Chapter 14: No
A glass of water was set on the acid stained table. With careful hands Holmes dropped three droplets of the unknown substance he taken from the lab. Nothing happened, he narrowed his eyes and sat down in his chair exhausted. "Damnation. I can't bleeding find what you are..." He raked his fingers through his hair and watched the liquid for a few seconds then closed his eyes rubbing the bridge of his nose. He heard footsteps but paid no heed for he was confused himself, the thought of Cassandra pressed upon his mind.
"Holmes?" A soft whisper came from the door, he turned around and stared at Cassandra who was dressed in a cream coat that covered her dress.
"Cassandra..." He answered getting up slowly so that they had a few paces from each other. " I missed you..." She smiled as tears brimmed from her eyes.
"I miss you too my love." He advanced toward her hugging her sighing as she fitted in his arms so nicely. Perfect. "OH Holmes." She whispered as the faint smell of tabacco washed over her, the feeling of safety filled her.
"Oh god Cassandra. I thought last night was a dream.. Was it? Has my mind been playing tricks on me?" She smiled and shook her head no.
"Last night was real Holmes, as real as you and I." He smiled and gathered her in his arms swinging her around as they waltz in his small sitting room. She laughed out loud as he started to sing, she noted that he had a wonderful tenor voice. Though a thought nagged in her head, she had to tell him now. "Holmes.. Stop we must talk." He looked at her and placed her down lightly.
"I am at a lost of words.. Sit pray tell me what has brought on this depressing look into your beautiful face..." She sat down pulling him down with her, so that both were facing each other.
"Sherlock.... I.. I... I can't.. We can't.. Have this," She motioned between them. "I'm sorry." His face turned pale as her words hit him. The first emotion he felt was anger.
"Why? I demand why!" He asked.
"My family forbids it, you must understand-"
"Leave them. We both know they do not care as much as I care for you darling. Let us away to a place. Just the two of us-"
"They are my family no matter they like me or not. Holmes you already know I am to marry the duke! You can't change that." She gave him an imploring stare. If he only knew why she couldn't love him back.
"Why? Damnit Cassandra I'll always be here, I'll stop everything just to be with you." He moved so that he rested his head on her bossom listening to her heartbeat. "Please don't say that..."
"Sherlock I can't... If you only know-" She stopped herself and ran her fingers through his hair. A flashback of last night ran through her head and disappeared. " Please dont make it any harder then it already is.." He lifted his head and stared at her with longing.
"Cassandra why?" He started to feel more angry, getting up he walked over to the bay window looking down at the street below.
"Family Business." She said knowing that was half the truth.
"Cassandra... What would you rather have more... The money you will get upon anouncing your enagement.. Or me..." His words were slow so that she heard ever word, her eyes filled with tears.
"The money." She choked out, Holmes closed his eyes and felt his heart turn into stone as her words hit him.
"Ms. Cassandra I have taken in consideration that I will no longer assist you with your case. Good day." He still stared out the window as she got up crying, shuting the door behind her. He watched from the window as she bumped into Watson. Both talked for a bit and departed with Watson giving her a firm hug and leading her into her carriage which rushed off. Soon the appoarching steps of Waton stopped at the doorway of the staircase.
"What in God's name have you done Holmes?!" He asked, as Holmes let a small tear fall down his cheek.
