AN: Hello! Sorry for my absence, I've been a little busy with work...a huge wardrobe to run on a production of Phantom of the Opera. Fun but tiring. Thanks again to the wonderfully brilliant naturerocs she keeps me inspired and is such a great writing partner!

A quick reminder...No copyright intended and I have no affiliation with Sherlock or the BBC. I only own Percy.

Chapter 22 - Dodging the Cracks

My phone ringing woke me.

"Hello?"

"Percy, its Brian, what's your schedule like?"

"Open, very open, I have nothing on at the moment."

"Fancy coming to manage our wardrobe for a couple of weeks, our current head of wardrobe is away with flu."

"Yeah that sounds amazing. What show?"

"Phantom!"

"Oh yes, that's amazing. When do you need me?"

"Sunday night to go through the show and Monday is the next performance."

"No problem, see you Sunday!"

"You're a life saver. Speak soon."

"Bye."

I put my phone back on the bedside table and looked at the clock, it was 9am, and I was amazed I'd slept so long. Five hours was a good night. I got up, showered and dressed, and went into the kitchen for some tea. I can't start the day without a cup of tea.

I sent Angie a text asking her over for some breakfast and minutes later there was a ring at the door.

"Hi Ang."

"Hi."

We grabbed our food and went into the living room.

"Can you do me a huge favour? Would you keep an eye on the house for me whilst I'm away? I'm going on tour for a couple of weeks with a show."

"Sure, no problem!" Smiled Angie.

"Thanks Sweetie, just thank you so much. It's one less thing to worry about!" I smiled back.

"Yeah, you've got enough to worry about right now. What show is it?"

"Your favourite, Phantom."

"Lucky! You get to watch it for free for two weeks straight?! I guess I'll just have to deal with the movie."

"I don't get time to watch it! It will be fun though. "

"Do you mind if...I mean, um, do you want me to stay at your house, or just check in from time to time?"

"Feel free, you have a key, make yourself at home. Jim's away for however long, so..."

"Okay, thanks. Have fun! Call me, let me know you got there okay." Smiled Angie. I knew she was a little jealous that I got to be around Phantom for two weeks, but I have never seen a show that I have worked on.

"Will do! Actually, we might end up swapping, I may have to stay at yours, as I'm not speaking to my idiot of a husband."

"Yeah, we both have our clever idiots who are excruciatingly aggravating. I'll kick Harry out soon so you can stay over."

"Oh thank you, you don't need to, I could stay with Mycroft. Jim is in the dog house, big time."

"Sherlock and Jim certainly have a lot in common, don't they? And of course I will! I'd always prefer you staying over than Harry."

"They do, its scary. I actually called Jim, Sherlock the other day without even realising, that caused a bit of a fight, hence why I am not speaking to him."

"Oh, that must have been nasty. God forbid I ever call Sherlock Jim."

"I nearly sent a text to Sherlock that was for Jim. It would cause a world of pain."

"Tell me about it."

"Jim phoned me at 3am! 3am! To then hang up on me five minutes later! Rude. When I spoke to him last night, I did tell Jim he will sleep on the sofa when he gets home."

"Sorry. Men are idiots."

"They really are."

"Oh, and Sherlock just topped it all off the other day. I ran out of...girl stuff, because Sherlock thought he could use them to wipe up a spill in the bathroom. I mean, how stupid can he be?! Can he not read?!"

"Seriously, he's actually clueless sometimes!" I was having trouble hiding my laughter.

"I know, it took him like five minutes to finally realise why I was mad at him!"

"For such a genius, he is so dense! Mycroft is so much easier to deal with. Tell him NO and he leaves well alone, Sherlock has no sense of self-preservation. Jim is nearly as bad as Sherlock."

"You make Mycroft sound like a trained puppy." Laughed Angie, her face fell slightly as she said:

"Sherlock's already gotten himself 'killed' once. I just know he's planning something. I swear, if he does that to me again, I won't be able to forgive him." I had to cheer Angie up.

"Mycroft is very well trained, well around me, around other people not so much! Remember I've known him nearly as long as Sherlock has. Want to know something about Mycroft I bet you'd never guess?!

"Sure, I could use something to hold over his head. Just in case." Grinned Angie.

