A Wife for Sherlock Holmes
Chapter 17 – Breaking Point
May 28th 2012
Marion was softly signing to her daughter as rain pelted against the window pane. She looked down at the drowsy little girl and smiled. She sighed. The little thing was thirteen months now. The girl yawned and then closed her eyes, bring lulled by the lullaby and the rain.
How much she looked like her father when she slept. Dark curly hair wreathed her pale skinned face. Dark eye lashes rested on her high sharp cheek bones as she gurgled a little as she shifted in her sleep.
Marion bent her head to kiss the small forehead and breathe in the calming baby scent that surrounded her, the delightful mix of baby shampoo from her bath, Lizzy's own delicate scent, and the faint traces of the laundry soap Marion used.
"She is so beautiful when she sleeps." A soft male said at the door.
Marion smiled a little as she shifted the baby. A clap of thunder crashed as she laid Lizzy into the crib by the wall. Lizzy didn't even flinch. She continued to fall more asleep as Marion's song ended and she pulled the blanket up on her daughter. She would sleep a couple hours.
Marion then turned to see Sherlock standing in the doorway. She smiled and walked toward him. He stepped to the side so she could walk out and gently shut the door behind her. She led the way to a sitting room and smiled as he took her hand in his as he followed her in.
Marion looked up at him. She had not seen him in nearly three weeks. She took a breath and turned to him as he held her hand. He bent and kissed her. At first it was a soft kiss, like a welcome that fanned into something deeper. His hand was buried in her hair.
When he pulled back enough to speak, he searched her face, green eyes dilated with arousal as he looked at her. "I am testifying tomorrow." He whispered looking at her.
"Does that mean I can come home?" She asked panting, breathless.
"Oh, God I hope so. I have missed you." He murmured before pressing his lips to hers again, his hands coming up to cup her face between his long fingers. "In my life, in my arms, in my bed…" He said shifting to kiss her neck, nibbling as he went.
He then pulled back, by sheer force of will, knowing if he continued, he would be having her somewhere in the room and that was rather unseemly for if someone, anyone could walk in such as her protection detail or his own brother. One the other hand, the prospect was strangely thrilling.
He smiled a little looking at her. "How has my brother been treating you?" He asked.
"Like royalty." Marion said.
"Aggravating is it?" He asked.
"Terribly boring. I only can play with Lizzy and talk to him at dinner. Otherwise it is Matthew and Jericho."
"Jericho?" He cocked his head. "Seriously?"
"Yes. He is Israeli by blood." She smiled. "I spare with him. He is actually quite good for a second grade master." She smiled a little. "Matthew is a talker though. He likes really trashy telly." She smiled.
"Indeed." He said. He had been pressing her backwards, without really consciously realizing it to the desk. She bumped into it and his hands, naturally went to her hips and lifted her onto it. At that height she was perfectly aligned to cradle his hips between her supple thighs as the dress she was wearing pooled about her knees.
"Sherlock…we can't not here…"She whispered.
"Why not?" He asked. "There is no one about…" He murmured his head dropping next to hers.
Damn him.
She licked her tongue over her teeth and smiled. "Mycroft would never forgive you for making love to me on his desk."
"That isn't really something to tell me to stop me, my dear. If anything that gives me more incentive." He said looking at her, his hands splayed on her back.
"Oh, but I might stop you." Mycroft said. Marion smiled and blushed seeing her brother-in-law at the doorway. "Honestly, that is not an image I want when I sit there."
Marion chuckled and buried her face in her husband's shirt as he rolled his eyes and looked back at his brother. "No sense of adventure, my dear brother. Good thing you came. I was seriously thinking to ravish her senseless."
"Dear lord, I never thought you to be a rabbit, Sherlock." Mycroft said.
"A rabbit?" Sherlock asked.
"He means having sex often, Sherlock." Marion said pushing her husband back slightly so she could hop down off the desk where she was perched.
"You do not have a wife. You can't possibly understand what it means to be away from one for so long." Sherlock said turning fully to his brother.
"I am still having trouble comprehending you and sex in the same sentence let alone wife." Mycroft said coming into the room. "Hello, Marion, how are you dear?" He asked in a brighter tone. He was dressed in a suit and tie and holding a file.
"What are you in such a good mood about?" Sherlock asked.
Mycroft came to Marion and lifted a file. "We found him, Marion."
"What?" She asked looking at the file as he gave it to her. She read it over.
Sherlock joined her, looking over her shoulder.
"Yes," Mycroft said sitting down in his chair. "He drug overdosed found him with the star. He used a kitchen torch to heat it. Turns out he was a master cook."
