_*_*_Sherlock_*_*_
"Nothing," Sherlock snapped stomping into Lestrade's office.
The weekend was over and everyone was back on the mysterious murder cases though Sherlock had been on it most of the time. He threw himself into a chair in front of the D.I.'s desk sulking.
Greg watched him "I told you," he said receiving a heated glare from Sherlock.
"I knew you would give up too easily," he grumbled. Sherlock had been over every shred of evidence over and over until he almost had it all memorized but nothing came back to anything on the murderer.
There were no finger prints as a matter of fact there was nothing that even suggested another besides the strange chemicals showing up in the victims' bodies.
"Sherlock there is always a few cases that go unsolved," Lestrade tried to assure but Sherlock jumped to his feet.
"Maybe for you but I will find who did this," he growled stalking from the room. Lestrade didn't understand this killer who ever it was knew that Sherlock would be working on it so they created a test. "It's a game," he told himself hailing a cab out on the street.
There has to be a connection…
Sherlock thought staring sightlessly out the window though traveling through his mind palace as he reviewed the evidence yet again,
Two murders, ages vary between 45-50, one a fight stewardess, the other a secretary, both lived alone easy targets, no criminal histories, the 1st the scene was almost spotless, while the other had excess clutter.
The process with almost tedious Sherlock was reading through the information without even looking at the papers he imagined himself looking through. At this point a distant voice broke into his thoughts, the cabbie was yelling for him to get out. Sherlock threw money at the impatient man before climbing out.
"Sherlock!" a voice called grabbing the man's attention.
Glancing over Sherlock caught sight of Nikki jogging towards him "Miss Wilson," he greeted gesturing for her to follow as they headed for the flat.
"I missed you last time," she told him getting a nod in response.
"John informed me adding you two shared a meal as well," Sherlock said she didn't look surprised.
"Interesting man your friend," Nikki commented.
Sherlock spotted a look pass over her face before it softened into a smile. "You don't like him?" he asked watching her.
Her eyes reflected the smile she wore. "That's not it at all," she protested Sherlock listened as he lead them upstairs, "He's very nice he's just…how do I put this nicely?" Nikki hummed as they came into the living room.
Sherlock watched her "Normal," she tested eyeing him. He tilted his head slightly "I would suppose anyone who hasn't worked with him would come up with that conclusion," Sherlock said knowing John was far from normal.
"I'm just curious how he…how he…stimulates you?" Nikki asked he blinked at her.
He had never thought about that question. Sherlock knew he himself were far from anything normal and that is why he had spent so much time alone in his life. Meeting John Sherlock had thought the same thing but John also had this pull on people that drew them in. Just having John admire and befriend him had been shown Sherlock that John was far from normal, he was interesting.
"He's a friend," Sherlock stated simply not really wanting to explain to her their complex relationship. Nikki looked at him intently for a moment longer before an understanding flashed in her eyes.
"So how has your case been going?" she asked changing the subject Sherlock groaned in response flopping on to the couch.
"Frustrating, I'm stuck!" he complained staring up at the papers stuck to the wall above his head. Nikki smirked at him before looking up at the wall. She stepped back centering herself to glance over the papers.
She stood rubbing her chin as she squinted staying like that for some time. "What's this sulfur and phosphorous on here about?" Nikki asked stepping over Sherlock as she stood on the couch to move some papers over.
Sherlock gripped her calves to steady her "The two victims had those in their systems," he replied watching her above him.
"That's weird," she muttered riffling through the papers reading slowly. "Are there any connections to the victims?" Nicki asked looking down at him.
"Other than the two were single and lived alone no," Sherlock answer rather enjoying the view he was getting.
"Phosphorus and sulfur together are found in matches," Nikki told him getting a curious tilt of his head, "Really?" he asked she nodded "Yes phosphorus sulfide."
Sherlock hadn't thought to look for the two forming something, especially something so mundane "Why would the killer want to put the ingredients for matches into the bodies of two women?" he scoffed.
Nikki glared down at him "I don't know Sherlock do I look like a murderer to you?" she snapped stepping off the couch.
