Aftermath
After the New Year's ball, as Mr. Holmes had predicted everything went back to normal. I still wrote Mycroft from time to time, but our letters grew less frequent over the coming weeks. John was worried as always that I had lied to myself and that I really was in love with Mycroft. I did all in my power to convince him that I did not have any feelings of that sort for him. He finally let it drop and I was able to focus on my work and be able to live my new life. But, something was off. Mr. Holmes had told everyone I was too hard-hearted to let another man into my life. I thought I had improved such much after William's treachery. I must have been sending off an air of confusion, because one day, Mr. Holmes decided to interrupt my thoughts.
"Whatever has you so preoccupied that you haven't read the mail yet? Please divulge Miss. Watson." Mr. Holmes's voice was quiet and calm. I blinked and turned towards where he was sitting and smoking.
"Do I really have to tell you, Mr. Holmes? Aren't you just going to deduce what I am thinking by the state of blouse?" I asked him undaunted with whatever conclusion he would draw. My employer stood up and peered at me with his green eyes narrowed.
"Well, I was trying to be sociable towards you Miss. Watson. I shall deduce your thoughts but not by your clothing." Mr. Holmes chewed upon his pipe stem as he circled me. I pretended to be fearless of what he might observe. My hands began to tremble slightly in anticipation but, I hid them in my lap. Finally, he stood in front of me; his air of confidence was more apparent then normal. "Miss. Watson, I can tell you are thinking about something that happened recently. Simply because, if had been from the past you would have mentioned it." He smirked as I nodded. He then began to pace, confidant he would find me out. "From the bite marks on your fingernails, I can tell you have been nervous about this. Also, the fact that you waited to drift off in thought after the Doctor left, means you don't wish him to know." He looked at my eyes for another clue. I forgotten how clever he was and conceded another nod.
Mr. Holmes then clapped his hands together and with a smirk he locked eyes with me. "Then it must have been about something I said to you. And since most of my interactions with you have been civil, it must have been during the ball." Mr. Holmes's eyes were wide as I nodded with a smirk of my own.
"Very good, Mr. Holmes, it was when you said I was too hard hearted to let another man into my life." My tone was a bit forward but, I had to let the man know. He seemed surprised by my tone and most taken aback by the subject.
"I am sorry that part of my speech is all you remember. But, since I have been somewhat involved in your life it seemed a logical conclusion of mine. You had your heart broken by Jack when he died and William Gardner I bet only got to see a sliver of your heart, before he moved on." Mr. Holmes's tone was so soulless and monotone, it frightened me a little. "So, I knew that you wouldn't let my brother come so close, you don't take romance very lightly Miss. Watson. Which is a good thing in my opinion; women are too carefree these days." Mr. Holmes added a bit of a compliment towards me, which only made me roll my eyes.
"Thank you for your kindness Mr. Holmes, but I am sure not everyone would share that opinion." My brain thankfully stopped buzzing about why I was so cautious when it came to letting love in. He was right about my two previous loves though, Jack was taken cruelly from me and it tore me apart. William on the other hand did not see as much since I decided to be careful about our courtship, and he ended up in the arms of another. But, something had changed in my resolute mind and in my heart. Since severing things with William four years ago, I had been content with being alone. But, now that I had begun to form bonds of friendship and the return of family, my heart wanted something to fill it and that something I couldn't fathom. I shook my head of this desire to return to work; Mr. Holmes went back to his chair, with the same long stride. My eyes followed his retreating form, my mind began to wonder, what if I became friends with this man once more? What would happen, now that we both are ourselves instead of playing a part?
My heart began to flutter at the thought, which made my mind consumed with questions. I knew that Mr. Holmes and I shared some traits but, neither of them was compatible with love in the mix. That would be unexpected romance indeed, if that were to ever transpire. I took a deep sigh and began reading the mail, shoving these feelings down in the process. Little did I know that in the coming year, that would all change.
The End