Sherlock story
Deleted Memories, Chapter 120
Warning: post Reichenbach spoilers. Hope you enjoy
*As always thanks for reading, a special thanks to all of you who take the time to review, comment, and favorite.
Love to all.
"The one unchangeable certainty is that nothing is certain or unchangeable." -John F. Kennedy
Present Day
It would be dawn soon; the sky was already starting to become lighter. John heard voices talking as he entered the kitchen.
"What about Mycroft?" Adler questioned.
"As a last resort. I think I'll ease your being back in London to him. If he saw you now, he would take you into custody. Give me a few weeks to negotiate with him; you've rather… misbehaved last time you were here." Sherlock face held a grave look now as he added, "Maybe that would be for the best, at least you would be safe until this is all concluded."
Adler looked almost sad when saying, "Sherlock, you know I don't do well with four walls and a locked door, it's worse than death to me."
Sherlock nodded, he understood. In some ways, they were very much alike. In some ways.
Sherlock resumed drinking his coffee.
Alder was dressed casually now. Her hair was in a ponytail and most of the makeup washed off. Apparently, she had taken a shower. Her usual suit was gone in place of black blue jeans and trainers. She looks years younger and nothing like her usual self.
That was probably the idea.
"Sherlock, she hesitated there's one more thing. You were right, before I left I heard talk about Ayyad and one last big bomb. This one is different. It is on a timer, once started; it can only be stopped with a code. I was unable to get it. Your mind palace, maybe it's stored along with the other information you found," Adler said hopefully.
"Not there, looked. It will be on the person of Ayyad himself. He would not trust anyone else with it, not even his generals." Sherlock said matter of fact as he sipped his coffee.
Sherlock locked eyes with John then motioned with his head toward the steaming cup of coffee already out.
At Johns questioning look, Sherlock smiled.
"Don't worry John, I told you I'm through experimenting," Sherlock said with a mock look of offense. "At least no more today," Sherlock whispered quietly to himself.
John relaxed and took a sip of the brown liquid, "Um."
"You'd better get going it will be light out soon." Sherlock handed her a manila envelope. "This has everything you need."
John eyed the envelope curiously but said nothing.
Adler opened it and looked at Sherlock with surprise. "How did you know I was coming?"
Sherlock took another sip of coffee but said nothing.
"You'd better get going," Sherlock had moved to the window's corner, pulling the curtain back slightly, he then glanced at the street.
"Now would be a good time." Sherlock suggested.
"Oh, you may need this as well," Sherlock pulled a key out of his trouser pocket.
Sherlock had showered as well and had a different suit on. Black this time with a mauve colored shirt. "You'll need transportation, try not to demolish this one."
Both Adler and Sherlock held each other's gaze.
She took the key in her hand, Sherlock's hand lingered on the key. He did not let go of it right away. She held the key as her finger trace the juncture of Sherlock thumb to tip as she finally took the key from him and he finally let go.
John's eyebrows rose as he noticed the discreet gesture but said nothing. He just sipped his coffee.
They both remained close for a few seconds.
Sherlock's frown returned as he examined Adler's face. She did not look away but smiled slightly, squeezed one of his wrists, then broke eye contact as she moved away.
Adler kissed John, "I'm sorry John," she said quietly to just herself and John, "Please watch him, sometimes he's so focused on saving everyone else, he…"
"He forgets we would risk our lives if it meant saving him." John smiled and kissed her back on the cheek.
"Be careful I may actually like you one day," Irene did something very un-Adler like that caused John great amusement; she giggled.
John could not help but to laugh back.
Sherlock raised an eyebrow and looked at the two curiously while still standing by the window.
Irene turned to leave. Sherlock spoke, "You will text me when you reach your destination, Ms. Adler."
"I can take care of myself, Mr. Holmes." Adler said firmly.
Sherlock said nothing but raised an eyebrow as he stood in her way. Adler signed
"As soon as I arrive, Mr. Holmes." Adler shook her head.
Sherlock moved out of her way then.
Adler decided that she was developing bad habits. Only three months ago, she said please to Sherlock, now she told John sorry. Adler sighed dramatically, all in the same year.
Irene nodded to both men, picked up her backpack, and then with a wink, she disappeared out a window.
Sherlock watched her disappear around the corner.
Sherlock sighed then walked back and sat down with John. Both men sat quietly until John could stand it no longer.
"Anything you want to share with me Sherlock," John said trying to sound casual.
"Not particularly, John." Sherlock eyes traveled in the opposite direction of John.
Silence
More coffee
"So," John started.
"Yes John," Sherlock sighed slightly annoyed.
"Get any sleep," John sipped on his coffee.
"Not much," Sherlock replied.
"I bet," John, said casually as he took another sip.
Sherlock's eyes turned to John, slightly more annoyed
John looked innocently at Sherlock.
Sherlock put down his coffee and spoke, "John, I am only interested in things that expand my mind."
"The expand part I believe," John said under his breath as he sipped the beverage. Sherlock heard.
"Don't be vulgar, John."
"Don't live in denial, Sherlock."
"She's, an…, ally an…, associate…," Sherlock searched for the words.
"Is that what they're calling it these days?" John asked.
"You're not going to let this go?"
"Nope," John smirked
Sherlock sighed and took another sip of coffee before speaking.
"Ask."
John took a slow sip of coffee crossed his legs leaned back then raised his eyebrows looking at Sherlock.
"No." Sherlock answered the unasked question.
"You've both showered and changed." John gave Sherlock the look.
"Am I not allowed to take a shower?" Sherlock sounded offended as his voice raised slightly.
"There only one shower down here Sherlock and no one used mine." John stated suspiciously.
"We managed." Sherlock said through tight lips.
"Ok, ok, no need to get tetchy." John raised his hands. "It was a cold shower then." John smirked.
" Look If, and I do mean If, I ever decide to take that step with anyone, which is doubtful by the way, I would have to trust that person with more than my fact, figures and terrorist codes; I have to trust that person with the deepest part of my admittedly complicated self. The development of the mind is too important to me, John." Sherlock sighed again.
Silence
"Is there anyone you feel that way about, have ever felt that way about, Adler or otherwise?" John wondered.
Sherlock did not answer but looked at John strangely as if he still had his own questions.
Sherlock continued to look at John strangely; he opened his mouth to speak then frowned, and closed it saying nothing.
John wondered if Sherlock knew the answer.
John gave Sherlock a moment after noticing the look of contemplation on his face.
"And you don't feel this way with Adler." John made a statement.
Silence
"Do you trust Adler?" John questioned gently.
"Almost completely." Sherlock said without hesitation.
John was quiet and thought for a moment.
"I see the way you look at each other, Sherlock. Are you going to sit there and tell me you're not… intrigued by her?" John questioned.
"I did not say that, John, but urges of the body can be overcome with discipline."
John looked at Sherlock before asking, "How close were you to… changing statues?"
There was a moment of silence.
"Close John… very close," Sherlock confessed tiredly.
"The point is John, technically nothing happened. Besides, I married to my work, remember." Sherlock explained.
"Careful Sherlock. I've noticed some changes in you lately." John sipped more coffee. Sherlock turned to look at John with a questioning look in his eyes. John added.
"I think you're close to adultery."
Author note: I noticed with several chapters, I keep doing the multiple version thing. I think this one worked best with the current story line.
Hope everyone's doing well.