Sorry it's been a while. I didn't want to post this until I'd written more of this story. Trying to discipline myself into writing more often. Anyhoo, enough talk. On to Chapter 17!
Chapter 17
Eventually Addie fell asleep on the couch still clutching the locket as if it were a lifeline. Mycroft, who returned to the room to give Addie her tea, smiled fondly and tucked the blanket from his armchair around her. She looked so peaceful. All the pain, sadness, and self-blame was gone from her face, replaced with calm and relaxed features. Mycroft wished more than anything that she could have her innocence back, but he knew she'd get through this like she always does, with poise and immense strength. He found a pillow and slipped it gently under her before running a hand over her head and whispering, "Sleep well, sweetheart."
He then went into his study to answer some emails and go over some documents he'd been neglecting until he could ensure Addie was alright.
He was halfway through reading one of his top secret files that no one but a select few were allowed to see, when a knock came at his door. He looked up.
"Come in," he said.
Sherlock's head peeked in, "Where's Addie? Is she alright?" Mycroft noted the dark circles under Sherlock's eyes and slightest hint of exhaustion creeping into his voice.
"She's alright. She's sleeping in the living room. Don't disturb her," he warned.
"I'm not going to disturb her. Not now that she's finally asleep. She needed to be asleep 3 hours ago," Sherlock replied.
"You look a bit tired yourself, Sherlock. You should get some sleep too," Mycroft suggested.
Sherlock scoffed and muttered something about him being ridiculous. Mycroft rolled his eyes and smirked. He should have known it wouldn't work. Fortunately, Mycroft had many years of experience getting a reluctant Sherlock to sleep. His subtle suggestion that Sherlock watch over Addie in the living room in case she has any nightmares was a reasonable suggestion to Sherlock and he agreed. Mycroft smirked. He would give him a half hour before he was passed out as well.
Sherlock sat in Mycroft's armchair watching over his sister and taking note of her puffy eyes and the dried tear tracks on her face. The past few hours had been hell for her, and he was sure the night wouldn't be without its bad dreams, but at least she was able to sleep peacefully for the time being.
Sherlock once again grew very bored since Addie wasn't doing anything and didn't need comforting. He took to reading a boring periodical Mycroft had laying on the table. Soon his eyes grew heavy and he found himself nodding off for entire paragraphs. It was true, he was exhausted, emotionally and physically, but he'd never give Mycroft the satisfaction of being right. So he fought the fight with all he had to stay awake and prove his brother wrong. But Sherlock's body betrayed him and soon enough his eyes shut completely and his breathing evened out, the boring periodical left abandoned on his lap.
Mycroft returned a half hour later to find Sherlock slumped in his armchair deeply asleep. He chuckled and shook his head; he called it earlier. He removed the periodical from Sherlock's lap and stuck some pillows behind his head and back so he wouldn't get any kinks in his neck or have any sore muscles in the morning. Sherlock's coat was hanging on the desk chair and he draped it over him gently.
Once he was assured that both of his siblings were comfortable and safe, he sat in the desk chair to watch over them. He swept his eyes fondly over his stubborn and brilliant younger brother and sister and found his extreme protectiveness rearing its head. They were finally a family once again, something he never dreamed would happen, and he'd be damned if anything threatened to ruin that.
He was startled out of his musings by a whisper from Sherlock.
"Stop staring, Mycroft. It's creepy."
Mycroft laughed and stood up to go retire to his own room for the night. He gave Addie a parting kiss on the head before crossing the room to approach Sherlock. Sherlock had closed his eyes again and settled back into the pillows. He gave Sherlock a gentle pat on the shoulder before walking towards the hallway.
"Sleep well, brother," he faintly whispered. All he received in return was a half-hearted groan of annoyance. But as he turned to look back at his siblings one last time, he swore he caught a slight upturn of a smile on Sherlock's face before it disappeared and he relaxed back into sleep. Right then he made a vow to his now departed mother to make his position as the oldest the most important thing and to watch over his younger siblings no matter the cost. He owed her that.
Sherlock and Mycroft slept well into the late morning, being just as tired, if not more, than Addie from the events of the previous day. They woke up to folded blankets on the couch and a handwritten note placed on top of them.
Lockie and My,
Going out for a bit. Need to clear my head and get some air. I'm fine. Don't worry!
-Addie
"You know, this whole running off thing, that's something I didn't miss when she was gone," Sherlock said with a sigh.
"Well, she does like to be dramatic," Mycroft said, chuckling.
"Yes, dramatic and stressful," Sherlock replied.
"Now you know how I feel every time you run right into trouble," Mycroft said.
