He wanted to reach for her face, to take her into his arms but there was something in the way she was looking at him that told him to stand his ground.
"What are you doing here?" Irene asked, her voice almost in distress.
Sherlock's eyebrows furrowed, studying her expression. "Shouldn't I ask you the same question?"
Irene bit her lip, her eyes filled with worry. "Who told you I was back in London?"
Sherlock tried to understand the situation. Orrery... Irene all dressed up... "I see. You're with a client." he muttered, trying to sound distant.
"No... I-" Irene paused when a man with dark hair and aquiline features came up behind her. Seeing that he was dressed in a sharp suit, Sherlock figured that this man is Irene's companion for the night.
"Lucia... I just got off the cab. Strange being back in London, am I right?" said the man, planting a kiss on Irene's lips. His sharp eyes flickered to Sherlock, widening in recognition.
"Mr. Holmes, is it? Huge fan! My name is Godfrey Norton." the man said, extending a hand to Sherlock. The detective simply glanced Godfrey, his eyes reverting back to Irene.
Taking back his hand and giving a slight chuckle, Godfrey replaced his arm around Irene. "You didn't tell me you knew the Great Sherlock Holmes!"
Irene's lowered her eyes, unable to meet Sherlock's gaze. "He's... an old colleague."
"Colleague... Hm." Sherlock hissed, almost rolling his eyes.
"Would you like to join us, Mr. Holmes? Lucia and I were about to have dinner." Mr. Norton suggested.
Lucia... So Irene didn't tell him about her true identity. She used a fake one-the one Mycroft and himself arranged after Karachi-Lucia Bennett. Sherlock kept his hands on his pockets, trembling as he clenched them in fists.
"Dinner?" Sherlock repeated, spiting Irene at the word. Giving a sour smile, Sherlock replied. "Seeing that you will propose to her tonight, I wouldn't want to intrude. Three's a company, don't you think?"
"Propose?" Irene exclaimed, her eyes widening, from surprise or horror Sherlock couldn't tell. Her lips were quivering and she shot him an apologetic glance. Sherlock tried to remain cold.
Godfrey smiled sheepishly, his palm on his nape. "You don't miss much, as you reputation say." he told Sherlock.
"I won't disturb you, then. Good night." Sherlock muttered, turning his back on both Irene and Mr. Norton.
He could feel Irene's lingering stare on the back of his head and he had an immense urge to run. Breathing slowly, he did long strides to keep his dignity intact. What was he thinking? Of course a lot of things had changed! They were apart for four years, goddammit!
But still, part of him ached.
Irene, on the other hand, still has her eyes trained on Sherlock's leaving image. She let herself be dragged by Godfrey, both of them heading inside Orrery. The expression-or the lack thereof-on Sherlock's face lingered on her head, making her insides lurch.
Stopping abruptly, Irene almost tripped if it weren't for Godfrey's hand on hers.
"Everything okay, darling?" Mr. Norton asked, his hand finding the small of her back.
Irene smiled at him weakly, nodding. "Do you mind if I run after Mr. Holmes? I forgot to... Erm... I was supposed to tell him something when I arrived here. A message from another colleague from New York." Of course she was just making an excuse. She couldn't bear that image of cold expression he held in his eyes.
Godfrey grinned. "Of course, love. Good thing he found you here tonight, then, eh? Lessens the bother. Would you like me to come with you?"
Irene shook her head. "Oh no. I'll be quick."
As Godfrey told the attendant about his table reservation, Irene walked out the door and ran after Sherlock who was about to hail a cab. At the sound of her clicking heels he turned and shook his head at the cabbie.
"Problem, Ms. Adler?" he asked coldly.
"So it's back to 'Ms. Adler' now?" she asked, crossing her arms as she tried to catch her breath.
Sherlock rolled his eyes. "Oh sorry. I forgot. It's Ms. Bennett now, is it? Or do you prefer 'future Mrs. Norton'?" he spat.
"I need him... You don't understand." Irene hissed.
"Everything is quite clear, actually. Now if you'll excuse me, I have business to attend to back in Baker Street." Sherlock replied bitterly.
"You wouldn't even let me explain?" Irene asked, agitated.
"I've seen enough to know." Sherlock simply said.
Irene scoffed, her grey eyes stormy. "And because you're so clever, you won't even listen to what I have to say? You are a prick, Sherlock Holmes!"
With nothing else left to say, Irene turned her back on him, her shoulders shaking in anger.
"Congratulations on your engagement." Sherlock whispered as he watched The Woman walk away from him, the memories of their last night together vividly flashing in his eyes.