A/N: Hello lovely readers! So things are about to happen and be mentioned that are going to impact upon dear Jim and Percy in far reaching ways.

As always thank you to all those who favourite and follow the story! Please review if you want to or just PM me to say hi!

If you'd like to chat to Percy, she's very friendly and likes people, more than her siblings do then come and find her on Facebook. the link will be at the bottom of the chapter!

The wonderful naturerocs owns Angie, I own Percy and the rest of the wonderful characters belong to ACD and the BBC.

Chapter 45 - The Curse Returns

Life had been pretty quiet over the last couple of weeks. Nothing exciting or dangerous, it was actually quite nice, normal even. Well as normal as life ever is when you're married to a criminal mastermind, but you can't chose who you fall in love with and I wouldn't change him for the world.

Even work had been quiet and I had been getting home and normal times. With my job weekends weren't always available, so if it was quiet you might get given a weekend in the middle of the week. That, and I gave Mycroft the puppy dog eyes. I was on my way back from the shops when I saw Toby roaming the streets alone. He was unharmed, but I called him over. I searched the surrounding area for Angie, even walking back to Baker Street. Odd, she'd never just up and leave Toby. I tired calling her, but she didn't pick up. I left it for a bit, sent a text and got no reply. I rang 221b; Mrs. Hudson answered and said she'd not seen Angie since that morning. Alarm bells that had been quietly ringing since I'd found Toby were now blaring inside my head. My search began. Every hour I rang and text Angie hoping for a reply. I was starting to panic, this was wrong. We always got back to each other, always. Day two and I had a search party looking for her. Day three I had the homeless network scouring the city for Angie. By day four, I was making death treats.

"Hey, Percy." Greeted Angie quietly. I looked up from my rather irritating phone call and waved for her to come into the kitchen.

"...That is not good enough. Do you have any idea who you a dealing with? I don't accept failure...just sort it...yes that was a threat." I snarled into the phone and hung up. I would have a word with Jim later on; his new tech guy was utterly useless. "God than guy was an idiot." I sighed and turned to look at Angie. "Hello stranger, you've been absent for a few days, what's up?" I asked. Relieved to see her safe and well.

"Uh, nothing much." Shrugged Angie.

"Really? I tried calling you all day yesterday, you didn't pick up. I nearly started a missing persons search." I smiled. I didn't want to chastise Angie, I had a feeling something had happened, but I'd been really quite worried. That is an understatement, anyway…

"Sorry, I, uh...lost my phone." Angie replied quietly. She looked as though she was trying to turn in on herself and hide. I looked at her again, I studied her and the details sprang at me. I would tackle this head on.

"Right. That's annoying. Who hit you?" I asked bluntly. "I'm guessing it was a man, about six foot three, strong and who is right handed." I reeled off.

"What?" Squeaked Angie.

"The cuts and bruises on your face, I'm not blind Angie. What happened to you?" I asked, more out of manners than necessity.

"Nothing, it's just...on a brighter note, Moran isn't trying to win me back anymore." Angie deflected.

"That's good. Stop avoiding the issue, I'd rather you tell me than me deduce it out of you." I said a little more tersely than I intended.

"I'm not avoiding anything. I just told you." Defended Angie.

"Moran hurt you?" I asked, seeking confirmation. I knew he'd done something to Angie. He'd gone too far.

"Like I said, he's given up trying to get me back. I guess he's moved on to trying to get back at me." She sighed. She looked so small.

"Angie, I am so sorry. I think Jim needs to know about this...he's the only one who has any control over him." I implored. If Moran really had raised a hand to Angie, he would be made to regret his actions, preferably with his life.

"I doubt that." Scoffed Angie.

"Have you seen a doctor, that cut looks nasty. Have you seen John?" I asked concerned.

"No, I came straight here." Angie said quietly. I looked at her, this was so wrong. I was so angry at Moran, with Sherlock for not being here, with myself for letting any of this happen.

"You've been out of contact for four days." I said gently, letting my worry for Angie show.

"Has it really been that long?" She asked sadly.