Sherlock blinked. "This is clear a set up?"
"That he was found dead?"
"Yes. Look the needle is broken off in his arm. That wasn't an overdose by a junkie, it was an overdose for murder." Sherlock looked up. "What was in the syringe?"
"Diazepam and morphine."
"A hot shot? Really?" Marion asked.
Sherlock looked at his wife. "Only former addicts and police know that name, my love and you are neither as far as I know."
"I don't chase the dragon either, but I know that term and I know the smell." She said.
Mycroft nodded and Sherlock's eyebrow lifted.
"Either way, he was murdered Mycroft."
"It is a low priority. The man preyed on women and killed four."
"Doesn't that strike you as a little too easy?" Sherlock asked.
"Why?"
"Because my wife's rapist is practically gift wrapped for you." Sherlock said.
Marion winced. Sherlock took her hand. He held it.
Mycroft looked at his sister-in-law. "In truth he was removed. As a drug user it was easy enough to slip the diazepam to him. The morphine was high grade. He almost overdosed on that."
"You removed him?" Sherlock asked.
"I think he got off easy personally." Mycroft said. "I just got to him before Moriarty started to tie up loose ends." He looked at his sister-in-law. "I am not sure he was the man who attacked Marion or just made to look like it, a scapegoat for Moriarty to get to you once again. Anyway. He is gone. One more murderer who will not harm anyone." He rose to his feet and leaned against the desk.
"He was right." Marion said.
"What?" Mycroft asked.
"Sherrin was right. It wasn't about the crimes it was about watching Sherlock follow the game." She looked at him. "Drowning me…He was just playing us." She laughed. "Quite brilliant actually." She turned.
Mycroft looked at her and touched her arm. "You talked to Sherrinford?"
"Well someone has to." She hissed at him. "He is charming and much more like you two than you will ever admit."
"He crossed the line. He killed." Mycroft said. "He is a hunter."
"Perhaps you all are." She said looking at him. "You just chose to hunt other things."
"He was found to be insane, Marion." Mycroft said.
"And…"
"And?"
"It is a bit of a thin line don't you think? You bury yourself in work with a high pressure job. Sherlock solves crimes to keep from going back to drugs."
"You know about his drug habit?"
She laughed and turned back to him. "There is very little I do not know, Mycroft. Our family is one giant open secret to each other."
"Touché, my dear." Mycroft leaned and kissed her cheek. "I should have known better than a woman who could help solve crimes and live with my brother would not be a goldfish at all." He chuckled.
Sherlock nodded. "Very well, thank you Mycroft." He turned his wife to him. "No if you excuse me, I have a lunch date with my spouse whom I have not seen for far too long."
Mycroft sat back. "You could have come before."
"Perhaps." Sherlock said and led his wife out the door and into the corridor. He saw her walking ahead of him in a daze. "Marion?"
"I…I am not sure what I feel. Is it bad I do not feel much of anything?"
"No. You closed yourself off from that pain." He sighed. "With luck Moriarty will remain in jail after tomorrow and we can get on with our lives." He smiled and kissed her hand. "Now tell me, Doctor Holmes, where is your bedroom?"
"Upstairs? Why?"
He wrapped an arm about her and then scooped the other under her knees lifting her in his arms. Her arm went about his shoulder as he held her close to him. "Because my wife, I am going to ravish you senseless in the home of my brother."
"You are doing it just to annoy him."
"Somewhat, but it is twofold. I annoy him and I get to be with you. Win/Win." He smiled.
She kissed him. "You are terrible."
"I have been told I am heartless." He said carrying her up the stairs, his face nuzzling hers.
"Oh, you aren't just that, Mr. Holmes."
"Oh? Enlighten me."
"I know what you are." She said. "I am the only one who does know." She smiled.
"Don't ever let on."
She laughed. "Why would I?"
He found her bedroom and walked in. "No idea." He said tossing her playfully onto the bed. "I have exactly sixteen hours before I need to be back at Baker Street and going to the trial. I intend to spend it here with you and Lizzy."
"Good."
"Since she is asleep, I will see to the mother first."
"See to me?" She asked sitting up.
"Indeed, paying you only lip service…" He bent and kissed her and she moaned softly.
ZzZ
Marion sat in Mycroft's office. "How in the world did the find him not guilty?"
"They had to have gotten to the jury. Somehow. We can't prove it, but he did." Mycroft said.
"So I must remain your prisoner." She said.
"Prisoner is such a strong word. You have freedoms, Marion."
"I am watched all day long and all night." She sighed. "I think there are less people watching for someone on suicide watch."
