Did you miss me? Sorry, couldn't resist! Yes, I'm back, and I've been working on this story a lot. My school just finished with the musical, The Music Man, last week and I'm still recovering from lack of sleep. I'm sad to say writer's block has overcome me, but I have managed to pass most of it. I'm currently stuck mid-episode, so wish me luck.

Also, there are a bunch of plot twists in this episode and beyond, so be prepared for anything.

Hope you like it!


Just another normal day, I think to myself as I go about with the shopping. Kinda boring, really. Wish something fun would happen. I pull the cart up to the chip and PIN machine to pay. Now, serial killers, those are fun. Or maybe a homicidal maniac. Ooh! Mass murderers. I get lost in thought as I try to pay, try being the operative word. Every little thing seems to be going wrong. First the 'unexpected item in bagging area', then my card didn't work, so instead of actually buying the groceries, I just head home without them.


I storm up the stairs, ready to hit something.

"You took your time," Sherlock kids, looking up briefly from his book.

"I didn't get the shopping," I tell him angrily.

"What? What do you mean?"

"I had a row, in the shop, with a chip and PIN machine," I admit reluctantly.

"Hm. A row with a machine?"

"It sat there and I yelled abuse. Can I have some cash?"

"Take my card," he smiles, going back to his book.

"You're the best. Now I should be home soon, with food this time. Please actually do something," I ask, but he just waves his hand to shoo me away. "See you in a bit!" I shout as I run down the stairs, for the second time today.


"Don't mind, I'll get it," I call to Sherlock, my hands full of groceries. He says nothing, just sits at the computer. My computer, might I add. "You know, usually people help when someone needs it."

"The rules don't apply to me?" He tries, smiling slightly to himself.

"Whatever." I place everything from my arms onto the table, picking up the riding crop. "When are you going to get rid of this?"

"Why would I get rid of it?" He finally seems intrigued, turning to look at me.

"If you had my childhood, you'd want it gone."

"What happened to you as a child? You haven't told me, and I'm awfully curious."

"I'll tell you later, just please. Get rid of it." He just nods silently, turning back to my computer. "And why are you using my computer!?"

"Mine was in the bedroom."

"Doesn't mean use mine, it's password protected!"

"In a matter of speaking. It only took me a few minutes to guess yours."

"Yeah, cause Reichenbach was so easy a password to guess," I retort, snatching it away from him. "Why are you using it anyway?"

"I need to go to the bank," he says swiftly, standing and striding towards the door.

"Don't leave me in the dust!" I call after him, running to grab my coat from where I dropped it in the kitchen.

"Well, hurry up then!" He calls back. I chuckle to myself as I run down the stairs, again. "Ready?"

"Let's go."


The cab ride to the bank is in silence, the only sound being those leaking in from the crowds outside. Just as we pull up to the building, a question pops into my head that I'm surprised hasn't already.

"Why are we here again?" I ask Sherlock as we enter the bank.

"I need to see someone," he answers vaguely, heading towards the main desk.

"Thanks." He talks with the lady for a minute before she points us towards someone's office. "Do you have a plan? Or are you figuring out as you go?" I ask when he comes back.

"There's a plan, why wouldn't there be a plan?"

"Are you going to tell me what it is?"

"You'll figure it out as fast as I do," he smiles slightly, before his face falls into his mask. "Let's go, don't want to keep him waiting."

"Who's he?"

"Someone I hoped I'd never see again." I follow him down the corridor, entering an office.

"That bad huh?"

"You've no idea." We stand silently for a few moments, before a man enters.

"Sherlock Holmes," he says cheerfully, going in for a handshake. He accepts reluctantly.

"Sebastian."

"Hey buddy, what's it been, eight years since I last clapped eyes on you?" He asks jokingly, but it hangs in the air awkwardly.

"This is my friend, Jane Watson," Sherlock spits, obviously not liking this encounter.

"Sherlock, don't be so modest," I tell him sweetly, turning to Sebastian. "I'm his girlfriend." Sebastian moves to shake my hand, but catches himself mid gesture. I can see from the corner of my eye that Sherlock's face had gone completely red, but I keep looking at Sebastian. He looks dumbfounded, at a complete loss for words.

"Well, um, alright then," Sebastian sputters out, pulling his hand down. He motions for us to sit down, himself doing the same.

"What the hell?" Sherlock whispers quiet enough for me to hear.

"I'm messing with him, just go along with it," I whisper back, sitting down in one of the armchairs available.

"So, you've been abroad recently," he states towards Sebastian, his mask in place again.

"Yeah, so?" He asks, egging him on purposefully.

"Been round the world, twice in one month?" Sebastian only chuckles.

"You're doing that thing, aren't you? We were at Uni together, it was a trick he used to do," he states, turning to explain to me.

"It's not a trick," Sherlock tries.

"He could look at you and tell you your whole life's story."

"Yes, I'm aware. I've seen him do it," I say lovingly, being very careful to keep up the facade.

"Put the wind up everybody, we all hated him. Come down to breakfast in the formal hall, and this freak would tell if you'd been shagging the previous night."

"Please, if you would be so kind," I say icily towards Sebastian. "Don't call him a freak, that's a bit rude don't you think?"

"Well well well, I can see why you like her. Bit feisty this one." I smile at him, though feeling disgusted. Can't be decent to anyone in this town without someone flirting. "So, enlighten me. Two trips around the world, twice in one month? What are you going to say, it's a special mustard on my tie you can only find in Manhattan? Or maybe the mud on my shoes." He's having way too much fun mocking him, mocking us, time to put an end to this.

"We were talking with your secretary outside, oh she was lovely. She deserves a raise," I manage to say before Sherlock said anything. Sebastian looks at us for a second before chuckling.

"Anyway, glad you're here. There's been a break in," he states, reverting back to his serious look.

"Sir William's office, the bank's former chairman. The room was left as a sort of memorial, but late last night someone broke in and left a message. Didn't steal a thing, just a message." By the time he finishes explaining, we're standing outside the office being questioned. Sebastian swipes his card to open the door, holding it open for us to enter. I notice the line of paint over the man's eyes, and another symbol next to it in the same yellow paint. I search my brain for an explanation, when a old memory surfaces and brings things into a new light. Dead man.

"Oh no," I whisper to myself, my heart dropping into my stomach. "Not again."


Dun dun dun...

(Did I mention cliff hangers? I should have mentioned cliff hangers)

Don't worry, it gets explained in the next chapter, which I'll have up soon!