Sorry this took so long. I had a horrible case of writers block. But I finally got my writing skills back! Enjoy!
Chapter XXXXXII
Ariel stood in the centre of her new flat, staring around the room. At the moment, she was trying to decide which wall to put the telly on. After another moment of consideration, she shrugged. It didn't really matter anyways, she would have to move it again when she redid the wallpaper.
She slid the last few big items into place and set about putting the smaller things away. Like the books that went in the old wooden shelf, or the flannels that went in the linen closet, or the dishes that went in the cupboards. Ariel opened a the first cupboard, the door coming right off its hinges.
Ariel carefully set down her plates and pushed on the bottom of the cupboard, testing to see if it could actually hold the weight of her dishes. She was honestly surprised when she was met with a thick, solid piece of wood. Looking back at the damaged door, she noticed it was only the screws that had let go - the hinges still perfectly intact.
Ariel sighed and set up her kitchen, eager to move in. Ariel made a mental note to pick up a fridge for the place. When she finally had the kitchen and living room set up to her liking, she sat herself down on her old sofa, opened her laptop and took a short break.
She had made arrangements with the a local repair man to fix the damage in her walls and then replace the wall paper. He had told her it would probably be a few days before he could start work on it, but Ariel didn't mind. She was going to pick up the wallpaper that afternoon. And some new screws to redo the hinges. At that moment, Mrs. Hudson came in.
"You-who!" She called out as she entered Ariel's flat, a tray of biscuits in her hands.
"Mrs. Hudson." Ariel called back sweetly, getting up to give the elder lady a hug. After they broke apart, Mrs. Hudson shoved the tray of biscuits into Ariel's hands.
"Really, Mrs. Hudson, you shouldn't have." She said.
"Now it was no trouble at all." The elder lady responded. She looked around at the interior of the flat. "Moved in already, have you?" She asked as she wandered into the kitchen, Ariel trailing behind.
"Yeah. All it needs is some new wallpaper and a fridge and it will be perfect." Ariel said, smiling at her landlady. Mrs. Hudson suddenly noticed the broken cupboard door.
"Oh dear! What happened here?" She asked, walking over to inspect it.
"Rusty screws. Nothing a couple new ones can't fix." Ariel replied in an optimistic tone. Mrs. Hudson turned to her again, positively beaming.
"You know, I knew you were something special the moment I laid eyes on you. And now look! You're fixing up the basement and you're friends with John and Sherlock!" Mrs. Hudson flittered excitedly. Ariel smiled.
"I'm glad you like what I'm doing. If I ever do anything you don't like, let me know and I'll change it." Ariel reassured her. "As for Sherlock..." Ariel hadn't told anyone, except John of course, about her and Sherlock. And she wasn't really sure if she should. However, her doubts were abandoned when Mrs. Hudson smiled knowingly.
"Oh deary, what is it? Are you taken by him? He is quite a unique and handsome man." She said with a smile. Ariel grinned back.
"Very. I wish I could tell you, but I suppose he should be the one." Ariel explained.
"Alright sweetheart, if you believe it best. But you don't need to be Sherlock Holmes to know that he's quite taken with you, too." Mrs. Hudson said with a cheeky smile.
"You don't even know the half of it." Ariel said with a relieved laugh.
"Well, dear, I best be off. Mrs. Turner invited me over for tea, so I better not disappoint her." Mrs. Hudson said as she made her way to the door.
"Goodbye Mrs. Hudson." Ariel said with a little wave. When she heard the door click she turned back to her flat.
It wasn't near finished, but it already felt like home. Not that she had been living in a particularly fabulous place before. In fact, in all her years in London, she had never lived in a place that didn't need some fixing up. She supposed it was just her lot in life.
It wasn't long till she decided that she better go get the wallpaper or she would be completely at a loss later on. So she threw on her coat, slipped on her shoes and headed out the door. She paused briefly at the bottom of the stairs leading up to 221b.
She smiled to herself as she remembered the first time she had walked up those stairs. She remembered the strained sounds of Sherlocks violin drifting down the stairwell in the dark. She remembered following John up those rickety steps, listening to the violin grow louder. But most of all, she remembered the moment she first saw him, standing at the window, violin tucked neatly under his chin. Ariel supposed that was how she'd always remember him, because that was the moment their paths became intertwined.
Ariel pulled herself out of her daydream with a small chuckle. She felt like a stupid romantic. Without a second thought, she opened the door and left.
XXXXXXXXXXX
Sherlock was sitting at his microscope, studying some algae samples, when John wandered into the kitchen. Sherlock briefly looked up. John was currently wearing one of his best fitting button downs, which was a reddish colour, and a pair of dark jeans. His shoes, which he was surprisingly wearing already, were the brown leather ones he bought just the other day with the money he got from his aunt. He was wearing them, obviously, to stretch them out a bit before his date that night.
"Is she pretty?" Sherlock asked, turning a dial on his microscope
"What? Is who pretty?" John asked, pouring himself a glass of water.
"This girl you're meeting tonight. Is she pretty?" Sherlock repeated, a hint of annoyance.
"Oh, you mean Skye. Well, yes, she very pretty. I'd even go so far as to call her beautiful." John explained. Sherlock hummed. There was a pause in the conversation.
"Where are you going?" Sherlock asked. John was curious now. Sherlock never cared where he was going on his dates, why would he start now?
