and pushed the door open. The room wasn't as destroyed as she imagined. Apparently the smash was a glass of water Mrs. Hudson left her and the thud was a nearby nick-knack on the nightstand. A lump under the blankets of the bed shook as the crying was heard muffled.
Helena took her steps around the bed and sat on the edge, giving Dally any space in case. If she wanted comfort, she'd welcome it.
"Dally, sweetie, when I was on the roof, Sherlock looked to have been forced off the roof." The crying softened to whimpering and sniffles. "I think he had no choice. Don't listen to the news, people claim he's a fake, but I know he was real."
The blankets moved, Helena turned her head as Dally crawled out. Her eyes red and puffy, stains of tears on her red cheeks as she shuffled towards Helena. She wrapped her arms around the girl as they hugged each other, Helena clearing her throat to keep from crying.
"He asked me, his last request? He asked me to take care of you, and… I-I'm sorry." She confessed, kissing the top of the girl's head. "I'm sorry I haven't been here for you."
"You said you lost your dad too?" Dally asked, her face hidden into her side.
"Yup." Helena nodded, rubbing her back.
Dally sniffled, wiping her nose on her sleeve. "I'm sorry, too."
Helena stayed with Dally from then on. It became challenging for the two to stay in the flat, finding themselves near crying or growing angry when they saw certain objects in the room. Memories kept flooding them, and it felt as if they were drowning each time.
Helena didn't want to trouble Mrs. Hudson with packing the items away, she was taking this hard as well. John was trying to move on with his flat and seeing his therapist. He had offered for them to stay at his flat, but Helena felt awful crowding the smaller place.
One day, walking home from shopping, a familiar dark car rolled up to her. She snarled when the window lowered to show Mycroft inside the car.
"What could you possibly want?" She hissed, moving the paper bag of food to her hip. "Haven't done enough, eh?"
Mycroft's face was sober, no amused sarcastic grin no annoyed roll of his eyes. He just looked up at Helena, and opened the door in an offer to enter.
"Don't pity me." She snarled, turning away from the vehicle.
"You have an appointment that you're late to." He told her.
She raised a brow, frowning at him. "We never agreed to meet, Mycroft."
"No, but Sherlock planned this one." He assured.
Just the mention of his name name her want to strike the man. Knowing he wouldn't leave her alone, she let out a groan of frustration and slide into the car. Mycroft moved for her to get in, she placed the bag of food on the floor and slammed the door shut. It was darker in the car than usual, it felt like the windows were tinted darker then she remembered.
"So, what appointment?" She questioned, her eyes outside refusing to look at him.
"Many weeks ago, Sherlock had an appointment set up for you. I had it rescheduled due to… circumstances." He explained.
She rolled her aching eyes. "So what?" Helena turned to glare at him. "You think taking me there is gonna fix what you did?"
He looked to her. "My dear, nothing I do will fix what has happened, I know that well enough." His hands resting on his knee as his leg was crossed over the other. "Just doing what my brother would've done."
She raised a brow, crossing her arms. "And that?"
His eyes turned downward, taking a breath. "Taking care of you."
Her brows shot up at those words, she didn't respond and turned back out the window. Mycroft watched her a few times as the remainder of the ride was silent. He glanced at the food in her bag, very little and not much to last for the week. She had been shopping for little food, but he knew she had good amount of money from working for him. Helena wasn't the type to splurge, nor the type to withhold for others such as Dally. So why little food?
Mycroft knew why, she and Dally haven't been eating much. The two were affected heavily by the recent events two months ago. Winter was dry that year, not much snow but it was still gloomy- for these two. John was in his own flat and trying hard to move on. He kept in contact with the girls and went out for lunch. But it didn't change things; Sherlock was gone, and no could be reminded more of it then them.
The car parked in a small lot, Mycroft first got out giving the initiative to Helena. She stared up at the building, seeing 'Eye Clinic' in big red letters. Helena felt dread coming to her as Mycroft stood beside her.
"You know my problem?" She questioned.
He sighed, "Yes." Mycroft confessed. "Hard to ignore when you don't see a car coming at you three times."
She gave a look and made her way toward the building. Mycroft followed behind as they approached the front desk.