"Mycroft is actually my Godfather. Also he's scared of bees."

"More like The Godfather. And scared of bees...he's not allergic to them, is he? Or does he know that some of them are aliens?" Laughed Angie, I got her image of Vespiforms flying round London and laughed with her.

"I think they creep him out, he's not good with wasps either!" Our giggles clamed down, and Angie's expression became more serious.

"I mean it, though. If he abandons me again...I don't think I'd be able to forgive him." Said Angie quietly, her fear and anger apparent in her voice.

"If Sherlock does anything foolish...well compared to me, Jim will look like child's play. I won't forgive him for hurting you." I said pointedly.

"Percy...you know I can tell when you're keeping something from me." Said Angie accusingly.

"I'm not, Ang, promise." I lied, well enough for Angie to drop the subject.

"Well, I have to go down to Scotland Yard later. Greg asked for my help with a case that they just closed. He just feels like they didn't really solve it, so he wants me to take a look at it."

"Good luck, I'm sure you'll crack it quickly. Say hi to Greg for me."

"I will. Have fun on your trip!"

"Thanks!"

After Angie left, I cleaned up the kitchen and started collecting up my things. By dinnertime I was packed and ready, all I had to do was collect my train ticket in the morning. I had an e-mail from Brian telling me my accommodation was sorted. The next morning I was up and on my way to Waterloo Station.

The show was going really well and it was great catching up with everyone. I hadn't seen them all for a year or two. They all went a little nuts over me getting married, but the excitement was infectious and I joined in their fun. The odd sensation that I was being followed had started after only a day; every night as I walked back to the hotel I was sure there was someone following me. After my first week a huge bouquet of dark red and white roses arrived, I ignored them thinking they were for one of the leads. Later, a stagehand came looking for me with a card, asking me if I like the roses. I was confused, but when I read the card I understood, it read:

Forgive me. If I'd known...I'm sorry.

I felt sick. I knew it wasn't Jim, for one, he always sent me lilies. I had an idea of whom it might be, but I didn't want to believe it. I asked Angie and she confirmed my suspicions, Moran. Who else would send me flowers as an apology?

The feeling of being followed still crept into my mind as I walked home, but before I knew it my time on the show was over and I was heading back to London.

The scene I arrived back to was chaos. I opened the front door and everything had been destroyed. It was like a gorilla had gone crazy in every room down stairs and up. I dropped my bag and crumpled. I cried. I felt violated.

I really hated being alone, when Jim was home, a thing like this would so rarely happened, as soon as he was away it seemed that every other day someone tried to kill one of us or ruin our home. I forced myself to stop crying, I washed my face and called two very reliable people, first Greg, then Angie.

"Scotland Yard, how may I help you?" A nasal female answered.

"Can I speak to DI Lestrade please?" I asked.

"Transferring you now."

"Thank you."

Two rings later.

"Hello?" Answered Greg.

"Greg, it's Percy."

"Hello Percy, everything alright? I've not seen you in a while."

"I wish this was purely a social call, but my house has been broken into and ransacked. I know it's not your department, but I wouldn't feel safe around strangers."

"Not a problem, I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Thank you so much." I text him my address, whilst waiting, I called Angie.

"Hi, Percy!" Greeted Angie cheerily.

"Hi, Angie, I'm home. Fancy being a detective for me and work out who trashed my house?" I asked. There was a shocked pause.

"Oh my gosh, your house was trashed?! I'll be right over!"

"Thanks."

Unsurprisingly, Angie arrived first.

"It's a total mess." I sighed as I looked around. "They went through everything."

Angie frowned. "Oh my gosh! I am so sorry, Percy. I feel so guilty!"

I shook my head. "It's not your fault. I've called Greg, so keep Sherlock at home!"

I nodded. "Yeah, I will. I still feel bad."

"Thanks. Oh, and I need somewhere to stay. Jim knows, he suggested I stay with you, but, you know, Harry, etc."

I looked at her, then back at me phone as it beeped. "I'll kick Harry out. You're more important to me than she is."

I shook my head, Mycroft had replied to my text for help. "It's fine. Mycroft told me to be over for dinner by 7. The thought means a lot, though, thanks."

