Sherlock Story

Forgotten Memories, Chapter 108

A disclaimer: Sherlock belongs to BBC along with the talented writers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss; along with the 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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*****.*** T rated, but some future chapters may be M. ****. ****

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"Good chess strategy suggests you make your first move with the pawn in front of either your King or Queen…"

… King or Queen Part IV…

"At night the fog was thick and full of light, and sometimes voices."

~ Erin Bow

Current Day

Current Time

They ran weaving in and out of walkways, streets, and alleys for what felt like hours, but was only ten long minutes. From a distance, they had seen another police car and two cars that Sherlock suspected belonged to the would-be abductors.

Sherlock stood still, while attempting to catch his breath. His body was molded against the wall. The harsh sounds of inhaling and exhaling filled the space and sounded dangerously loud in his ears. Sherlock was starting to breathe heavily. He had pushed his body beyond its limit and was feeling the effects of it. He heard the same harsh breath echoed from Donovan. He did not bother glancing back when he heard the footsteps. There was no point. His already abused throat burned with each breath as he swallowed through swollen passageways.

Sherlock normally loved to run and was difficult to catch when he was in a full on run, but fatigue, the residual effects of the car accident, and having his body abused hours earlier was taking its toll. To add to this, Donovan was practically being pulled behind him. She was very near her limit, but stubbornly refused to complain. Truth be told, he was very near to his limit, as well. They saw a police car pass the other end of the alley. They both glanced wordlessly at each other and used their energy for running. When they came to the end of the alley, the police car had disappeared down several blocks and around the corner. Donovan gave a breathy whispered curse as she put her hands on her knees and tried to even out her breathing.

Sherlock took her hand again and ran before disappearing into an alley three blocks down. They molded themselves to the side alley wall for a brief rest. They both panted heavily. Sherlock knew that they could not outrun them much longer in their current condition. His mind mentally looked at the maps of the area that they were in. They were fifteen minutes away from the nearest tube on foot, but it was past two-thirty and the line would not be running. Even if it was running, Holmes had no doubt that they would go as far as shooting their way to them before they could get on. He shook his head in frustration. His swollen throat now felt on fire. He was starting to wheeze slightly.

He looked at Donovan, "Ready?" He asked with a raspy voice.

She nodded wearily and they were off.

"Ignorance of the world leaves one at the mercy of its malice."

~William Hazlitt

Current Day

Current Time

She opened her eyes and blinked. She looked around as she tried to remember where she was. Her eyes opened wide as she examined the hotel room. She watched as a woman, and four men glanced at her. Everyone turned their attention back to what they were doing except for the woman.

She walked to Irene Adler. Irene pushed herself up to her elbows and stared. She relaxed when she realized that the people in the room meant her no harm and were British agents.

A shorter woman, with her long auburn hair in a neat ponytail, walked up to her. She had on a trouser with a matching suit jacket. Irene sharp, yet slightly sluggish mind worked out what had happened.

Myers looked Adler over wordlessly for a few minutes then spoke. "You were given a mild form of a muscle relaxer and modified neurotoxin. You've been given the appropriate medical care. Except for a nasty headache, rash on your hand, and slight weakness for a few hours, there should be no lasting effects."

"You're from Mycroft Holmes," Irene said as she tried to push herself off the bed.

"Miss. Adler, I don't think you understand. You need to rest twenty-four hours, twelve at the very least." Myers moved closer as she spoke.

Adler managed to get to her legs. She closed her eyes as a wave of dizziness moved over her. She opened her eyes to stare into the face of an irritated looking agent.

Irene looked the agent up and down before looking intently into her eyes. She turned her head to the side and frowned. "What's your name?"

"Myers," The Agent said cautiously.

"Your first name," Irene asked again.

"Mary, Mary Myers." The curiosity joined caution in Myer's mind.

"You're John's Mary." Adler looked in the other woman's eyes. Myers said nothing, but her eyes softened at the mention of John's name. Irene noticed. If John trusted her, it was enough.

Adler turned and focused on the wall deep in thought. She swallowed her pride and admitted to herself that she needed help. She was used to Sherlock being there when she needed him, and John on occasion, but this was bigger than any one person could handle. She would need Mycroft's help, and so would Sherlock.

She made a difficult decision.

Adler invaded Myer's personal space and whispered so that only Myer's could hear her. "I need to retrieve something and get it to Mr. Holmes the younger. I need protective custody for someone; I'll discuss the issue of protection with no one but Mr. Holmes, the senior. I have nothing left, but," She looked at her watch, " a seventy-four hours timeframe to do all this in."

Adler swayed slightly. She looked up to see Myers eyes intently on her as the agent's arm held her in place.

"I'm obligated to remind you again that you need to be as still as possible, and rest for twenty-four hours, twelve hours minimum."

Adler raised an eyebrow. Her eyes became dangerous, her voice like steel. "I'm leaving now, right now. You have two options Agent Myers, help me or get the bloody hell out of my way. The choice is yours."

Myers studied the woman for a few seconds before her lips turned up into a ghost of a smile. She pushed her earpiece and spoke into it for a few seconds.

"Miss Adler, will we be in need of an airplane?" Myers asked casually.

"Now that you've mentioned it, yes." Adler smiled.

Holmes leaned, head back against yet another alleyway wall. This one was extremely narrow and had an entrance in front and back, as well as a break in the middle that led to a pathway. His eyes shifted between the three openings. He heaved his breath in and out. He noticed Sally near beside as she leaned against the wall, as well. As she inhaled and exhaled, the harsh sounds of her breath was heard. He frowned as he noticed the changes in her breathing patterns.

Sally motioned as if she would get up from the wall. Sherlock gently pushed her back against it. This time, he moved his jacket to the left and squinted in the dim light. Even though, his eyes adjusted to the dim light long ago, it was still difficult to see in the dark shadowy position that they had chosen to hide in. He used his sense of touch and smell to confirm his suspicions. His long fingers reached for her side and touched the smooth fabric of her shirt. He rubbed his fingers together wordlessly. The coppery smell of fresh blood filled his nostrils. He tore the edge of his shirt wordlessly and lifted the bottom edge of her shirt. Next, he pressed the waddle up fabric against the wound on her lower left side. He pressed holding it there for a time, despite her muffled gasp.

"We don't have time," She said uselessly.

"Hold this," he said as he tore another longer strip of cloth and tied the already blood tinged cloth in place.

He finished quickly and stood considering her for a moment. She seemed to sense his intentions. "R… Remember, I have a gun. Don't you dare pick me up and carry me, I'm not helpless."

His lips turned up into a ghost of a smile.

"No promises," Holmes said as all seriousness came back. "Not much further. Can you make it?"

"Can you?" Donovan asked. Her voice held a challenge. Holmes eyebrows rose unseen in the darkness. He took her hand, and they were off again.