"We have an appointment for Helena Shaw." Mycroft told the lady.
She pushed her big glasses and looked over her screen, typing away. She smiled and nodded, "Helena, you're two o'clock appointment is ready." The woman pointed toward the door to the left. "Just meet him in the second room on the right."
"Thank you." Helena replied, following the instructions.
To her surprised, Mycroft still followed her into the room. She sat down in the large chair, big contraceptives for checking eyesight and fixing it. Helena wondered if she would have to wear glasses, not that it mattered for her. She focused on Dally, barely went outside like she usually did anymore.
"How is that brother of yours…. Drew?" Mycroft asked, as if trying to strike up a conversation.
Helena found all this… awkward. "Er, Curtis." She corrected. "He's doing alright. He's away at a university."
"Ah." He nodded, though she knew he didn't care. "And my little niece?"
Helena clapped her hands at that, "And there's the million dollar question! Ding-ding-ding!" she gave a dark look across the room.
Mycroft finally gave the usual chuckle, this one of slight annoyance. To be fair, he did resist well. "I always have eyes on her, you should know that by now." He told, tilting his head back at her. "She hasn't been in school as of late."
"She hasn't been anywhere as of late." She retorted. "You know, the lost of a father can be hard on a child."
Mycroft looked away, rolling his eyes. The door opened and the doctor walked in, sending a friendly smile toward Helena. He had caramel dark skin and black
"Good afternoon, Helena." He reached out to shake her hand. "I'm Dr. Patel, waited awhile for you to get here." The man's accent was soft mixed with English, when Helena's expression turned sour he sent a sentimental look. "I'm sorry about recent events."
Recent, people keep calling it recent. It was two months ago. "It's fine. I had no idea any of this was set up."
He nodded, taking a seat at his stool. "Well, you're here now. Shall we get started?"
The exam started off as any normal one; they checked the sight of distance, but once the lights were turned off, Helena started complaining how it was too dark to even see the letters at the wall. Dr. Patel turned the lights on, which helped, but she got some letters wrong once her eyes blurred from the lights. Helena kept rubbing them saying they ached after that exam.
Many machines were used and Helena asked how each one worked. There was the retinal camera, used to photograph the back of the eye and retina, of course. Then the autorefractor, which is like the letter test but more accurate. Dr. Patel explained it will help correct her vision of blurriness, if glasses or contacts are needed. Th slit lamp made Helena joke how she felt like her head was going to be put into a vice, Dr. Patel laughed and assured her she would be fine. A light is shined over her eyes, which Helena didn't react very well too, trying to resist in blinking. Dr. Patel provided tissues to wipe away the constant tears from the pain it caused.
The final machine to use was the tonometer.
"And this one?" She asked, tossing the last tissue into the trash can.
"Simple, this machine will be checking the pressure in your eye." He started up the machine as she sat down on the other end. "Some doctors have a numbing drop for your eyes, and the machine pressing on the eyeball."
Helena recoiled at that, eyes wide. "It's gonna touch my eye!?"
Dr. Patel laughed, "No, no, I don't do that." he assured. "This just simply puffs air into your eyes. It makes you jump, but if it hurts you, just let me know." He patted the top of the plastic metal machine. "This might give us the answers we need."
"Alright." Helena shrugged, gently resting her chin and forehead into it.
The loud machine revved up, it sounded like a mini car to her. Without warning the sound of a pop and air shot into her eye. Helena winced and leaned back, lowering her head.
"Shit, that scared me." She chuckled.
"Sorry, I should've warned you." He apologized. "Didn't want you wincing as it happened."
She had the other eye done and the machine was shut down. "I'll meet you in the room with the results." He informed her.
Helena stood, entering the exam room surprised to see Mycroft still sitting there. "I expected you to be gone by now."
Mycroft shrugged, hand resting on his knees. "Not with your food still in the car."
Helena slid into the exam chair and sighed. "So, what? I'll end up with glasses now?"
"You can always have contacts." He suggested. "Though they maintain more maintenance than a simple pair of glasses."
"But I don't need to keep them by the bed when I sleep and worry about them breaking." She said.
Mycroft held a finger. "Yes, but you can't sleep with contacts on."
Helena sighed, folding her arms. "It's 2012, we can't do that yet?"