Sherlock rolled his eyes and ignored him as he searched through Mycroft's cabinets. "I'm taking your last scone."
"Sherlock!"
Sherlock bit into it and smiled.
"Well, we can always track her and see where she's at," Mycroft said.
"She left her phone here," Sherlock said, gesturing to the coffee table beside the couch.
"Of course she did," grumbled Mycroft.
Suddenly, Sherlock's mobile rang, the word "John" coming up on the screen.
"John?"
"Sherlock? Addie's here. Just wanted to let you know. Imagine you were getting a bit worried," John said.
"I wasn't worried," Sherlock said.
"Right," John replied as if he didn't believe him. "Addie and I are going out for some Chinese for lunch. You're welcome to join us, or I can bring something back."
"I'll meet up with you back at the flat. Have a fun lunch date," Sherlock teased, then hung up.
"I do hope John wasn't worried about you two last night when you didn't come home," Mycroft said.
"I texted him when we got here."
"You don't want to join them for lunch?"
"Addie could use a break from family for a bit. Let her and John spend some time together without us."
Mycroft agreed, "Seems reasonable. I guess we can't watch her every move."
"Says the man who installed cameras in our flat," Sherlock said.
Mycroft sneered. "Well, dear brother, seeing as you now have some free time, let's say we discuss a case that has just recently come to my attention?"
Sherlock groaned, but, with lack of anything better to do, reluctantly followed Mycroft out of the kitchen.
"Nice little place isn't it?" John asked. He and Addie were seated at a small table near the back of the Chinese restaurant.
"Very nice. Great company too," Addie answered.
"Yeah, the company's not bad, I guess," John teased.
Addie made a face at him and laughed.
"Seriously though, thanks for this John. I needed to get out for a bit."
"Hey, no problem. I'm just glad to have you back and safe. You gave us quite a scare, you know" he said giving her a pointed look.
"I messed up a bit, didn't I?" Addie asked.
"A bit? You did a full on runner and made yourself completely untraceable! I've never seen Sherlock so anxious. It was completely foolish and not to mention selfish!" John said, getting frustrated.
Addie lowered her eyes to her lap and muttered, "I'm sorry, John."
"You had me worried sick! You can't just take off and disappear whenever you feel like it!"
"I feel terrible about that. I never meant to cause so much panic," Addie said.
"But," John said. "I understand why you did it. I can't be too upset about it. I would have done the same thing."
Addie looked at him curiously.
"Addie, I, more than anyone, understand what it means to be scared. Especially scared of the harsh realities of life. Nightmares are scary, sure, but real life? That's the most terrifying. Especially when you find out you're not dreaming," John said.
Addie nodded, "At least when I'm dreaming, I can wake up. There's a promise that it will end and I'll get out of it," she raised her head to look him in the eyes. "I've spend the last 5 years hoping and praying to wake up, only to realize I wasn't going to. I wished so many times, still do, that I can just go to sleep and stay that way. I'll take the dreams over the truth any day."
John felt his heart clench at her words. He himself had been in that situation countless times when he returned from war. Better to sleep forever than live in pain. But he'd gotten past it. He'd pushed on. And he had Sherlock to thank for that. John recognized that he could be that person for Addie.
"Addie, believe me, I know exactly how you feel. But you know what?" John said making sure she was looking at him. "I got through it. I overcame it."
"But, you're stronger than me," Addie said quietly.
John reached across that table for her hands. "Don't ever say that. You lasted for 5 years, Addie. 5 years! That's a hell of a lot longer than I would have. I may not know the details of what happened when you were gone. Hell, I don't even know you that well at all. But what I do know and what I've seen, is a strong young woman, braver than me, and handling herself with poise and dignity, never letting her fear get the best of her."
Addie locked eyes with John and her vision went blurry with tears. She squeezed his hand back and gave a small smile.
"Don't you dare give up, kiddo. You're better than that," John said. He paused to let the words sink in for her. "Not to mention, it might kill Mycroft and Sherlock. Those stubborn gits claim to lack sentiment, but they're not fooling anyone."
Addie chuckled. "Well, we can't have that happening. The world needs Mycroft and Sherlock Holmes. The bloody idiots."
"Not to mention they'd come back to haunt my sorry ass. I'd never survive that!" John said, laughing.
Addie laughed and gave a mock shiver. "Now that's a terrifying thought."
"Indeed."
"I'm…I'm glad we got to talk, John. Maybe I do need people after all. And…I'm glad you're one of those people," Addie told him.
"Me too, Addie. Me too," John said giving her a wink.
Addie smiled and went back to browsing the menu for something to eat.