Sherlock rolled on to his side watching her "I know the murderer is directing me in a direction but I can't see what the answer is yet," he spoke his eyes seeing more than Nikki.
She frowned at him "Are you sure the message is for you?" she asked saying something that had never crossed the man's mind.
"Who else would it be for?" Sherlock asked truly curious Nikki looked at him for a long moment before speaking,
"Your guess is as good as mine."
Get to 123 North Hempburg. This is a weird one – GL
Lestrade's text hadn't been very descriptive and he wasn't replying to any of Sherlock's messages. When the D.I. hadn't answered, Sherlock contacted John asking him to come to the flat. Within twenty minutes the doctor had arrived getting a brief overview from Sherlock before they were in a cab headed for Lestrade. When they arrives at the crime scene yarders were everywhere.
"This one is different," John mumbled eyes wide as he took in the scene. Sherlock didn't show as much surprise as the good doctor but it didn't mean he didn't agree. Inside the one story house people milled around talking amongst themselves looking very disheveled. Sherlock ignored them stalking for the area that seemed to be were the body was.
In the back bedroom Sherlock found what he was looking for though it wasn't what he was expecting. A few steps in and he could understand why everyone seemed unorganized and disturbed. The room was a mess! It was mirroring both of the first two murders. With the right side clean and spotless leaving the left to the chaotic. The woman on the bed even copied the first two women. Sherlock looked around taking in the deductions before freezing…
_*_*_John_*_*_
"You weren't kidding about this being weird Greg," the doctor commented eyeing the strange display.
"Anonymous caller called it in," Lestrade told him looking around, "It's a mess never in my life have I seen something so…I don't even know how to describe it." The D.I. sighed before wondering back out into the main part of the house leaving John to stand alone.
After a few minutes John noticed Sherlock hadn't moved from his position "Sherlock you alright?" he asked moving towards his friend. As he stepped closer he saw that the taller man was visibly shaking "Sherlock?" John said moving around to face the man.
Sherlock's eyes were wide and staring a look of pure panic on his face "I don't understand," he breathed John felt worry wash through him in a wave.
"What do you mean?" he asked watching the battle going on through Sherlock.
"It's all the same John, there's nothing here." He spoke his voice on the edge of hysteria.
Never in all the time of knowing the consulting detective had John ever seen him react this way. Coming closer John reached out gripping the taller man's shoulders.
"Breathe Sherlock," he ordered Sherlock gently but the man didn't seem to hear the doctor "Sherlock!" John snapped watching his friend focus his eyes on him, "Breathe and calm down," John spoke softly Sherlock stared at him a long moment before taking an audible breath.
"Greg," John called glancing at the door behind Sherlock dropping his hands from his friend.
Lestrade came back in as if expecting a report "Sherlock's not feeling well so I'm going to take him home. We'll stop by the yard tomorrow." John told the D.I. Greg glanced over at Sherlock concern on his face.
"You alright Sherlock?" he asked moving closer. Sherlock was still struck by the scene and didn't answer.
John eyed his friend "He needs to eat and sleep, it will do him some good," he assured.
Greg nodded though looking worried still. "You go get some rest Sherlock and we'll talk tomorrow," The D.I. said patting Sherlock's arm before going back into the main part of the house.
"Come on Sherlock," John coaxed gripping Sherlock's arm drawing him from the room. Moving through the house John continued navigating them feeling every eye on them.
And you were trying not to seem gay to them,
A small voice mocked but John ignored it more concerned about Sherlock right now.
Out on the street they caught a cab reaching 221B not long after. John led Sherlock up the stairs to the flat glancing back at him every now and then. Sherlock's face looked ten years older and exhausted.
Once in the door Sherlock spoke "I'm sorry John," he muttered quietly still shaking, "That has never happened to me before. I don't know what came over me." Uneasily John pulled the man's coat off hanging it up by the door following it with his own.
"Why don't you still down I'll make us some tea?" John suggested smiling encouragingly. Sherlock looked at him managing a weak smile.
