Sherlock Story

Forgotten Memories, Chapter 76

A disclaimer: Sherlock belongs to BBC along with the talented writers and amazing Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch. No money was made. The story, however, is my original thought and comes out of my overactive imagination. Other characters introduced are also mine.

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***** Important. I wrote several chapters condensed on four pages, so you know what I am about to say, again.

1. Read a quote a day. (Each quote represents a chapter. Some are long , some are short.)

Or

2. Read as much as you want at one time. Enjoy.

3. The last quote is a bit of a cliffy. Save that chapter until it is closer to the weekend, if that bothers you. Make yourself happy.

To my other family.

Peace, Coffee, and Love to all, Zacha. :)

"The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live."~ Flora Whittemore

John stood frozen for a moment standing and staring. Sherlock walked from the bedroom talking as he went along. He walked to John.

"The Marwick's case John. Lestrade is coming over to …" Sherlock stopped his speech suddenly.

"John," Sherlock noted the fact that John did not answer but stood staring at the wall. Sherlock eyes narrowed as he noticed the mobile clutched tightly in one hand and his other hand wrapped around something.

Sherlock mind started to twirl as data and information was organized in his mind. He walked close to John and pried the mobile from John's still hands. John was not resisting Sherlock; he had simply not noticed that he had such a tight grip on the mobile. He looked in the eyes of his friend as he did this. John was trying to avoid Sherlock's eyes. John just stood still unmoving. Sherlock read his mobile text and looked down for a bit, as his mind added this new information to the data he already stored in his mind.

Sherlock suddenly looked at John and frowned.

"John, open your hands."

John did not move. Sherlock's frown deepened.

"John," Sherlock said more firmly. John blinked a few times and seemed to notice Sherlock. "Open your hands, John." John did and waited. He was deceptively quiet. Sherlock invaded John's personal space now. He was careful to maintain eye contact with John. Sherlock eyes suddenly left John's eyes as he looked down into his hands.

John straightened his mouth in a thin line and opened his hands. Sherlock raised an eyebrow and slowly raised his eyes from John's hand to John's eyes. Eyes that were now looking at Sherlock. John eyes were like two torches. It was as if the intensity of its blaze could melt metal.

John closed his hand again around the long and bloody strand of human hair.

Sherlock deduced John, his eyes started to widen. "Now John…" Sherlock's words were cut short when John abruptly and briskly walked to the door. Sherlock ran in front of the door and stopped him.

Sherlock held up one hand pleadingly. "John, think about this, it's a trap, a game, one of his games."

John looked at Sherlock and smiled as he pretended that he was going to retreat. Moments later, he was almost out the door as he spun his body past Sherlock in a move that was worthy of his former rugby days. Even with Sherlock's long arms, he was barely able to hold on to John. Sherlock pinned John's arms next to his body by encircling John body with his arms from behind.

"Now, John, be calm. Let's talk this through."

John struggled and argued with Sherlock to let him go while Sherlock struggled and repeated for John to calm down. Sherlock and John fell to the floor. Sherlock was barely able to keep his grip on the struggling man. Sherlock held the struggling man tightly to his chest with his chest pressed against John's back. John sat confined between Sherlock's legs as Sherlock tightened his arms around his friend to keep his friend contained. John's movements eventually slowed as his breath came in and out heavily from his struggles.

"Are we calm, John?"

"Yes," John said between gritted teeth.

"You're lying." Sherlock said simply.

"Yes." However, John stopped all struggles.

"Do you promise not to run off until you've at least heard me out?"

John only nodded.

Sherlock studied John's face for a minute before he released him and pushed his body away from his. He remained close, however. John leaned back against the wall after sliding into it. Sherlock sat cross-legged in front of him.

"It's a trap," Sherlock said without preambles.

"Yes. Yes, I know. Even us mere mortals every now and then can have an intelligent thought." John looked at Sherlock who raised an eyebrow wordlessly before responding again. "Before you say it again, I Am Calm!" John pouted.

"Yes, John I can see that," Sherlock said dryly.

John sighed and looked at Sherlock. "I'm listening."

"I'm going with you." Sherlock looked at him intently as he added, "And, it will be planned out, not an emotional escapade where we run around, shouting to the heavens, and waving our gun." He attempted a small smile. "Perhaps the waving of the gun part is appropriate."

Sherlock's comment surprised John. He was sure that Sherlock would have tried to stop him, but he did not. He was actually suggesting that they both go. John, however, could not risk Sherlock.

"I am to come alone," John, pointed out. He added with hesitation as he looked at the floor. He felt every bit the hypocrite. "I cannot risk the fact that you might become hurt."