"No problem. I'll stay till Greg leaves. Don't want you to face Anderson on your own."

Percy smiled. "Poor Anderson, I think he's the one that needs protection." She laughed a little.

After another fifteen minutes an array of officers and the entourage that followed Greg arrived and started cordoning off my home. They went through what was missing, broken and dusted for prints and DNA traces. I answered the same questions over and over; I just wanted to talk to Greg.

"How you doing Percy?" Asked Greg as he perched next to me.

"As well as can be expected." I said dejectedly, Greg nodded.

"Have you got somewhere to stay tonight?" He asked.

"Yeah, with Mycroft."

"Good. You'll be safe there." I made a vague noise of approval. "I hear through the grapevine, congratulations are in order."

"Hmm?"

"You getting married. Where was my invite?"

"Oh yeah, thank you. We had a tiny wedding, just James and I; Mycroft gave me away."

"Well congratulations, does Mr…"

"Moriarty." I said quietly.

"Moriarty? Hold on as in the guy we arrested for breaking into the crown jewels?" Shock and realisation growing on Greg's face, I expected him to run a mile, but as ever he accepted the facts and was quietly supportive.

"Yep, we've been together eight years, married for a couple of months." Greg nodded at my words, still digesting my revelation.

"How did I never know this?"

"Not sure." I said shrugging, not really wanting to talk about my ever absent husband.

The always-annoying voice of Anderson came floating through the door with Angie hot on his heels.

"We're done here, not that there was much to find."

"Anderson, you're as blind as ever. Did you not see the scrap of fabric caught on the broken window?" Raged Angie, sounding very much like Sherlock. I tried not to laugh.

"What broken window?" Asked Anderson.

"Angie what are you doing here?" Asked Greg, shocked at seeing her.

"I asked for her help." I replied

"You know each other?" Asked Anderson disbelievingly.

"We've been friends since we were children." Replied Angie curtly.

"Really?" Greg asked.

"Yes, that and Angie was dating my brother." I replied looking straight at Anderson, with my iciest stare.

"Brother?" Asked Anderson, looking a bit pale.

"Yes, I found out not long ago that Sherlock and Mycroft, were, and are my older brothers." I replied with a smile. Anderson paled a little more and backed away. I ignored him.

"Explains a lot." Said Greg.

"Hey, I'm not that bad." I defended.

"You've been in enough trouble to last my career young lady." He said trying to conceal his smile.

"Young lady? Greg, I'm married and an adult."

"You still need rescuing form various scrapes, Mycroft keeps in touch." I blushed at his words. Greg had always been like an uncle to me, looking out for me and always there when I needed someone to talk to or when I wanted to escape from Mycroft.

Another hour passed of people traipsing through the house collecting evidence and photographing everything.

"If anything turns up, I'll let you know."

"Thanks Greg." I said hugging him.

"Anytime. Stay safe." I waved as he drove off.

After the last of the officers left, I smiled at Angie.

"Thanks, Angie, you're an amazing friend."

"No problem. You've been through a lot lately."

I sighed. "It's getting a bit tedious. I'd give anything for 5 minutes of peace and quiet."

Angie nodded. "I completely understand. Between dealing with Sherlock, and Harry…I had lunch with John last week, and he saw my wrist, and now he's apologising! A bit late."

I sighed.

"Can you and I go and live on a remote island away from all the irritations and stupid men in our lives?"

She smiled. "Sounds good. When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow?"

"Great, I'll pack." I laughed a little. "I suppose I'd better tidy up, pack and leave Jim a note."

Angie nodded. "Alright, let me know if you need anything."

I smirked.

"How come Anderson was sent down. Greg told me he's on sick leave. Apparently he's suffering hallucinations due to stress." I smirked at Angie. "What did you do to him?"

I smiled. "Sherlock came down to the Yard with me, said he kept out of sight, obviously not completely. And I may have told Anderson that Sherlock must be haunting him because of how he treated Sherlock."

I laughed. "Oh, that's brilliant!" Anderson's reactions made more sense.

Angie nodded. "Yeah. Made my week a little brighter. Even got Sherlock laughing." I smiled.

"Wow, must have done him a world of good to get out of Baker Street."

