A/N: Sorry for the delay in updating. Been working like crazy. As ever, I own nothing except Percy, and no copyright infringement isintended. The always awesome naturerocs owns Angie.

Chapter 42 - Girls Gone Wild

It was so nice being home. I hadn't really understood how much I missed it until I was back and reflected upon the time spent away. Waking up in bed with Jim beside me, it was blissful. I felt warm and safe and loved. I got up quietly, leaving Jim to sleep and sat in the window seat of our bedroom with my book. I was reading Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. I had just got the part where Pip first meets Miss Havisham when I felt someone sit next to me. I looked up seeing a slightly dishevelled Jim and grinned.

"Morning." I said with a giggle. Jim's hair was a total mess; in fact he looked thoroughly mussed up. It was nice. "Umm...nice hair..."

"I could say the same for you." Quipped Jim, and with a very sexy smirk. God, I loved this man. I hadn't seen my reflection in the mirror, but I assumed I had equally messed up hair.

"You're the one that likes my crazy hair. I was thinking of cutting it short and dying it pink." I replied in an off-handed manner, like it was something very normal and mundane.

"Don't you dare." Exclaimed Jim. He looked horrified at my suggestion. He gently ran his hand through some lose strands of my hair.

"Why not, it's my hair?!" I challenged and then giggled at Jim's continued look of horror. "Relax darling, I was joking."

"Good. You're perfect just the way you are." He replied. He looked relieved and leaned forward pressing a soft kiss to my lips. I couldn't help blushing. Jim knew how to make me melt into a puddle of goo with just a look.

"Who are you and what have you done with my evil genius of a husband?" I grinned as Jim pulled me onto his lap.

"He took the day off. Just for you." He replied, kissing my neck. I let my head fall back onto Jim's shoulder, enjoying being in his arms again.

"I'm shocked and flattered." I smiled and kissed his cheek. "I'm taking the week off, I just want to spend time at home, with you." I said honestly. I wasn't going into work, or picking up my phone unless it was Angie. I just wanted to be with my husband in our home.

"Sounds like a plan." Jim smiled. I knew we had things to sort out and talk through, but we would fix ourselves just like we always did. People didn't understand why Jim and I worked, but it was moments like this when we could be playful and laugh together and connect to each other that kept us strong. Even though we could argue and blaze like fire we balanced each other. I turned my head and looked at my husband, he looked slimmer than normal. He hadn't been eating properly.

"I ask out of love and concern of you, have you bought any food in the last three weeks?" This might seem like random question to ask a grown man, but for the many talents and abilities Jim had, cooking baffled him. He could burn water.

"Uh, a bit. Mostly just grabbed a bite out somewhere." He replied sheepishly.

"You are so talented, but cooking defeats you. Shall I go shopping later; I'm kind of hungry." I asked.

"Only if you want to. I have missed your amazing cooking."

"Of course, I've been very neglectful of late, can't have my husband going hungry. Although, I am craving junk food, so don't expect miracles." I grinned. I had a craving for Chinese food. Jim laughed.

"Alright, whatever you want. As long as you're eating." He replied.

"I am not that bad, I had an apple yesterday." I defended. I did eat, just not three times a day everyday. I was used to it.

"For the whole day?" He asked incredulously.

"Yeah. Why?" I retorted confused.

"Really?" He asked again. I started to feel guilty.

"Yeah, I got distracted." I answered sheepishly.

"Percy, you know you need to eat more than that." Chastised Jim. He was worried about me, and I knew that, perhaps that's why I felt the need to defend myself.

"At least I ate something instead of nothing. I've gotten used to you reminding me, and because I cook for you, I usually pick at something when I'm cooking or I eat with you. When I'm on my own I forget and get distracted by stuff. Work doesn't really allow for sleeping or eating or fun."

"Well then, you need to work less and spend more time with me. See how well that works out?" Jim told me with a smirk. He squeezed my waist and kissed me again. I happily returned his kiss.

"That is a very good plan. I think I'll keep you around." I grinned.

"Good."

"Come on, we better get up, you have work to do and I need find us food." I said firmly, if we didn't get up now, we never would. Though it was a hugely tempting thought. Jim looked like I'd kicked his puppy. I could tell he had work to do because his phone kept buzzing with e-mails and messages, that and you couldn't see the surface of his desk form the paper work. "Don't give me that look; I usually know what you're working on before you do. Keep Seb away from me please."

