AN: Hello! I have to say a huge thank you to all my new followers and favourites...THANK YOU! It makes me smile every time I get an e-mail! I hope you're all enjoying it. To keep up to date with Angie "Didn't Want That" by nautrerocs is rather amazing!
Quick Disclaimer...I don't own or have any affiliation to the BBC or ACD estate. No copyright intended. Percy belongs to me. Angie to naturerocs.
Chapter 32 - Seeing the Truth
I had invited Angie and John over for lunch, it would be great to catch up, but I had a feeling it was also that John wanted to check up on me. He'd always looked out for me even if I did spend my youth tormenting him. There was a knock on the door revealing a smiling John. We hugged.
"Hello John." I said with a smile.
"Hey, Percy. Wow this place is huge!"
"Yeah." I nodded, still smiling. I took John's coat and hung it up. We walked into the kitchen, no need for formalities with friends. I indicated John sit whilst I finished chopping the salad.
"How are you doing, after..." Asked John cautiously.
"Alright thanks, I'm being very well looked after at home. Still a bit worn out, but I'll be back to my normal self soon." I smiled; I really appreciated John's efforts.
"Well, that's good."
"Thanks for coming to visit me."
"Of course. You didn't have to go through all this trouble to make lunch.
"Nonsense, I love cooking, you need feeding up John." I said in a motherly tone, although looking at him, he did need some love an attention.
"Well, I appreciate it. Mike's cooking isn't that great. I do miss Mrs. Hudson's cooking, though." He said sadly.
"How are you doing John, really? I asked. He was putting on a brave face. He was still grieving for Sherlock.
"I'm managing. I mean there's only so much you can do. I think Angie got the worst of it, though, I mean she was dating him. I'm fine, though." Said John with determination in his voice, like saying it aloud made him believe it.
"Percy, have you seen my jacket? I'm sure I left it in here last night." Asked Jim rushing into the kitchen. Hi tie was still undone. I smiled at him fondly. I stopped him tied his tie and kissed him quickly.
"I put in your study love. You're going to be late; I'll see you tonight. Love you."
"Thanks. Love you too." He said with a smile before leaving. He didn't even notice John.
"Sorry John, its a bit mad here today. Angie said you'd been distant; we're worried about you." I said, we were worried; we'd hardly head from him.
"What...was...that...that was Moriarty." Stuttered John. A look of shock covering his face.
"Yeah, why?" I asked confused, and then it clicked, he didn't know. "Oh...you didn't know."
"He...Jim...your Jim? Jim Moriarty?!" Stammered John, his voice getting louder. I felt awful.
"Yeah. We're...umm...married." I said sheepishly. I don't know why it bothered me, but I wanted John's approval.
"You...mar...do you know who he is?! Does Angie know?!" Shouted John.
"Yeah, I know, we've been together for eight years. Angie knows, Mycroft gave me away at the wedding; in fact he was the only guest." I said bluntly.
"I just don't believe this. Do you have any idea what that man has done to us?! Shouted John, he was really angry.
"Yes I do, I try and stop what I can." I said. John wasn't listening.
"Percy, that man is a killer! He's worse than that, he forced Sherlock to..." I flinched at his words.
"I know. I love him John, I'm not going to leave him." I said stubbornly. Death was the only thing that would part us. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that for a long, long time.
"Fine, fine. You're grown up. Just please keep him away from me." Replied John Sternly. I felt like a berated child.
"I will. I'm sorry." I said meekly. I got a curt nod. I went back to chopping vegetables as John calmed down. I really wished Angie would get here she'd distract John. I heard the door open and close. It wouldn't be Jim this early unless he forgot something, which is unlikely. It must be Angie.
"Hey! Something smells good. Hi, John." Angie greeted, but stopped as John and I just looked at each other, John frowning. "Is something wrong?" She asked.
"It's nothing, Ang, John just got a bit of a shock." I smiled ruefully.
"That is an understatement." Nodded John, still looking perturbed.
"Shock about what?" Asked Angie. I glanced at John.
"I had forgotten John didn't know about Jim." I said. Angie's eyes widened a little, and she just nodded. I smiled again.
