Fully Alive
Chapter Fourteen
A/N: Penelope and Archfiend, thank you for your kind words. They really made me smile! I'm really trying to not let the rudeness get me down and you both helped a lot. Also, Penelope, I've been meaning to say that I'm so glad I have such a dedicated fan for this story. I pretty much just wait for your reviews after I post because you always have really positive things to say and I just wanted you to know that they are much appreciated! Now, onwards to the story...!
The commotion in the living room had died down and Vivienne poked her head out of the kitchen and smiled at John.
"Morning!" She chirped before heading back into the kitchen.
John followed her and watched as she began doing dishes. "Bit early for that, isn't it?"
"Well, I have work in a couple hours and if I don't do it, it'll never get done."
John chuckled. "That's very true."
"Hey, listen." Vivienne lowered her voice. "If anyone says anything, I'm the housekeeper."
"Wha-?" John began to ask, but as if on cue, Mary's friend Janine made her appearance in the kitchen, wearing nothing but one of Sherlock's button-down shirts.
"Oh, John, hello." She said happily and then said he noticed Vivienne. "Vivienne." Her tone changed a bit. "You're here early."
"Well, I do have another job. Thought I'd get this done before I head out."
"No offense, but I don't even know why he hired a housekeeper. We know he doesn't like his things touched. Mind putting on some coffee?"
"Sure." Vivienne dried her hands and moved over to the coffee maker. "Personally, I think he only did it to appease you, dear."
John stared in awe at the conversation taking place in front of him.
"So, how do you know John?"
"Well, I-" Vivienne started.
"Oh, right. You live downstairs. John used to live her. I'm so forgetful." Janine laughed. "Have you seen Sherl?"
"Sherl?" John chuckled.
Vivienne faked a smile. "He's in the bath."
Janine gave a small finger-wagging wave and skipped off to the bathroom.
John peeked down the hallway in time to see Janine disappear in the the bathroom and then turned and raised an eyebrow at Vivienne. "What the fuck is going on?"
"It's for a case." Vivienne said in a monotone voice, and flashed a quick, fake smile before rolling her eyes.
"Are they- I mean- you know..."
"I don't know. I don't want to know. Just like I don't want to know where you found him this morning. Well, I didn't want to, but Molly called me. Anyways, I'd say don't say anything to Mary, but I'm sure you're already forming the phone call in your head."
"But aren't you a little... uncomfortable?"
"Oh, fuck. Yes. I'm living back downstairs. This woman is sleeping in my bed. I'm going batshit."
"Have you told," John cleared his throat. "Sherl?" He stifled a giggle.
Vivienne laughed a little. "Yes. And you know what he said?" She straightened up her back to stand taller and deepened her voice, throwing in a British accent for good measure. "You know my work comes first. This is for a case."
"That was pretty good."
"I've been practicing my mocking for this exact conversion." Vivienne shrugged.
Just then, a door opened and Sherlock walked down the hall, looking much better than before. He paused at the kitchen. "Oh. Vivienne. You're here... now. Shouldn't you be at work?"
"Nope. I'm swing shift today, not dayshift. You usually remember..." Vivienne trailed off as Janine entered the room. "Lovely chat, John. But I have dishes to finish."
Janine led Sherlock into the living room and John followed quickly behind them. Vivienne put her headphones in so she didn't have to hear the conversation in the other room.
A few minutes later, there was a small tap on her shoulder. She pulled out and earphone and turned around. "10 minutes of your tone before you go to work?" Sherlock asked. He leaned in for a kiss, but Vivienne stuck get hand out to stop him.
"I can still see lip gloss on your mouth. Unless you're making a fashion statement, I'd rather not kiss you with another woman's slime on your face."
"Enough. It's..."
"For a case. Yeah, got it."
Mrs. Hudson poked her head in the front door. "That was the doorbell, Sherlock. Didn't you hear it?"
"It's in the fridge. It kept ringing." Sherlock sounded annoyed.
"That's not a fault, dear." Mrs. Hudson reprimanded.
"Who is it?" John asked.
