Sherlock story

Deleted Memories, Chapter 160

Warning: post Reichenbach spoilers. Hope you enjoy

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"Hear no evil, speak no evil - and you'll never be invited to a party" ~Oscar Wilde quotes

Two Weeks Later

Present Day

John hung up the phone. Mycroft made all the arrangements and was checking in to make sure that everything was going according to plan. John looked at his suit in the mirror. Sherlock came behind and did the same. John felt a strange sense of déjà vu. Sherlock wore a pout on his face as he walked.

John looked at Sherlock and sighed. "Sherlock it won't be that bad."

Sherlock rolled his eyes and continued to pout. "I do not like the media John. It's not your face that was spread across the papers and television declaring you a phony over a year ago now was it." Sherlock folded his arms and considered backing out of the entire thing.

"Mycroft said that it's necessary. You can't hide the fact that a bomb almost exploded taking half of London with it, Sherlock. The TV crew saw you at the site on the laptop." John tried to be reasonable.

"All of us were there, why is it my face that they had to zoom in on?" Sherlock was irritable now and pacing.

"Why can't Mycroft's office take credit? He did get shot holding them back?" His hands now made dramatic gestures while pacing.

"You already know the answer to that Sherlock, Mycroft has to keep a low profile. Besides, it was you who got the code for the bomb and stopped the wrong code from being entered."

Sherlock suddenly smiled, "You can take credit along with Lestrade," Sherlock said pleased with himself as he turned to go back to his room.

"Stop! Sherlock Holmes, stop acting like an infant. Lestrade refused to take credit unless you took it also, you know that!" John raised his voice. He then pinched the bridge of his nose, took a deep breath and spoke in a calmer voice. "It will be fast, I promise. Just don't say anything stupid." John frowned. "Maybe it would be best if I spoke and you just smiled, and not your constipated smile either, Sherlock."

Sherlock said nothing but looked offended as he waited tapping his foot with a scowl on his face. John rolled his eyes as he turned to Mrs. Hudson who was coming up the stairs to the flat.

"Mycroft's car is here dears. Oh don't the two of you look handsome. My heroes." Mrs. Hudson looked at both men as she made a fuss over them.

She kissed John who smiled ear-to-ear then Sherlock who smile slightly when he was kissed despite still being annoyed.

"Sorry, the media is out front," Mrs. Hudson said apologetically with her hand still on Sherlock's arm.

Sherlock huffed as he turned his face to John and gave him his best see I told you so looked.

John was already at the window looking. He frowned and looked at Sherlock. "It'll be fine." He looked at the car.

"Let's go. Lestrade was right to send some officers. They're holding the crowd back." He looked at Sherlock reassuringly.

"Well then, we'd better be off." John forced a smiled for Sherlock's sake as he walked down the stairs; he knew that Sherlock would follow.

Sherlock did follow and stopped behind him. "Ready?"

Sherlock gave a slight shrug. John knew that, that was as close to a yes as he was going to get. He squeezed Sherlock's arm and opened the door leading the way.

"Excuse us; Excuse us," John said as he pushed his way through the crowd. He glanced back to make sure that Sherlock was close behind. The police held the enthusiastic crowd and reporters back.

They both slide into the back seat side-by-side. Sherlock looked at John as he said, "Is this Mycroft's idea of, and I do quote, toning things down?" John said nothing but smiled at Sherlock reassuringly. He then looked out the window.

The day could not end fast enough for him.