Disclaimer: do I really need to make a disclaimer anymore?..
Thanks to Benfan for reviewing! (although you're not at this chapter yet)
Sorry for the delay, I was down with a cold, dreadful business... This one is a bit longer, and a bit angsty (not for long, though).
Your opinion would be a great help!
Enjoy =)
Chapter 15. Ambush – Third step : Save the kid
"You Holmes siblings have always been so annoying… Your bratty sister saw me taking Mycroft's notes. She came to get them back, to steal them! I just had to teach her some manners, right?" At the mention of sister, Lestrade couldn't hold back a surprised gasp. That was something those two never mentioned. By the look of Sherlock's clenched fists and blood rushing to his high cheekbones, the story was true. Meanwhile, Oliver kept talking, savoring his victory: "It's such a pity Robert stopped me. He made me leave Britain, and he hid the brat. But you should have seen that! It was so exciting when it turned out she lost her memories; I still remember her asking me 'Say, who is Sherlock?..', funny, isn't it?"
Sherlock grumbled, about to jump on his enemy, but John strongly grabbed his forearm and whispered: "Do not let him get you." Seeing that the Consulting Detective had difficulty to regain composure, he resumed the conversation as impassively as he could: "Where is she now?"
Oliver's reaction to this simple question surprised them all: "What time is it?"
Hesitant, Lestrade spoke out: "Past noon, I guess." Sorrel smirked.
"Then she must be already dead." At those words, all colors left Sherlock's face. John, who was still grabbing his arm, felt the violent shiver that shook his friend. He was also shocked, but his feelings surely couldn't compare with Sherlock's. In an awkward attempt to support his friend, John tightened his grip. Greg saw Holmes' reaction too. He quickly grasped the situation, but held the order to assault. There was still a chance to get the child out of here peacefully.
Oliver drooled in pleasure of making such an impression. She saw his eyes burning with madness at the announcement of her death. But then she saw him taking a step backward and broke out in cold sweat. He was about to...
"And so is this kid." It was too late to stop him, even if Watson already pulled out his gun and Lestrade sent the assault order, Oliver was about to shoot the little hostage.
A tiny shadow burst out the second door. Before they knew it, the child was pushed out the bullet's path just in time. The bullet stuck into the wooden floor. The deafening second after the gunshot seemed eternal. They all stared in amazement at the shivering feminine figure who was hugging the boy. Eric started to cry out loud, and it sort of woke them up. "Victoria!" Sherlock yelled and tried to run over there, but once again John restrained him. Oliver didn't let go of his weapon yet, and it would be alarmingly stupid to provoke him at this distance. Any abrupt actions could worsen the situation. For once Dr Watson was the one in control. Holmes was just too overwhelmed to keep his head cool (and that's was a first, but John didn't have time to think it over). Now they were both, Watson and Lestrade, holding the felon at gunpoint.
Oliver recovered from his surprise rather quickly and hurried to point the gun at the woman: "Bad timing as always, Victoria…"
She raised the head to face him. Hugging tightly the sobbing boy, her hands softly caressing his back, her swollen face was filled with anger and calm determination. Her voice was clear and strong: "Don't be ridiculous."
A/N: So, what do you think? Did I go overbroad with Sherlock's reaction? I figured he'd be confused and terrified as well, and would act in an unusual way, since his sister meant a lot to him. Not that John means less to him now that Victoria's back, mind you! =)