"Restaurant. Some Italian place or something. She picked it." John explained. And that's when it clicked. Why Sherlock suddenly cared about Johns date. He's collecting data to use with Ariel. John realized. It was so utterly Sherlock that he couldn't help the laugh that escaped. Sherlock looked up at him, a look of complete annoyance on his face.
"And you just let her pick? Doesn't seem like you." Sherlock commented.
"Well, I don't mind. She has good taste and it's just one night." John replied. He was suddenly aware that he would have to choose his words carefully, for Ariel's sake.
Unfortunately, John never got the chance to speak any further on the subject, as Sherlock returned to his work and plunged the room back into silence. It was only several minutes later, when John checked his watch, that words were spoken.
"I better run. Don't want to be late." John said, collecting his coat and wallet. Sherlock didn't acknowledge him, causing John to groan in annoyance.
"Right. Be back later." And with that, he dashed down the stairs. As he entered the foyer, he saw Ariel coming through the main door, shopping bags tucked under each arm. John helped her in, taking some bags and setting them onto the sofa in her flat.
"Thank you." Ariel said with a smile at John. "I just don't seem to have enough hands."
"No worries." John replied. After a moment, he added. "Will you be taking care of Sherlock tonight?" She chuckled.
"Yeah, I suppose. Though it's not really taking care of when I'm his..." Ariel stopped. She wasn't exactly sure what she was. They'd have to talk about that.
"...Girlfriend?" John supplied. With a chuckle and a nod from Ariel, he continued. "I know, but it's nice to be able to go out and not worry after him."
"I know. Now go have fun." Ariel said with a smile and a friendly push towards the door.
"I will. Ta." John said as he exited the flat. He headed down the hall and heard her door close behind him. He smiled to himself as he pushed his way out into London.
XXXXXXXXXX
Ariel sorted her shopping out, putting the good she'd bought away and storing the wallpaper, before she decided to go upstairs. It was just her and Sherlock at home, not even Mrs. Hudson was in. She climbed the stairs, thinking of all the things she wanted to say. All the explanations she should give Sherlock. But as she reached the door, she decided to let him do the talking.
She opened the door and found him working at the table at his microscope. Ariel smiled. There was nothing she loved more then to see him working on something. Quietly, she entered the flat and put the kettle on. She would have to order in something tonight. She suddenly felt like Chinese.
The kettle boiled and Ariel made tea, pouring some for both herself and Sherlock. She carefully set his cup beside him and took up a chair across the table. They sat their silently, Sherlock working and Ariel just content to watch and drink. About a half hour later, Sherlock stirred.
"Oh, Ariel. I hadn't noticed you there." Sherlock said, blinking at Ariel. The girl in question giggled before responding.
"I know. Just like you hadn't noticed your tea." She said, gesturing to the now cold cup of tea beside Sherlock. Sherlock looked briefly at it before turning back to study her.
"I'm going to order in. Is there anything you'd like?" Ariel asked, pulling out her mobile.
"I'm fine, thank you." Sherlock said, moving into the living room and pulling out his violin. Ariel made the call and then joined Sherlock in the living room, sitting on the sofa.
Ariel listened to the melody Sherlock played, which Ariel could tell was something Sherlock was in the midst of composing. It rose and fell in an enchanting way, weaving in and out of glorious climaxes and soft pauses. Ariel closed her eyes and swayed with the music, relaxing every muscle in her body and letting the music take over.
Sherlock watched her as he played, studying her. Of course, this wasn't the first time he'd seen her like this, completely surrendering herself to his music. But it still intrigued him. Why would she do that? Why would she let herself be completely at the mercy of his melody? Sherlock gently ended the piece of music, and Ariel smiled as her eyes flittered open and met his intense gaze.
"What is it Sherlock?" She asked gently, her voice as soft as velvet.
"You." He said simply, lowering the violin to his chair before standing back up.
"What about me?" She asked, a small giggle to her luscious tone.
"You give over is much of yourself for me. Why?" Sherlock asked, cocking his head.
"Because, I love you." Ariel said with a reassuring smile. Sherlock bit his lip, thinking. He paced for a brief moment, no more than a dozen steps. He turned back to Ariel, and his gaze pierced hers again. For a moment, they just stared at each other.
At that moment, the doorbell rang. Ariel muttered curses to the fast deliver as she made her way down the stairs. When she came back up, carrying several containers of Chinese food, she saw Sherlock sitting on the sofa watching telly. He had his knees drawn up against his chest with his long arms wrapped around them and his head resting on top of them.
Ariel grinned widely as she sat down beside him on the sofa and handed him a container. He took it, eyeing it curiously.
"I know you said you were fine, but I figured if I bought Chinese you'd just ask to eat some of mine, so I got extra for you." Ariel explained. Sherlock gave her a small smile.
"Thank you." He said, uncurling from his ball enough to lean over and place a kiss on the top of her head. Ariel couldn't help the blush that crept onto her face at the gesture.
They ate dinner while watching crap telly, which mostly consisted of reruns of a soap opera. After, Ariel cleaned the empty food containers away and settled back down beside Sherlock on the sofa. She put his arm around her and snuggled up to him, laying her head on his chest as they watched a movie. Sherlock had claimed not to be interested, but ten minutes into it, he was more enthralled than Ariel.
Well, what did you think? Love it? Hate it? Leave a review and let me know!
Also, if you have any ideas for future events in this story, please pm me or post it in a review! Thank you in advance!
