Hello again! I am so sorry that i disappeared for so long, but working for the first time is a little strange. I love you all. Thank you for not disappearing. Here's the chapter
CHAPTER 22
1945
Room no. 110
Sofitel Hotel
Melbourne CBD, VIC
"That…did not just happen," Lestrade said, turning back to a shocked Sally. The formerly peaceful air was rent with yells and sirens in the distance, fast approaching,
"Sally?" Lestrade touched her arm but she continued to stare ahead, "Sally,' he said, shaking her slightly. Her gaze finally focused on him,
"Are you okay?" Lestrade asked,
"I'm...yeah." Sally shook her head as if trying to clear it,
"Sally," Lestrade waiting until the sergeant was looking at him, at his eyes,
"It's alright to be scared,' he said, realizing, and feeling rather stupid for not thinking first, that the police sergeant had never actually been involved in a direct shoot-out.
Around them, the sirens sounded louder as they approached the scene and more and more people appeared. Lestrade figured it was probably best to get out of here quickly.
"C'mon," keeping his voice low, Lestrade took Sally's hand and led her back the way they had walked. The sergeant followed meekly as Lestrade tried to think what to do. He knew that he had to report the incident in to the AFP, but for now, his sergeant was his main concern.
The sounds of city changed as they walked deeper into it's heart, towards their hotel. It also grew steadily darker as they walked, and more and more people filled the streets. The detective inspector glanced back every now and then to find that there was no expression on the sergeants' face.
He picked up the pace, the silence of his talkative partner starting to worry him.
Pushing through the crowds, he finally managed to make his way to the hotel and walked into the waiting lifts. Sally still did not utter a single word.
Opening the door to their room, Lestrade pushed Sally in gently before following and locking the door behind him. A heavy silence filled the room.
Lestrade went around as if the sergeant was not standing stock still in the middle of the room. He walked to the TV and switched it on and turned to the kitchen,
'Do you want something to eat?" he asked as he disappeared around the corner, panicking as he tried to figure out what to do.
There was silence and the DI was about to go back when Sally's voice echoed through the room,
'Lestrade?" there was a pause, and the DI realised that he had stopped breathing so that he wouldn't miss a word,
"Yeah, Sally?" he asked. He waited as footsteps sounded and then the sergeant was in front of him, much like a child who was scared to approach,
'Can we talk?" Sally raised her eyes to his and the DI felt a small smile form,
"Always,"
2019
Grand Hyatt Hotel
Collins Street, Melbourne
VIC, Australia
"Pierre!" Sherlock shouted from the living room. A wall separated that and the bedroom, "What do you want now?" John asked, from his incredibly comfortable position on the four-poster bed.
"Well…If I said I needed a bit of plaster would you say that you were not about to go and get it?" the detective's voice echoed around the room and John sighed, dropping his head back on the pillow.
"You're the detective, Sherlock," John muttered, sure that Sherlock wouldn't hear him from the other room. The doctor allowed his eyes to slip shut and didn't move when the bed moved as his partner sat down.
"Want to see what makes me a really good detective?" Sherlock asked and John couldn't resist the smile.
"No," the doctor answered, "Too tired," he said, the warm summer breeze drifting in, and over him.
"Are you sure?" John stopped breathing as the words washed over him, caressing like the summer sun that was quickly disappearing, "hmm…didn't think so,"
2030
Crown Casino
Heart of Melbourne
VIC, Australia
The casino was crowded as Howell walked in and yet; the people parted like the red sea. People stopped and shook his hand. They asked when the next shows would be held, they stopped what they were doing, if only to get a glimpse of the casino tycoon.
Howell was smirking broadly as he entered the 'reserved' lift and hit the button for the top floor. The glass elevator rose quickly and quietly, taking him over the people who played on the floor.
Within a minute, Howell was twenty stories into the air. He stepped out of the building and ignored the panoramic view of the city as the light of the full moon spilled in through the glass.
Up here, it was quiet, and there was only one table, empty. The carpet was a lush green colour and was at least four centimetres thick.
