Irene couldn't put it off any longer. She turned to Sherlock, the man she loved and placed a kiss to his lips. "I've just got to make a call, a client. I'll be back in a moment." She stood up, out of bed and wrapped a robe around herself. She picked up her phone before walking out onto the balcony.
"Hello, Miss Adler." A calm, emotionless voice spoke.
She took a deep breath. "Hello, Seb. I'm just calling to say... the plans off." She said in an attempt at a strong voice.
"Why?" Sebastian's voice darkened slightly.
"No particular reason, changed my mind. I'm rather inclined to do that." She leaned against the railing and gazed out at the darkening London skyline.
"Something's happened." He said, realisation colouring his tone.
"Nothings happened. I'm just not in the mood for your games anymore." She half spat. She took another deep breath. "I'm sure you'll get another chance."
"No can do. I want him." He hissed.
"Well, I don't have him anymore." She lied. "I don't know where he is."
"I don't believe you, Miss Adler. Oh God, please don't tell me you've fallen for him...again!?" Disbelief coloured Sebastian's tone.
"I've not fallen for him again." She muttered. "I really have no idea where he is."
"Again, I don't believe you. You'll regret this, Miss Adler. Mark. My. Words." He spat.
Irene swallowed as the phone went dead. Not good. Very not good. She slipped the phone into her robe pocket and closed her eyes, taking a few deep breaths before plastering a smile
onto her face and walking back into the room.
"Sorry about that, stubborn client". She murmured to Sherlock.
He smiled at her, reaching his hand out for hers.
"I missed you." He muttered.
Her face softened slightly as she took his hand, climbing into bed next to him. "I missed you too." She murmured softly.
"Everything alright?" He asked.
She turned to face him, putting her head on his chest. "Everythings fine." She lied.
He hugged her to him, "So, looks like we're stuck together. Rather an unfortunate afterlife." He jested.
She smiled, in spite of herself. "No one says you have to stay with me. Feel free to leave if you want." She teased.
"Well if the offer still stands..." He said feigning getting up.
"I lied. You're trapped here." She said with mock horror, clinging to him.
He laughed as she pulled him down, falling into her lap.
"So, Miss Adler, what would you like to do now?" He asked with a wink.
Before she could answer, her stomach rumbled and she frowned. "It seems my body has spoken, and not in the way I had hoped." She pouted.
"Boring." He answered, with a smirk. "Fine, order some food, will you?"
"I agree. Alright give me a minute, I'll go get a menu from downstairs." She pressed her lips to Sherlocks briefly before getting out of bed. "Don't miss me too much." She winked as she opened the door.
Sherlock sat up and ran his hand through his hair. He heard his phone buzz and then buzz again, and again and again. He wrinkled his brow, wondering who would be texting so much if not her. He picked it up lazily and read the following texts:
"Thanks to Sherlock Holmes. I now have to decrease my clientele. I cannot stand that man. He has ruined my life and I'll get my revenge. May need your help with that -IA"
"I hear Sherlock's been spending his 'death' spying on his boyfriend. It's sweet, really. His hopeless pining. -IA"
"You'll never guess who I have in my clutches. Mr Sherlock Holmes. If you want him, come and get him. You know what the price is. Hurry and reply before I change my mind. -IA"
"How the hell have you managed that? Never mind, it's irrelevant. You want protection, right?-SM"
" Of course. I would like to come out of hiding. Business is too slow. What can you offer me? And, please, reply quickly. -IA"
"We can offer you your usual form of protection plus a personal hit if anyone bothers you? No need to reply, we know you'll say yes. Stay with Sherlock Holmes. Make him want you. We'll discuss an exchange shortly, Miss Adler. -SM"
Sherlock swallowed the knot that was in his throat. He blinked back what felt like tears. His heart felt heavy and torn-shattered. So it was all the game, after all. He should have known better. He stood up, in a daze, shocked by the new information. He got dressed quickly, his mind blank, unable to grab a solid, full thought. He packed his things, put on his coat and scarf and headed for the door.
Irene opened the door and nearly walked straight into Sherlock. She frowned. "Are you leaving? I thought..." She trailed off when she saw his face and her heart felt like it was in an iron grip.
"Tell me it's not true." He whispered, his voice barely audible.
Her heart shattered. "I take it you've heard from Moran." She whispered back, it sounded slightly strangled.
"Tell me you didn't send those." He said again, his voice breaking.
She closed her eyes, a single tear escaped but she didn't seem to notice. "I'm sorry." She choked out.
He swallowed. "Well played, Miss Adler. You win. Have a good life. However long it may last." He spat, moving past her and out the door.
"Sherlock wait!" She called after him.
He paused in the doorway, refusing to turn around.
"Everything I said, I meant it. I wasn't playing the game." She had flipped the words she had spoken to him that fateful night in Mycroft's office. "Sherlock, I love you." She whispered tearfully.
Sherlock's heart broke yet again at her words. He turned around slowly, "Then tell me they're all lies. Tell me you didn't send those."
She looked him in the eye and knew that she could not lie to him. "I can't. I sent those." She whispered.
He nodded once, turning back around. He paused before continuing. He had to know. "Was it fake?"
"Was what fake?" She asked, her voice shaking.
"Are you really in danger?" He asked slowly
She closed her eyes, knowing that her next words would cause her to lose him forever. "No." She breathed.
"Then we have nothing left to say to one another. Good bye Miss Adler." He said stifly, before turning and walking away.
As soon as the door closed behind Sherlock, Irene broke down. Tears streamed down her face and a sound of pure pain and anguish escaped her mouth. The pain quickly turned to anger and she whirled around the room, throwing things and knocking things off surfaces before slowly crumpling to the floor, her body wracked with sobs.
He closed his eyes as he heard her sob, still standing outside the door. Like leaving would have been that easy, he thought foolishly to himself. A single tear fell down Sherlock Holmes' cheek. The first tear that had escaped his eyes in over a decade. He swallowed the pain down and walked forward, eyes glazed and dead.
Sherlock pulled his phone out and dialed a number he had not dialed in a very, very long time. Tonight was a danger night. And he planned on greeting it with open arms.
"The usual. And make it quick."