"I promise. He should have texted me by now. God knows what the idiot's doing." He sighed. He sounded frustrated and a little bored, a potent mix when it came to Jim.

"Probably hooking up with a girl, that's what he usually does when he's not irritating me, or stalking Angie or being an idiot for a living. Sorry, I hate him." I quipped. I tried not to sound to bitter, but I loathed the man.

"It's fine, love. I promise I'll keep him away from you."

"Thank you darling. Now up, come on. You take longer to get ready than I do." I smirked, wriggling away from Jim, just far enough that he couldn't reach me.

"Well, I've got to look good. You look amazing naturally, so..." He trailed of giving me another sexy smirk; I had to use every ounce of will power not to fall back into his arms.

"You always do my love. " I grinned and quickly went out of temptations reach into the kitchen to see how little food there was.

As I'd suspected the cupboards and fridge were practically empty apart from four bottles of beer, three bottles of win, a rogue bottle of champagne and some mouldy bread. Did we drink too much? As I made my way back upstairs I heard Jim rummaging in the wardrobe, I slipped into the bathroom and showered. I dried off, cleaned my teeth and put my dressing gown on. As I left the bathroom I was met with the sight of Jim half dressed, his shirt still undone. He really was sent to torment me, but it was a sight worth seeing. I steeled my nerve and walked into our wardrobe. I pulled out a pair of black jeans and plain camisole and added a black and white striped jumper. It was warm and comfy. I left my hair down and decided to forego any make-up. I made the bed and tidied up our room, the trial of clothes from the night before still strewn across the floor, and got my bag together. I checked over my mental shopping list, grabbed my green converse and a jacket and kissed Jim on my out.

I got back from doing dome food shopping and was putting away the last of the tins when I heard someone enter the kitchen. I turned to see who it was. I saw Angie, looking absolutely devastated about something. She stuttered my name before she broke down again.

"Hey Ang…" I cut myself off on seeing Angie's expression.

"P…Percy?" She questioned.

"Oh, sweetie, what's happened?" I asked. I led Angie to a chair and sat opposite her.

"I…I…did something really, really, horribly stupid." Angie cried.

"Come and sit down, tell me what's happened." I walked over and took her arm and led her over to a stool. Angie sat and drew another shaky breath.

"Uh…Seb…we…oh god…" She started crying again.

"What's he done?" I asked with a frown. All sorts of scenarios were running through my mind.

"He…he came over last night, and we…uh, we…" She shook her head. "I can't even say it…"

"Did you sleep together?" I asked quietly, closing my eyes in fear and acceptance. I knew this would and could happen. I was a little shocked, and a tad annoyed of Sherlock's behalf, but I knew ho unhappy Angie was, and I could see just how much she regretted it. She needed her friend, not any judgement. Angie nodded and the sobs began again.

"Sherlock's never gonna forgive me…" She sobbed.

"He's never going to know." I smiled. I wouldn't tell him. If Angie told him, it would be her choice.

"I just…I can't believe I did that. Why did I do it?!" She asked angrily, shaking her head in disbelief.

"It's alright, Ang. Do you want it to happen again?" I asked gently, rubbing her back. I had to ask that question. I would support her regardless of her choice, I'd told her this before. In some ways it would make her life easier to date Moran. Although, I don't think she'd ever be truly happy with him. Sherlock brought something out in Angie that made her shine form the inside out.

"No!" Exclaimed Angie.

"Okay, I was just checking." I put my hands up defensively.

"Oh, he is never going to leave me alone now." She groaned.

"He might? I hate to say this, but now he's got what he wanted, he might leave you be?" I shrugged.

"Or he might use it as 'proof' that I still have feelings for him." She frowned.

"You don't though, it was a one night mistake." I frowned and looked away. I remembered the same mistake I'd made. It had nearly cost me everything that made me happy. "Sadly, we've all been there."

Angie moaned and rubbed my forehead, almost like she was trying to erase the memory. I put my arm around her.

"I know, sweetie, I know. We'll face this together, you're not alone."

"Thanks." Angie nodded.

"Any time." I smiled a little.

Just as Angie had started to calm down, Moran walked in, still all smiles. I hated his stupid face and cocky attitude. This was my home, not his.

"Morning, Princess." He greeted, I shot him a look of pure hatred. He stopped as he saw Angie and his smile grew wider. "And my beautiful Angel…" Angie jumped up and took a step back, retreating as far away form him as possible. I didn't blame her.

