"Sherlock?" asked Marie.
"Yes Marie?" he answered turning to look at her from his experiment. John had left to get groceries.
"I'm leaving." she said seriously. Her bag was on her shoulder and had her hands in her coat pocket.
"Where will you go?" he frowned. Why would she leave now? Fear of Moriarty? No, she wasn't scared of him, she was brave. Well he thought so, considering she took on a murderer with nothing but her fists.
"To Jake's. You and John need space, especially with Moriarty returning..." she paused. "Be careful Sherlock, I mean it." she had a worried expression on her face. He stood up and held out his hand. She took it and they shook hands.
"Thank you Sherlock." she said and began to walkout of the door. "oh yeah." she span round. "Be good in court; don't show off." she smiled and walked out the flat, down the stairs and onto the street. He picked up his violin and watched her from the window. He began to play as he watched her get into a taxi and disappear into the night.
"Sherlock where's Marie?" asked John when he returned.
"Gone."
"Gone? Gone where?"
"To live with a friend. She thought we needed... Space..."
"I can't believe this..." he sat down. She left without saying goodbye, just like her mother. "I'm going to bed."
Sherlock didn't reply, he just continued playing his violin. John walked slowly to his room. First time he would have slept in there in a month and a half. He stepped in. The bed was neatly done with the covers folded at the end of the bed. He changed into his pyjamas and got into bed. His friend was due in court tomorrow. He needed his rest. He knew it would be a challenge, especially as it was Sherlock.
She walked into her friend's house. Nice, cleaned especially for her arrival, vacuum cleaner still in the corner and the surfaces had been very recently cleaned-
"Marie!" said Jake and he hugged her.
"Hey Jake, how've you been?" she looked distant, it wasn't home to her. The only time she had felt that warmth was at 221B.
"I'm good, you?"
"Fine." she couldn't be bothered with general chit chat. "Where will I be sleeping?"
"In the spare room," he looked at her, he knew something was different. "This way..." he took her hand and led her upstairs to her room. It was plain and simple. Cream walls, a bed, a chest of drawers and a wardrobe. It was nothing like home.
"Thanks Jake." she said and laid down on the bed and closed her eyes. Jake knew she wanted to be left alone so gave a weak smile and left her alone.
Moriarty was back. How could he be back? He ruined her life three years ago. It wasn't going to happen again.