Chapter Ten

Two Months Later

Third Person POV

Kayla groaned and rolled over in bed when the light from outside decided to invade her room. Just as she was about to fall back to sleep, there was an obnoxious knocking on her door. "Go away, Sherlock! It's my day off!" she called, burying her face in her pillow in attempt to drown out everything. But, ignoring her as usual, her door opened and Sherlock came in anyway. "Everyday is practically your day off. Anyway, I'd like your assistance." he said as his voice came closer, stopping when he was front of her.

"Forget it. I'm tired and if you don't leave I'll shoot you." she threatened, still refusing to open her eyes. She felt the bed dip and then something brush on her shoulder. Opening her eyes, she was a little more than surprised to find Sherlock hovering over her, his eyes transfixed on her headboard. "What the hell are you doing?" she questioned, her mind still hazy from sleep. Sherlock didn't answer her, but a moment later, he sat up holding the gun she kept under her pillow.

"Now I don't have to worry about pestering you." he said and stood up. Kayla groaned and sat up. "How did you know I kept it under my pillow?" she asked, glaring up at the man next to her bed. "Well, it was either under your pillow or in your nightstand drawer." he answered with a grin. Kayla rolled her eyes and dropped back onto the bed. "What could you possibly want my help with?" she asked, running a hand down her face. "Lestrade called this morning." was the only she got.

With another roll of her eyes, she threw the comforter off and got up. "Get out." she said, taking her gun from his hands. Sherlock looked confused for a moment and Kayla chuckled. "Unless you'd like to join me in the shower, I suggest you leave and give me half an hour to get ready." she said, laughing when Sherlock blushed and cleared his throat. "Yes. Right. I'll be upstairs." he said before rushing out of her room, shutting the door behind him.

Kayla shook her head and went to put her gun back under her pillow before heading into the en suite bathroom. She wouldn't say she was paranoid...but she was paranoid. She was always worried about someone finding out she was here with John and Sherlock. Afraid that something might happen to her boys if someone found out she was at Baker Street. So she took precautions. Kept a gun on her at all times, made sure she was never followed home, never took the same route home twice in a row, and made sure the boys were aware of what was going on and to make sure they took precautions as well.

Half an hour later, she went upstairs in only a pair of jeans and a sweater. "Good morning, boys." she greeted and both looked to her. She could see Sherlock's mind working, but she couldn't tell what he was thinking. John smiled as he walked into the living area. "Coffee?" he offered, handing her a cup. "Dr. Watson, I love you." she said gratefully, taking the offered cup and taking a sip. Perfect. Two and a half sugars and extra cream. Exact same way she liked her tea. "Thank you, John. Just the way I like it." she said, going over to sit at the desk. "So, what's this case Greg wants us to check out?" she asked, cradling her coffee.

"A body washed up on shore. No possible way of identifying him." Sherlock answered simply, staring off into space like he normally did when thinking about a case. "So, why do you need my help?" she asked again, honestly confused why he needed her. "John has to work and you're the only other person I trust to go with me." he stated simply before getting up and grabbing his coat off the rack. "So, since John can't go, I get stuck going instead?" she asked and Sherlock grinned at her. "If you'd like to put it that way, yes." he said and then disappeared down the stairs.

"You owe me big time." Kayla said, glaring at the doctor sitting in his chair and downed the last of her coffee before grabbing her coat off the rack as well and following after Sherlock.

Walking outside, she found him waiting for her inside a cab. Sliding in next to Sherlock, he grinned at her. "What?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at him in question. "Blue is lovely color on you." he said and she rolled her eyes. "If you think you're going to flatter me into forgiving you, you've got another thing coming." she said, crossing her arms and Sherlock chuckled. "Was worth a try." he said, but there was something in his eyes that didn't seem quite right.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

When they arrived, they were greeted by Greg. He gave Kayla a welcoming, but confused smile. "Wasn't expecting you, Ms. Rines. Not that I don't appreciate seeing you here. Who better to keep Sherlock in line?" he laughed, shaking her hand. "Well, let's just say I might've gotten tricked into coming." she joked, shooting Sherlock a glare. He only shrugged and looked around the scene. "Where's the body?" he asked, impatient to get started.

Greg lead the two over to where they'd dragged the body out of the water and far enough away that the waves no longer reached it.

Now she understood why they couldn't identify him. He had no face and his fingers were gone. "Someone didn't want us to find out who he was. No face recognition, no fingerprints, and the body's been drained dry and embalmed. All we can do now is a tissue sample, but even that's sketchy depending how long he's been in the salt water." Greg explained. There was a long pause while they left Sherlock to do what he did best and minutes later, he turned back to the other two.

"Government official. Might want to check and see who hasn't been going to meetings in the past week." he stated simply and was about to walk away when Kayla grabbed him arm, forcing him to stay where he was. "Government official? But no one's been missing." Greg said, more than confused by Sherlock's deduction. There was a pause for a moment and then Kayla spoke up. "Has anyone gone on vacation or been away on business as of late?" she asked, narrowing things down.

"Well, politicians are in and out all the time, but I'm sure we can find if anyone hasn't been seen in a while. We'll ask around and see who hasn't checked in in the past week." Greg said and Kayla nodded. "Glad we could help." she smiled before looking to Sherlock. He looked at her and sighed. "As always...I'm glad I could help." he said and Kayla had to stifle a chuckle at how phony he sounded. Greg gave them both odd looks and said his goodbyes when someone called him over.

As they walked back to the main road, Kayla looked to Sherlock. "You're getting better." she said and Sherlock looked down at her in question. "Your people skills are improving nicely." she specified and Sherlock nodded, a small grin formed. "How about lunch?" Kayla asked as Sherlock hailed a cab. "Lunch sounds wonderful." he said and they got into the cab. "Angelo's?" Sherlock asked and she gave him a pointed look. "Do you really need to ask?" she chuckled and Sherlock grinned.

"No, but I thought it would be a nice gesture rather than do it anyway." he said and Kayla smiled at him. "I was right. Your people skills are growing quite nicely." she said, linking her arm with his.

A/N: I know. I'm terrible for not updating in forever. Technically I shouldn't have updated today. I should've (should be) been working on homework, but, as usual, I said fuck it and here we are. I hope you aren't too upset with me. If it makes it any better, things are going to be getting more serious between Kayla and Sherlock soon. Anyway, again, I'm so sorry for not updating and please don't forget to leave a review.