"Sorry, not dressed." She blushed as she walked past the stunned John. "Has everyone gone? I heard shouting."
John stared for a millisecond before he could form words. Sherlock has a… a girlfriend. But…but I thought…
"Yeah. They are all gone." He managed to get out. Sherlock has a Hell of a lot of explaining to do.
"Oh is that the time! I have to get ready!" She turned to get some mugs from the cabinet. She continued to chatter on about family affairs, John interjecting one word answers when appropriate. He just couldn't function any other way.
He couldn't believe his eyes. It seemed that Sherlock really had moved on. John had to push the thought aside. Of course he moved on. You pushed him away, you moron. You were the one who cut it off with him. Or maybe you are just over-reacting, she might have just borrowed his room for the night. For absolutely no reason what so ever.
"Where is Sherl?" Janine asked.
John blinked at her and gave a disbelieving smile. "Sherl?!" First Shezza now Sherl! He was gone for one month. "Um he is just having a bath. I'm sure he will come out in a minute."
"Oh like he ever is." She joked. John gave a laugh, a laugh that he hoped didn't sound as fake as he thought.
Janine turned around and walked to the bathroom and opened the door. "Morning!" She sang cheerily.
That was when all humour drained from his face. It was when he realised that it was over between them. Sherlock truly moved on.
John heard them giggle! Giggle! If he had known anything about Sherlock is that he doesn't giggle. That sort of thing happened to other people.
He walked over to the couch and stared at the spot where his chair used to stay. He even got rid of my Goddamn chair!
For ten minutes he sat there, staring. All sorts of thoughts ran through his mind. Maybe this is good. It is good that Sherlock has moved on and I now have no reason to leave my wife. This is good… He just sat there repeating the words over and over in his head. John didn't even notice Sherlock and Janine kissing in front of him before she said her goodbyes. He didn't even notice Sherlock speaking to him.
"…John are you even listening?" John jerked up his head.
"Yeah. Sure. Yup."
Sherlock could see that his friend was distressed, and he knew why. He didn't like it much either, but he had to do it. It was the only way. And if John knew why he was doing it, it could jeopardise the whole case. Sherlock had to prove to Magnussen that John was not important, and if John suddenly decided to elope somewhere, Magnussen would know instantly, God knows how. Oh and how else was Sherlock supposed to get into that office?
Sherlock cleared his throat. "I'm sure you have some questions."
"Yeah you have a girlfriend!"
Sherlock looked at his friend. "Yes I have. Now onto Charles Augustus Magnussen…"
John shook his head, standing up, He pointed a finger Sherlock. "Magnussen can wait. What I want to know is what the fuck happened in the month you were gone."
"John not now…" Sherlock rolled his eyes, waving John off. "This case is a bit more important. So anyway, Magnussen is to meet me here in…"
John held his hand up for silence. "Shut up, Sherlock, about bloody Magnussen. I want to know about Janine."
Sherlock began to feel impatient. He really didn't have time for John's angsty feelings, especially since that their lives depend on it. Sherlock really hoped that it didn't have to resort to fighting fire with fire, but it seemed to be the only way. "Really, why would you care so much about my relationship? From where we last left it, you didn't seem to care about anything about me…"
"Sherlock, you know that isn't true!" John cut in.
Sherlock let out a humourless laugh and he wasn't even faking it. He was still hurt by John, no matter how much he loved his friend. "Isn't it though? I didn't even get one single text to try and talk to me. Not one. You haven't once checked up on me since that day, even though your honeymoon ended two weeks ago."
John didn't know how to reply to that. He bent his head, ashamed. He was so wrapped up in his own crumbling world that he didn't even think to check on their relationship.
Sherlock seemed to read John's thoughts. "And on your honeymoon, how is your marriage? I hope it is alllllll that you wanted. You seemed so happy whenever you speak to Mary."
John shot his head up, anger flooding through his veins. Oooohh now you are just rubbing it in.
"Since when did the great Sherlock Holmes learn sarcasm?" John spat out.
"When I learnt that it is the only language you speak." Sherlock shot back.
"Sorry to stop this lover's quarrel, but there is someone down stairs to see you."
Both of the men turned in surprise to see Mrs Hudson standing by the door. Her face was serious and she looked a bit frightened.
"This was not...I am not…I am married Mrs Hudson!" John exclaimed, grasping for any sort of excuse he could use.
Mrs Hudson waved him off. "Please dear, pull the other one, it has bells on it. I heard you two fighting from down stairs. Anyway that isn't important…there is…" She looked at desperately at Sherlock. He nodded in understanding.
"Mrs Hudson let him up." She nodded and ran down the steps.
"It seems that he is early." Sherlock turned to John, his facial expression changed. "John, whatever happens don't show any emotion towards any name or thing he mentions to you. If you do, it might just be your downfall."
XXX
Mary curled up on the chair, hugging her knees to her chest.
Wiggins had left a few minutes before, leaving Mary alone with her thinking over Magnussen's offer. Well, it wasn't much of an offer, more of a deal that would ruin close relationships no matter what option she chose.
Why did he have to come to me? Why did he want to come now? She sat there tears streaming down her face.
Because he's a sadistic arsehole who can't do his own dirty work, her brain answered, and because he gets his kicks from being a sadistic arsehole.
She looked to the table, where a picture of her and her husband did their first dance. Itwas so blissful then, so…simple. Then she was done with business with Magnussen. Then she still could have a choice about keeping the baby.
Oh yeah, she knew all about the baby. She knew that she was at least eight weeks along. She also knew that this baby has also brought a whole unwanted load of problems to her doorstep. These problems could have been sorted quietly if Sherlock and his brilliant bloody mind had shut his mouth.
She sighed. It really wasn't Sherlock's fault. It was that sadistic arsehole Magnussen
Of course he caught wind of this and of course he knew the full story. He, after all, was a part of it.
When he explained his sudden appearance, it all made sense.
What does this "mission" entail?" Mary was shaking as she sat down.
Oh, the usual. I want you to take someone hostage. Then when I get what I want, I want you to kill him"
There is no beating around the bush with you is there?"
Magnussen reclined in the chair, cocking his head to one side. "It is a British concept that I do not wish to take a part in."
Mary hated these meetings. To begin with, way back when AGRA was still a thing, they were just a necessity to go through to get paid double the usual rate. But that was when her partners were still alive.
She tried to break the deal with him, but Magnussen refused to let her go. He threatened her with the fact that he could reveal to the world that she, personally, was the one who started the attack at the Embassy in Georgia.
She had no choice but to agree to his demands. She continued being an assassin whom killed people who knew more deadly information about Magnussen than he had about them, except this time with no pay included and secret that would destroy her relationship with John.
The last time she met him was when he finally let her go unless she did one more thing. That was eight weeks ago.
This target is in great importance to complete the final part of my plan, the only problem is that he is bothering me immensely and starting to be more worth to me dead. If you complete it I will leave you to your depressing sad life with your husband."
Or else?"
Or the more exciting option is that I will reveal to the whole world who you really are, and more importantly, who your child's father is."
She gulped. "Alright then. Who is the target?"
He gave Mary a chilling dead smile. "Sherlock Holmes."
Hey my bokkies
So it did seem that I managed a chapter before Christmas!
And yes I am evil incarnate.
Love from thecapefangirl