"Yeah. When I said I nearly started a manhunt, I did start one. I've had people all over London looking for you." I answered.

"I am really sorry..." Angie started, but I interrupted her. I took Angie's hand in mine.

"Please don't apologise, I was worried and may have over reacted, but we couldn't find you. I should've guessed it was Moran." Angie nodded tearfully and I pulled her into a tight hug. It felt calmer knowing my best friend was safe.

"Let me have a look at your cheek, oh and I love the new hair." I smiled warmly. I inspected the cut and sighed. "I think it might need stitches Ang. I'm no doctor though." I stepped back and grabbed the first aid kit from under the sink and attempted to patch up Angie's face.

"Thanks. I guess I'll have to talk to John about it." She agreed.

"I'm surprised he didn't come over here worried." I pondered. That was quite strange, John was fiercely protective of Angie, and he would've searched everywhere looking for her, but I hadn't seen him for a while.

"Yeah, if it's been four days..." Said Angie quietly. She was still in shock.

"Did Moran take your phone?" I asked.

"Yeah." She nodded.

"How did you escape?" I asked. If I distracted her with question, hopefully the sting of the antiseptic wouldn't be so sharp.

"By almost breaking my wrists, he was clever, used chains instead of ropes, and Moran won't be able to walk for a couple hours..." Angie said with a bitterly triumphant air.

"You are so awesome." I grinned. I could just imagine the pain Angie could inflict when truly angered. "He deserves everything he gets. Do you want to stay here for a bit, have a hot shower, and relax? You can borrow some clothes and have a hot meal. Anything you need and it's yours." I offered. I would do anything to make Angie smile again.

"Thanks."

"I'm glad your safe. Don't know how I'd cope without you. Do you want me to call John? Sherlock?" I asked quickly. I just wanted to make it better.

"Has he actually been answering for you?!" She asked shocked. I frowned at her words. Why wasn't Sherlock answering Angie? She knew what he was doing.

"I haven't needed to call him for a while, why?" I said puzzled.

"He won't answer my calls, never calls back, won't answer texts, nothing. He didn't change his number again, did he?" She asked worriedly.

"Not to my knowledge. I can try and get hold of John if you want to see him?" I offered. I was still confused by Sherlock's lack of communication, especially as it was Angie trying to speak to him.

"That would probably be for the best, thanks." She smiled weakly.

"Of course, anything else?" I asked, hoping there was something I could do to ease her suffering. Oh that sounded pitiful, even in my own head.

"A memory wiper for the past few days?" Angie quipped. I smiled gently at her; even in the aftermath of a traumatic event she didn't love her sarcasm.

"If I had one or find one, you'd be the first to know. Go and relax, I'll get you some clothes and some painkillers?" I smiled at her thanks. I left the kitchen and went up to my room, I grabbed a baggy, but warm, jumper, a soft vest top and some comfy 'yoga pants', oh that sounded American, but I couldn't think of a better description for them. I did wear them to do yoga in as well! I nipped into the bathroom and grabbed some aspirin and headed back downstairs to find Angie. I saw her slightly slumped over the breakfast bar and rushed towards her.

"Angie, sweetie? Are you okay? Feeling any better?!" I asked cheerily.

"I'm fine. Thanks." She slurred slightly. I looked her over again; she looked clammy, like she had a fever.

"You look like your burning up a bit." I said, feeling her forehead.

"I'm fine." Dismissed Angie tiredly. She tried to swat my hand away, but the tremours running through her were too strong.

"Okay, you're shaking, you are not fine. What are those marks on your arm? What did they inject you with? Let me look at your eyes..." I stated firmly, whilst still gently and took Angie's face in my hands. I looked at her eyes, they were out of focus and very bloodshot. I joined the dots and cursed under my breath. "Angie did they give you cocaine?" I asked.

"I don't know...they said it was, but I think it was a hallucinogenic." Angie mumbled.

"No, it's just your brain is over stimulated by the drug. You're coming down; it's not going to be pleasant. Tell me how you feel? You've got to try and concentrate sweetie, I know it's hard." I instructed. For the first time in my life I was happy about my addiction. Whatever they gave her was strong; her comedown was going to be bad.

