Author's Note: I apologize for making you wait a month for an update. That was never my intention. Things just got SUPER busy at work and Empire sucked me in as well. I hope you enjoy this chapter. The implied relationship between Sherlock and John comes into play! Thank you to GaeilgeRua for beta reading for me again! xxDustNight
Disclaimer: All non-original characters, plot points, and information belongs to J.K. Rowling, BBC, or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The story plot and dialogue belongs to me. I do not write for profit.
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Nights in 221B
Rated: M
Pairing: Hermione/Sherlock, Sherlock/John (implied)
Summary: When Hermione leaves the wizarding world behind, choosing to aid Sherlock in his desperate search for Moriarty, she learns much more about the consulting detective than she ever thought possible.
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Chapter Four
Hermione did her best to ensure that the dinner wasn't nearly as awkward as it could have been. Unfortunately, she failed miserably. Drink orders were taken in an uncomfortable silence, and delivered that way as well. Menus were perused with very few words exchanged between Mary and John, and she and Mary. Sherlock stayed silent, tipping his head this way and that as he observed the interactions between the three others seated at the table by the window. She almost wanted to scold him, telling him it was rude to stare, but Hermione knew it was what he was used to. No one else seemed bothered by it anyway, so she tried to relax.
After their order was taken and wine poured, Hermione decided to try and break the uncomfortable silence. Clearing her throat, she asked Mary, "So Sherlock told me you used to work as a sort of free agent. What made you get out of that line of work?"
Mary shot Sherlock a glance to which he gave a quick smile before going back to his stony-faced façade. "Well," Mary began, sipping on her wine, "there was an incident that forced my hand. I had to leave and return to civilian life. I've found it to be better than I ever imagined, though." She gave John a sweet smile, which he reluctantly returned.
"I can understand that," Hermione replied with a shrug. "I used to work as a Magical Law Enforcement officer before opening my tea and book shop. The simple life is much better than all the combat, in my opinion." When John let out a harsh bark of laughter, she turned her attention to him with a quirked eyebrow. "Do you disagree, Dr. Watson?"
"John—" Mary started in a warning tone, but he ignored her, meeting Hermione's stare from across the small table.
"A simple life? Is that what you think you'll have living with Sherlock?" His question was meant as an insult, and it appeared Sherlock took it as such, his eyes narrowing as John blatantly ignored him to continue talking to Hermione. "Living and working with Sherlock is anything but simple, not to mention the man himself. I've never met someone more complicated and immature."
"Is that how you truly feel, John?"
Sherlock's question caused them all to turn his way, and Hermione felt her heart break at the broken look in his sea-colored eyes. Wanting to reach out and take hold of his hand, she refrained, instead reaching for her wine. They needed to talk this out, just the two of them, or their relationship would never be repaired. Hating the pain radiating from her lover, she sat back and waited for John to respond.
"As a matter of fact, it is, Sherlock," John said unabashedly. "In fact," he continued, sitting up and leaning closer to the detective so he could whisper harshly without the surrounding tables overhearing. "I've felt that way for a very long time, and it wasn't until you told me you no longer had need of me, that it really sank in, though."
"I didn't want to hold you back from finding true happiness, John. If I hadn't pushed you away, and into Mary's waiting arms, you would never have gone on your own. I'm aware I am a difficult person to live and work with. I told you that the very first day that we met, or have you forgotten?"
John opened his mouth to reply, without thinking first, but Mary reached over and placed a firm hold on his arm. "John, wait just a minute," she cautioned as their server brought over their meal.
His jaw clenched harshly as the four sat in tense silence. Once the steaming plates of pasta were settled and they were alone once more, John shoved aside his plate and pointed a finger in Sherlock's direction. "Forgotten? How the bloody hell could I forget? I remember everything that was ever said or done between the two of us. That's the problem, Sherlock. I remember everything, and yet it appears you are the one that forgot what we meant to one another." Scoffing, John re-crossed his arms and shook his head. "You disappear into a bizarre world within our own and then show up with her." He used his chin to gesture towards Hermione.
It wasn't really her place to speak, but now Hermione felt the need to defend herself, and Sherlock as well. "Look, I know Sherlock coming into the world I am from wasn't ideal. Hell, it's actually against the law for Muggles to know anything about us and where we are from. But, that's not the point. The point is, Sherlock was doing you a favor by allowing you to be with Mary. She's good for you, even I can see that." Pausing, Hermione wet her lips and gave Sherlock a side-glance. "As for me… I can see how my sudden appearance could be such a bother to you. It's clear how you feel about Sherlock."