She frowned. "Didn't last long. I'm worried about him." Angie looked at me. "We had to go to this drug dealer to investigate, and it turned out that...he was Sherlock's old dealer. I think it's getting to him."

My face fell. "Where is it?"

"Uh, some place called Duke's? The whole time we were questioning him, he kept trying to sell Sherlock drugs. Apparently he went there enough to have a 'usual'." Ang sighed. "That was the first time I'd seen Sherlock not want to question someone, he was actually nervous! I've never seen him look so...unsure. He had an iron grip on my arm."

I frowned. "Angie, stay away from that place. I'll talk to Sherlock." Memories of being lost and scared as a teenager came flooding back, I was so close to giving in at the moment, and maybe helping Sherlock would help me?

Angie looked at me, concerned. "You know about it?"

I glanced away.

"I might have been there before. I'll talk to him, I understand his reaction."

Angie stared at me, shocked.

"What?! When?!" I frowned. "Was it after the bullying?"

I nodded a little.

"A little. More so after I was taken. I accidentally overdosed."

Angie frowned, she didn't understand.

"What do you mean taken? What happened?" Asked Angie.

I took a deep breath.

"When I was held hostage, Jim saved my life and nearly died in the process. I wasn't sleeping, and when I did the nightmares were horrendous. I was still living with Mycroft I was only 18. I developed a bit of a habit."

"I'm so sorry you had to go through something like that." Angie frowned, but came and put an arm round my shoulders. I shrugged in response, trying to push the memories away. There was a period of silent reflection.

"Didn't you say Seb introduced you to Jim? When exactly did you meet Seb?" Angie broke the silence with a curveball of a question. I had to re-gather my thoughts to answer.

"I met Seb by working for Mycroft, and yes, he did introduce me to Jim, but Jim and I clicked very quickly, which Seb didn't like." I thought of how jealous he became.

"Alright, but when did you actually meet Seb? I'm just trying to get timelines straightened out."

I sighed. "When I was just 18, not long before I started Art College. I was spying for Mycroft. We had an odd relationship before I met Jim, but once Jim and I started dating, I told him we'd only ever be friends."

Angie frowned.

"So it sounds like you met him about two months after we broke up." My mind came to an almighty stop. That couldn't be true?! It felt like our lives had been tangled in some odd game of fate, brushing up against each other, but never touching.

"What?! Really?!" Is aid more loudly than I intended.

"We broke up when I was 23, in June. You're 5 years younger than me, you'd have been 18." Angie nodded and explained.

"Oh, wow. Yeah, I met Seb at the end of the summer before I went to college in October. Our lives really have been so inexorably linked."

Angie nodded; another silence fell between us, not awkward, just a moment of time to reflect on the huge information we both needed to absorb.

"Can I tell you something that I need to get off my chest, but you have got to swear not to tell anyone!"

I looked at Angie concerned.

"Of course. What's up?"

She took a deep breath.

"Uh...he proposed, Seb. He had to leave for about a month, probably because of some job, and when he came back, he took me out on this amazing date, and...proposed." I stared at Angie for a second.

"What?! Angie, that's huge! What did you say?"

She sighed. "I told him I needed to think about it, I mean he's a killer! And..." She frowned. "I think I was going to say yes. I felt the same way you feel about Jim. But then I walked in on one of his jobs, and Jim was there, and you know, didn't want any witnesses, and ordered Seb to kill me. And he was going to do it. He was going to stand there and just shoot me, the woman he supposedly was in love with, and was going to shoot me dead because his boss told him to!" She frowned, her anger rising the more she spoke, she was still hurt by his actions.

I frowned at her sympathetically, and took her hand in mine.

"Oh, Angie, I'm so sorry."

She frowned and stared at her feet. "I almost died."

"Angie, I'm sorry, I really am. I wish we could make the past disappear and be children playing pirates again!" I smiled.

She gave me a small, quick, smile.

"Thanks, but I wasn't talking about Moran almost shooting me. Please don't hate me."

I frowned; I looked up at Angie, confused.

"I don't hate you, I could never hate you. I love Jim, but it comes at the cost of my sanity." I frowned, obviously angry now. "I can't believe he...oh, I can't forgive him for this."