"I don't want to think about it..." Angie protested, growing more delirious.

"Come on Ang, talk to me, I can help. How do you feel, sick? Head pounding? Thirsty? Dizzy? Craving something like caffeine? Heart racing?" I listed. If she conformed it, at least I knew what to tell the doctor's when I got her to hospital.

"Uh...yeah, all of that. And I feel really shaky, like you know how you get when you haven't eaten in a while, well I guess you wouldn't know, but I feel like that, except it's a lot worse. I just feel horrible." She groaned. I could sympathise, the come down was always the worst part.

"It's only gonna get worse, but it will pass. It must have been strong the dosage they gave you. You've got to fight through it don't let the drug win."

"You don't think I know that?!" Snapped Angie. I sighed. I knew not to be hurt by her words; she was fighting the affects of the drug. I was starting to understand how Jim must feel when I relapsed.

"Sorry, I just..." Angie apologised. I waved it off. It wasn't her fault.

"Feel out of control, I know. It's fine." I answered gently.

"I hate this." She ground out. Trying to stop the shivers.

"It won't last forever, promise. You'll be over the worse in a couple of days." I told her honestly. It wasn't a fun process; it might be a day, maybe three. It varied from person to person. It took me four days to fully come down once. God, I was a mess.

"Thanks." Sighed Angie.

"For once my addiction has had an advantage. I'm happy to help." I smirked.

"Well, I can guarantee that I won't be an addict. I never want to go through this again." Angie said scathingly.

"I'm pleased to hear it. I should say I'm a recovering addict, but anyway. You're doing really well." I rambled. Weirdly, I felt so unsure of what to do.

"No offense, but I really don't see what comfort you and Sherlock get out of this." Angie said her voice filled with cynicism.

"It's not something I can easily explain. I suppose when I am, was high, I stopped caring and would be able to relax." I admitted. It wasn't an easy topic to discuss or understand. The reason my drug habit had started was from an inability to deal with too much stress and trauma. Why I continued, even after I was happy and secure, honestly, because I liked it. I craved the drug. The numbness was relief.

"I guess I skipped that part?! Or I was panicking too much to notice?" Angie remarked.

"Possibly, everyone reacts differently." I shrugged. I had a friend who couldn't take anything that had a stimulant in. She couldn't even drink coffee.

"I guess..." Angie winced as she cradled her wrists. The cuts were shallow, but they looked irritated and angry.

"That looks nasty, I'll get you some ice." I grabbed a spare tea towel and some ice cubes out of the freezer. I handed the bundle to Angie.

"Thanks." She nodded. We sat in silence for a few minutes. I could see Angie visibly pale as we sat. Her wounds needed closing up and proper attention. She needed her body detoxed of whatever drug they pumped into her.

"I think John needs to take a look at you. Come on, we're off to Bart's." I said firmly.

"No, I'm fine..." She protested.

"Ang, I wasn't asking, I was telling. You need to see a doctor and your brother will take spectacular care of you. Hiding this will only make it worse." I stated. I was in no mood to argue.

"Fine, whatever." She sighed.

"It's winter, you need some more layers on, no matter how warm you think you are. I'll grab the car keys." I ordered leaving her the pile of clothes I'd brought down. I went into the hall and grabbed the keys to the Audi as it had the most room. I walked back into the kitchen with my coat and scarf on. I grabbed an extra coat for Angie. I gave her a pointed look. Angie hadn't moved since I'd left the room. She caught my stare and rolled her eyes.

"Alright..." Nodded Angie. She added the extra layers I'd provided and I helped her into the car.

The drive to Bart's took a while as the traffic heavy; it was 2pm after all, the middle of the working day. I drummed my fingers against the steering wheel, urging the traffic to just move. I may have broken some traffic laws in a few instances so I could get Angie the help she needed.

I parked the car outside the Henry VIII gate and asked the porters to tell me where John was. It took some persuasion and showing them a pasty Angie to get them to help. John came and met us and took us up to the ward.