The billionaire strode in and carelessly threw his Armani coat onto the back of one of the chairs around the table. Sitting down on the chair, Howell pulled out his phone,
"Where are they?" he asked, as soon as the other end was answered,
"The Sheik is five minutes away and the usual four are seated at the dining tables in ball room four."
Howell kicked his feet back,
"You can bring them up here now," he said, "We're ready to begin,"
"Yes sir,"
The line went dead and Howell watched as waiters stood in the shadows of the room, waiting for the guests to arrive. Howell motioned one carrying his favourite grapes forwards and grabbed a handful. Sending him away, the tycoon absentmindedly wondered how much money he was going to make tonight.
2031
Room no. 110
Sofitel Hotel
VIC, Australia
"So that…it was…different" Sally finished. She had spent the last half an hour just talking with the DI and he understood. Everything. He knew how his sergeant felt and she was grateful for it. She was glad that he didn't press her but let her take her own time.
"When did you…' she faded off and Lestrade smiled slightly at her tone – nervous but at the same time curious –
"I was twenty," he said, understanding that she was asking what his first death was. Sally's jaw dropped,
"But…you were at Uni! You did your degree of criminology first, didn't you?"
"Yeah," he said, "I walked in on a murder," Sally's brows shot up,
"I think you were still in high school,' he said, "It wasn't made public knowledge,"
"Really?" she asked,
"Yeah. I spent a year of sleepless nights," The DI frowned slightly as a realisation him – ha had told no one that. Not even Juli. Aannd we're back with the other memories. Lestrade sighed.
A comfortable silence filled the room as Sally munched on a handful of nuts, 'We should probably report in," she said, jerking her boss out of his reverie,
"Yeah…we probably should," he laughed, and got to his feet, stumbling slightly as he tripped over the sheets of the bed. Walking to the phone he dialled the number he memorised.
Immediately, someone answered,
"Where were you?" James voice sounded over the earpiece and Lestrade winced,
"If you were that damn concerned, you would have come to the hotel," he answered back,
"We did!" the Aussie agents voice held a note of irritation, "They said that you had not gone up to your rooms,"
"How soon was this after the shooting?" Lestrade asked,
"Twenty minutes,"
'We were still walking back," The DI rubbed his forehead with his free hand as James sighed on the other end,
'Well…are you both okay?"
"Yeah," Lestrade huffed back,
"Good, because your deaths would bring a little too much attention,"
"Oh, forget about the fact that we'd be dead," Lestrade snapped back,
"We're coming over. Stay where you are, and we, I repeat, we get in contact with those other agents of yours,"
"Alright." Lestrade all but slammed the phone down and turned to Sally,
"Annoyed?" she asked,
"Shut up," the DI mumbled, but as the sergeant continued to hold his gaze, he broke into a smile, 'they're coming over,"
"Let me change," with that, Sally was up and at the wardrobe and the DI gave up trying to convince her otherwise and sat in front of the TV, switching it on to a footy game that he didn't understand.
2031
Grand Hyatt Hotel
Collins Street, Melbourne
VIC, Australia
"You know we've got to move, right?" John asked, wondering why he was lying here, curled up against Sherlock instead of getting dressed for the next part of their mission as the bells at St. Paul's rang for eight thirty.
"Yeah," the deep voice rumbled in the detective's chest but still neither moved. At least, not until he phone started ringing.
Reluctantly, John got up and walked over, lifting the receiver up, 'Hello?" he asked,
"Pierre?" Lestrade's voice on the other end sounded and John smiled,
'Matt Robson?" John asked,
"Yes. I'm calling about your car, it's ready for pick up," Lestrade wondered earlier why agents had to use code. It turns out that it was protocol - especially because anyone could be listening. It was, however, incredibly confusing, and at times unclear.
"Is it?" John asked, trying to remember what that was supposed to mean,
"Yes, it is. You come and pick it up now,"
'Right. I'll be there."
"Amy will be watching for you," Lestrade added, hoping John remembered that Sally was Amy,
"Yeah…sure," with that, John hung up and turned to Sherlock, the I'm-confused-can-you-clear-things-up look on his face.
