A/N: OMG! Thank you guys so much for the reviews! They make me feel wonderful and helps me write more. Hope you guys enjoy the new chapter!
Chapter Three
Third Person POV
Sherlock was, for once, speechless. He looked down at her wide eyed. His mind was racing a mile a minute and he wanted to say something, but couldnʼt come up with anything. "Sherlock, maybe it would be better if I left and we just pretend I never came here tonight." she said and was about to move around him to leave, but was stopped when Sherlock wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him in a tight hug.
After the surprise of the sudden action wore off, she wrapped her arms around Sherlock as well to return the hug. They stayed like that for what felt like hours to Kayla and she didnʼt want to let go. She had been gone for too long and it was nice to be back. "Thank you." Sherlock whispered into her hair after a while. Kayla smiled and pulled away. "No need to thank me, Sherlock. I always did want to tell you the reason I left, but didnʼt have the nerve to contact you after all these years." she said, a light blush coming to her cheeks.
Sherlock chuckled. "You can stay and join us if youʼd like. Iʼm sure Mrs. Hudson would be more than pleased to introduce you to everyone." he said softly, smiling softly down at her. Kayla laughed. "Sure. Iʼd love to see how youʼe been doing since Iʼve been gone." she told him.
Sherlock didnʼt understand why, but he always felt more human when she was around.
"Who is she?" John asked Lestrade, who was sitting next to him on the couch. Lestrade shrugged and crossed his legs. "Iʼve never seen her before." he said, taking a sip of his tea. "Oh, she and Sherlock used to be so close. Then she just up and left one day. But that was was years ago." Mrs. Hudson said, walking over to the couch and looking at the smiley face on the wall disapprovingly.
"Really?" Lestrade asked. "I donʼt ever remember seeing her or Sherlock mentioning her." he added skeptically.
"I didnʼt work with Sherlock. I preferred to stay home and make sure he didnʼt fuck anything up. Not I succeeded all the time." Kayla said from the doorway, causing everyone to turn and look at her.
Sherlock placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her into the room. Mrs. Hudson walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder, giving her a friendly smile. "Everyone, this is Kayla Rines. Kayla, this is Doctor John Watson," she said pointing to John who gave her a small wave and smile, "and Detective Inspector Greg Lestrade," pointing to Lestrade who smiled politely, "and Doctor Molly Hooper," pointing to Molly who walked over and shook her hand with a friendly smile, "and Johnʼs girlfriend Jeanette." who smiled.
The next half an hour was spent with Kayla sitting the back of Sherlockʼs chair and listening to Mrs. Hudson fill her in on what sheʼd missed while she was gone. Mrs. Hudson kept hinting for a reason on why she had left and Kayla kept evading them by asking more questions.
She glanced around the room and noticed that almost everyone was gone with the exception of John, Jeanette, herself, and Mrs. Hudson. "Whereʼd everyone go?" she asked, looking around. John looked up from where he was sitting. "Didnʼt you hear Sherlock? He said someone was going to die and dragged Lestrade and Molly out." Kayla blinked a couple of times. "Oh." was all she said before looking at Mrs. Hudson. Mrs. Hudson just shrugged her shoulder, but Kayla saw how worried she really was. She jumped a little when she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She glanced at the caller ID and almost groaned out loud. "Excuse me." she said before walking down the stairs and standing at the landing.
"You know, you could give me a little time before checking on my progress." she said into the phone after answering it, not giving the caller a chance to say anything. ʻSomeoneʼs bitchy.ʼ came a familiar voice from the other end. Kayla rolled her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to will away the forming headache. "Iʼm not bitchy, just a little on edge, Nikolaus." she replied, her voice confirming what she said. There was silence from the other end and Kayla was about to ask why he called when he answered her. ʻKay kay, this mission is terminated. Samuel got word moments ago. Adlerʼs dead.ʼ
Kayla was silent for a moment. She didnʼt know what to say. If it wasnʼt for this mission, she wouldnʼt have contacted Sherlock at all. Kayla sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose harder. ʻSamuel says you donʼt have to be back for another week. Think of it as a vacation. You definitely need one.ʼ Nikolaus told her, trying to sound more cheery. Kayla groaned. He was right. She hadnʼt had a day off in months. "Fine." she grumbled. She heard Nikolaus chuckle on the other end and told her that heʼd have Samuel set everything up for her stay in London.
"Thank you, Nicky." she said, a small smile pulling at the edge of her lips. ʻAny time Kay Kay.ʼ her brother said, sounding happy that his sister was finally taking a break from work after being stuck up in her office with nothing but paperwork to keep her occupied. ʻI love you, Kay, and Iʼll see you when you get back.ʼ Nikolaus said. "I love you too, Nick. See you then." she said, hanging up the phone and putting it in her back pocket again.
She turned around and almost screamed. She clapped one hand over her mouth and the other over her chest, trying to calm herself. After she had calmed down, she removed the hand from her mouth to place it with the other on her chest. "Donʼt. Sneak up. On me." she growled.
Sherlock grinned from where he was standing at the bottom of the stairs. "Youʼre staying?" he said asked, pulling his scarf off. Kayla let out a breath and relaxed completely. "Only for about a week. Then I have to be heading back to Australia." she told him.
She felt her stomach drop when she saw sadness flash across his eyes, but was gone quicker than it had appeared. "Adlerʼs dead." he said simply. Kayla knew she looked shocked and quickly replaced it with confusion. "Whatʼd you mean?" she asked, crossing her arms.
"I may not be able to read you like I can other people, but I can hack into your phone. I saw the text message that Nikolaus sent to you that summarized your business here." he said and Kayla swore she saw smugness flash across his face. Kayla looked at him surprised. She was about to ask how heʼd gotten her phone when he answered her unasked question.
"While you were talking with Mrs. Hudson, it slipped out of your pocket and fell into my chair. I slipped it back into your pocket before you even realized it was gone." he said, smirking and starting up the stairs. Kayla let out a huff of annoyance and followed him up the stairs. "Thatʼt not fair, Sherlock, and you know it." she told him, following him into the living area of the flat.
"I never said I worked fairly, Kayla." he said, hanging his coat on the coatrack. John sat in his chair and watched the two bicker. Heʼd never seen anyone deal with Sherlock the way she was. She acted as if she knew him in a way no one else did. Maybe she does, John thought to himself. He looked down at the phone that sat in his lap. MyCroft had called and said that Sherlock wouldnʼt be himself when he got back. John assumed it was because Irene was dead. Now that John really looked at the man who heʼd lived with for some time now, he looked happier. He seemed somewhat content arguing with this woman who showed up less than two hours ago. He jumped a little when Mrs. Hudson tapped him on the shoulder.
"Come down and help me with some of this mess. Leave these two alone for a while so they can catch up" she said softly. John nodded and stood, following the old land lady downstairs.
A/N: Let me know what you guys think so far!