"What you can smell, Ang is your favourite, fried chicken. I made extra of everything so you can take some home." I beamed at Angie's smile, and hungry eyes. I could always win her over with chicken. I did make cake so John would be happy. I decided to keep the conversation going and ignore the shocking revelation of whom I was married to.
"I hear you're moving back to Baker Street, John?!" I asked.
"Uh, yeah, thinking about it." John glanced at me and nodded. Angie sat down next to him.
"I hope you do. It's dreadful being there all by myself; and Mrs. Hudson misses you." Stated Angie.
"We've both missed you, John. It would be nice to have you closer." I smiled at John.
"Yeah, it'll be nice to get back." He agreed.
"It'll be like being at home again. You'll always be welcome here. He's easy to avoid." I said, avoiding Jim's name.
"Yeah, he knows to keep his distance. And sometimes he goes on...'business' trips. It's not too bad." Angie nodded in agreement. She was such a good friend. We all sat down and dished up. Once we all had enough food, we dug in.
"John, what have you been up to of late?" I asked.
"Uh, working. Helped Mike repaint his flat." He smiled a little. "And, uh...I met this one girl..." He shrugged.
"Oh? How is that going?" Angie and I shared a look, both grinning like Cheshire Cats.
"Good, it's uh, yeah, going good. She's nice." Smiled John.
"Good enough that I get to meet her?" Asked Angie coyly.
"Maybe." He looked at me. "What about you, have you been able to move on?" John asked Angie.
"Of course. I am completely over...that idiot." Bit out Angie, frowning. She was still angry with Sherlock.
John looked at her a little concerned. I smiled at John.
"That's great, I'm glad you found someone. I never thought you'd end up with a teacher." I said.
"How did you know she's a teacher?" John asked surprised.
"It's quite simple really. First there is the gold star on the back of your jacket, which indicates an environment with children. Stars like that are usually used when marking books, so I would say teacher, primary to be exact. Gold stars are a bribe and reward, wasted on older children. There is a chalk smudge on the elbow of your jumper and the fact that you've changed your shifts to match her working hours, you want to spend more time together, you love her." I said shrugging. It took a second for my filter to catch up to my brain. John's shocked laugh caught my attention.
"Wow. Definitely seeing the relation now. That sounded exactly like Sherlock."
"Well, don't insult her." Snapped Angie.
"I didn't mean it as an insult." John looked confused at Angie's outburst, to be honest so was I.
"Anything to do with that idiot..." She grumbled. I snapped out of my daydream looking at both Watson's looking at me.
"Oh, sorry, I didn't realise I did that. I wasn't too rude, was I? Well, at least my brain is back up to speed." I said with a light chuckle.
"Oh, I understand." John looked at Angie again. She met his gaze, asking:
"What?!"
"You're in the anger stage of grieving." He replied, with a sympathetic smile.
"I...I am not grieving! I wouldn't grieve for that man...and actually, you know why I'm not grieving?" Angie stared at him and scoffed.
"John, I wouldn't go there. Ang, calm down, sweetie." I frowned and glanced at them.
"No, let him go there. He deserves to know." She said angrily.
"Angie, please." I begged. This wasn't the way for John to find out.
"No, I'm done with it all. I'm not going to defend him anymore." She shouted.
"Ang, just forget it. Forget I brought it up." John looked worriedly at Angie. I stood up quickly and dragged Angie into the hall with me.
"Well, I am going to defend him. I made a promise and I'm going to keep it." I bit back.
"Yeah, well he promised not to do this to me again. If he chooses not to keep his promises, I don't have any obligation to keep mine." Angie crossed her arms defiantly.
"Angie, don't, please. It's not going to bring him back, it's not going to help, it will make things a lot worse." I sighed. I couldn't deal with this on top of everything else.
"Fine. I suppose it's no use, since he's up and left again. And I guess Sherlock deserves John to be mad at him in person." Angie looked at me, sighed and nodded. She'd given in to my relief. We walked back into the kitchen to find a very confused John.
