Author's Note: Here's a longer chapter than yesterday's. I'm on Christmas break now so I'll have more time to write!
Sam looked different as she entered Speedy's. Appearance wise nothing had changed, but something in her demeanor was brighter, less afraid. She sat down with a grin across from John in the booth. John smiled back.
"So, I'm assuming everything is alright then?"
She nodded, still grinning.
"He's eating and everything, getting dressed, staying occupied?"
She scribbled, He took me with him to St. Barts the other day, said I was his new blogger. He didn't talk to me about it, he just said it. I hope that's alright with you.
John was surprised, Sherlock took her St. Bart's?
"Did you meet Molly?"
She nodded, Yes, she's very sweet. I like her a lot.
John thought a moment, she'd met Molly, she'd been appointed as his new blogger, everything seemed so oddly out of character.
"Is he...happy?"
Now Sam thought a moment.
I think so, but really how can you tell? He doesn't smile much. He seems okay.
"You're right about that. It's hard to figure out what goes on in that bloody head of his."
Sam blew some air through her nose with a smile, a laugh?
"Well, as long as he's not moping around the house. I guess he's alright."
Sam nodded and sat back in her seat, not knowing what to say next.
The silence hung between them, the sounds of other conversations at neighboring booths bouncing off of it like hail on an umbrella.
John didn't know what else to say, Sherlock never warmed up to someone this fast.
He heard scribbling.
How long was it before you did a case together?
John smiled at the memory and replied, "About two hours."
She grinned and wrote,
He must've liked you a lot.
John nodded, people had always remarked at how quickly Sherlock had trusted him. And he'd always had a sort of pride about it, he'd chosen him out of everyone. And who's to say that wasn't special? He was glad he'd made an effort with Sam and that she seemed much happier.
He looked up and saw her fidgeting in her seat. He cleared his throat and she looked up.
"Well I suppose if all is well our...meeting is adjourned then?"
Sam gave a joking smile and shrug to say, "I guess so."
John watched her leave and turn the corner to go back up to 221B. He didn't get up like usual. This situation was odd, very odd. Well, it was unusual in the beginning anyway. he thought. A man and woman, not romantically involved, and both straight, rooming together? The entire situation was completely inappropriate. He wondered what people had said when she'd moved in. When John had moved in everyone immediately assumed they were together, he smiled, Hell, this probably confused the crap out of the people who originally questioned us.
He stood to leave, walking out the door he looked to the right and up at the black door with the tarnished numbers and a letter. The door that had once brought him into a world of promise and adventure, now had let someone else in.
...
Sam jogged up the stairs and into the flat, and just as she swung around the corner to go to her bedroom she heard,
"How's John?"
She started, she hadn't seen him sitting there. He stood.
"Sorry...uhm...I forgot you frighten easily."
Her eye twitched in question, he didn't seem like the kind to forget things. He was still waiting for an answer. She didn't know what to do. How do you say "He's fine." in gesture speak? She gave a weak thumbs up and an awkward smile. Sherlock nodded. Not knowing what else to say she left and went to her bedroom. Sitting on the bed she checked herself. Her heart was still beating fast from when he startled her.
Pull yourself together. He's a person, you're a person. Stop being so skittish.
A knock at the door. She jumped.
Nice job.
She stood and opened the door.
...
When the door opened, Sherlock automatically scanned her. He couldn't help it. He did it whenever someone entered. It was like refreshing the person like a web page, seeing what was new. She was clearly startled. He added anxiety issues to his mental file on her.
"Do you want to get dinner?"
He saw her eyebrows furrow and she checked the clock in confusion. He was an idiot she usually gets take away at 6, it was only 5:25.
"I mean do you want to go out this time? We can't eat rubbish forever, we have to survive past fifty."
She looked tentative. He saw her fingers absentmindedly scratching at the paint on the doorjamb.
"It's nothing formal," he said as seriously as he could. "I just figured you'd probably want something different."
Sam thought a moment, eyebrows still furrowed. Then she nodded slowly and shut the door. A minute later she reappeared with her coat, scarf, and an expectant look on her face.
...
When the tall thin man and the petite woman entered the darkly lit Italian restaurant they were immediately greeted by its owner. A stout, middle aged man walked over with open arms and a huge smile. For a second Samantha thought he was going to take them both in a bear hug. But his hands landed sharply on Sherlock's shoulders where he then proceeded to shake him as he talked.
"Sherlock! It's been ages How've you been? That suicide scandal, what a story!"
He turned and saw Sam.
"And you've brought another date with you, wonderful!"
Sam felt her cheeks get hot. Sherlock began to protest but the man continued.
"I didn't know you were that way but, we don't judge here. Although I'd like to know whatever happened to that nice young man you brought here a few years ago. You were seen together so often I thought for sure-"
"John's married." Sherlock cut him off.
"Oh what a shame, you two made a cute couple." He said. "Anyway, menus? Have whatever you want, I still owe you."
Sam slid into the seat across from Sherlock who was staring outside the window. She scribbled on a napkin.
Why didn't you argue when he kept calling you two a couple?
She slid the napkin across the table loudly so he'd hear it. He read it, then proceeded to stare out the window.
"There's no point in arguing about it. People assume what they like there's no-" He stopped. Something had just occurred to him. He turned to look at her.
"Why didn't you assume?"
She scribbled, Well John's married to a woman for one thing, and for another, I've never really seen you two interact so I don't know what your relationship is like.
He didn't say anything so she decided to change the subject.
So I take it you come here often?
He stared at the napkin.
"I helped prove the owner's innocence of one crime by turning him in for another."
She raised her eyebrows with an amused smile. She thought that was funny. She wrote again.
And he gives you free food for it? I should get into the detective business!
Sherlock let a small smile slip and said, "You technically are now."
He looked at her and she smiled.
I guess I am now.