Sherlock story
Deleted Memories, Chapter 121
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.
Hi everyone, I was not quite sure about what was already written so I changed some things. Let me know your thoughts.
It begins, teddy bear alerts from here onward.
"True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it be lost."~ Charles Caleb Colton
Present Day
John normally liked it quiet but found it difficult to be completely relaxed.
The pass week and a half have been quiet, very quiet. There were no guns, no bombs, no explosion of any kind, and no little girl to rescue, yet John was on edge.
John closed his computer. He had begun to blog again. It was heartwarming the outpour of support for Sherlock Holmes.
He was blogging about some of the older cases. He had no intentions of the past several weeks becoming public knowledge except to thank everyone who sent their best wished Sherlock's way for a speedy recovery from his minor injuries.
If only the public knew the truth about Sherlock's sacrifice what would they think, John wondered. In John's heart, Sherlock had always been a hero.
John smiled as he wondered how he could get a new picture of Sherlock in a Deerstalker hat.
The other thing that made him smile was the thought of Mary. Two days ago, she dropped off files that Mycroft requested Sherlock review.
John sipped on his Earl Gray tea. The detective, agent, whatever she was; had gotten it for him. Mary Myers somehow found out about his particular love of tea beverages.
He found the small package on his doorstep gift wrapped early in the morning.
It was an unexpected and thoughtful gift.
Myers seemed to love to throw him off balance he had noticed. His smile widened at the memory of what Mary had said.
"I'll show you mine if you show me yours."
John opened his mouth, unsure of how to react when Mary clarified, "Your gun, I can tell you're carrying one. You really need a better holster. Are you even supposed to be carrying that thing?"
For almost seven days, John kept this gun on him almost constantly while awake. The reason was simple; it was to protect Sherlock.
It was to protect Sherlock against Ayyad's men; it was also to protect Sherlock against Mrs. Hudson should any more holes materialize on her walls.
"Oh yes. I have special papers it seems that Mycroft has given both Sherlock and I a title, I'm not even sure what it is but it gives both of us the right to carry weapons. Although I admit that no one trust Sherlock with a weapon unless absolutely necessary."
"Understandable," Mary said as she turned to leave. "By the way be careful, I wouldn't want you to waste a bullet shooting yourself." Mary then walked away ponytail bobbing.
Maybe he should see if she was free for lunch when all this was over, John considered.
Maybe.
John was so deep in thought that he barely noticed that Sherlock was dressed and heading out the door.
"Sorry Sherlock, I lost track of the time. I'm ready just let me get my mobile," John grabbed his coat off the chair and motioned to stand up.
Sherlock raised an eyebrow and wordlessly took John's coat away and hung it up.
Sherlock looked John up and down with a frown.
"John you can't follow me everywhere I go."
"I did before," John said with a smirk.
"Funny John," Sherlock said with sarcasms.
"Didn't know you recognize humor," John said with equal sarcasm.
"What are you planning to do, put your ear to the door and see if I wail uncontrollably?" Sherlock wondered.
"Now, that would be a change wouldn't it," John asked while attempting to get up again. "Sherlock I don't mind really!"
Sherlock looked slightly annoyed and amused.
"While I appreciate your attention, we both know you need a break. You're starting to get dark circles under your eyes. And, even though you don't have nightmares you get up at least once nightly and peek in my room to make sure that I am ok and don't have several of Ayyad's men pointing guns at me while I sleeping unaware."
John asked flustered, "How did you know…, never mind."
Sherlock opened his mouth to say something else but instead sniffed the air.
"New tea?" Sherlock asked.
"Ah… yes," John said
"Earl Gray," It wasn't really a question. Sherlock sniffed again.
"Yes," John said slightly frowning. He could have sworn he saw Sherlock flash a faint smile but could not be certain.
Sherlock looked at John curiously then returned to the subject at hand.
"John, I've arranged for a taxi to pick me up. The same taxi will wait and bring me home. Mycroft's paying for the taxi, of course." Sherlock waited for John to process.
John was silent for a moment.
"I still don't like it. I'm surprised that you agreed to Mycroft's request. This will be your third session. Are you even sure that he'll hand over the evidence of your… debauchery." John had a slight smirk.
Sherlock looked slightly insulted.
"As I said John it was an experiment. And, for all of Mycroft's faults, he is a man of his word."
John smiled almost wickedly as he asked, "Care to explain what's on that video of you at Cambridge?"
"I'd rather die," Sherlock said flatly with raised eyebrows.
John mind wandered for a moment as he imagined a very young, very drunk, sleep deprived and God forbid, a very bored Sherlock.
"… John did you hear a word of what I just said? And why are you smiling?" Sherlock asked suspiciously.
"Oh… nothing, sorry," John could not quite erase all the amusement from his face.
"Well as I was saying, rest. I'll be back in two hours, I'll call you as soon as I get out of my… uh… session." Sherlock turned to move over to the window, but he looked at John first.
John nodded with a slight frown now.
"Oh, Sherlock, if you have any hope of winning your little contest with Mycroft, you may want to leave all the deductions out of your sessions until you at least reach the … uh… what was it, the six sessions minimal that you both agreed on." John twisted his body in the chair so that he was looking at Sherlock.
Sherlock cleared his throat but said nothing.
"Sherlock?" John frowned.
Sherlock seemed a little agitated now.
"Sherlock!" it was John's turn to narrow his eyes.
"Well, what do you expect? I am who I am. It's not like a faucet that I can turn on and off." Sherlock folded his arms defensively.
A thought suddenly occurred to John.
"Mycroft doesn't think that you will last six sessions despite this person's reputation for being able to work with difficult…," John, at the intense look on Sherlock's face, decided to pick his words more carefully, "… um… I mean extraordinary people."
Sherlock was contemplative for a minute, "I've deduce as much, but Mycroft will not win this time."
John wondered why everything between the brothers had to be a battle of wills or a contest.
John sighed.
He turned back in his chair and picked back up his cup.
"Two hours Sherlock and, call me in an hour. Oh, and call me if you're going to be late or change plans in any way or I'm calling out the troops!" That was code for Mycroft.
Sherlock looked annoyed but decided to be indulgent only because this was John. Anyone else would have felt Sherlock's full wrath by now.
"Yes mother," Sherlock smiled as he looked out the window. He had timed the cab to arrive ten minutes ago. Sherlock frowned slightly. He was usually correct give and take a minute. Sherlock wondered silently if he was off his game today.
"Cab," Sherlock said as he watched the cab driver pull up. He ignored his gloves; he still took his scarf even though it really was not cold enough for it.
John watched him leave as he added, "Two hours,"
Sherlock paused with half his body in and half out of the doorway.
"Oh John, you should give her a call. She's much more interesting that those dull and predictable morons that you usually snog."
John turned quickly.
"Enjoy your tea," Sherlock said sweetly.
"Sherlock…" John was about to argue but the sound of the door closing stopped the intended argument.
"Smart arse," John said while trying to decide if he should be offended at his presumption or take Sherlock's advice to heart.
"Always has to one-up everyone," John looked at his watch and noticed the time. "Two hours," he said to himself. He tried to relax.
He sighed.
"Two hours."
Maybe crap telly will help, John thought.
Ayyad looked at London as his private jet flew low in approach for a landing.
One of his generals called. Ayyad was told Veselý's plan had begun.
Ayyad was told that they would have him in their custody in a few hours. Ayyad was promised that he would have him an hour later.
He smiled and looked out the window.
He would deal with him personally.