"I know you're angry, but don't take that out of John. If you need to be angry with someone, be angry with Jim, it's his fault anyway. Jim can take it." I said quietly, rubbing Angie's arm in comfort.
"I don't even want to get started with him. Or Mycroft. Moran, I'll stay angry at." Said Angie frowning.
"Moran is an idiot of epic proportions. He's close to losing more than his job. Mycroft isn't that bad, but he does have an interfering manner at times." I smiled and we went back in. "I'm sorry, John, life has been tense recently."
"Sorry for blowing up like that." Apologised Angie, John took her hand and shook his head.
"It's fine. I know you've been through a lot lately." He said sympathetically.
"You have no idea." Nodded Angie. She sighed in agreement.
Quietly we finished lunch. I cleared the plates and brought out a large fruitcake for pudding. I smiled as I set it down on the table.
"Pudding, anyone? I did make a fruitcake, can I tempt you, John?" I knew he couldn't resist cake. I hoped it might smooth out some tension.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt to have one slice." He caught me eye and smiled.
"You never could resist cake." Angie smirked.
"Well, it's cake." He shrugged. I gave him an extra large portion. I had to agree cake was great. I smiled.
"Keep calm and eat cake, as mum always said! I had a lot of cooking to do. It's time to take Mycroft his monthly care package."
"Oh, is that how he survives?" Smirked John. He seemed pleased to find a titbit about Mycroft. I laughed.
"Yes. Otherwise he just wouldn't bother; it's a family trait. I like to cook, not bothered by eating!" John nodded in agreement at my words. He opened his mouth to speak, but stopped then attempted to speak again.
"Yeah, Sh..." He glanced at Angie. "Uh...certainly a family trait, yeah."
"It's okay to talk about him. His name isn't forbidden or anything." Grumbled Angie.
"Together, Ang. Together." I took her hand and gently squeezed it. She looked at me and nodded.
"So, have you been seeing anyone lately?" Asked John to Angie.
"Um...not really. It's a bit complicated." She frowned, obviously thinking of Moran.
"That's an understatement." I frowned, and then I looked up. "That wasn't in my head, was it?" I asked sheepishly. My brain to mouth filter failing today.
"No, it wasn't." Replied Angie, with a slight smirk.
"How is it complicated?" Asked John, sensing a conspiracy.
"Umm...it just is?" Angie and I looked at each other and I shrugged, my questioning response lame to my ears.
"Um...he's sort of, um...an ex-boyfriend. And he wants to get back together, but I don't think..." I closed my eyes. "I mean I know...I'm not going to." Hesitated Angie, looking at John nervously.
"Oh. So if you've dated him before, have I met him?" John looked at Angie and nodded.
"Uh...I don't know. I don't remember. I know he didn't meet Mum and Dad, so..." Angie paled a little and looked down, picking at the food on her plate. I looked at Angie, worried what could be said next so I changed the subject, smiling at John. "John, tell us more about the teacher...What's her name?"
"Um, her name's Rachel. She is a teacher, she works at Prior Weston Primary School, teaches grade one." He smiled.
"Sounds perfect. How did you two meet?" I asked
"How did you meet?" Angie asked at the same time. We glanced at each other and laughed, it was like we were one mind at times. John smiled at us affectionately, used to our antics.
"She, uh, she was visiting one of her students who'd had a tonsillectomy."
"Oh, that's sweet." Smiled Ang.
"Yeah, and it was my patient, and we got to talking, and we went out for lunch, and got together a couple other times." Smiled John, you could see how much he liked her. I hope she didn't hurt him. John deserved to be happy.
"Aww, cute. How long have you been seeing each other?" I smiled.
"About a month now." Answered John.
"Wow, it is going good." Angie frowned at her words. "No offense." She apologised.
"Well, a lot of that was Sherlock's fault." Moaned John, half smiling at the memory of Sherlock.
"Well, he's an idiot." Said Angie frowning, she looked up. "Was an idiot." She emphasised.
"I'm really happy for you, John." I smiled.
"Me too." Agreed Angie, also smiling.
"Thanks." Smiled back John, he paused and glanced at us again. "So how did you meet this guy that you're having a problem with?"
