Chapter Ten; Rescued
'Sherlock….SHERLOCK!'
The door banged open but Maria had no strength to look up. The men whirled around to see Sherlock strolling down the aisle. He's arrived ahead of the police, who were still trying to organise themselves.
"Get 'im!" The short man cried point before he ran over to the bag near Maria. The taller man turned to Sherlock and charged at him, Sherlock fighting back. He had to get to Maria!
He quickly dodged the first wild attack, narrowly avoiding the next. He struck back quickly, like a viper, punching the man in the nose, before grabbing his arm and sending him into the pews. The shorter man finally found what he was looking for and loaded it before going over to Maria and pointing it at her head just as Sherlock turned to look. He froze at the sight of the gun at Maria's head.
"Now, on your knees," He commanded of Sherlock and grudgingly he obeyed. A bullet to the leg she could survive, but one to the head would surely kill her. The small man smiled before he reached behind her to pull the sheet off the painting. Sherlock's eyes widened. There was Maria, as she was now, in her pyjamas, her blood red hair spilling down, hiding her face from sight. His Maria…was dead in that painting.
Slowly, he wondered if he dared to stand. When had a man and a gun scared him otherwise? But Maria hadn't been involved then like she was right now, her life hadn't clung onto his decision whether to get up or stay down. So he stayed down as the short man called to his partner, telling him to get up. How long did it take the Yard…?
His thoughts were cut off by the sound of people running and the doors opened once again.
"POLICE FREEZE!" A voice yelled and the short man immediately froze and dropped the gun. Apparently he was all talk and no words. The second she was out of danger, Sherlock was on his feet and by her side, yanking apart the rope as the short man was apprehended.
"Maria?" He questioned and when she didn't answer, he panicked slightly.
"Cold…" She finally mumbled and Sherlock sighed. Lestrade couldn't help but watch in awe as Sherlock pulled off his treasured coat and wrapped it around her, helping her put her arms in the sleeves, before he picked her up gently.
"Lestrade." Sherlock said sharply and the DI looked at him. "I'm taking Maria home; I believe your lot can deal with these two. Also, destroy that painting while you're at it." He said before heading for the door.
"Sherlock. Maria's condition though…"
"I'll deal with that." He said carrying her out onto the street. Maria was unaware of what was really happening. She was wrapped up in something that smelled like herbs and old parchment and something warm was right next to her. Then there was heat and slowly she felt herself warming up.
"Sherlock?" She questioned, her eyes focusing on the black locks of hair right in front of her nose.
"I'm here Maria." He answered his head turning so she could see his face. "I'm taking you home," He murmured, his hand absently rubbing her arm gently.
He decided a warm bath, some hot tea and then bed was the best course of action for her, as he could still feel the chill of her skin. Maria smiled slightly then nodded, before it dawned on her she was wrapped up in Sherlock's coat and sitting on Sherlock's lap. Blush shot out across her cheeks.
"What's wrong Maria? I can ask for the heat to be turned up if you're still too cold." Sherlock asked and Maria shook her head and proceeded to hide her face behind his collar.
"I'm fine right where I am…" She murmured closing her eyes again. She wasn't really asleep, Sherlock could tell from her breathing and the way her body remained tense.
But he had failed her. He had allowed her to fall into the clutches of the enemy and it had almost cost her life. But then, partly it was also her own fault for not wearing enough clothes. He looked down at her for a moment then raised a hand and flicked her forehead gently.
"Idiot," He chided softly, but at the same time, it sounded almost endearing. Maria frowned slightly.
"I know, I'm sorry." She mumbled in his coat. He sighed and began to comfortingly rub her arm again. Slowly, as if he didn't fully realise himself, he moved further and further up her arm until he'd reached her shoulder. There he absently began playing with the ends of her hair. Maria blinked slowly but didn't stop him. She was kind of enjoying the affection from him, though she knew it wasn't going to last long and sure enough they were soon pulling up in front of the flat.
Sherlock gathered her up in his arms, after paying the cabby, and then carried her inside, much to her protest. She shushed her before gently placing her down in one of the comfy armchairs.
"Bath, Tea, bed," He ordered very sternly, but Maria could help the cheeky grin that came to her lips.
"Aren't I the doctor?" She asked and he smirked slightly.
"Tonight you're my patient." He said back before standing to go off and draw a bath for her, leaving her to sit there in silence. His patient? Somehow that just made her think about the poor guy whose head was now in their fridge.
However when Holmes returned for her a little bit later, she forgot about that and let him help her to the bathroom, where she promptly kicked him out before sinking down into the water. She couldn't deny, he'd made it the perfect temperature and she would have been very willing to sleep there. Holmes had other idea's though and kept coming back to knock and make sure she was alright. After the fourth time, she had to get out, with some complaint from her cold limbs. She got dressed again, including putting Holmes coat back on before gliding out into the kitchen where a steaming cuppa was waiting for her.
She smiled and sat down, pushing back the sleeves of the coat to drink. It sent a warm chill down her body which she happily welcomed.
"How are you feeling?" Sherlock asked, leaning against the countertop. Maria took a few moments before answering.
"I'm still a bit cold. The chill was bone deep…does the heating in my room work?"
"Probably not, Mrs Hudson has yet to have it fixed."
Maria nodded, drinking down the rest of her tea. She placed the cup in the sink before Sherlock shadowed her to her room, eyes full of concern following her all the way. While Maria stopped beside her laptop on the desk, Sherlock made his way over and sat down on the bed.
"Are you going to insist on wearing my coat to bed?" Sherlock asked, seeing how she cuddled into it and seemed not likely to take it off anytime soon.
"It smells like you," Maria admitted with a small smile. "I missed your musk." She said with a small laugh, wrapping her arms around herself.
"Then why don't you just have me instead of the coat?" Sherlock asked suddenly. Maria's eyes widened and shot to look at him as she spluttered out
"W-What?"
"Body heat, might do you some good, and it's not like we haven't shared a bed for a night before…"
"We were 11 Sherlock!" Maria reminded him.
"Are you embarrassed then?
"No…" 'Yes'
"Then get over here." He half demanded. Slowly she walked over to him and crawled onto the bed beside him. He looked at her and she pulled he coat around her a bit tighter as she lay down. He lay down beside her, pulling her into his embrace before she could complain. An arm under her head, the other wrapped loosely around her waist, her nose lightly brushing against his chest. Maria was glad for the coat's high collar, hiding the blush that had been set like a roaring fire across her cheeks.
He was right about the body heat though and she couldn't deny how content she felt having her head tucked up under his chin, she was hyper aware of how he held her and how she knew how she was the envy of many woman who fancied him. Only she could get this close to him, bring forth these kinds of emotions from him. She sighed softly to herself and just listened to his heartbeat right beside her face.
Sherlock was asleep within minutes, much to Maria's surprise. The man hardly spelt a wink on a normal day but now he was sawing logs like no-bodies business. Maybe tonight's events had been too much for him to deal with. Honestly, she didn't know, so she just took to closing her eyes and trying to fall asleep next to the great Sherlock Holmes.