"Hi John." I smiled weakly.

"Hey girls. What...Angie, what happened to you?!" John asked worriedly. He looked over her, his demeanour changing from brother to doctor in a flash.

"Uh, long story." Angie groaned.

"She needs some expert medical attention and her big brother to look after her. I'll explain later." I smiled; hoping to appease John enough to get Angie well before we had to rehash the last four days.

"Uh, okay. Come here; let me take care of that cut." John said. He gently started tending to Angie's cuts. She winced every now and then. "Okay, that's gonna need a couple stitches. But it's about a day old, why didn't you get this taken care of sooner?" He chastised.

"I couldn't." Angie protested quietly.

"It had nothing to with Jim, if that's what you're worried about." I said quickly. I didn't want Jim unnecessarily blamed. If he had tried to kill one of them fine, but recently he'd been so well behaved.

"Alright, the other cuts don't look too bad. There's some bruising starting." John said to me. I nodded, noticing the withering glance I got as I mentioned Jim's name.

"I know." Angie said quietly.

"Anything else I should know about?" John asked, casting a wary look at Angie.

"I, uh...I think my wrist might be sprained." Angie admitted.

"You have no idea." I muttered. Angie obviously heard me and shot me a look. I looked back at her.

"Alright, give it here." John asked. Angie held out her damaged wrist and gasped loudly as John touched it.

"Oh look your wrist is broken, that and the multiple doses of cocaine still in your system, yeah your fine. Tell him!" I hissed at Angie.

"Shut up!" Angie hissed back.

"What do you think then John, will she live?" I asked cheerfully.

"Yeah, she's fine. I think your wrist is broken, though. I'm gonna get a cast and some stitches for that cut, I'll be right back." I nodded at John as he left.

Angie, who'd been suppressing her shudders, broke back into waves of shivers and looked a slightly green colour. John had been gone for less than twenty seconds before I decided to round on Angie.

"Tell him about the drugs Angie." I stated.

"Why? He can't do anything. As a doctor, he's just gonna tell me that the only thing I can do is wait for it to get out of my system. As a brother, he's just gonna freak out and worry." She stuttered through the shivers.

"Fine. Do what you think is best." I snapped. "I'm telling Sherlock." I quipped childishly.

"Again, why? It's not like he's gonna come back." Angie said grumpily.

"No, but he will understand. Also, I miss him." I admitted quietly.

"Fine. Do what you think is best." She sniped, using my words against me.

"I know this isn't pleasant and you've had a horrible few days, but don't bite my head off. I'm trying to help." I said sadly.

"I know." Angie nodded.

"You still love him and miss him don't you?" I asked her. Angie nodded in answer.

"I'm sorry. He'll come back, when he's ready." I offered, it wasn't an answer, but it was true, Sherlock would be back when he was back.

"I feel like it's just his way of running away from everything." She sighed, shaking her head.

"He's not running he's fighting. He loves you, he really does. He wants everyone to be safe, John, Lestrade, Mrs. Hudson, and you most of all." I tired to reassure her. Sherlock and I had bonded a lot in Romania. I knew how much he cared about Angie, he was just rubbish at actually showing it.

"I know...and I know he has a hard time showing emotion, but..." Angie protested.

"Trust me, please, if you never believe another word I say, please, please believe me when I say that he loves you." I stared firmly.

"I know." Agreed Angie.

"I think I hear John, lets get you patched up and home safe. Oh and I sent Toby round to Mrs. Hudson, he didn't like Jim at all." I smirked. Toby and Jim had taken an instant dislike to each other, the growling and dislike was palpable. I felt it best to remove dear Toby, so I didn't have to tell Angie that Jim had killed her dog. That would have caused more problems than I could have been bothered to deal with.

"Oh, thanks." Angie nodded.

"It's fine, I thought Jim was going to lose a hand. I love Toby but I'd like my husband in one piece. He's had a long walk today, if fact we jogged, it was fun." I smiled. Angie gave me a small smile in return. I think she like the idea that Toby wanted to bite Jim.