"Pierre?"
"Erm…our car is ready to be picked up and we can go now. Amy will be watching," John repeated and Sherlock grinned,
"Finally," he said, leaping out of bed and yanking his discarded clothes from of the floor,
"What?'
"We're going to the casino!"
John stood still for a moment longer, "And you're excited because?"
"It's fun!" Sherlock's wild hair was falling into his eyes and those incredible, grey eyes were once again filled with energy,
'Well what are you standing there naked for?" John blushed and realised he was standing there staring at the detective,
"Not that I mind," Sherlock added in a quieter undertone as John tripped over his pants and landed on the floor, still blushing.
2031
Room no. 110
Sofitel Hotel
VIC, Australia
"Right, they're getting ready to move to the casino," Lestrade turned to find his bed covered with monitors and Sally and the two other agents huddled around, watching the comings and going of the casinos. Somehow, they had managed to tap into the security system and even had footage of the high rollers game that had started on the top floor where Howell himself was playing.
Mitchell turned away from the screens, 'So, just to clarify, you realise you are going to have to testify in the court, as the only living witnesses we have of the murder?" he asked and for the second time, Lestrade nodded,
'Yes," he said, in a slightly irritated voice, "we know,"
"You can't leave this hotel," James added, without turning around and Sally looked at him,
"But…" she faded off and he turned his head. It was then Sally realised they were a lot closer that she had intended them to be,
'That's not a problem, is it?" he asked and the sergeant quickly shook her head before scrambling of the bed,
"I need a drink," she said, walking to the kitchen as Mitch frowned at his partner. James laughed at the older man's expression and turned back to the screens.
Lestrade slid into Sally's spot and James moved over for him as Mitch went to talk to Sally,
"So, how long have you been in Scotland Yard?" James asked,
"Nineteen years," Lestrade answered and James raised his eyebrows,
"Nineteen? This is my second year,"
"In AFP?" Lestrade asked and the junior agent nodded,
'Mitch is my current mentor,"
"What do you mean by current mentor?" Lestrade asked and James gave a casual wave of his hand,
"Oh my last three kicked me out," he paused at the slightly disbelieving look on the DI's face, "You see," he leaned in conspiratorially, "I'm incredible brilliant, that's why the hired me so young. But I'm really a pain in the ass," Green eyes glittered as they laughed wickedly and Lestrade shook his head, turning back to the screen,
'Married?" he asked, and was shocked to hear,
'Yeah. But she cheats on me. I cheat on her. We're good like that," Lestrade turned to him in disbelief, "What about you?" James asked,
"Uh," Lestrade felt a pang, "My wife was…Erm, killed," He glanced left to see that the mirth had left the young man's face,
"I'm sorry," he said, and Lestrade thought he would leave it at that, 'I can see you loved her," Lestrade glanced back at him, a slight frown on his forehead,
"How?" his voice cracked slightly. There was a pause as the Aussie agent examined Lestrade, "It's in your eyes," James turned back to the screens but Lestrade kept looking straight at him. Full of surprises, aren't you?
Somewhere in the CBD
VIC, Australia
"Will you kindly stop dragging me around like I am your-"
"My what, Pierre?" Sherlock asked, without looking back, as he pulled John out of the hotel and onto the crowded street. The lights glittered and the pounding of music from the nearest club was a background noise to the noise and chatter of Friday night Melbourne. Finally, Sherlock stopped walking as the crossing man turned red and they had to wait at the side of the road.
'Does everything have to turn sexual?" John asked, slightly exasperated, but mostly happy,
"Yep. Your fault," and they were moving again, with Sherlock in the lead,
"How's it my fault?" John panted as he hurried to keep in step with his incredibly smartly dressed and fast paced husband,
"Because. You're…irresistible."
"What?"
'Look around you John," Sherlock pulled him around a group of young men who were chanting something about the Dogs, "Women have to stop themselves drooling when you walk past,"
John actually looked around but all he could see was people and darkness. It didn't help that they were moving so fast, they may as well have been running.