She frowned.

"You've always looked up to me, and I almost did something so stupid, and it would have hurt all of you so much, and even though I didn't do it, I am so, so sorry, Percy."

I shook my head.

"You don't need to apologise. I will always look up to you. It's my husband who has to answer to me now."

She looked at me.

"He's never done something this bad. You almost lost me, and it was my own fault." She took a deep breath. "Percy...I almost..." She closed my eyes. "Killed myself. I wasn't thinking, I am so, so sorry, Percy."

I looked at Angie, shocked for a second, then shook my head and gave her a small smile. How could I blame Angie, for something that I'd done myself?

"You never have to apologise. We'll call it even, I did something similar." I frowned again. "He needs to be held accountable. I can't keep turning a blind eye, you're family, Ang."

She shook her head.

"Jim didn't even know you then, he had no idea who I was, and he probably doesn't know that it was me." She smiled a little. "And honestly, in hindsight, I'm glad it happened, because that's how me and Jess met." She smiled at the bittersweet memory.

I sighed.

"That's not the point. He knows you now, he married me. I've ignored so many things, always hoping that something good will happen, that he'll stop. When I flew out to see him, I've never seen him so dark." I frowned.

"He's changed, Ang. He's not the man I fell in love with."

"I suppose I'm lucky Moran showed his true colours before I committed. I'm sorry, Percy. I'll always be here for you." Comforted Angie, we were both a mess, but knowing you had someone who'd made the same mistakes and survived, was a real help.

"I know, thank you, and the same for you. We have each other and that's what's important." I said with a slight smile.

"Yeah. Thanks, Percy." Replied Angie.

I nodded. "Send Sherlock over later, and I'll talk to him about..."

"Thanks." Angie looked relieved. "I'll send Sherlock over."

"Thanks, Ang."

My mind raced at all the things Angie had said. Moran had proposed to her, she loved him. I finally understood why she offered so many warnings. Jim had ordered Seb to kill her. Granted Jim didn't know Angie or me then, but how could he ask Seb to kill the woman he loved?! It was so heartless. His lack of compassion nearly caused Angie to take her own life. I really don't know if I can forgive that.

I really hoped Sherlock would actually talk and not just brush this off. I needed help too. Ever since I'd rushed to Jim's side in Russia and had to watch him break a man into submission, I'd been scared, I'd started to feel different. I couldn't sleep and I rarely wanted food. My brain was in overdrive and I watched every shadow like it was a threat. Haring that name, "Duke's" gave me an odd sense of calm, like there was a way out, an escape route of needed.

No! I had to stay clean, I promised Mycroft. I promised him I'd never do that again. Even if I felt so lost, I had a husband to think of, a man I loved with my entire being. If I went back to my old ways I wouldn't be able to stop, it would kill me.

I stood in the hallway and looked around at the remnants of my home, it was ruined. Broken glass and shredded books lay everywhere, it was like some crazy metaphor for my life. Something beautiful and perfect that starts with love and slowly the cracks begin to show before it explodes into million pieces and breaks apart everyone involved.

A sharp knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts. I opened it to see Sherlock standing there, looking less than pleased.

"Come in Sherlock."

"What happened?" He asked. Looking at the scene with his hawk like gaze.

"A welcome home present. I think someone wants Jim's attention." I replied. Sherlock looked at me, and nodded slightly.

"Stay vigilant Percy."

"I will." I paused, as I walked back into the semi tidy living room, Sherlock following me. I sat down, as did my brother.

"Sherlock, can we talk?" I asked.

"Percy, I think you interfered in my relationship with Angie enough when you were urging me to propose." He chastised. I rolled my eyes.

"This has nothing to do with your relationship with Angie."

"What is it, then?" He asked, I took a deep breath and decided the blunt approach was needed.

"When you were working on a case, you ended up at Duke's didn't you?!"

"Ah, you've been talking to Angie. Why is it that she tells you everything and me nothing?" There was vulnerability in his words Sherlock was hurt.

"I've known Angie since I was a child Sherlock, the only person who knows me that well is Mycroft." I replied gently, placing my hand on Sherlock's arm. I was surprised when he didn't shrug me off. I continued quietly, finding it harder to voice than I'd realised.