"Uh...Uni." Answered Angie. I could she wanted the conversation to change.
"Wow, that was a while ago." He said almost to himself, John looked up, realising what he said. "Not that I mean...I didn't mean..."
"It's fine, John. It was a long time ago." Angie smiled fondly at her brother.
"So long ago, it's a forgotten memory." I added, hoping it would end the conversation, I was wrong.
"Oh, do you know him, too?" John looked at me confused and surprised.
"Sort of. An unhappy accident caused by Mycroft." I said coolly. John stared at me for a minute, seeming unsure how to reply. Me and my big mouth, I thought.
"Uh...okay. What exactly is the guy's problem, anyway?" Asked John.
"He, um...tends to be a bit possessive, and I have a feeling it would end up turning into an abusive relationship, which I just want to avoid altogether." Replied Angie cuttingly.
"He's an ass who doesn't understand boundaries, but he's not to be worried about, it's being handled." I said, finality in my voice. I didn't want to talk about this anymore. John looked at us. He was confused by our behaviour, that was for sure, but I didn't regret my choice of words, if I was possible, Moran would be dead already and none of the recent turmoil would ever have happened.
"Okay...well, I hope it all works out for you." His statement sounding like a question.
"Oh, me too." Sighed Angie.
"It will. I have a guarantee it will." I added. Moran was going to die one way or another. I'd make sure of it.
Silence fell over us. A rarity, probably a first, we had always been happy to talk when together, even when were teenagers, John would talk to us. This silence felt awkward, like everyone knew there were too many things unsaid, too many secrets. It was odd. Angie was the first to break the silence.
"I don't think I asked, how is Mike doing?"
"Fine. He's fine. Still teaching at Bart's." John nodded. Angie and I smiled in return.
Again we lapsed into an uneasy quiet. It was horrendous. Angie caught my eye; we shared a slightly scared smile. I blurted out the first thing that popped in my head.
"I'd like to meet Mike, he sounds nice." There was a knock at the door, and I winced as I stood up. Not my best line, but the person at the door had helped break the tension.
"Sorry, I'll just get that." I walked out the kitchen into the hall. I took a deep breath before opening the door. I was not greeted with a sight I wanted to see.
"Hello, Princess. All alone?" Smirked Moran. His presence made my skin crawl.
"What do you want?" I spat out.
"I need a word with Jim." He stated.
"He's not here, now leave." I told him with a fake smile, about to close the door on him. I could hear Angie and John in the kitchen. Please don't let this turn into a confrontation; I really couldn't deal with that today.
"Are you sure? Not trying to protect him, are you? Is that my Angel I hear? I should go and say hello."
"Of course I'm sure. Will you stop threatening my husband? I told you to leave, Sebastian." I said angrily, he ignored me, pushing his way past and towards the voices.
"…Sounds like Percy needs a bit of help." I caught the tail end of John's words, as I backed towards the kitchen, trying and failing to keep Moran away.
"She'll be fine. You know how she gets when she's angry; don't want to mess with her. She'll be fine. Come on." Cajoled Angie, also trying to remove John form the equation, she had obviously worked out whom it was.
"Angie, who is that guy? Is that the guy you were talking about earlier?" He asked, starting to worry.
I managed a smile. "Don't worry about it. It's fine. Just give them a few minutes to straighten it out. Come on." Begged Angie.
"Angie..."He demanded.
"Please, John! Just..." Begged Angie again.
"You love me, really, Princess. Let's go catch an Angel." I was helpless against him he was twice my size. I still wasn't strong enough to make a difference either.
"Seb, get back here. Don't take another step!" I shouted at him. Too late, he opened the kitchen door.
"Hello, Angel." My heart sank at those words. Seb almost stopped as he saw John, but he still smiled slowly making his way closer to Angie. "Oh, and John, what a surprise."
"What are you doing here?" Yelled john. His clam demeanour thrown off, he was angry. He wanted to protect his sister. This was going to be a giant mess. Knowing John, he was doing his best not to blow up in front of me. He didn't want Angie to witness his rage either. We were both more worried about what Moran could do to John.