Sherlock's eyes widened and he turned back to Vivienne. "Go upstairs to John's old room. Lock the door. And don't come down until I tell you."
"Sherlock, I have to get ready for work."
"Do as I say. Now. Hurry."
Vivienne nodded. The look in Sherlock's eyes almost terrified her. She ran upstairs as quietly as she heard her grandmother say "Mr. Holmes said you can go up now."
20 minutes later, she received a text with only the word Safe. in it from Sherlock.
She walked back down to the apartment and went in. "What the hell was that?"
"Magnussen." Sherlock growled.
"Magnussen? You mean the media guy? Sherlock, please tell me that's not the case you're working. He's dangerous."
"I don't have to tell you anything." Sherlock snarled, clearly agitated.
"You're right. You don't. I'm now late for work. Goodbye, John. Sherlock." Vivienne grabbed her bag from the chair it was occupying and stormed out of 221B.
Vivienne peeked her head into her apartment to see if Sherlock was still awake. She was a bit surprised to see him sitting at the table alone.
"Wow. Your concubine felt comfortable enough to leave you by yourself for the night?"
"My concubine?" Sherlock turned to look at his wife. "Oh, you mean Janine. Yes, something about a meeting tomorrow and wanting to be fully rested. I don't know."
Vivienne sat down on the couch and propped her feet up on the coffee table. "Mind if I rest here for a minute before going back downstairs? My feet are killing me and I'm exhausted."
"You're allowed to sleep in your own bed, you know." Sherlock stated, turning back to his work at the table.
"No, thanks... I'm... fine here..." Vivienne yawned and almost immediately fell asleep.
Sherlock gave a half-smile to himself as a small snore escaped her lips.
A few hours later, Vivienne awoke to someone shaking her gently. She opened one eye and peeked out. "Sherlock? What's wrong?" She muttered sleepily.
"Come dance with me." Sherlock whispered, taking Vivienne's hand in his and pulling her up off of the couch.
"What time is it?" Vivienne mumbled, wrapping her arms around Sherlock's neck.
"About 3:30 in the morning." Sherlock pulled a small remote from his pocket and pressed a button. The beginning notes of The Way You Look Tonight surrounded the pair.
"I love this song." Vivienne whispered, laying her head on Sherlock's chest.
"I know." Sherlock replied, putting the remote down. He laid his hands on Vivienne's stomach, letting them linger a bit longer than he should have, before running them down to her hips.
Some day, when I'm awfully low
When the world is cold
I will feel a glow just thinking of you
And the way you look tonight, Frank Sinatra crooned out of the speakers.
"My behavior lately has been inexcusable and the things I've asked of you are more than a husband should ask of his wife. And I apologize sincerely." Sherlock sighed as they show danced around the living room.
Yes, you're lovely, with your smile so warm
And your cheeks so soft
There is nothing for me but to love you
And the way you look tonight
"Just tell me one thing. Were you high?"
"Vivienne, I'm on a case. The things I do-"
With each word your tenderness grows
Tearin' my fear apart
And that laugh..wrinkles your nose
Touches my foolish heart
"Don't lie to me."
Sherlock's shoulders fell. "I'm sorry, my darling. I won't do it again."
Lovely ... Never, never change
Keep that breathless charm
Won't you please arrange it? 'Cause I love you
Just the way you look tonight
"Ever?"
"Ever. This case- this case is almost over. And everything will go back to normal. I promise."
"You better keep that promise, Holmes."
Sherlock chuckled. "I think I might. It's been quite lonely without you here, Holmes."
And that laugh that wrinkles your nose
It touches my foolish heart
Lovely ... Don't you ever change
Keep that breathless charm
Won't you please arrange it? 'Cause I love you
a-just the way you look tonight
Mm, Mm, Mm, Mm,
Just the way you look tonight
"Well, I would hope so. Life without me can get pretty boring."
"Of course it does, Vivienne. Of course it does." Sherlock pressed a kiss to get temple as the song ended. "Let's go to bed, shall we?"
"I've never wanted anything more in my life." Vivienne responded, giving her husband a small smile. "I miss you."
"I miss you."
Xxxxx