"Alright, the stitches will fall out once the cut's healed, so you don't have to worry about those. You'll have to wear the cast for a few weeks, but since it's your left hand, you shouldn't be too disabled." John instructed and started applying the cast to Angie's arm.

"Can I sign your cast Ang?!" I asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Only if you want to, Percy." Angie sighed exasperatedly. "Thanks, John." She said with a smile at her brother.

"Sorry, I'll be quiet." I said bashfully.

"It's fine." Angie muttered. We lapsed into silence as John worked on adding the layers of plaster to Angie's wrist.

"Now are you two gonna tell me how this happened?" John asked pointedly. I shrugged in response.

"Do I have to?" Whined Angie.

"I would appreciate it." John smiled. I simply shrugged again.

"Well...you know how the private detective business can be sometimes..." Angie started. John shot me a pointed look. Angie also looked at me. I sighed and rushed into an explanation.

"Fine. Two men took Angie in a van, left Toby to fend for himself, and took her to a warehouse, it looks like somewhere in the east end by the brick dust. These men slapped Angie about, and they took her phone. She has been forced to take liquid cocaine, probably because of her relationship with either Sherlock or myself, possibly both, too hard to tell. The worst part is that Moran was the one who orchestrated it. He arranged the kidnapping and then gave her the drugs to make her scared and vulnerable. He's become unhinged and jealous. His, very ugly, signet ring is what broke the skin. He finally let his anger out; stupidly he chose to hurt Angie. I think that's everything? Sorry, I need a minute." I said shakily and left John and Angie alone.

"Thanks..." Angie replied quietly. I don't think she was impressed I'd deduced and revealed every detail of her ordeal to John. John let out a long breath and looked at Angie worriedly, something he'd been doing a lot recently. I stood just outside of the room we had been put in. I felt sick and angry. None of this needed to have happened it was a total waste. I just wanted to punch something. I had to get my emotions under control.

"You...what...why...I think I need a minute, too..." John stuttered. He was trying to comprehend all of this.

"Why? Because I finally got through Moran's thick skull that I was never going to get back together with him if my life depended on it, and he's lashing out." Angie raged.

"Alright, I need to take a blood test, see how much of the drug...umm...how much of it is left in your system." John breathed heavily and grabbed a syringe. I sighed and quietly reentered the room.

"She won't be an addict, John. Don't fret about that." I spat darkly.

"I've had enough of needles lately, thank you. Are you alright, Percy?" Angie asked. She looked at me warily.

"It's just to see how much is still in her system. Please, Ang." John soothed.

"Alright." Conceded Angie. She glanced at me nervously again.

"Fine." I said quietly.

"Okay." Angie nodded. Looking at anything but the needle in her arm.

"Okay, uh...I'll be right back." John said. He looked between us curiously.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Angie pressed.

"It doesn't matter. You're going to be alright, and that's what's important." I stated.

"You're important, too. Come on, you can tell me." Angie said gently. How she could worry about me at a time like this I'd never know.

"You don't want to know, my temper is being very tightly controlled. Bringing up some old and painful memories. I just need you safe." I said tightly. I could feel the rage bubbling away. I didn't want to lash out around John and Angie; they didn't need to see that.

"You know you can tell me anything, no matter what it is." Angie smiled.

"I can't...sorry."

"Okay, I understand. I'm always here for you if you change your mind." Angie smiled again. I nodded. John came back into the room.

"So, what's the damage John?" I asked with a fake grin.

"Uh, it is cocaine. Looks like it was a 7% solution not enough to be dangerous, but more than is good for you. You should be fine; it'll be completely out of your system in a couple days." He said gravely.

"7%? That's exactly what Sherlock has used..." Angie said quietly, looking slightly alarmed.

"Yes." I confirmed.

"Could he have found that out from Jim?" Angie asked. I looked at her confused and ignored the question.

"Can I take Angie home or do we have to wait?!" I asked tersely. I wanted out of the hospital.

"No, you can go. Are you gonna stay at her house for a few days, Ang?" John asked. Personally I think Baker Street would be safer, but Angie was always welcome.

