Eight Months

"Is that who I think it is?"

John turned around, following Harry's gaze. He saw immediately who she was looking at.

"Yes," he said, turning back around. "It is."

At the other end of the café, Kitty Riley sat with a cup of coffee and a half-eaten sandwich. She seemed busy scribbling on a pad of paper.

"Harry, don't stare," John said.

Harry's eyes moved to John. "Are you going to say anything?"

"Why would I?" John picked up his own sandwich and took a bite.

"Because you know you've been dying to ever since-"

She broke off as she saw her brother's expression.

"Sorry," she mumbled. "But you know it's true."

Being honest with himself, it was.

"I can't go around causing a scene," he said. "The last thing I need is to end up on the cover of The Sun."

"Defrauded detective's flat mate rampages on innocent reporter," Harry said with a smile.

"They'd probably throw something in about me being his heartbroken lover as well," John added.

"You're probably right," Harry said, picking up her cup of coffee. "Just remember you won't get this chance again."

She didn't say anything more, and after a few seconds John stood up and walked over to Kitty's table.

She recognized him. He could tell from her expression. Surprise. And fear?

"Dr. Watson," she said as he helped himself to the seat across from her. "I didn't expect to see you again."

"I suppose you hoped you wouldn't, anyway."

She tried to smile, but it came out as more of a grimace.

"Listen, she said, "I'm really sorry about what happened."

It might have been a nice sentiment, had John not known what she meant.

"Sherlock didn't lie to me."

Her look was sympathetic now. "I know you don't want to believe it, but-"

"Why'd you go through with it?"

She looked taken aback. "I'm sorry. I don't follow."

"A man killed himself because of your story. And you went through with printing it."

"Sherlock Holmes did not kill himself because of my story, Dr. Watson. He killed himself because of what was in the story. And people deserved to know the truth."

"Your article wasn't the truth," John said, shaking his head.

"Let it go," she said, crossing her arms and leaning back. "Your friend wasn't who you thought he was. People lie. People cheat. It happens. Why do you insist on defending him?"

"Because nobody else does," John said, his voice a lot more calm than he expected.

When Kitty didn't answer, he went on.

"And as hard as you tried to make it otherwise, Sherlock Holmes was not a tabloid headline, he was a man. A man with feelings, who was affected by stories like yours. And admittedly he didn't have many friends, but he had one, right here. And I won't stop believing in him; I won't stop fighting for people to believe in him." He stood up then, and started to walk away. "You're welcome to put that in your next article."

Harry and he left then. Neither of them were finished eating, but they figured it was for the best.