"I seem to remember a certain Doctor John Watson giving a spectacular display when a Sherlock Holmes tried to leave this very flat." Sherlock looked pointedly at John. John squirmed as he found the floor suddenly fascinating. After a brief moment, he sighed resigned.

"What's the plan?" John asked, finally looking up at Sherlock. Sherlock, during the next two minutes, explained what would probably happen, the risks, and how he planned to attempt to keep everyone involved alive. John listened intently as he asked a few questions. John finally nodded as he was helped off the floor.

Sherlock stood above his friend and extended a hand pulling. John was tugged to his feet, but he did not let go of Sherlock's hand right away. He looked up into Sherlock's eyes, while he still held his hand. He said in all seriousness, "This could end badly, Sherlock."

"There's a sixty-five percent possibility that one of us or all of us will be injured or killed." Sherlock looked thoughtful. "It would decrease to forty-five percent if we had two guns not one."

"I love it when you talk percentages Sherlock." John raised an eyebrow as he gave Sherlock the first real smile he managed since getting his little souvenir earlier. This earned him a chuckle from Sherlock.

"Alrighty then." John squeezed Sherlock's hand before suddenly letting go and running off to his bedroom. John returned carrying two guns and bullets for each.

"Mycroft gave you this weapon about eight months ago along with the papers allowing you to possess it. I …um…keep it for you until you need it." John handed him the weapon.

Sherlock took the firearm and loaded it with bullets; somehow, it felt familiar even though he could not remember ever holding it.

Sherlock said with annoyance, "Why do you need to keep the gun that Mycroft secured for me? I am not a child who needs someone to hold his toys for him."

John stopped loading the bullets into his weapon to look at Sherlock incredulously. He cleared his throat. Sherlock stopped to look at John. John then pointedly looked at his gun. He looked at the yellow smiley face on the wall with teeth and eyebrows in the shape of bullet holes. He then looked back at Sherlock with his eyebrows raised and chin in the air.

Sherlock frowned for a moment then looked away from John as he resumed loading his weapon.

"Point taken," Sherlock finally said slightly insulted.

Minutes later, they were ready to go with their coats on. A thought occurred to John.

"Mycroft will never allow us to go, we'll never get past his men."

Sherlock smiled as he picked up his mobile. After a moment, he went to the window and looked as two black Mercedes sped off, and turned the corner of the street. The flicker of a shadow in Sherlock's peripheral vision passed as a body interrupted the sun's rays. This announced John's arrival. Sherlock, however, did not need this physical clue. He felt John's presence beside him.

"Should I even ask how you did that?" John asked while looking at the road below.

Sherlock frowned as he cleared his throat and gestured with one hand. "I…acquired Mycroft authorization number. The men watching just received a text that I have somehow escaped and was in Regent's Park. I was saving it for just the right moment. Mycroft is no fool; he'll change his authorization number now."

John only looked at Sherlock. How far did his ability to be devious go, he wondered.

"I'm only glad that Thomas was not here today, he's not altogether unintelligent." Sherlock looked at John. "Are you sure?"

"She's a pain in the arse, but, she's my sister, Sherlock."

"I know John. Well, we don't have much time before they realize the deception."

Sherlock briskly walked to his bedroom, leaving John wondering by the window. He quickly returned and walked down the stairs. He did not look. He knew that John would follow.

John was surprised that Sherlock did not exit the door but walked into Mrs. Hudson's flat.

"Mrs. Hudson," Sherlock called out. Mrs. Hudson came out of the kitchen talking.

"I was just about to see if you boys wanted a cuppa." Her smile faded as she looked from Sherlock to John.

"John, not you too. You couldn't stop him so you're going along?" She asked with exasperation as her hands found their way to her hips.

"I'll have you know Mrs. Hudson that I could not stop John, so I am accompanying him." Sherlock looked smug.

"Well," Mrs. Hudson sighed as she sat tiredly. "At least that's a new one." She looked at her boys. "What are you up to you sods?"

"No time, Mrs. Hudson." Sherlock said dramatically. "Please, ensure that Mycroft gets this message in fifteen minutes. Fifteen minutes exactly," Sherlock, stressed.

Mrs. Hudson sighed heavier, "I know love. I've done this before." Mrs. Hudson reached for both of her boy's wrists and squeezed. "I never thought I'd ever say this but, keep John from doing anything nutty." She looked from one face to the other. "Well, off with you. And, don't be late for supper."

Both men took turns kissing the older woman on the cheek. She watched as they disappeared out the window. It was certainly not boring living with the two.

She needed to start cooking, but first she needed to do something. She bowed her head, closed her eyes, and folded her hands to pray.

"Well…it's me again…"

A/N: I hope that you enjoyed. Please leave a comment.

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Update coming.