"Uh, yeah. I'll see you later." She nodded at John absently. She looked better than she had a few hours ago.

"Of course, you can stay as long as you want or need." I agreed.

"Thanks." Angie hugged her brother. He gave her a sad smile as we left.

"Okay, bye." John waved.

We walked back through the hospital, Angie with her arm in a sling. We'd been at the hospital for six hours. I was glad Angie was safe, but waiting for her cast to dry had been torturous. I helped Angie into the car and started driving home. We hit rush hour, so it took about an hour to get back to my house. By the time we got in I wanted a large glass of wine and to possibly shoot anything that came within a metre radius of me.

I helped Angie up to her room. I helped change into some pyjamas and get under the duvet. I grabbed a glass of water for her and made sure she was warm enough. Despite my crankiness at the outside world and Moran, Angie needed my care.

"Do you want anything, need anything?" I asked.

"Hmm? I'm fine." Replied Angie absently.

"Sure?" I checked. Angie wasn't always the best at asking for help, even when she needed it. She nodded and I smiled at her. I stood and turned to leave.

"Alright, make yourself at home, you know where everything is."

"Thanks." She smiled.

"I'm glad you're gonna be alright." I said quietly. I felt a bubble of emotion work its way through me. I suppressed it the best I could.

"Yeah. Thanks." She nodded.

"I'm going to go find Jim." I told her. Best to warn her so Jim didn't take her by surprise. I needed the comfort of the man I loved and trusted so much. I was on the verge of breaking. Just as I was about to leave Angie asked.

"Percy, that's where Moran found out about Sherlock's...drug habits. Isn't it?"

"What? I don't understand." I asked confused. What would Jim know about Sherlock's drug habit?

"I don't understand how Moran knew so much about Sherlock with the drugs. I thought maybe Jim told him?" She questioned, a glimmer of hope that I could confirm her suspicions faded as I shook my head.

"Maybe, I don't know. I don't really know how Jim knows that much about Sherlock, I just try and stop them from killing each other." I sighed. We lapsed into silence for a moment, both lost in our thoughts. I had no idea where Angie's questions came from, but they weren't invalid. To my knowledge, Jim only shared necessary information with Moran. He trusted him as a hitman, on occasions as a friend, but I don't think Jim trusted Moran enough to divulge sensitive information.

"You don't know?" Angie asked. She sounded shocked and slightly scared.

"Don't know what?" I said, more confused than ever.

"He found all that stuff out from Mycroft." Angie answered.

"Right, and why would Mycroft tell Jim about Sherlock? They only tolerate each other for my sake." I sneered. Angie glanced at me warily.

"Uh...when Jim fell off the radar for a while, it was because Mycroft was...holding him, trying to get information out of him, and that's putting it lightly. Jim wouldn't cooperate unless Mycroft told him Sherlock's life story. That's how Jim was able to ruin Sherlock's reputation, he took that one lie and put it all in with the truth so people would believe it." Angie said in a rush. I simply stared at her.

"I'm sorry, I thought you knew..." She apologised.

"Okay, great." I said quickly. I could feel everything inside shutting down. I couldn't deal with this and everything else. So I'd just delete it all. Start again.

"I really thought you knew already, sorry." Angie said again. She sounded so apologetic. I just looked at her blankly.

"No. Never mind. These things happen." I smiled and stood up intending to leave her room.

"No, they don't. It's alright if you're upset or something." Urged Angie. I furrowed my brow quizzically.

"Why would I be upset?" I asked. I just had to keep fighting I could escape soon.

"Well...nothing, I don't know." Angie said glumly.

"Exactly, it's nothing. It's nothing to worry about." I said somewhat cheerfully. Ignoring the fact that Angie knew I wasn't exactly dealing with this new information well.

"You're getting as bad as Sherlock." Angie muttered under her breath. I just ignored it and made to leave. Third time lucky I thought.

"Right I was off to find Jim, give me a shout if you need anything?!" I smiled and even made it to the door before I heard Angie mutter acidly.

"Hopefully you won't kill anyone because you're upset." I turned to look at her sharply.

