AN: One more chapter after this J Maybe an epilogue too?
Chapter 11
I didn't know how much time had passed while I was in the bathroom, still reeling a bit from listening to Austin- Austin, who was kind, caring, generous, proud, understanding and wonderful- or so I thought. I guess I didn't know him at all.
I was instructed to stay out of harm's way by Lestrade, even if I heard scuffling. Content to follow his orders, I remained on the cold tile floor, until I heard a gunshot that ended the noisy brawl outside. Next thing I knew, against my better (or any) judgment, I was on my feet, running towards the living room, where the sound had come from.
The scene I had come upon seemed absolutely surreal, like a silent film. Lestrade was on the floor, bleeding from what I figured was a gunshot wound to his right shoulder; Holmes was trying to apply pressure to the wound. Austin was standing defiantly across from Lestrade and Holmes, wielding two guns. Upon closer scrutiny, I realized he was pointing Lestrade's gun, a standard police issue, in the direction of Lestrade and Holmes, and held his own gun with his other hand at his side.
Everything seemed to stop as I ventured into the room. "Austin?"
"Stay back, Laura. Let me take care of the other one."
I swallowed uneasily and began taking steps toward him. "Austin, please."
Austin glared at me. "What are you doing? I told you, I'm going to finish this."
I was now standing between Austin and Holmes. "No," I said with a firmness I didn't know I had inside of me. "You can't. I won't let you."
"Move aside, Laura." Austin's voice seemed shakier.
Holmes spoke for the first time. "She was the one who brought us here, Dr. Reingold."
Austin stared at me, incredulously. "You did what?" he whispered.
Holmes answered for me. "Laura. She was the one who called us."
What was Holmes doing? Was he trying to get me shot too? "Austin, I…"
Austin cut me off. "Did you call them? Tell me honestly, Laura."
I was speechless.
"Laura, please, I need to know." His voice was a dreadful monotone that sent chills down my spine, creating a sense of déjà vu. It was the same voice James (my now ex-husband) used when he asked about my infidelity.
I nodded, still unable to say anything.
"How could you?" Austin cried out, sinking to his knees.
"I only wanted to help you!" My outburst surprised even me; this didn't feel real- until then.
"Laura, tell me. Do you love me now?" Again, the hollow, empty voice.
"No," I whispered, after a short pause.
"Did you ever?" he pried. "Did you ever love me more than James?"
"Do you really want to hear the answer?"
Austin understood. At the point, he crumpled completely to the ground, seemingly unable to move, the guns falling to the floor.
"Watson?" Holmes' voice seemed so far away.
I turned around.
"We need to get Detective Lestrade to a hospital. He's lost consciousness."
I was torn. "I… don't know if I can leave."
Austin seemed to break out of his trance. "Go. I don't ever want to see you again."
I opened my mouth to protest.
Austin shook his head. "If you ever cared for me even as a friend, please. Leave."
I nodded. I got up and helped Holmes carry the unconscious Lestrade out to the unmarked van, placing Lestrade on the van floor and covering him with a blanket. I got into the front passenger side of the van while Holmes jumped into the front seat.
And then I heard it. A single gunshot pierced through the eerily silent neighborhood.
I turned to go back inside the house, but then I felt Holmes' hand on my arm.
"It's over, Watson."
I then understood Holmes' deeper meaning. Reaching over, I closed the passenger side door, and Holmes peeled out of the driveway, racing towards the nearest hospital.
AN: Thanks to snowwolf, Ray Travis, Kerowyn, PinkPanther, and Rhodesia! Your comments are so inspiring!