"Indeed." He said forward. "I promised my little brother I would keep you safe and I will. The reason you are here and not at a safe house is because I hate fieldwork and you are family." He looked at her as she rose to her feet. "I do care, Marion."
"I know, Mycroft. I am grateful."
He nodded. "He has disappeared. He attacked you twice before. The third time he may actually succeed in killing you and I will not allow that to happen."
She nodded and reached across and took his hand. "Thank you." She said.
"You are welcome." He said.
ZzZ
He took kids Marion. SH
Marion sat up from where she had been reading. She looked at her phone. Her husband was always fond of texting. Other than their liaison a week ago, it was the only communication she really had with him. She had had two calls and a series of texts. What?
He took kids. Kidnapped them, poisoned them with mercury, used clues from Grimm's fairytales. He is dangerous. Quite genus actually. Painted the wrappers with mercury. The children die slowly from mercury poisoning. They were kidnapped from a school and held in a disused sweet factory. Elegant no? SH
Sherlock, are you all right?
I am not sure. The girl screamed. There is a camera in the flat. I think I will be arrested soon. SH
Oh? Shall I set Mycroft on bail now?
No. I need to find the game. I will contact you later. No matter what happens know that I love you. SH
I know. Sherlock. Please. Are you in danger?
There was no reply.
ZzZ
May 29th 9:00pm
Lestrade walked into the interrogation room. Marion was seated with Jericho standing nearby. "What is it Greg?" She asked.
"Do you know where your husband is?" He asked her.
"Are you kidding? I have been rather behind on the news. I am under the protection of the British government remember." She nodded behind her to her bodyguard.
"Have you talked to him this evening?"
"Not even a text. What is it Greg?"
"He managed to escape arrest. He is a fugitive. It is going to go worse for him unless we can bring him in and sort it all out." Lestrade said.
"I wish I could help you." She said sincerely.
Donovan stepped in. "Where the hell is he?"
"If I knew, don't you think I would tell you? I am a little sickened to hear he is on the run."
"I think you are lying."
"Donovan, I have only seen him once in a month since I went into protective custody." She said.
"But surely he texts and emails you." Donovan said.
Marion smiled. "This is Sherlock Holmes. In his own little world. He could care less about humanity."
"You married him." Donovan said.
"I knew what I was getting into. I actually like having him away sometimes. Gives me time to think." She looked at Greg Lestrade. "What did you charge him with?"
"Abduction and attempted murder." Lestrade said. "And we just cautioned him on suspicion of."
"Do you really think a man who was a father now would kidnap children and try to kill them?" She sat forward. "Moriarty has you so firmly in his fingers, dance puppets, dance." She said. "It is all a game. Can't you see it?"
"So you aren't going to help us, help him?" Donovan asked.
"If I could, I would." Marion stood. "Good day."
She walked out with Jericho behind her. Donovan looked back at Lestrade. "Do we follow her?"
"You can try. I guarantee you that she will warn Sherlock. I don't think she is lying, but she will go try to find him now." Lestrade said.
"What do you mean?"
"She is going to give that man the slip and be on the streets. Her husband has the greatest network in the city. All she has to do is pay someone and get in." Lestrade said. "We won't be able to follow her."
Donovan sighed. "So now what?"
"We wait…" Lestrade said.
ZzZ
May 30th 10:30am
Marion stepped outside the building and took a breath. She lifted her phone and texted. Sherlock. What the hell happened? Lestrade is looking for you.
One by three, follow me. I am happy you know. I play well at hospital. On to we the run. Please I need come. SH
She blinked and then closed her eyes. I know. I at hospital. On the run. Please come.
All right. She texted.
ZzZ
Marion was in the car. She blinked and looked. "Oh I need to get a new pair of sunglasses. Do you mind?"
"No." Jericho said.
"Thank you."
The car pulled over and she moved to look at sunglasses. Jericho was standing nearby. She smiled trying some on as she ducked down to look in a mirror. While down she dropped her coat and pulled on a new one, found a headscarf, and then moved away before anyone saw her.
After a few moments Jericho blinked and looked about. He walked to where she had been standing and lifted her coat. His eyes widened in horror as he lifted his radio calling for help. Meanwhile, Marion got into a taxi a half a block away looking nothing like she had before.
"St. Bart's" She said.
"Right away miss."
ZzZ
11:30am
Marion arrived and walked in. She walked up the stairs looking for him. The lights of the labs were out. She blinked and then walked about. Finally she remembered Molly. The quite woman who would do anything for Sherlock.