"What did you say?" I snarled.

"Nothing." Snapped Angie.

"No, please, do speak up. What are worried about that I'll overdose again or kill someone? I could do both?!" I sneered sarcastically.

"I don't know, maybe. I obviously don't know you as well as I used to." Angie seethed. I felt like she'd slapped me.

"Perhaps you don't. How do want me to react? I've just found out that my brother, a man I've known and trusted since I was five, tortured my husband. Then to add to the fun, Mycroft sold Sherlock's life story to Jim so Jim could destroy Sherlock. Then what Moran has done to you...I don't know how to react to this. I just want my Mum, but I can't speak to her because she's..d..d..dead." I stuttered before crumpling to my knees and sobbing. I couldn't hold it in any longer. Angie climbed out of bed and sat on the floor next to me. She laid a comforting arm around my shoulders.

"I'm sorry. It's just...You can't hold things in like you do, otherwise you get overwhelmed, like with killing someone or the drugs. I don't want that happening to you again. I know it's a lot to take in, that's why I expected a reaction. I know you're just as brilliant as Sherlock, but emotionally, you are nothing like him. You need to let it out...Like this." She said firmly but kindly.

"How much is one person suppose to take, I'm only twenty-five. We've both lost so much...I just want it all to stop. I don't know how or who to trust anymore, or what to think. I can't always tell right from wrong. It's all such a mess." I cried. My body wracked with hiccupping sobs. It was just too much. The calm before the storm, up until today, life had almost been a dream. Then it crumbled in a heartbeat.

"I know, I know. And I am so sorry for what you've been through, you're right; you're way too young to have been through all this. And I know we've both made choices...It really does get overwhelming sometimes...but we promised we'd get through anything together. And I know I've got to keep a lid on my temper, and I'm sorry for snapping like that, but you've got to stop keeping your feelings from me. That's what I'm here for. Okay?" She asked, more of an instruction than a question but I appreciated knowing that she cared.

"I'm sorry, it's just I never want to disappoint you. You've always been so good. I always wanted to be like you when we were growing up. You just accepted me for who I was and never asked questions, you would just smile and tell me you thought I was brilliant. I don't blame you for going to Uni or getting married, but life was so dark without you and I just fell further and further. I've done so many bad things. Mycroft tired to teach me to detach my emotions, I never could, I can fake it, but it hurts and Jim is so empathetic, he made it stop hurting for the first time in so long..." I couldn't say anymore as I burst into another round of sobs.

"I'm sorry, I never thought how much my leaving would affect you. I understand, I really do, I'm not disappointed in you, never think that." Angie replied earnestly. I felt so guilty laying my worries at her feet.

"I'm sorry, I know I'm not the easiest person to be around. I wouldn't swap you for anything though, I couldn't ask for a better best friend." I gave Angie a watery smile. I had to get through this. I sniffed loudly and wiped my eyes on my sleeves. I probably had make-up all over my face, the curse of black eyeliner and tears.

"Me either. I couldn't imagine my life without you. I'm sorry, too, I just..." She stopped her thought and shook her head. "It was just stupid."

"Friends forever? New year resolution, how about we stop trying to protect each other and be honest?" I proposed.

"Agreed." Angie nodded. I noticed she had tears in her eyes too. We smiled at each other and laughed. I stood up shakily and helped Angie back into bed. I leaned down and hugged her again, kissing her cheek.

"I think I really need to talk to my husband." I smiled. Angie nodded and promised to call if she needed me.

I quietly shut Angie's door and took a deep shaky breath. I was scared of Jim might reveal when I asked him about the whole fiasco with Mycroft. A surge of anger flowed through me thinking his name. I'd be having words with my brother. I found Jim sat in my usual thinking spot. He was half watching the world go by and lazily solving some huge equation. He really was a genius. I walked over to him and perched on the edge of the window seat.

"Hi. Umm can we talk about something?" I asked nervously.

"Sure, of course, love. What's wrong?" Jim asked. I flicker of worry crossed his face as he looked at my tear stained face.