"I came to visit my two favourite girls." He smiled jovially and he sauntered further into the room. He picked at a bit food. I moved next to Angie and glared at Moran, a glare that had crumbled many a criminal's will.
"I am not yours and I never will be. Nor will Angie." I bit out. Making it clear how unwanted his presence was.
"What are you talking about?" John's frown deepened with confusion.
"John, just keep calm." Angie kept a hand on his arm, trying to calm him.
"Keep calm? Do you know who this is?!" He said indignantly.
"Yes, sadly." I said frowning, my eyes never leaving Moran.
"I never heard you complain before, Princess." Smirked Seb, he had a wicked glint in his eye.
"Angie, this is the guy I told you about, the soldier I had to report for his 'business' in killing people! You do remember, I did tell you, didn't I?" Shouted John, his anger rising again.
"You told me." Angie said quietly, nervous in the shadow of John's anger.
"Still fighting the good fight, John?" Moran turned his smirk to John. He was always ready for a fight.
"You just shut up, Moran!" He spat at Moran. John turned back to his sister. "Ang, please, please don't tell me this is the guy you were talking about. Please don't tell me this is your...ex...you...it can't be!"
"Well...um...you see, um..." Her face paled.
"Seb, I'm warning you, leave now and I'll manage to forget to tell Jim." I threatened. My words just made him laugh. I kept my sudden fear hidden, but inside I was awash with true terror.
"You're under the impression I'm scared of old Jim, princess. Do what you want, who is he more likely to believe?"
"His wife, you idiot." I snapped back. Again Moran chuckled darkly.
"Oh, god, Angie...well, now I know why you never introduced him to the family. I don't think Mum and Dad would have taken lightly to their daughter dating a killer!" shouted John, his aggravation boiling over.
"John, it's not like that..." Defended Angie.
"Then what is it, then?!" John cut her off, looking for an explanation.
"Killer is such a strong word. I prefer private removal man. It's a shame you can't accept what's real, John." Interrupted Moran. John started at Moran, but Angie held him back.
"I swear, if you did anything to my sister..."
"Swear you'll do what? Report me? To who?" Laughed Moran.
"John, please don't provoke him." Begged Angie, holding John back.
"No, I won't bother with reporting you this time. I'll take care of you myself." Threatened John, his face set, he wasn't a life long friend, and he was now a soldier.
"John, please don't. He didn't do anything to me. I don't want to see you hurt, or worse." Pleaded Angie, truly terrified at what could happen to John.
"Well, at least you know how dangerous he is, and you still dated him?!" Exclaimed John, bewildered that his sister could date a killer. It wasn't as hard as he thought.
"I didn't know at first..." Defended Angie again. I glanced at Moran; he was smiling, enjoying the chaos.
"So when did you find out?" Demanded John. Angie paused, trying to think.
"We did more than date, Johnny boy." Taunted Moran, steeping closer still to Angie.
"Don't you dare. Just shut up." Yelled Angie at Moran; he stepped back.
"Sebastian, enough." I barked at him. He took another step back.
"What do you mean." Asked a confused John.
"It's nothing." Snapped Angie, sending Seb a look of pure hatred.
"Oh, I love feisty women. Maybe you should leave, John." Angie's protestations just egged him on further. Seb advanced on us both, leering at us, like we were prizes to be taken.
"I'm not going anywhere." Interceded John, he stepped between Angie and Moran.
"Touch me and I'll break your arm, then Jim will kill you. Touch Angie and I'll kill you." I stepped forward, my voice dark. The threat was real. Moran just looked at me, unimpressed.
"Didn't you try that once before, Princess, it didn't work so well, did it?!" He leered. Fear snaked down my spine, tears welling in my eyes. I could feel my heart pounding, I felt sick.
"Shut up." I ordered in a hoarse whisper. Angie stepped between Moran and I, her voice deadly low. "Leave her alone! I already don't take lightly to killers, but then you murder an unborn child? And don't plead ignorance."
"Wait, that was your fault?!" Exclaimed John, his anger fuelled further.
"John, please stay back." Asked Angie.
"Well, what about you?!" He asked, worried for his sister's safety.