Dr. Patel returned with a clipboard of papers. He sat down and gave a smile to his patient. "Helena, what kind of injury has occurred, if any, to your eyes recently?"
Her eyes glanced to Mycroft then to him. "Well, I had an injury involving fire and a small explosion."
"Small…" Mycroft sighed, gaining their attention. "There was magnesium in this furnace she was inspecting, lit a match and burned her eyes. She had them wrapped for six days."
"It was about a week." She argued.
"Five, really." He added.
Dr. Patel nodded at the information. "How long ago did this happen?"
She shrugged, trying to think about. "A year or so a ago?"
"April of 2010." Mycroft corrected.
Helena sent a glare his way. "What are you? My walking biography?"
Dr. Petal turned to Helena. "I'm mostly asking because we found something with the pressure in your eye." He showed the photos of her eyes, next to a pair of different eyes. "These are your eyes we scanned today."
Dr. Patel pointed at the other, showing these eyes were actually different. Mycroft stood and walked over to see the photos. Helena noticed her photos of her eyes showed a thin white cloudy layover on her pupils. She felt her heart rate start to rise, her frown and brows knotted in her features.
"These eyes are with normal vision. You're eyes have started to develop a cloudy cover, which is why you have a blurry vision, sensitivity to light, and trouble in the dark." He placed the photos down and folded his hands in his lap. "I believe the injury you sustained has caused traumatic glaucoma to develop in the eyes."
Helena swallowed, "Does that mean I need glasses?" she asked innocently.
Mycroft sighed through his nose, though not out of annoyance. "Well, we can prescribe special glasses to help with sun glare and the blurriness." Dr. Petal took a paper and started writing down on it. "What concerns me, is that a surgical procedure would help fix it."
"What exactly is glaucoma?" She asked, looking between both Mycroft and Dr. Patel.
He paused in his writing, and looked up. "Glaucoma, or for this traumatic glaucoma, is essentially when pressure in the eye is built up from clearing anything in the eye. The increased pressure, called intraocular pressure, can damage the optic nerve, which transmits images to your brain."
"Is that why it's all cloudy?"
Dr. Patel nodded. "But, because this hadn't been checked sooner or after the injury, surgery might be late to fix it." He held a sympathetic look, handing the paper for prescription glasses to her. "I'm deeply sorry, Helena. But, as this continues, you might eventually lose your eyesight all together within a number of years."
"Dally, dear, your fogging up the window." Mrs. Hudson warned, as she pressed her face to the glass of the window.
"Sorry." Dally leaned back, still looking out the window in the flat. "Helena's been gone for a long time."
"I'm sure she's alright." Mrs. Hudson assured, giving the child some company.
Dally didn't like being alone in the flat as much, so she usually went down to Mrs. Hudson's flat when Helena left to shop or get food. They had some tea and Dally kept moving from eating biscuits to looking out the window.
"Come sit down, love." Mrs. Hudson patted the chair beside her in the kitchen.
Dally sighed, careful of not knocking anything over and sat down, eating another biscuit. "I'm just worried, Mrs. Hudson."
She smiled, gently patting her head. "I know, so am I."
A car door shut outside, Dally instantly rushed out the window and beamed who she saw. "It's Uncle John!" She cried, and turned scurrying down the stairs. Mrs. Hudson followed down, smiling to see John hugging Dally tightly at the front step outside.
"I miss you so much!" She said, nuzzling her head into his leather coat.
John smiled, hugging her back and patting her back. "Me too, I miss you a lot." He stood and smiled to Mrs. Hudson, "Mrs. H." he greeted.
"Oh, John." She greeted, hugging him and planting a motherly kiss to his cheek. "How's you're new flat?"
John shrugged, "Oh, it's spacious. But I'm getting used to it." he answered. He chuckled when Dally hung off his arm, glad to be seeing her smile.
"Want to come inside? We're waiting for Helena to come home." Dally offered.
John's brows lowered, concern gracing his features. "Where did she go?"
Mrs. Hudson shook her head, assuring nothing dangerous. "Just to the market, dear." She pressed a hand to her chest, "Though, that was over two hours ago."
John took his phone out, "I haven't gotten any texts. Maybe I should call-"
"Uncle Mycroft!" Dally suddenly cried.
