A Wife for Sherlock Holmes
Chapter 18 – Aftermath
April 2013 - Rome
The woman walked forward. She heard something behind her. She could not see anyone and so kept walking. She sighed as she walked passed an alley. Someone grabbed her and pressed her to the wall.
"You really should be more careful my dear."
"Oh? And I think we both should be dead." She said lifting her chin.
He looked down and saw her wicked knife pressed very close to his ribcage. He stepped back a little. "Well played." He smiled his approval. He cocked his head at her then stepped back enough so she could see his curly dark hair and green eyes.
She smiled. "Hello, my love."
He bent and kissed her. "How is the dear count?"
"He has his suspicions, but I shall lull them." She said.
"You have a fine talent for lulling." He said.
"But, Scott, how far do I go?" She asked her husband. He smiled a little. Scott. A clever name and still one he grudgingly answered it. He thanked Mycroft for that one.
He pulled her to him looking down at her face as though he was memorizing it. He smiled a little. "Only as far as the bedroom door, my love. A woman on her back is at a disadvantage."
"That is what you think." She smiled playfully.
"No, I know." He smiled. He pressed a kiss to her. "Good night my love."
"Stay safe."
ZzZ
May 2013
A woman arched backwards, her hips moving as she opened her mouth in a silent scream. Two hands reached up from below her to hold her waist. She moved her head forward, her mid back length red hair poured over her shoulder like molten bronze as her dark eyes looked down.
The dark haired male took a deep breath as he looked up at her. His hands glided along her thighs to here a strap was attached. "You are armed in bed."
"So are you." She commented reaching passed him and lifting a glock from under his pillow.
He lifted the knife and looked at it. He ran his finger on it, cutting it a little. "Sharp." He said. "This really isn't a toy."
"You would be surprised to know how often that comes in handy." She said taking it from him.
"Still you are in bed with me. You are safe here."
"Still. I like to keep up with appearances." She smiled.
He laughed and his hand clasped her wrist. "Very well. Keep it."
She smiled and shook her head and threw it to the side, embedding it in a picture on the wall. He looked over and back. "Remind me, beloved to never upset you in anyway." He said. The knife was buried between the eyes of their current target.
Marion was serving as lovely arm candy while Scott as he was now professionally known since Sherlock was dead was gleaning information to take down the crime syndicate the count was running into Russia. Human trafficking, drugs, money, everything that a mob boss would be known for in Eastern Europe. Marion's body, even Scott had to admit was supple, but she had a sadistic side he had never seen before.
In an interrogation she had cut a man, hundred of times, like small paper cuts until the man was shrieking in pain. Once she had the information she wanted as Scott watched, she slit his throat. She had taken down several men three with well placed bombs. One of those men had been eating dinner with his family and the bomb had only cause minor burns to the wife. Marion as he, was a chameleon in the field. Scott realized that was the reason Mycroft had asked her to join him.
He then told her he wasn't surprised. There was something she was keeping from him, but he was surprised to know she was the sister of one of the most notorious bombers ever. The Gifted was a man everyone from the IRA to the Russian mob called. His little sister did the bookkeeping and set up the drops. As she grew older, he taught her to actually make bombs.
After their first take down together, he had asked about it. He wished to know. No common woman had her skill set that showed. The accountant for her bomber brother who taught her everything he knew. Also with her language skills she had been the communication. Scott had been startled by this revelation and Marion had explained she had never killed before her first. It had left her shaken, but she recovered well enough.
"So what is our move?"She asked shifting to the side and gathering the blanket about her as she watched her lover.
"We take down the count and then move onto Serbia. The last piece is there."
She nodded.
ZzZ
July 2013
Prague. Such a beautiful town. And yet full of nightmares.
Marion ducked as a man charged her. Scott was across the room taking on two other men. Marion sighed. She was rather confined wearing the dress she was wearing. She backed away and ripped the dress at her mid thigh.
The man slashed and she turned, but not quick enough. The knife cut into her back, but it was only a graze. Stung like hell, but would do no damage. She whirled back and kicked catching the man off guard. Her heel scrapped his face.
Grunting her dropped to a knee. She rushed in and disarmed him, breaking his wrist. He cried out in pain and she whirled bringing her Glock 26 out from beneath her dress. The man gazed up at her, startled.
Scott smiled as he looked at the two unconscious people before him. "Do you mind dear?"
"No." She said and whipped the pistol violently catching the man across the face and rendering him unconscious.
Scott looked about. "Well that is another group down. Now to set them up for the police." He said. "Show time, sweetheart."
She smiled and whipped out the phone she had, a pay as you go one. "Hello, police?" She said, tears coming to her eyes as she worked up a thick Russian accent to her Bohemian. "Help me. These men…." She whispered. "They are keeping me…I can't see where I am…" she looked about. "I can see a sign. CottoCrudo…" She whispered, her voice terrified sounding and younger than she really was.
