"How was work?" Sherlock asked Scarlett one week later when she walked back into the flat and dropped down onto the sofa next to Sherlock, resting her head onto his shoulder whilst he continued reading the book in his hand whilst Scarlett sighed loudly.
"Fine," she sighed. "Mary had me running around the office...bringing coffees...photocopying...it's almost like I've gone back to how I was when I first started working there."
"She had you running around even when you're still quite weak?" Sherlock sounded disgusted, his mind managing to read the page he was on whilst giving Scarlett his attention also.
"I'm fine," Scarlett responded. "Just really tired."
"So now isn't the time to ask what's for tea?" Sherlock guessed and Scarlett pulled her BlackBerry from her bag which was still on her shoulder and she threw it onto his lap.
"Whatever takeaway you fancy," Scarlett replied, "because I am not cooking."
"Hmm," Sherlock agreed and Scarlett took the book from his hands and looked at the front cover before dropping it onto her lap, her hand holding the page he was on whilst she raised a brow and looked at him.
"Harry Potter?" she asked him. "You're reading Harry Potter?"
"Well you have all of them in the bedroom and I was extremely bored considering I have read all my books multiple times," Sherlock explained. "And you're always going on about how good it is."
"And what do you think?" Scarlett asked with a yawn.
"I have to admit that it is well written and very in depth," Sherlock responded and picked up Scarlett's BlackBerry and began to dial numbers into it.
"Who are you phoning?" Scarlett asked.
"I'm phoning for a Chinese," Sherlock responded. "Considering you're refusing to make me anything to eat."
"You could make me something to eat," Scarlett replied with a slight hint in her voice.
"Don't talk silly," Sherlock said.
"And how do you even know the number to the Chinese?" Scarlett pondered.
"Do you think John and I cooked before you came along?" Sherlock chuckled and began to order the usual food which they were after. When he hung up on the phone he handed it back to Scarlett and then she placed it onto the coffee table, dumping her bag on the floor and then hanging her coat up.
"Do you want a drink?" Scarlett called out and Sherlock concluded he couldn't be bothered to read anymore and so he laid flat on the sofa and rested his hands onto his forehead.
"Lemonade please...I'm not in the mood for tea," Sherlock informed her and she began to pour him a drink before placing it onto the coffee table and then downing her can of coca cola.
"Still no case?" Scarlett asked Sherlock and he shook his head, closing his eyes as he did so.
"No," he drawled. "Nothing...nothing at all...I'm going to go mad if nothing comes up."
"I'm sure something will come up," she assured him.
"It had best do..." Sherlock said and there was a sudden knock on the door and he jumped up. "And you need to replace your IPod."
"What?" Scarlett snapped as Sherlock moved down the stairs, avoiding her wrath. When he opened the door he jumped back a little.
"Chinese?" his brother was stood on his doorstep, a white bag with delicious smelling food in it, a small grin on his face.
"Government cuts affected you badly Mycroft?" Sherlock asked. "They had to kick you out?"
"Don't be sarcastic with me Sherlock," Mycroft's grin fell from his face.
"Do you want a tip then?" Sherlock asked.
"As much as you'd love to see me fail Sherlock," Mycroft drawled, "I'm here on business."
"Sherlock!" Scarlett called down the stairs. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Sherlock yelled back up to her. "Just having a quick chat with...well...an acquaintance..."
"Oh," Scarlett replied, unsure of if she should go downstairs or if she should keep out of it.
"I'll be up in a moment Scarlett," Sherlock said. "Just go back in the room."
Scarlett did as she was told whilst Sherlock stepped out onto the step, closing the door slightly behind him whilst Mycroft managed to quickly drop the Chinese bag into the hallway.
"So what is this about Mycroft?" Sherlock asked. "I know you don't like to be kept waiting...you get that trait from mother."
"You know how Mummy and I are similar," Mycroft replied. "But this is about something different. A Mr Moriarty if you know of him."
"Mr Moriarty?" Sherlock chuckled. "What about him?"
"His body Sherlock...you apparently shot him, am I correct?" Mycroft replied and Sherlock nodded, folding his arms over his chest.
"Yes," Sherlock said. "I shot him."
"As I thought," Mycroft said. "Earlier today, Sherlock, his body was dug up."
"What?" Sherlock asked with his lips tight together.
"Someone dug up his body," Mycroft spoke. "And we want to know why."
"And you think I would know why?" Sherlock replied.
"Well," Mycroft began, "you two do have a history and I did think you would have some inclination."
"Well I don't know why," Sherlock stated. "Mr Moriarty had numerous fans, I do believe."
"But why would anyone want to do this?" Mycroft asked.
"As I said," Sherlock sounded bored, "I don't know."
"And do you have any intention as to find out why?"
"Not sure," Sherlock shrugged. "I have a large case on at the moment...it is taking up a lot of my time," he lied.
"Typical," Moriarty chuckled. "And this Scarlett...she's still around," he stated.
"And that is supposed to mean that you're shocked I'm not bored of her yet and haven't discarded her. You would only think that because you know I have a habit of needing to be entertained all the time," Sherlock said.
"I read about her..." Mycroft began.
"Of course you did," Sherlock murmured.
"She's certainly not like you, is she?" Mycroft smirked. "She's quite intelligent though, isn't she? But her job is completely droll, wouldn't you say?"
"She knows what I think of her job," Sherlock said.
"So is it serious?" Mycroft pondered and Sherlock chuckled.
"Scarlett is none of your business," Sherlock said.
"But you are."
"Much to my dismay."
"So answer the question."
"I prefer to leave you guessing," Sherlock replied. "You know everything...so why don't you go and find out for yourself?"
"Because I prefer to speak to my brother about it."
"Your brother doesn't particularly want to talk to you about it," Sherlock responded.
"Do you remember the talk Sherlock?" Mycroft joked creepily. "The birds and the bees?"
"Don't humour me," Sherlock demanded from him.
"I just don't want any little...ah...mistakes, Sherlock. So I hope you're being careful..."
"Why don't you run along and figure out your little mystery. I'm not interested and I don't want you anywhere near Scarlett." Sherlock replied.
"I'll see you soon Sherlock..." Mycroft chuckled. "Very soon."
...
"What was that about?" Scarlett asked when Sherlock walked back up into the flat with the Chinese as he sulked to himself. Sherlock dropped the food onto the worktop and Scarlett stood in the doorway, watching as he paced up and down.
"What's the matter?" Scarlett asked. "Who were you talking to?"
"I'm going out," Sherlock said quickly, walking into the living room and picking up his coat, shrugging into it and then placing his scarf on.
"But the food...who was it? What's going on?" She garbled and Sherlock shook his head.
"It doesn't matter," he shrugged off.
"You're worrying me Sherlock!" Scarlett snapped and Sherlock looked at her, turning on his heel and placing his hands either side of her face, clasping her cheeks as he quickly kissed her on the forehead.
"You don't need to worry," he promised her. "Nothing is going on."
"Well then you can tell me?"
"I will," he promised. "When I have time...but I'm in a rush..."
"Sherlock," she complained as the consulting detective began to twirl on his heel.
"I'll come too!" she said suddenly and Sherlock shook his head.
"No," defiance took hold of his voice. "You look tired enough as it is...I'll be back soon."
And with that the consulting detective ran from the flat. Scarlett quickly rushed over to the window and pulled back the curtains, watching as he moved down the pavement, wondering what had gotten him all het up.
...
A/N: Not my best chapter, I know, but they will get better. Little mystery with Moriarty there, isn't there? Anyway, thank you to all those who have reviewed and I am glad many of you are liking it so far! Please do review and let me know what you think may happen!