The two jumped and looked over, not noticing a black car pulling up by Speedy's. Dally's uncle emerged from the car, giving a short smile and allowing her to hug his waist, though he gently patted her head resisting to pull her off.
"How are you doing?" He asked, she let go allowing him space.
"I'm doing alright, Helena and Mrs. Hudson have kept me company." She told, shrugging.
"Started school yet?" He asked.
Dally shook her head. "I was pulled out, missed too many days."
"We're thinking of homeschooling." Helena answered, coming out of the other side of the car. She held the bag of foods and hugged Dally when she walked up on the curb.
"We were so worried." Dally said, near clinging to her.
Helena chuckled, though it was a near whisper. "I'm sorry, Mycroft and I had an appointment I forgot about." She handed the bag to Dally. "Bring that inside for me?"
Dally nodded, and walked in knowing where to put the food in the kitchen. Helena walked around Mycroft, giving a silent thank you. John and Mrs. Hudson felt something was off, standing by concerned. Helena looked to him, taking a deep breath.
"Mycroft and I went to an eye doctor. I've been having trouble seeing things, both light and dark environments." She started, tucking her hair behind her ear feeling anxious. "I was diagnosed with glaucoma."
"Traumatic glaucoma." Mycroft corrected. Helena sent a look, Mycroft held a hand up meaning no offense. He couldn't help it, like Sherlock.
John looked between the two, he walked over to Helena who rubbed her arms. A sign of her emotions going erratic to this announcement. "How bad?"
Helena looked up, swallowing thickly. "I'll be given glasses for the time being. But the doctor said, because of the time lapse of the injury two years ago and the development of it all, surgery is late to fix it."
Her voice started to crack, her shoulder shook as the initial shock now setting in for her. "I'm going blind."
John's eyes went wide, he instantly wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly. Mrs. Hudson was shocked as well, walking over to hold her. John let go, allowing her to gently coo her like a mother. John looked to Mycroft, who looked down almost guilty looking. John held no resentment over this issue, he held no responsibility. He actually nodded a thank you to the man, he nodded back and stood by as Mrs. Hudson comforted the crying Helena.
By the door, Dally had heard the news but kept hidden inside. Helena, blind? She had noticed she'd bump into things at night and always complained about the sun being too harsh, even during cloudy days. The times she crossed the street not seeing the cars, and at times bumped into people when turning on streets.
It hit Dally hard, she lost her father and the mother figure in her life was losing her sight. Dally, suddenly felt like she wasn't the only poor girl in the world. Helena lost her father, homeless most of her life, lost someone she loved dearly, and now was losing her eyesight. The child felt selfish, Helena was doing so much for her and now Helena needed someone to help her.
March rolled in, Helena tried to home school Dally best she could, but struggled with certain subjects since times in school had changed. Mycroft stepped in and provided a tutor to her at the flat, it helped give Helena a break from the constant headaches.
She soon was given her glasses, it was hard for Helena to adjust. She actually took a shower once forgetting she was wearing them. Helena worried she ruined them, but Mrs. Hudson assured they were fine. The frames were dark black thin metal, with light blue lines down the sides. She didn't care too much about the look, so long as it helped her sight. Though, Dally and Mrs. Hudson complemented, saying it worked with her dark hair and eyes.
Life was a struggle for them still, until one week came by.
One morning, Helena had just gotten a shower and was drying her hair, when her phone started ringing on the bed side table. Assuming to be John or Mycroft, she answered it without hesitation.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Helena! Remember me?" The voice was male, a tad deep. Not John or Mycroft.
She frowned, checking the number but didn't know it. "Er, sorry? Who is this?"
A soft chuckle was heard. "It's Henry, from the hound case?"
Helena beamed and gasped, "Henry!" she couldn't believe it! "It's so good to hear from you! How's it going?"
"Oh, much better since the last time you were here!" He said, he did sound much more cheery. "I've gotten my life back together. Slept much better, people have visited more for the country aspect than the hound stuff."
Helena sat on the bed, letting the rob wrap snugly around her. "So glad to hear that!"
"Yeah, I'm sorry about Sherlock." He mentioned, her smile fading slightly.
