I wasn't all that happy with last chapters ending, so here's a little, I don't know, teaser for next chapter? To be totally honest, after chapter six, I didn't know where to go with the story, seeing as I had only planned so far ahead. That's why I'm so unsure about last chapter, too. Now I've finally figured how the story will go for the next chapters, which makes me feel a little better.
Sherlock took up the note and read the few words.
I'm happy you and John worked it out. Didn't mean to cause trouble, you know.
He looked at it, confused. It didn't seem like she was being sarcastic or anything, he just got the feeling that she felt bad for causing a fight between them. He decided not to say anything to John, and ripped the note into small pieces.
"Sherlock! I made tea!" John yelled from downstairs, and Sherlock hurried down, putting the phone in his pocket. To Sherlock´s surprise, there wasn't only tea, but also dinner.
"Don't say anything," John held up his hand when Sherlock opened his mouth. "You need to eat. I haven't seen you eat in ages."
Sherlock smirked.
"I was only going to say it looked delicious. Thank you." He kissed John lightly on the lips, to John´s surprise. He wasn't used to Sherlock saying thanks, or being willing to eat, for that matter. Was Sherlock feeling… guilt? He shook his head. That didn't sound like the Sherlock he knew. He waved away the thoughts and sat down opposite Sherlock.
They talked about everything, normal daythings, like how stupid Anderson was and the last case Lestrade had given them.
"Have you seen his hair? I think you should say to Donovan that she should have him change it. It just makes him look even more stupid," Sherlock said, as they laughed about something Anderson had said earlier.
"Why can't you tell her?" John asked, trying to keep a straight face while picturing Donovan´s face if Sherlock went up and told her that. They burst out in laugher at the same time.
"Yeah, she'll listen to that, she's just so –" but what Donovan so was, John never got to know. Because just then Vay entered, looking tired and out of it. Both John and Sherlock stood there, looking at her. She must've had come very silently up the stairs, because neither of them had heard her. Something had changed in the few hours since he last saw her, because she was lacking her usual calmness. Without saying a word, she sat down in the chair John always sat in, and John and Sherlock shared a look.
John raised an eyebrow, as if to say that Sherlock had to fix this, but it was obvious Sherlock had no idea, so he sat down in the sofa opposite her.
"I'm not here to ruin anything," she said, easily, keeping her eyes fixated on the wall ahead of her. "I'm actually here to ask," she drew her breath, "for help."
Sherlock had put on his usual mask of emptiness, but felt almost shocked inside. Why had Vay come for help? She didn't appear like the type who would ask for help. He opened his mouth, but John was quicker.
"Why? What's happened?"
"I came home today, and found this on my desk." Vay said, with hollow voice and held a paper out to them. "Together with the tail of my dog, which has disappeared."
On the note it was written with blood-red ink:
Well, well. If you are so bored that you want to play with Holmes, why don't you play with me? I'm far more interesting, I promise you, and I'm not gay. The tail is for you as a little hint. That's what happened to your boyfriend.
What happened to your dog is surely obvious. JM
Sherlock looked at the note in disbelief. JM could only be one person. James Moriarty. But he was dead? He'd fallen off St. Barts hospital and died. Just as Sherlock thought this, his phone beeped.
April´s fool! Guess who's alive. JM
John watched in horror Sherlock´s face grow pale, as Vay pulled her knees under her chin and looked vulnerable and lost.
That's eight, and horribly short. I'm so sorry. But I didn't want it to be any longer, since I just got an idea and had to introduce it. More will come tomorrow when I'm not tired and sleepy.
Your reviews is, as always, very much appreciated :)