"Stay away from me." She spat.

"Shut up, Seb. Go and play, we're busy." I glared at him. He ignored me and started walking towards Angie.

"Come on, Angel, you don't really mean that. After last night…" He said lasciviously.

"Especially after last night." She frowned. Jim shouted for Moran. He still didn't move. I crossed my arms defensively.

"I think you're being summoned, Sebastian. Don't keep him waiting, he's not in the best of moods."

"Don't worry about our business, Princess." He said, looking me up and down.

"It's not worry, it's a warning." I smiled sarcastically. Jim stormed in, looking aggravated. I tired to warn him. Moran would probably be worse than useless today. Poor Jim.

"What is taking so long? Moran, now!" Jim demanded. Moran smiled darkly.

"Sorry, boss. Just saying hello. I'll see you later, Angel." He winked and started to leave.

"No." Dismissed Angie firmly.

"You don't really mean that." Seb smirked. He was so full of himself.

"Yes, I really do." Sniped Angie, she was getting annoyed too. He smiled and started to say something, when Jim yelled for him again, and he finally left.

"I hope Jim skins him." I mumbled. I looked up at Angie and realised I'd said that out loud. "Sorry. How about we go for a run, take your mind off everything? Loser buys dinner?"

"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea." Angie nodded; I could see she wanted to be out of the house. Angry Jim and Moran in close proximity was making her nervous.

"You do know you're going to win, I can't keep up with you." I smiled. I couldn't, especially after my overdose, I was still fast and fit, but I just couldn't keep pace with Angie when she got running.

"Well, I'm not exactly in the best mood today, so…" She shrugged. She was getting more and more distracted.

"Dinner is on me regardless!" I announced. Money wasn't exactly an issue for me and she had enough to worry about than paying for dinner.

"Thanks." She smiled a little.

"Come on, I've got some spare running stuff you can wear, we'll go out the back, Seb won't see us. I'll text Jim as we leave." I offered. I text him to let him know we were going out and not to worry or wait up for us, also not to tell Seb, I may have included a death threat too, Jim would know I was joking...right?

"Okay, thanks."

"Anytime! Jim says he'll keep Seb busy. Come on, round Hyde Park?" I smiled.

"Sure." She shrugged again.

We quickly changed, snuck out over the garden wall and started out run. We kept an even pace, but didn't talk, just focused on working out the stress. We did two laps of the park and finally feeling like we'd had enough we decided to take a walk. I looked at Angie, and she seemed so sad, she needed cheering up.

"I know a great place in Chinatown, good food and stays open late." I offered.

"That's fine." She shrugged. Angie was just not interested in life. We waked for another five minutes and reached Chinatown, I steered Angie through the crowds and to the restaurant. We sat at a booth looking out onto the busting streets and ordered some food. We lapsed into more silence.

"It's going to be alright, Ang." I said gently.

"Yeah….I'm sorry, I'm not the best company right now." Angie nodded.

"It's fine. Honestly, the quiet's nice." I smiled. I just watched the people rushing by, I could see their lives and secrets as they passed. I wished I couldn't. I didn't take the same pleasure in deducing people as Mycroft and particularly Sherlock did. Sometimes it was incredibly useful and occasionally fun, but generally it was tedious and distracting.

"You didn't actually tell Jim to kill Seb?" Asked Angie, glancing at me warily.

"Umm…" I evaded.

"Did you?" She asked again. I smiled a little.

"Sort of…" I trailed off.

"You think he will?" Angie asked, almost hopefully.

"Probably not, sadly." I sighed.

"Shame." Said Angie, also sighing.

"I know. If Seb did something to me, he'd be dead. Seb may end up having a rather hard time, though." I said casually. Seb knew he couldn't and wouldn't get away with doing anything to me, but Angie wasn't technically under the same 'protection'.

"That's the problem, though. He didn't do anything to me. I was perfectly willing, and that's what's killing me." She frowned. I nodded.

"He does have that effect sometimes. Don't beat yourself up about it, you share a long past together." Unbidden memories flashed before my eyes. Not just the incident in Wales, but form before, memories long ago buried.

"Too long." Angie moaned.

"You know this doesn't change anything between us, I still love you regardless!" I smiled.

"Thanks." Angie replied with a hint of a smile.

"Always." I said.