Mary agreed with her, nodding her head with a knowing smirk on her lips. "John, you may not realize it, but Sherlock means a great deal to you, even now, after everything that has happened."
Giving his wife a hard glare, John grumbled on. "Mary, you know as well as I do what a nuisance Sherlock can be." His words were met with a roll of the eyes as Mary tucked her blonde hair behind one ear.
"Nuisance or not, Sherlock has always been there for us," she countered, setting aside her silverware to drink deeply from her wineglass.
"He's told me some of the things you've done for each other, John," Hermione broke into their conversation. "How you saved him all those times…even the very first night you were together."
"See?" Mary pointed out, "You and Sherlock are meant to be friends. This is getting ridiculous. Just make up already! He needs your help finding Moriarty and bringing him to an end once and for all." She was smiling as she said this, but there was a slight narrowing of her eyes that indicated she meant business.
John sighed and then looked from his wife to Hermione before finally glancing at Sherlock. The detective was sitting there pensively, taking everything in as he always did and giving nothing away. They'd long since forgotten about eating, their pasta growing cold as John and Sherlock stared at each other, both too stubborn to break the silence. However, Hermione was still there, insistent on getting the Baker Street Boys back together.
"Don't you see, John," Hermione said gently, reaching forward and placing her hand on his tweed covered forearm. "Sherlock will always need you, more than anyone else in his life."
"He has you now," John mumbled, not quite meeting her eyes. He didn't want to admit how much he missed working with Sherlock, as well as just being in his presence…and being his… friend.
She gave him a sad sort of smile before saying, "He may have me, and love me in his own way too, but he's always loved you most, and always will." Hermione let go of John's arm, moving it to sit on Sherlock's instead to comfort him in case John responded negatively. "So what do you say, John? Can you forgive Sherlock for his horrible lack in people skills and help us with this case?"
The doctor said nothing at first, jaw clenched as he pondered over an answer. Everyone sat in silence, waiting for someone to break. It appeared, though, that Sherlock could no longer bear the tension. He sighed heavily, face going soft as John finally met his gaze. There was a slight lessening in the hardness of John's face also as they looked to one another. Shaking his head, Sherlock spoke, a myriad of unspoken promises and apologies in a single syllable.
"John?"
Hanging his head, John finally conceded, knowing in his heart that he couldn't completely shut Sherlock out of his life. "Alright," he agreed, exhaling harshly before lifting his eyes to stare at his old friend. "Alright, Sherlock. I'll help you find Moriarty. I just need you to promise me one thing."
"Anything," Sherlock rushed to agree, barely able to conceal the glee he felt at John wanting to be a part of his life once more. "Anything at all."
Chuckling, John gestured towards Hermione and then Sherlock. "I want to know how this happened, how the 'Married to His Work' guy finally fell in love. And I want to know where the hell this secret world is. Your brother's had me searching for months and I couldn't find hide nor hair of the place."
Sharing a smirk, Sherlock indicated that Hermione could answer for the both of them. "That seems reasonable, John. When we capture Moriarty, I promise Sherlock and I will take you and Mary to Diagon Alley to celebrate at my flat." As excitement lit up the doctor's face, she added, "And as for how the two of us got together, I think that's a conversation best told over dessert."
"I agree," Mary chimed in, reaching over and sliding John's plate back in front of him. "Now, that we've taken care of that horrid awkwardness, let's have dinner." When Sherlock opened his mouth to protest, she stuck him with a hard stare and pointed her finger at him. "I know what you're about to say, Mister I Don't Eat When Working A Case. You'll eat, and you'll like it."
Hermione laughed, laying her head on Sherlock's shoulder as he grumbled a reply but picked up his fork nonetheless. As they all tucked into their meal, Hermione couldn't help but feel relieved. The evening certainly wasn't what she expected it to be, but as she observed the way John watched Sherlock when he wasn't looking, she couldn't help but wonder what else lay below the surface of their relationship. Pushing such pondering aside for the time being, Hermione decided that, for tonight at least, she would just enjoy the company of her new companions. They were content and willing to work together, and that's what mattered right now.