"I wanted to talk to you because, if you need someone to talk to then I understand what it's like, going back there and not being a customer." My words sparked his defence mechanism; he pulled his arm away from my hand and stood up, his back to me.

"I just don't like the atmosphere there and I wanted to get Angie out of there. I know how much she hates those kinds of places." He said, his voice tense.

"Sherlock you know that's not what I'm talking about." I pushed, we had to talk about this, if he wouldn't admit that he needed the help, and then I would beg for it.

"It's not something I want to talk about." He replied, his shoulders sagging a little.

"We need to talk about it." I said, more forcefully. I stood and met Sherlock face to face. I made eye contact, and asked him.

"Why do you think I know about Duke's?" For a second understanding flickered between us, he knew what I was saying. I'd been an addict too. As quickly as the moment flickered to life, it died and Sherlock closed off his emotions.

"Obviously you've been there before. And I assume that was a long time ago, just like it was a long time ago when I was there."

"It was long enough, but sometimes it feels like yesterday." I said quietly. I rarely got to talk about this point of my past. Jim still didn't like to believe that I overdosed. He kept me clean, through encouragement and love, but recently that support was slipping.

"It never really goes away, that thought in the back of your mind, the escape."

After a long pause, Sherlock said, more to himself than me, but I heard the defiance in his voice.

"I'm fine."

"Why do you try an hide all the time? We can help each other, and I can tell your lying. Your fingers keep twitching.

"It was just unnerving being back in a place that brought up a lot of...negative memories."

"I know, I hate even walking down the same street."

Again there was a long pause, we sat in silence memories of our pasts filling our minds. Tentatively I asked a question that I'd been wondering for months,

"What made you stop?" Sherlock looked at me, his gaze softened and he came and sat next to me.

"You'd better not tell anyone this. Partly Mycroft, he actually showed ME that he was worried. And...Lestrade. That's when I started helping him out with cases. I think it was a way to keep me occupied. And of course, Mother." I nodded. Taking in his words. Mycroft, the man who kept us safe and watched over us, even if we didn't always want it, he was always there when we needed him.

"What about you?" Asked Sherlock.

"Mycroft. He was the one who found me. He got me into rehab. It's the only time I've seen him cry. WE both take Mycroft for granted." I said quietly.

"I know. But I'm fine now. I saw what those three went through the last time, and I swear, I would never do that to Angie." Replied Sherlock, a strong conviction in his voice. I envied his strength. I gave him a small smile; I knew he loved Angie, even if he never said the words. I took a deep breath.

"Will you help me Sherlock? I'm not as strong as you, especially whilst Jim is away." I needed help, the cravings had been getting stronger recently, it would so easy...no, don't hurt everyone.

"Of course." The simplest answer in the world, strengthened my resolve so much, I suddenly didn't feel so alone. Sherlock understood, he knew. My next action too him by surprise, but he didn't push me away as I hugged my brother.

"Thank you. You really are a wonderful brother Sherlock, I'm glad we found each other."

"You're not bad yourself." Said Sherlock with a short laugh. I smiled as I released him. I stood up, walking over to a locked cupboard under one of the bookshelves.

"Shall we get working on that Ripper case? I need a distraction."

"I wouldn't mind taking a look at that. I'm sure if I had been there originally, I'd have solved it quickly. We would have solved it quickly."

"I'm sure you'll spot what I can't in seconds. I think it's to do with the hand writing and main copycat murderer." That moment my phone rang it was Mycroft.

"Hello Mycroft."

"Percy, meet me at the club, I have a little job for you."

"Really? Do I need to do anything before I come over?"

"No. Just come as soon as possible."

"Okay, give me half an hour and I'll be there."

"Thank you." With that he hung up.

I put my phone back in my pocket and turned back onto Sherlock.

"Sorry to cut our evening of detective work short, but I have to go and met Mycroft, he has a job for me. I'll leave you the file, See what you think."

"Alright, I'll let you know." Said Sherlock as he gathered up the file and stood up. As I locked the door, Sherlock turned to me.

"And, thank you." I smiled up at my brother.

"Always. I'll tell Mycroft hello." We parted ways.