"He wouldn't dare hurt me. He would kill you." She smirked mirthlessly as she admitted the truth.
"Yet you can't help the reaction you have when you see me. Angel, you can't keep lying to yourself like this." He smirked at her. Seb was too pleased with this whole situation. I had to keep my fear under control.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Frowned Angie, she was also suppressing her emotional and physical reactions.
"Don't fret John, Angie is perfectly safe with me." Smiled Moran. He looked like the cat that had caught the canary.
"I'm not with you, I never will be." Angie swatted his hand away.
"The hell I'm going to believe that." John glared at Seb. Anger and fear in his eyes.
"No one is safe with you." I said rolling my eyes at Seb, bored of his asinine grinning. This burst of confidence was quickly shattered.
"Angie is perfectly safe, the rest of you are fair game, and you, Princess, are to pay the price."
"How wonderful to know." I rolled my eyes again, and kept my voice even, sounding bored. Inside I was screaming.
"You leave her alone." John stepped towards Moran again, now defending me.
"Leave Percy alone. I told you, I'm done with you and your riddles." Demanded Angie. Moran grabbed hold of Angie's arm, pulling her closer.
"It's too late for any of you to stop me." He half whispered darkly. It was just loud enough for us to hear.
"Let go of my arm." Struggled Angie.
"Moran, I'm warning you..." Threatened John, as he took another couple steps towards Moran. Seb smirked at John's words and wrapped an arm round Angie's waist, pulling her in close.
"Give it your best shot, John, but Angie doesn't mind, really. In fact, she enjoys it." He smiled and moved his face closer to Angie's, as though he was going to kiss her. "I seem to remember..." His voice trailed off, making it obvious what he was implying.
"Stop it. Just shut up. Now." Shouted Angie, pulling away.
"What are you talking about?" Frowned John. I took a tentative step forward and desperately asked Seb:
"Seb let her go, please."
Moran looked at Angie for a minute, then let her go and smiled and turned to me. He fixed is gaze on me, it was menacing. I cold feel myself start to shake.
"As you asked so nicely, Princess. Are you jealous?" He asked coolly.
"No." I frowned, my voice sounding stronger than I felt.
"Leave her alone." John pulled Angie to him, shielding her.
"Where is the fun in that?" Asked Moran, a maniacal edge to his voice.
"You stay away from her." John threatened again.
Moran ignored them and started slowly towards me. I was so scared. I stepped backwards until I felt the counter top in the small of my back. Moran was dangerously close; I could feel his breath on my skin.
"You think I've forgotten our time together?" He asked.
"Seb, just leave her alone." Pleaded Angie.
"It's safer if you do. It's not happening again." I said defiantly.
"What?" asked John; he was again confused by our words.
"Just leave it, John." Asked Angie.
"You know, it would be really nice if people would stop keeping me in the dark!" He exclaimed; his frustration understandable.
"You really don't want to know." Consoled Angie.
"Are you sure, Princess?" smirked Moran.
"Over my dead body." I bit back, defiance masking the fear.
"Don't take that literally, though, Seb." Warned Angie. Seb looked back her and frowned. He turned back to me with an evil smile and a quiet voice.
"That could be arranged." He smiled again. "John, you want to know? Really? How little Percy slept her way into a world of crime because she was told to." Seb taunted. He grabbed my wrist tightly pulling it behind my back at a painful angle.
"Please, Seb. I'm sorry." I begged, desperate for this to stop.
"Leave her alone! Just stop it, Seb!" Started Angie. Moran just gripped harder. Tears filled my eyes again, slowly falling.
"Please, stop Seb, you're hurting me."
"Moran just let her go." John started forward, his face a mask of undiluted rage he was ready to kill.
"Seb, please!" Pleaded Angie. The door slammed open.
"Moran, get away from her. NOW." Shouted Jim. His expression dark. Seb frowned, but stepped back. He had the audacity to smile. He let me go, pushing me to the floor. Angie came towards me, and helped me stand, her arms wrapped round me.
"Boss, it was just a bit of fun." Defended Seb.
"Oh, more of your lies?" Spat out Angie.