She raced to the morgue. The lights were on and Sherlock was there, seated on the floor playing with a rubber ball as he bounced it against part of an exam table before him. She removed her sunglasses and pulled off her headscarf. She looked at her husband who looked so forlorn there.
"Sherlock." She whispered.
He looked up. "You came." He said.
"Of course."
"Lestrade didn't convince you I am a kidnapper and murderer then?"
"We already have one of those in the family and you have well learned your lesson there I think." She walked to him. She dropped beside him. "Why is this happening?"
"Moriarty wants to destroy me. Everything. Piece by piece to discredit my name."
"And the endgame?"
"One or both of us dies."
She dropped beside him. "You can't let him win. If for nothing else…for Lizzy." She said looking at him.
He looked at her and smiled. "You do not think I would do it. You and John."
"Sherlock." She sat beside him. "I am your wife, your lover, and one of your best friends. I know you better than anyone. I know this." She pressed a hand to his heart as she snuggled against him.
"I think I may have to die." He whispered.
"What?"
"He wants me to die in disgrace." He said.
"Sherlock know I love you. What can I do?" She asked.
"Go to my homeless network. Get them to contact Mycroft. He knows what to do." Sherlock said.
She nodded and rose to her feet. He reached up and caught her hand. She looked down at him. "I love you Marion. Know that. No matter what happens." He said, his eyes almost desperate.
"I know." She smiled. She lifted her phone. Lazarus is set. Sis
She walked to the door. Molly was there and she opened it. Marion touched her arm. "Take care of him, Molly." She whispered.
"I will." Molly said. She smiled. "You have my word." Molly looked at Marion. The woman was shorter and beautiful with her red hair. Sherlock's chosen mate and the wannabe. She would do anything for him and Marion knew it. The women had once been jealous of each other, but after tea on several occasions they had come to an understanding. Marion learned Molly was not a threat to her marriage and Molly learned that Marion really was good for Sherlock not a fan who had somehow drugged and seduced him into getting her pregnant. They had become close after that and Marion knew her husband was in good hands with the other woman with him. Molly took her hand softly and squeezed it. Though she would always be jealous of Marion's marriage, she liked both Holmes'.
"Thank you." Marion said. She squeezed Molly's hand. She looked back at her husband as he tossed the ball again. "Sherlock." He looked up, green eyes meeting hers. "Remember Lazarus." He nodded, almost without moving his head and then turned back to his ball.
Marion smiled and nodded to Molly before leaving.
ZzZ
1pm
Marion walked to Baker Street and found Mycroft standing with Jericho and Matthew waiting for her at the café next door. "Well, well. How are you?" Mycroft asked.
"Where is Lizzy?"
"In the care of one of my underlings. She is sleeping." Mycroft said. He looked at her. "How is my brother?"
"Not well." She shook her head. "I have activated his network for you." She said.
"Good." Mycroft said. "Thank you." He stepped to her. "And that is where your part in this ends, my dear. I have some files on my desk. I need you to look them over."
She blinked. "You want me out of the way."
"I want you safe." He replied.
She nodded. "All right." She said. "Sorry Jericho." She smiled. "Do you have it?"
He nodded and lifted her jacket. Her overcoat had been a gift from her husband and she pulled it on. It looked like a darker female version of his own overcoat. She pulled the collar up and smiled at her brother-in-law.
"Mycroft." She said coming to him. "Please…keep him safe."
"I will." He promised and kissed her cheek. "Now go." He said firmly. "And don't run off again. I can only handle one problem like this at a time."
"When you need them…they have blocked off the square around Bart's." She said. "Look for one in a cap. He is the leader."
"Thank you."
She got into the car with Matthew driving and Jericho beside her. She sighed and saw back. What a long day this would be.
ZzZ
4pm
Marion sighed as she sat at Mycroft's desk. Mycroft needed her advice on bombs that had been set off in Tel Aviv. She was reading and taking notes. She had been at it for close to three hours. Lizzy was playing on the floor with her toys, babbling happily, when Matthew knocked and entered.
"Marion. We need you."
She rose to her feet and lifted Lizzy in her arms. "For what."
"To identify someone."
She swallowed hard and went to the door. "Mattie!" She called.
A young governess appeared and Marion handed her Lizzy. "I need to go. I shall return." She said.
Marion took a breath and followed Matthew out. They drove to St. Bart's. She was taken to the morgue. She took a deep breath and walked in. She walked to the body on the table and looked at the face. Gunshot wound to the head from the mouth. The eyes were wide open and blood was still drying. Marion studied the face and then looked upwards. It was Moriarty.