"Um, it's something Angie mentioned." I started.

"Okay." He nodded.

"I don't really know who to say it...but I suppose things are different now, I mean it doesn't make it better, but before it wasn't..." I babbled incoherently. I didn't know how to ask someone if they'd been tortured. It was Jim; the fact that anyone could hurt him repulsed me.

"Percy, just calm down. What's on your mind?" He asked calmly. He laid a soothing hand on my arm.

"Why didn't you tell me Mycroft tortured you?" I asked quietly, looking Jim directly in the eye.

"I didn't want to worry you. I didn't want you hating your brother, someone I knew you trusted." Jim looked away as he said this.

"You are so much more important. You just vanished without a trace; I was so worried about you, if I'd known...what if they'd never released you? I can't lose you." I rushed earnestly. More tears starting to fall. Above everything, my worst fear was losing Jim.

"Percy, it's done and gone now. There's nothing we can do to change what happened. Maybe I should have told you, but I didn't. We're together now, that's what's important." He said confidently, but sadness and suppressed memories tainted his voice. I knew him well enough to see through his bravado.

"He hurt you and you used him. Everything is just so messed up. Do you have any idea what Moran has done to Angie? That bastard has kidnapped, beaten and drugged her, why?! Jealousy. He did it because he was jealous. She's got a broken wrist and stitches in her face. He injected her with cocaine. He knew all about Sherlock's habit, did he get that information from you?" I asked angrily. Not hiding my tears or rage. I felt like I was falling apart from the inside out.

"Whoa, slow down! I didn't even know that. When did that happen?" Jim asked shocked. It did take quite a lot to shock him. The fact that Moran kidnapped Angie from under his nose was enough to shock him.

"The last four days." I spat.

"Alright, I didn't even know about that, so don't get mad at me. You know I can't control everything Seb does." He defended. I knew this, but anger wasn't just at him, it was mixed with fear, anxiety, pain, love, hurt, so many conflicting emotions and Jim was supposed to be able to stop this from happening.

"This is too far, he could have killed her if she hadn't escaped. I've told you he is going to try and kill me, if he's going after Angie too then we have no hope she was the only bargaining chip we had." I raged.

"I'll talk to him." Jim said. He was trying to plicate me, but it wouldn't work. Nothing would stop my fear except Moran's dead body.

"Talking isn't going to work, what will you say? If he wants something he's bored of waiting, he's just going to take it." I urged, I would beg if necessary.

"It won't be idle chitchat. It will be a serious...'discussion'." Jim said darkly.

"Why won't you just kill him?" I shouted. Jim stood up quickly and made to leave, but before he could I said:

"If he was gone you'd be safe." I said this so quietly, but I knew Jim had heard me. Jim came back towards me and lifted my chin with his fingers.

"You know I need him. Do you hear yourself?! See, this is why I don't like involving you in my business." Jim sighed. I stepped back from him. I felt belittled.

"Stop trying to protect me, I'm your wife, not a child. Moran made me beg for your life the day I buried my parents. He made me beg on my knees, I had to offer my life for yours, otherwise you might be dead now. I can't lose anyone else in my life. He killed our child! If you died..." Again the dam burst and tears fell hot and fast down my face. I couldn't even entertain the thought of Jim not existing.

"Percy, nothing is going to happen to either of us. I promise. I'll handle him." Jim protested strongly. He pulled me close to him and I sobbed into his chest.

"Please don't leave me, please. I'm so scared of what might happen." I cried.

"I promise I will never leave you, love. Nothing will happen, I promise." He soothed and held me tight. For that moment I felt safe.

"I trust you." I nodded.

We stayed in our embrace until my tears subsided and I'd calmed down a little. I checked on Angie who was fast asleep and followed Jim upstairs to bed. The emotional rollercoaster of the day and the vast amount of crying had worn me out.

Moran smirked. He had everything he needed. Finding something that made them both weak had been hard, but each other, he would destroy them from the inside. He would break them in the worst ways. All it would take is a well-placed conversation and few photos. Anything could be doctored these days. Yes, he thought, this would be fun.

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