Jim didn't smile back at Moran. Seb's face fell; he knew he was in trouble. Jim quietly walked up to Moran, grabbed his arm and twisted, he kept twisting until there was a resounding crack. The crack made Angie and I jump. Moran was kneeling on the floor cradling his now broken arm.
"Touch her again and it won't be a broken arm, it'll be your head." Said Jim darkly.
Moran stared at his boss for a second, a mix of fear and hatred crossing his face, and then finally left.
"Here, Percy, let me take a look at your wrist." Said John, snapping out of his shock; the doctor taking over.
"Thanks." I sniffed. I looked at my best friend. "Angie, are you alright?"
"I should be asking you that." She said with a small smile. I nodded in reply.
"I'm fine." John looked at my wrist, testing its movements. I winced, but it wasn't the worst pain I'd felt.
"It doesn't look too bad. Nothing broken, just a bit of swelling. Just keep some ice on it for today." He diagnosed. I nodded and gave him a weak smile.
"Thank you." I said. I looked at Jim; he came over and held me close. Relief washed over me.
"Come here, love." He said. He kissed my forehead.
"You want to explain what that was all about?" Asked John to Angie.
"Not really." She replied.
"Thanks for saving me, again." I said to Jim with a small smile. He returned my smile.
"Always. I'll get you some ice." He sat me down on a stool and went over to the freezer.
"How did he get in?" Asked Jim.
Angie and I glanced at each other, and I winced. "My fault, I answered the door."
"It's not your fault. He forced his way in. He wouldn't leave when you told him to, that could be considered trespassing." Defended Angie. I shrugged at her words.
"Sorry lunch got ruined. I'll make it up to you both." I offered quietly.
"It's not your fault." Answered john shaking his head. Jim nodded in agreement and handed me the ice.
"Right, it's not your fault. What's Seb been talking about?" He asked. He probably knew, but he wanted to confirm.
"Oh, you don't already know?" Sniped John. I closed my eyes.
"John, please don't start." Asked Angie, she sounded tired. John just looked at Angie astonished she was siding with Moriarty.
"It's okay. Jim, can we drop the subject for now." I said. I wobbled a bit on my stool, feeling light headed. Jim steadied me.
"Of course. What's wrong, Percy?"
"I just need to lie down." I replied feeling exhausted.
"Are you alright?" Asked Angie. I nodded slightly.
"Heart rate got a little high, makes me dizzy. I just need to sleep and I'll be fine." Jim took the ice from me wrist and put in the sink.
"Come on, love, let's put you to bed." He picked me up bridal style, and I laughed a little. He really was my knight in shining armour.
"Uh, we'll see you later. I'll come by tomorrow." Called Angie. I nodded.
"Let me know if your wrist doesn't get better." John told me. Angie grabbed his shoulders and turned him towards the door.
"Alright, Doctor, you're off duty. Come on. I'll see you later, Percy."
"Bye." I replied quietly. I tucked my head back into the crook of Jim's neck.
"Thank you, John. See you, Angie." Thanked Jim, taking John by surprise.
Jim carried me upstairs and gently lay on our bed. He grabbed my favourite blanket and tucked me up. He came and lay next to me. I nuzzled into him and let myself relax.
"Are you really alright Percy? If he hurt you anywhere else…"I could see Moriarty coming out, he was angry. I placed a hand on his cheek.
"I'll be alright love, you saved me just in time, just as you always have."
"I'm sorry I doubted you Percy, I'll deal with Sebastian tomorrow." He sounded calmer, but I knew Seb was in for a world of pain. I didn't care.
"It's forgotten." Jim kissed me lightly and I snuggled into his body. I was warm and safe and we were together. I could feel my eyelids drooping already. Soon I was fast asleep.
There was a lot to take in, so much evidence to review. He'd need help. Maybe it was time to forge a new alliance. Angie would be useful. He didn't mind Angie at all; in fact she was quite funny. She made Percy happy, that was good enough for him. She was clever and resourceful. He looked down at his sleeping wife, anger rushed through him again as he thought how close to harm she's been again. He would protect her. Moran will pay.