Sherlock was waiting for Ella outside of Speedy's, and she locked it closed. She smiled seeing Sherlock there, and he grabbed a taxi for them. They arrived at a large garden, and there seemed to only be couples around. "Doesn't quite seem like a place for thinking," Ella said listening to all the couples talking.
"Follow me." Sherlock led the way and Ella followed behind. He cut through some bushes, and Ella was getting a little worried. Sherlock looked behind and saw Ella still following him. Ella saw a large wall and Sherlock opened the door with his credit card. He entered, and so did Ella. They both climbed the spiral stairs all the way to the top, and he propped open the door. Ella was blown away by the sight, seeing a wonderful view of London and the garden.
Sherlock hopped to the top level, and he knelt down and put his hand out. Ella smiled and took his hand. He lifted Ella easily to his level and she held his hand tightly. "This is absolutely breath-taking, Sherlock."
"It is. Let's sit down." Sherlock and Ella sat on a small bench overlooking the view. She leaned her head on his shoulder, still holding onto Sherlock's hand. He gently stroked her fingers with his thumb, and Ella felt like her heart was going to pound out of her chest. "You're breathing unevenly. Are you afraid?"
"No, I'm not afraid."
"Are you nervous?"
"...somewhat, I suppose."
"Nervous of what?"
"I'm nervous of it all...falling for someone again." Sherlock looked at Ella surprised at her confession. "I don't want to be hurt again."
"Do you think I'll hurt you?"
"Maybe not intentionally...but the words 'love' and 'Lannister' don't seem to mix and match very much."
"Then mix and match it until it works." Ella looked at Sherlock and laughed at his remark. She let go of Sherlock's hand and stood at the very edge of the building, looking down. "What are you doing? You shouldn't stand so close to the edge."
"Why not? Have you seen the view from the edge? It's wonderful."
"Yes, but don't stand so close to the edge. Come here," Sherlock spoke and put his hand out for Ella. She looked back at him and sat on the edge, one leg dangling down while the other was resting on the edge. "Ella, come here to me."
"Are you afraid I'll fall off? The only way I could possibly fall off is if I jump. Do you think I would jump?" Sherlock was quiet. "Why do you think I would jump? Do you think I don't enjoy your company? Do you think that I'm having such a bad time that I'd jump off to rid myself of you?"
"No, that's not what I think."
"Then come join me, Sherlock. Share this moment with me." Ella now put her hand out and Sherlock hesitated for a moment, but he walked towards where she was sitting. Ella held Sherlock's hand and he sat on the edge next to the beauty. He looked down at the view and was mesmerized. "See? Aren't you glad you sat by my side here?" Sherlock smiled and stroked Ella's hand with his thumb. "My grandfather's 67th birthday is coming up in 2 weeks. The Queen offered the party to be at Windsor Castle. Would you like to join me?"
"Windsor Castle?" Sherlock was surprised that that was the location of the party, but he remembered the long history the Lannisters had with the royal family and what kind of member Tywin Lannister was to the British government. He remembered in his younger years how Mycroft would always rave on about how much he wanted to become like Tywin Lannister when he grows up. "I'll have to see if I have something planned," Sherlock answered not wanting to seem like he was giving in too quickly to Ella.
"Yes, and if you do have something planned you should move it aside for another day," Ella answered with a smile. "It would mean a lot if you could come."
"I'll let you know as soon as I find out." Sherlock could see Ella's face saddening from his response, and he held Ella's hand tighter.
"Shall we go back?" Ella suggested. That made Sherlock sad because he wanted to spend more time with Ella, but he agreed.
"Thank you for today, John," Briar Rose said to John when he dropped her off at her apartment. "It was a wonderful day and you were wonderful company."
"It's no problem at all. I had a great time today, too," he smiled rather shyly. "I...hope I can see you again?"
"Yes, I'd love to."
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes. I'll meet you at the garden at the same time."
"Great!" John answered happily. He quickly composed himself and cleared his throat, trying to play it cool. "Great, wonderful. I'll see you tomorrow then at the garden."
"Goodnight, John," Briar Rose bid with a beautiful smile.
"Goodnight, Rose," John bid and watched her enter her home. He walked away with the biggest grin on his face, not realizing he was still grinning the moment he walked into his flat. He still had the grin when Sherlock entered the flat after walking Ella to her flat. Sherlock saw John just sitting on the couch with the goofiest grin.
"You met a woman," Sherlock said eying John and taking his gloves off.
"Oh, didn't even notice you came in," John answered snapping out of his thoughts and trying to compose himself again.
"What's her name?" Sherlock asked now taking his coat off and hanging it.
"Briar Rose."
"Briar Rose?" Sherlock thought to himself what an interesting name.
"Did you find anything on the Lannister case?" John asked quickly changing the subject.
"No, this sniper cleaned his tracks too well."
"Meaning he's done this before."
"Exactly."
"So how do we go about this case?" Sherlock was quiet. He knew how to approach this case, but he just didn't want to go down this road. "Sherlock?"
"Mycroft," Sherlock sighed.
"You're coming to ME for help?" Mycroft asked with the biggest grin on his face as if he won the Nobel Prize against Sherlock.
"Don't get used to it, Mycroft," Sherlock answered with disgust seeing his brother basking in the glory of the day Sherlock asked Mycroft for help. "I need the cameras for March 22 at the hours between 8 to 10 pm."
"Which location?"
"Bishop's Avenue."
"A case at Bishop's Avenue? Have you taken on the Lannister case?"
"Just get me the tapes."
"Not until you answer my questions." Sherlock sighed loudly and rolled his eyes, annoyed of his brother getting into his business. Mycroft enjoyed how much Sherlock was being tormented. "Did the Lannisters ask you to be on their case?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because I'm the best there is."
"Who asked you?"
"The family."
"Are you sure it wasn't Ella Lannister?" Sherlock glared at his brother. He wasn't surprised Mycroft knew since he worked the security cameras on the streets for the government.
"She didn't ask me to be on the case. Now, I want the tapes."
"Uh uh uh. I'm not done with my questions, little brother." John just stood there awkwardly, used to this sibling rivalry. "Do you like this woman?"
"I don't ensue relationships with clients."
"That's not answering my question. Do you like Ella Lannister?"
"She's not an unlikable person."
"Sherlock," Mycroft said with a look that said just spit it out.
"Yes, yes I do," Sherlock answered annoyed of his brother
"Why is this girl different from any other woman?"
"Are you here to ask me questions about my feelings to this girl or are you going to give me the cameras?"
"It's just very interesting to me because you've never been interested in anyone, let alone a woman."
"Very true," John spoke up giving his 2 cents. Sherlock glared at John, then glared back at Mycroft.
"I ask for the cameras for the last time. Give them to me now."
"Very well," Mycroft sneered. "You'll receive them in the mail by the evening today." Sherlock and John were on their way out when Mycroft shouted, "See you at the Windsor Castle in 2 weeks, Sherlock!"