She hung up and tossed the phone to the side. Scott looked up from where he had a man in a chair. "You really are quite charming like that."
"You think so?" she asked wiping her eye a little before moving to help him. "Damn I smeared my make-up." She said moving to clean it up.
"Yes." He smiled and kissed her before they got them into position with several bags of drugs on the counter, a nice line of cocaine on a mirror ready to snort, a girl whom had died of an overdose and had been brought to be a whore was with them. Small justice, but the once beautiful thing would be the voice for all those this cartel had taken. She was young, perhaps had dreams of being a dancer of a teacher and those dreams were shattered when her family sold her off to be a "maid". She was only fourteen, perhaps sixteen. Scott had found her in a hotel, dying. Unable to save her, her death would not be in vain.
Then together, they walked to the front door just as the police arrived. The Prague police came to them and pulled them to the side, thinking them tourists as they gasped in English as they were put before the line as the police charged in.
Scott smiled and took his wife's hand. "Well done." He smiled. "How do you feel about moving east, my love."
She tossed her hair. "I am up for the challenge."
"As always." He smiled and led the way.
ZzZ
August 2013
Marion stood in Belgrade looking out over the town from the hotel room she had on the fourth floor. It was located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain met the Balkans. The White City they called it.
She had just returned from an evening in the vibrant nightlife of the town. She had reeked of cigarettes and alcohol. Everyone there placed her as a college student and she got free drinks from several men, all non-alcoholic to their chagrin. She claimed she was allergic and that had pacified them. She had showered and was in the middle of drying her hair as she stood in a dressing gown watching the traffic below.
She smiled. She had been back to England and had been summoned by her husband for his last take down. She sighed as she leaned against the back of the couch looking out.
The door opened and she smiled. "You are late." She said without turning.
"Am I?" Scott's voice asked. He removed his coat and scarf. He then walked to her as she turned to him. He looked at her and then smiled a little. "So when do you think we should tell them?"
"What?" She asked.
His hand went to her belly and pressed against the swell. "This." He said. "You can't tell me you haven't noticed…" He searched her face.
She sighed. "No I had. I am showing more."
"I can't have you risk your life with me. Not this time."
"Oh. With a toddler was okay, but now that I am pregnant again, I am out of bounds."
He sighed. "Yes." He dipped his head. "How is Lizzy?"
"Growing like a weed. I can't wait for you to see her." She smiled and lifted her phone. He cradled it and cocked his head at the video of her playing with a ball with her Nana and Papa at their home.
He smiled. "She is beautiful. Are you sure she is mine?"
"Yes. As is this one." She said. "I never went passed the bedroom door."
"That is not what I heard."
She rolled her eyes. "I killed two in their sleep. That isn't really making love to them is it?"
"True." He conceded.
"Now this case…"
"This will be a bad one. It is the last piece. Once this is ended Mycroft promises to resurrect me."
She sighed. "Lazarus indeed." She said. She stepped away and looked out at the skyline. "It is beautiful here."
"I prefer London." He said folding his arms as he looked out.
"Of course you do. You know everything about her. Here is different."
"Here you could lose your soul."
She turned to him as he stepped to her. "Perhaps, but don't lose your life. Do you hear me, Sherlock Holmes."
"I hear." He said. He smiled and dipped his head to kiss her. "God in heaven I have missed you." He whispered and pulled her toward the bedroom.
ZzZ
September 2013 – Paris
The view of the Eiffel Tower was breath taking as she stood looking out from her balcony window. This townhouse was lovely and in a prime spot. It had been loaned to her by Mycroft and she sighed looking back toward the bedroom where her nearly three year old slept.
Lizzy was a handful, intelligent and creative. She was likely the rival of all three of her uncles and her grandmother. No she slept after a day of playing at the carnival. Marion was now very visible with child being four months along. She was showing more than the last time. Soon she would have another little Holmes running around. God help the world.
She heard keys and the lock turning. She didn't move. It the person had keys to the townhouse they were one of Mycroft's men or Mycroft himself. All the same as the door opened and then closed again she turned and fired her Glock at the person, intentionally missing him by a hair's breadth. With the silencer on it, it made hardly any noise as the bullet buried itself in the door post.
To his credit, Mycroft Holmes did not even flinch. He just looked at her as he held a file. "Good evening to you as well sister." He then stepped forward and looked at her. "I didn't expect to see you. All of you." He said looking down at the swell. "So that is why Sherlock sent you home." He said.
"Yes." She said touching her belly.
He stepped to her. "Well I assume it is his."
She shook her head. "Of course it is." She sighed. "Can I get you anything dear brother?"