"Men too," Sherlock added as he steered them around a tree and jerked John to make sure that he didn't walk into the thing.
John stumbled slightly as he tripped over a bench that materialised and was incredibly surprised when they abruptly stopped moving and he realised that they were standing a little way into an alley, the flow of people not affecting them.
Sherlock was standing in front, looking at him.
"You do look incredibly good tonight," his voice was barely above a whisper,
"I'm glad…someone noticed," John said, not smiling, because his mind was completely caught up in Sherlock.
Sherlock's breath, Sherlock's body, Sherlock's eyes.
"Don't react, Pierre," the doctor took a while to process the soft words, "But there is a camera behind me, and I have no doubt that one of Howell's cronies, who, by the way, will have us on twenty-four hour watch, will be watching. I believe the team will also be watching." John didn't let his face change, but he did feel a pang of disappointment that Sherlock wasn't dragging him in here because he wanted to be romantic.
What did you expect? A candlelight dinner on the foreshore as well? John asked himself but allowed a smile, but…if it were any other way…my Sherlock wouldn't be my Sherlock at all.
"That's fine by me, Pierre," John said,
'Good," The detective stepped closer and for once, John managed to hold his ground. He still wasn't use to that potent gaze directed on him and only him, "Then you won't mind if I snog you up against a wall, will you?" and without waiting for anything other permission, that is exactly what Sherlock proceeded to do.
Room no. 110
Sofitel Hotel
VIC, Australia
"That is something I don't need to see," Lestrade said, watching with a slight feeling of horror and maybe…just maybe…longing.
Maybe.
"I dunno, it's not that bad a sight," Sally said, watching with her head at an angle while James scoffed,
'I've seen better,"
"Where?" Sally asked, before thinking, and the young detective turned to her,
'Do you really want to know?" he asked. Sally shook her head and a cheeky smile appeared on his face,
"Oh good. Because I like Mitch as a mentor. I don't want to change again." Mitch raised an eyebrow before shaking his head,
'They're moving on, I believe they're heading for the casino, now," the older AFP agent said,
"This is Sherlock. He might just decide to give that up to continue what they were doing back at the hotel," Lestrade said and Sally laughed,
"Probably, except John wouldn't let him,"
"Quite frankly, I don't think John is capable of speech or any form of protest at the moment," James put in, laughing as he watched the doctor follow Sherlock out, going at a much slower pace now.
In front of Crown Casino
Melbourne
VIC, Australia
The casino reared in front of them, the reflection on the Yarra beautiful, the fairy lights in the trees adding to the charm of the place as a sea of people moved around and into the building. John was still slightly dazed from that mind numbingly amazing…whatever that was back there.
'Bob," John said, keeping his voice low. The detective turned around,
'Do you have any idea where we are going?"
"No, but when you produce that credit card of yours at the front desk and ask for ten thousand dollar chips and then proceed to the nearest poker table, we'll get their attention."
'What credit card?" John asked, knowing that he didn't take anything with him from the hotel,
'This one," Sherlock removed one from his inside blazer pocket and John raised his eyebrows,
'When did we get that?"
"Oh, when we arrived, didn't I tell you?" Sherlock led the way inside as John rolled his eyes,
'No, Bob, you did not tell me," he said, as the bright lights hit his eyes and bounced of the white tiles below.
"Oh." Sherlock stopped and John walked into him, "Sorry, love," John's heart almost stopped as the words left Sherlock's mouth and he had to remind himself to walk.
He's acting, were the first words to go through John's head, but then he looked up at Sherlock, walking next to him and as the detective's eyes met his, he realised, even Sherlock wasn't that good. With a small smile, John walked into that casino, midnight blue blazer and grey slacks catching the attention of Howell's secretary, five storey's up in the security central.
NOTE: There is no disrespect meant to the owners of Crowne Casino. That is why I spelt the 'Crown' without the e. All my characters are fictional.
Moving on.
So...any flames? Praise? or WHY DID YOU TAKE SO LONG TO UPDATE's?
Aza
xoxo