"Thanks, um. It's been hard the past few months. With John moved out and me just with Dally." She told.
"Dally, his daughter right?" Henry asked. "I read that case on John's blog. Can't believe he was a father, I was shocked when I read that."
Helena gave an airy chuckle. "You weren't there when he had the adoption papers."
Henry sighed into the phone, "Sorry, I don't mean to bring back-" but Helena cut him off.
"Don't worry, Dally and I are doing alright. We get sad looking at the flat now and again. We really need to some other place to live. It's… too painful here." She told, looking around the room.
"I was actually calling you about that." Henry perked up, Helena raised a brow at the wall. "How would you, Dally, and John like to come up for a visit?"
Helena blinked, she adjusted her glasses not expecting this. "Oh, Henry. That honestly sounds wonderful." She actually would love that, she needed some space from London and what better than the open country.
"You can stay at my place." He offered.
Helena stood, going toward her clothes as she place the down and put it on speaker. "Henry, we couldn't trouble you with that." She told. "We can stay at the inn we did before."
"No, no, really!" Henry called. "I insist, as friends and guest I insist you stay here and enjoy yourselves."
Helena slipped the robe off and slid her blank tank top and maroon sweater on, the pulled up her jeans. "I'll talk to them about it. I don't know about John, but I think Dally would be ecstatic over the trip."
"Great!" Henry cheered, Helena grinned. "I got to go, text me the details and we'll set a date."
"Bye, Henry." She hung up and sat back down, putting her socks and shoes on.
Once dressed, she left the room and walked down the stairs to find Dally just finishing her tutoring. "Same time tomorrow, Dally." She said kindly.
The woman had curly dark hair and dark eyes, dressed in a semi formal outfit, as if working at an office. Despite looking strict, she was great to Dally and helped her with everything she needed to learn in school.
"Hey, Dally." She greeted, "Had a good session?" Helena sat down next to her at the kitchen table.
"Yup, we talked and did some history lessons." She said, closing her notebooks.
Helena nodded, folding her arms on the table. "Good. I wanted to ask you something."
Dally looked to her, seeing Helena's features screamed something good. "What is it?"
"How would you feel about a small trip to an old friend?" She offered, her smile showing.
Dally's head tilted in curiosity. "Old friend? You mean from the community?"
"No," Helena chuckled. "This is from your dad's cases. A friend of John and mine too, remember the Hounds of Baskerville?"
Dally's eyes light up instantly, her jaw hanging as she gasped. "Yes! Yes, I do!"
Helena laughed, patting her rm to keep her from falling off the chair in excitement. "Henry, he called me a few moments ago and offered us and John to pay a visit. A small trip, he'd like to meet you."
Dally screeched, making Helena laugh as she jumped up and down in her chair. "Please! Can we go!? I'll do my homework right away and clean up the dishes right now!"
She got up to do said chores, but Helena stopped. She was too cute when excited over small things. "No, don't worry. If you really want to go, we can go. I just need to see if John is free and set a date."
Dally squealed and sped upstairs yelling about choosing what to pack. Helena chuckled and stood with a sigh. She stepped outside and took her phone out calling John. It took awhile as the ringing lasted longer than usual, but soon it clicked.
"Hey John-"
"This is John Watson, I can't come to the phone right now. Leave a message, and I'll get back to it." The beep was heard, disappointing Helena.
"Hey, John. It's Helena. I just got a call from Henry, from the hound case? He offered us to visit him, take a trip to the country. Wanted to see if you wanted to join, so we can set a date. Call me back, okay?"
She hung up and pocketed the phone, sighing. Resisting the urge, it was hard not to. Helena reached into her back pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lighter, placing the stick between her lips and lighting it. She pocketed the box and light, sucking the nicotine out of the cancer stick and exhaled the smoke out her nose. Helena never urged to smoke whenever Sherlock had struggles to fight the addiction, his cold turkey method. But now, the smell of smoke was something she wished and would smoke when Dally wasn't looking. She kept it outside, not wanting the flat to stink of it, Dally wouldn't approve for sure.