"Mineral water if you have it." He said coming and dropping into a chair.
She brought it and a glass and some clear soda for herself. She smiled as she sat down as well. "Forgive the welcome. With Lizzy here…"
"It's all right, really sis."
She smiled and sipped her drink as he poured his own and took a sip. "What brings you here?"
"My brother is in deep. I was worried for you, but with you safe, I just have him to worry about."
She sighed. "I am also worried. He has not texted in a few days."
"That can't be that unusual."
"With him these days? No, but I am pregnant and not always in my right mind." She said smiling.
"Indeed." He chuckled.
She leaned forward. "You must go to him Mycroft."
"Sweet sister, you know I don't do field work."
She shot him a look. "No one else can manage it. Your skills as a linguist aren't lacking."
"No, but not as good as yours I am afraid."
She hissed and rose to her feet, though it took her a moment to lever herself up. "I am sure you would do well."
He blinked and offered a hand. "I think you are bigger this time." He observed. "Twins perhaps."
"Don't you dare…" she muttered.
He rose to his feet and she caught his arm. "Mycroft. Please." She whispered. "Don't leave them fatherless." She said looking toward the room where little Lizzy slept.
Mycroft walked to the door that was cracked to her room and looked in. The little dark haired angel sleeping there made him close his eyes as he realized there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for his niece or her mother. "All right. I will go. As much as I hate it." He turned back to Marion who came to him. "Know I am only doing this for you."
"And the terror alert." She said.
He rolled his eyes. "Yes and that as well." He sighed. "I need my brother to find the plot and stop it. Too many good men have died getting us the scraps of information I have."
She nodded. "Sherlock is good. He will help."
He sighed and shook his head. He reached and took her hand. He kissed her knuckles and then turned to go. "I will return with him soon, Marion. You have my word."
She stepped to him and hugged him. He stiffened, not used to the contact, but relaxed and patted her back as she held him. He felt her belly press to him and the baby move within her and sighed feeling a momentary sense of loss and regret at not having a family of his own. She pulled back and looked up at him. "Thank you." She whispered, eyes bright.
He smiled and lifted a hand to tuck a wayward piece of her hair back in a gentle gesture of affection; one Sherlock often did, and then bent to kiss her cheek. "There is nothing I wouldn't do for the three of you." He whispered and turned and took his leave.
She watched him shut the door behind him and turned to look back over the skyline again. She shook her head and finished her soda before moving to take a long bath. Mycroft would see him home safe.
ZzZ
September 30 2013 – London
Marion sighed as the taxi pulled up to Baker Street. She had lived here off and on while she had been away. She looked down at the sleeping toddler, whose head was in her rapidly disappearing lap. She smiled and gently shook the little girl.
"Lizzy darling. We are home."
"Nana?"
"No darling. Our house. Baker Street."
The girl lifted herself. She was tousled from sleep. Marion paid and climbed out of the cab. She took her daughter's hand. The driver removed their cases from the car.
"Thank you."
"Good day Miss." The man said.
Marion took the cases and her daughter's hand and walked to the door of 221 B Baker Street. In the heart of Westminster, the heart of London, Marion loved the location. She opened the door with her key and stepped inside.
Mrs. Hudson was washing something and looked up. "Marion!" She gasped. She pulled herself to her feet and embraced Marion. She then looked down. "Oh! When did this happen?"
"About twenty weeks ago." Marion smiled.
"Who is the father? Has he been good to you?"
"Of course." She smiled. "No I need to put Lizzy down for a nap."
"Use John's old room. He hasn't used it in forever. I will help you air things out." Mrs. Hudson said. "Thank you for continuing with the rent."
"I needed somewhere to go after I got sick of travel."
"Indeed."
Marion took her daughter up and then took her to the extra bedroom. The little girl was so tired she settled almost immediately and Marion was able to waddle down the stairs to see Mrs. Hudson who was putting the kettle on for her.
"It is good to have you back Marion."
"Thank you. It is good to be back. It was time."
"And the father? Should we be expecting him?"
"Yes. Soon I hope, but I have not had much contact with him."
"It is good you move on." Mrs. Hudson said.
"Indeed." Marion looked about. "Now tell me. Have you seen John?"
"He came over only a couple days ago. Strangest thing. I had not seen him since a month after the funeral for Sherlock." Mrs. Hudson's eyes flicked up. "Are you holding up after that?"
"Well enough." Marion said. "I hope to go see him soon."
Mrs. Hudson nodded.
The two had tea and exchanged pleasantries before Mrs. Hudson retired down the stairs. Marion remained in Sherlock's chair and then looked down at her phone. She lifted it and dialed the number she had.
"Hello?" The soft male voice on the other line said.
"Yes. John Watson."