We left the restaurant and again wondered through the streets of Chinatown and Soho; it was packed, surprisingly so for a Thursday night, but then again, London never stops.

"I think I need a drink." Sighed Angie. I was startled by her admission, but nodded.

"Are you sure?" Angie Nodded. "If you're sure, there are some good places round here."

"Sounds good. I don't want to think right now." She replied. I smiled and grabbed her arm and started pulling me in another direction.

"I'll look after you. Come on, the Garrick Arms isn't far, it's a good pub."

"Let's go." Nodded Angie, she looked slightly more like herself. I was so leased I thought to bring my wallet.

We walked in and went to the far end of the bar, away from the main crowd, it was slightly easier to hear and there was a little room to breath. Neither of us needed to be groped either. I looked at Angie.

"Tonight is on me, you just enjoy yourself." I told her.

"Thanks." She smiled. I was surprised she didn't argue.

"What are you drinking?" I asked. Angie sighed and looked at the variety of bottles behind the bar.

"I think I need something strong. Let's try whiskey." I raised an eyebrow in shock. Whiskey Angie, really?!

"Sure?" I asked.

"I'm a Watson, and part Irish. What do you expect?" She retorted. I wonder if Jim knew Angie was part Irish? I pushed that thought away and caught the bar tender's attention.

"Very true. A whiskey, straight up, and a large glass of wine, rosé." I paid for the drinks and nodded at my best friend. "Here you go, Ang. Cheers!"

"Thanks." She smiled and then downed about half the glass in one gulp. I stared at Angie.

"Whoa, Ang, slow down." She coughed a little and nodded. I don't think she'd ever drunk whiskey before.

"Yeah…it's been a while since I've actually had a drink. Well, something this strong, at least." I smiled at her sympathetically. I turned on my stool and surveyed the crowd. This was occasion where my family quirk of reading people could be fun.

"I know. Want to play a game?" I asked.

"Depends what it is." Angie looked at me warily.

"Well, do you want to be able to deduce like Sherlock?" I asked.

"I am as good as him." Defended Angie, she stood a little straighter, apparently quite affronted that I doubter her skills.

"Okay, a little competition. We'll each choose a random person for the other and deduce their life stories, or you can lie and make it up and the challenge is to spot the lie." I explained. Angie looked at me for a second longer and then nodded.

"Uh, okay…"

I smiled and looked around.

"See the guy by the window, tall, blonde hair? What do you see?" I offered. I wanted to distract Angie, I hoped this would work, also hopefully slow down her drinking. Although what did strike me, was this was the first time Angie and I had gone out drinking together.

Angie turned around and looked at the guy I'd pointed out for a minute, soaking up every detail. I also wanted to see how good Angie was.

The man was in his early twenties, dyed blond hair and tinted eyebrows. He was fashionably dressed and the clothes were expensive. His jacket was well tailored, it had a McQueen label at least he had good taste. He had a pad and pencil on his table, but he wasn't taking notes. He made specific marks, he was drawing or sketching, it appeared to figure drawing, but not fine art, probably fashion.

He wore a silver band on his left ring finger, so married, but not happily, the ring was dull, uncared for. Another man joined him; they sat close, were friendly, flirtatious with each other. So they were lovers. Obvious really, just look at the body language. The two men were having an affair. The designer's wife was considerably older than him, he'd married for money, power and security, but she didn't know his predilection for young men. The lover was an accountant. You can spot them by the way they do their shoelaces.

Angie turned to me, nodded and said. "He's a fashion designer who's cheating on his wife with that man sitting next to him."

"He is." I grinned. She chose a person for me to read and so it went on, we worked our way round the bar. I had to admit Angie was really good. She'd obviously learnt tricks form watching Sherlock, perhaps he taught her a few tricks, but she had areal talent. If Sherlock ever put her down again I'd kick him and Angie and I would set up our own rival consulting detective business.

The drinks flowed and we laughed, danced and at some point went partying with a rugby club. After leaving the first pub we started in the night became a haze of alcohol, giggles and stupid antics. There was a taxi ride home and problems with opening the front door. We stumbled into the house an ended up in the living room. This, for some unknown reason, caused much hilarity.

"What? Percy, are you drunk? Do you know what time it is?" Jim asked. He seemed annoyed.

"I was helping Angie out." I smiled.

"With what?" Asked Moran, looking between us both. I think he was having lewd thoughts.

"Whatever we want." Frowned Angie.