"We have laid this ghost, Marion." Mycroft said behind her.
She whirled to face him. "Where is Sherlock?" she asked.
"I will take you to him." He said.
He led her to a small office. Sherlock was sitting, in a shirt with blood on his head, face, and hands that he was in the process of wiping off. She gasped and ran to him. He grunted as she connected with his body. He looked at her as tears ran down her cheeks.
"I'm okay." He whispered. "I'm okay…" He whispered again holding her and pressing his lips to her hair. He then kissed her softly and cocked his head at her as he cupped her face in his hands. "We got him. It's over."
She nodded. "But you are dead now. Your name is dragged through the mud…"
"Yes. But you my dear widow are going to have to play your part." He said. "Can you manage?"
"Playing a grieving widow? Of course."
He nodded. He then gently took a hold of her face. "Do you trust me?"
"Ouch! Yes." She blinked as he dripped liquid into her eyes. "Oh my God that stings, what is it?"
"They activate your tear ducts my dear." Mycroft said. "You will be weeping for hours."
She felt the tears running down her face. "Good. Thank you. A little warning next time would be nice."
Sherlock smiled and kissed her deeply. "We will use more at the funeral and wake." He looked up at Mycroft. "Well you best be off."
"Yes." Mycroft said. "Say your goodbyes Marion. You won't be seeing him for a few days."
Sherlock cleaned off the rest of the blood and then turned to walk out. He smiled and held out his hand. Marion smiled and took his hand as they walked out together under the cover of darkness. He stopped and kissed her deeply. "See you on the other side." He said.
She nodded and then turned back and took a deep breath. She lifted her phone as she walked back to where Mycroft was standing. "Hello. John…where are you? I was just called. Where are you? I…I can't do this alone." She whispered her voice shaky.
She met Mycroft's gaze and he nodded.
ZzZ
The grave for Sherlock Holmes was under a tree in a secluded part of the cemetery. Marion had chosen the spot. At the gravesite funeral she had spoken soft words that no one there expected. She and Lizzy laid red roses on the casket over the white ones that others had. Lestrade, John, and several others were pallbearers and had walked before Marion laying the casket on the supports over its final resting spot.
Marion had visited for a week straight looking at the flowers, holding her baby with Mycroft, and her now ever present bodyguards standing back, allowing her, her time. The headstone was black marble with Sherlock Holmes in gold letters on it.
John and Mrs. Hudson came to visit nearly two weeks later. John had nearly fallen to pieces with the death of his best friend, but had remained strong for Marion. She had told him the night before she was going to travel. She could not stay in Baker Street for now. She would travel and do an assignment for Mycroft with her daughter in tow.
John stood and touched the stone. "One more thing, just one more thing for me. One more Miracle, Sherlock. Don't be…dead." He said. "Would you do that? Just for me? Just stop it. Stop this!" He took a breath. A deep breath. "Lizzy and Marion need you. I need you!" He swallowed hard. "Please." He took a deep breath. He was weeping before he composed himself.
John then stood straighter and walked to follow Mrs. Hudson away. Both were unaware they were being watched. Marion stood watching them, her overcoat loose about her shoulders as she watched the pair leave. She stood still before walking further along the tree line.
There, Sherlock Holmes stood, in his own overcoat, scarf, collar up, watching John retreat from the area after Mrs. Hudson. Marion looked up at her husband as he stood, hands in his pockets. He watched John and then his eyes flicked to his gravesite.
When John and Mrs. Hudson were in the taxi driving away he looked at his wife. "I am going away for a while."
"I know. Mycroft is sending you to disable the network."
"I am dead. What harm can it do?"
"I am going with you."
"Like hell." He said looking at her sharply.
"Admit it, Mr. Holmes. You need me." She said.
He sighed and rolled his eyes. "I suppose."
She smiled. "Well I am a widow now I could just find some young thing to keep me occupied until you returned."
"Oh, you wouldn't dare." He said.
"Then take me with you. A woman has distinct advantages." She smiled at him.
"Indeed." His eyebrow arched.
She smiled and turned to walk away. "Come on then. The plane is leaving this evening."
"What of Lizzy?"
"She will be with your parents. She is too young to really miss us for months on end. I plan to come home often to see her."
"Mycroft has you helping him also, isn't he?"
She turned and spread her hands. "Perhaps. Use those deductive skills of yours."
He chuckled and walked after her. He bent and took her hand in his. "Who knows, Doctor Holmes. This could be fun."
"Oh it will be." She smiled.
They walked to the car and he opened the door. She climbed in and he followed.