Helena had noticed the past few weeks, John was distancing himself more and more. He didn't plan meetups, claimed to be too busy for visits, and now he barely picked up her calls. She didn't know if she had done something or if he was just trying to work his life out. But, did that mean he had to close her and Dally out of his life? Dally missed John, asking when she'd see him again. This trip would be good for her, for both of them.
The trip to Dartmoor was planned as a weekend trip, so no changes to Dally's schooling would be affected. She did her homework early none the less so she would enjoy the entire trip. Helena was packing up the taxi cab, looking annoyed as no response from John was made. Dally was bringing down her teal suitcase, holding her clothing. A backpack on her back had extra stuff to make the train ride more tolerable.
"Do you still get sick on trains, Helena?" Dally asked, handing her suitcase.
Helena grimaced, "I forgot, honestly." she told.
Dally made a face, "Will you be alright?" she asked.
Helena bit her lip, "John had some pills that kept me from getting sick. But they expired when I searched for them." she told.
Dally sighed sadly when John was mentioned. "Did you call him again?"
Helena shut the cab door and nodded. "Still no response. Maybe he's gotten a new job, I saw no updates to his blog."
Mrs. Hudson came out, smiling at the two. "You both enjoy the trip, alright?"
Dally hugged her before climbing into the car. Helena walked over, giving her a hug too. "I'll bring something back for you."
Mrs. Hudson waved her off, "You just have some fun. You both could use it." she assured. "Oh, almost forgot." She reached into a pocket in her dress and handed her a container.
Helena raised a brow, looking at the label. They were anti-sick pills, like the ones she took during the last train ride. "Oh, thanks, Mrs. H."
She smiled, "John dropped them off. Must have known you'd need them." Mrs. Hudson pressed a hand to her cheek shaking her head. "Real shame he can't come."
"Wait, when did he drop them off?" Helena asked, frowning.
"Oh, yesterday when you and Dally were out. I asked him to stay for you two, but he said he was busy with a new job he got." She informed.
Helena nodded, shaking the container for the pills to rattle inside. "Thanks. I'll call when we arrive."
Climbing into the cab, Helena gave her the address to the train station. She and Dally waved to Mrs. Hudson as the car drove down the road.
Paddington Station wasn't too crowded, they got their tickets and luggage checked out and loaded. Dally was giddy, her eyes bright and large seeing the train. Helena knew, no doubt, this was her first time on a train or even seeing one. Helena remembered her first time here, almost as lost as a child herself. Wanting to wander around and see the amazing things a boring old train station held. Now, she held Dally's hand, guiding her around to board the train.
"So, the train stops at Exeter, will we be walking to Dartmoor?" Dally asked as they were picking a compartment. From what the conductor informed, it'd be a two to three hour ride.
Helena was about to answer no, remembering a car was rented last time. "Henry will be meeting us and driving us to his place."
They found a compartment for themselves, Dally plopping down at the window as Helena sat across from her. The whistle blew, making Dally jump, Helena chuckled.
"I remember first time on the train to Dartmoor." Helena said, taking the pills out to swallow one.
Dally set up the folded table and dumped out her backpack. "Was it fun?"
Helena nodded, taking her bottle of water and swallowing some with the pill. "The sights take a while to arrive, but so much green and open sights."
"Did Henry pick you guys up last time?" She asked.
"Nah, your dad drove." Helena answered.
Dally was shocked, "Dad drove?" she had no idea he even had a license. "He never drove in London!"
Helena laughed, pocketing the pills. "I said the same thing." She told. "I tell yeah, he driving is as close to the train."
The two laughed softly to each other, though the memory near brought Helena to tears. Within an hour, Dally had fallen asleep, her excitement wasting her energy. Helena just stared outside, memories flooding once more during her last trip. She was sick and Sherlock sat with her, she remembered falling asleep and woke up in the car. Sitting silently and staring at the green rolling hills, Helena's eyes teared up and fell down her cheeks as the emotions hit her- like a train.
Thanks ButlerGirlAnime, Potatis02, Lena0613 for the follows and favorites!
Bored411- Oh man! Her reaction is something I can't wait to write about! Yup, I didn't want to rush this to end it, but was so eager to reach her condition over her eyes since I've held that up for longer than intended!
Lena0613- Hello and welcome to the story! I assure, more family moments will happen when we enter season 3! Hope you enjoy more of the story to come!