"Yeah! Girl power, Ang!" I smiled and we high fived, which made us descend into giggles again.

"It's 4am, Percy." Reprimanded Jim.

"Eh, it's not like I sleep much." I shrugged.

"We've been having more fun than sleeping." Nodded Angie her words slurring.

"I'm sure." Moran drawled, rolling his eyes.

"It was more fun than sleeping with you." Angie quipped. Moran started at her and I turned to Angie.

"So much fun. I miss our fun. This is boring." I slurred. I could feel my balance failing, the room was spinning.

"You think they're still open?" Angie asked. I gasped.

"I know other places that are! We can keep dancing...ooh, karaoke!" I suggested, at that moment it seemed like the best idea.

"Oh, we didn't even do karaoke! We can't end the night without that!" Agreed Angie, she was a fun drunk!

"Saints preserve me. Come on, ladies; let's get you some water. Some help, Seb." Jim sighed.

"Yeah, I think your night's over, Angie." He nodded and walked towards Angie.

"Don't tell me what to do." She spat, yanking her arm away form him. I tried to glare at him, but I had a song stuck in my head.

"Dancing queen, young and sweet, only seventeen..." I stopped and looked at Moran and Angie. "Yeah, don't tell her what to do, you don't own her."

"I'm just trying to help her." Seb frowned.

"You're the one who needs help." Angie scoffed.

"Good one, Ang. Yeah, professional help." I laughed and snorted a little.

"No, I meant help digging his grave." Angie told me. We laughed again. Jim came closer and wrapped a supporting arm round my waist, I felt my stomach fill with butterflies, he was trying to keep me still and upright. I felt desire for my husband race through me.

I'll add, I thought I looked sexy; I've been assured I was too drunk to walk unaided and was next to useless at doing anything that involved speaking or moving. I was a total mess.

"Love, drink some water and we'll get you to bed." He shook his head and said to himself. "Percy with a hangover, this is not going to be pleasant."

"Come on, Ang, we need to get you home." Moran suggested. I wanted to fight this suggestion, but Jim's hands on my waist were distracting me.

"There is no way I'm going anywhere with you." Angie shouted.

"No, Angie is my friend. Leave her alone." I slurred.

"I'm not gonna do anything to her." Seb Sighed

"No, you trick me into doing it willingly." Angie cried.

"No, you're not, she's too vulnerable. She's staying here." Jim said firmly. Oh I loved him when he was being authoritarian.

"We should do this more often, Ang, it was fun!" I grinned.

"Yeah. I thought we were gonna go out and do karaoke?" Angie smiled.

"Yeah, ooh, I can play us a song!" I suggested. Moran shook his head.

"You're done for the night. Come on, upstairs." Seb suggested. I poked my tongue out at him.

"No, Percy's gonna play a song!" Angie protested. Jim closed his eyes and sighed.

"Persephone!" Jim demanded. I stopped dead in my tracks.

"Oops! I'm in trouble." I started giggling.

"Bed, now. Go." Jim ordered.

"Only if you join me." I smiled at him and giggled suggestively. Jim sighed and looked at me.

"Fine. I'll help Angie and be with you." I nodded and made my way to the stairs, I kept tripping up.

"Angie, you need to get some rest." Moran said firmly. He made his way closer to Angie.

"Get your hands off me before I punch you." Angie threatened.

"Angie, come on. Let's get you to bed." Jim offered gently. Angie reacted just as badly to him as she had to Moran.

"I'm not going anywhere with you, either." Angie retorted.

"I'm not going to hurt you, Angie, I'm trying to help you." Jim said.

"No, you killed Sherlock. You don't hurt people, you make them hurt themselves." She accused and made her way towards the door. Jim was getting frustrated.

"Do you want to sleep with Percy instead? Go on up."" Jim sighed, indicating the slow progression his heavily inebriated wife was making.

"I know where it is, don't push me. Damn men always wanting to be in control." Angie moaned.

"Go to bed, Angie." Ordered Jim. He'd had enough. It had been a very tedious day, and Percy had been right, Seb had been useless.

"Don't tell me what to do!" Demanded Angie. She swayed feeling dizzy. "Now, if you'll excuse me...I'm going to bed before I pass out."

How we both ended up in bed and not on the floor is a miracle, but we both slept soundly, neither of us remember getting to bed or how we woke up together, but we did and we were safe, according to Jim, that was all that mattered.