"Yes. Who is this?"
"It has been a while. You must forgive me for not calling on you sooner…"
"Marion!"
"Yes." She smiled. "How are you John?"
"Well enough."
"I have come back to town. I need to stay here now. Lizzy is starting preschool soon. Mycroft is insisting on some high end girl's school. I have a research grant for the government…"
"We should meet for dinner. There is someone I want you to meet."
"Oh? Yes. Come over to my new flat…say seven tomorrow. Bring Lizzy. I would love to see her."
"All right." She said.
"Marion?"
"Yes."
"I am glad you are back."
She smiled. "Thank you. See you soon."
"Ta."
ZzZ
Marion took a breath. She looked over at her daughter who was sitting looking out excitedly. "Where we go, Momma?" She asked.
"To see Uncle John."
"Uncle John. Is he like Uncle Myc?"
"Yes. Like uncle Myc." Marion smiled. The little thing could not say Mycroft well as a toddler and so she was the only person on the planet that he did not mind calling him Myc. His mother often called him so, much to his chagrin, but the tiny dark haired darling of the family could get away with murder calling for Uncle Myc and blinking her large dark doe eyes at him.
They got out and Marion buzzed the doorbell to the flat. "Hello." It was a woman's voice.
"Oh! I am looking for John Watson."
"Are you Marion, then?"
"Yes."
"Splendid. Come up." The buzzer buzzed and Marion pushed open the door.
"Who that Momma?" the small girl beside her asked.
"Not sure. Maybe the surprise Uncle John has for us."
"You like him?"
"Uncle John? Of course. He delivered you, you know."
"What?"
"When you came out of my tummy. He was there."
"Oh!"
They walked up to the second story where the flat was. Marion knocked and the door opened to reveal John. He had a mustache on his lip, but smiled at the widow of his best friend. "Marion!" He said pulling her into a hug.
She smiled and hugged him and he gasped looking at her. "Goodness. When did this happen?" He asked touching her, as he had before. Marion did not mind the invasion of her private space. He was a doctor after all and he had been worried for her.
"I am about five months, John."
"Is there a father in the picture?"
"Sort of." Marion said. She sighed and then noticed the woman behind John. "Oh. Hi!"
"Hi, I'm Mary!" The petite blonde woman said. She stepped forward. Marion offered a hand, but Mary hugged her instead. "Any friend of John's is friend to me. Come in."
"Thank you." Marion said.
"Momma?" Lizzy said.
"Ah this is Lizzy."
Mary dropped down. "Oh look at you, you are like a doll with those beautiful curls." She smiled. "There is something for you, sweetheart if you go into the main room."
Lizzy looked at her mother who smiled. "Go on then." Marion smiled.
"Let me take your coat." John said as Marion stepped out of it and John walked into the flat. It was lovely and homey.
"What did Uncle John get you?" Marion asked.
"A-u-n-t Mary." The girl said reading the tag.
Marion smiled and looked back at Mary. "Yes, Aunt Mary."
"Goodness, Marion. She can read already?" John said.
"Some words. Mostly just letters so far."
"Impressive." Mary said.
ZzZ
Dinner was a pleasant affair and Lizzy was well out of her shell from Mary's coaxing. The woman was very gentle and caring and even read to the little girl after playing with her on the floor with the toys she had gotten her.
Marion had watched as John joined her at the kitchen. "Well?" He asked.
"Well?" She smiled.
"What do you think?"
"She is a good match." She smiled.
"You like her then?"
"Like her? I love her." Marion smiled. "You have done well."
John nodded. "I really want her to be in my life."
"Clearly she is." Marion said. "You are living together."
"That is not what I meant."
Marion chuckled. "I know. Yes. Marry her." She said softly.
"You approve?"
"Of course."
"You barely know her."
"I have seen all I need to. She adores you."
"No she adores, Lizzy. She tolerates me." John corrected.
"Oh stop it." Marion said.
John lifted her left hand. "You still have your wedding ring."
"It is hard to let go." She said coughing a little.
"Oh, I didn't mean to upset you."
"You didn't." Marion said. "Just memories."
"Indeed." John said handing her a tissue.
Marion wiped her eyes and sighed. "I have been away too long." She smiled. "I missed you, John."
"Me too." He said hugging her and sighing. "You know. You were always the buffer."
"What?"
"Between me and Sherlock. You were the buffer. You were there, always, keeping a level head…"
"Yes."
Mary came and joined them. "Marion, are you well?"
"Yes." Marion said. "Just some dust." She said wiping her eye a little.
Mary smiled and nodded. "I am so happy I got to meet you."
"Me too."
"And Lizzy is such a love. I am going to love being with her, and the new one." Mary said nodding to Marion's belly.
Marion smiled. She was home.