Moving into the kitchen John glanced to see Sherlock following him instead of sitting. The doctor didn't complain, knowing that Sherlock was in a strange state and didn't want him to shut down completely. The task of tea making took John's mind off the matter for a few minutes. When two cups were filled with steaming auburn liquid, John picked them up and headed for the living room with Sherlock close behind.
"Sit," John said nodding towards Sherlock's chair.
The lanky man walked forward slumping in his chair and took the cup John handed him in both hands. Sitting in his chair John watched Sherlock for some minutes "Sherlock," the doctor spoke, "Drink it will help you relax," he ordered keeping his eyes on the man until he drank.
"Thank you John," Sherlock murmured. John saw that the consulting detective did indeed look much better the shaking had ceased replaced by unsteadiness and his face still looked worn.
Sighing John set his cup down on the coffee table and stood, holding out a hand "Come on," he said Sherlock glanced at his hand then at his face before setting his own cup down and took the offered hand. John pulled him from the living room heading for Sherlock's room.
Opening the bedroom door, John dropped Sherlock's hand the doctor pulled off his shoes before plopping down on the mattress, propping himself up against the headboard. Glancing up he saw Sherlock lingering in the doorway looking uncertain as he watched.
"Come here," John smiled patting the empty space next to him. Sherlock looked at the space as if about to protest but he stepped forward none the less slowly making his way around the bed.
Sitting down on the edge, he looked at John with a look the doctor had never seen John smirked. "Come on lay down," he encouraged. Sherlock's eyes darted around before focusing on John again. Sherlock crawled across the bed a bit coming to a stop on the pillow next to John and flattened his body to the mattress.
John watched his friend seeing the taller man's body was stiff with tension so John pulled him closer so his head rested in John's lap. "Just relax," John murmured starting to run his fingers slowly through Sherlock's hair messaging his scalp.
Some time passed both men remained silent though not an uncomfortable sort or quiet. Sherlock finally sank down tension flowing from his body and released a heavy sigh.
"Better?" John asked enjoying the feel of Sherlock's hair between his fingers.
He rotated in the John's lap disrupting his hands to look up "It's not unpleasant," he confessed John could still see Sherlock's brain working vigorously in his eyes. John smiled softly bringing his finger's to Sherlock's hair again and began messaging. Closing his eyes John let out his own sigh and relaxed against the bed.
It was sometime before John heard Sherlock breath even out indicating he had finally drifted off. Cracking an eye John glanced down at the younger man. He looked extremely peaceful for once and he just couldn't help but watch. John himself didn't feel tired and he was happy enough to let the other man rest.
How did it come to this?
He asked himself with a small smile. Here he was with his best friend in his lap and the only worry John had was if Sherlock was comfortable enough. John hadn't stopped his messaging of the detective's hair not sure if he wanted to stop.
A soft knock made John aware of another presence looking up John found Mary in the doorway. Seeing her, his stomach dropped and his mind began racing he had forgotten to call her.
"The door was unlocked," she whispered moving closer glancing at Sherlock with a smile.
John panicked for words feeling shame wash through him "I'm sorry I should have called you," he breathed but Mary waved his apology away.
"I know you are busy," she spoke quietly looking far from upset.
They sat in silence for a while, Mary watched Sherlock fondly and John stared at her. She sighed looking up at him "Are you happy John?" Mary asked. Her question caught John off guard and he couldn't really understand "Are you happy with him?" she repeated sitting down on the bed near him.
John looked down at Sherlock's face in his lap only thinking "Yes," he replied, "But I'm happy with you too," he added quickly a pit growing in his stomach.
Mary's smile widened "I know but," she said throwing a quick glance at the other man, "I'm not him," John's heart fell hearing what she was saying. He wanted to go to her but he didn't want to disturb Sherlock in the process.
"I don't want you to be him," John said softly.
Sherlock grumbled shifting and one of his hands gripped John's leg. John and Mary watched him staying quiet until he settled back down.
Mary smirked "How can I compete with that?' she joked dryly John was at a loss for words, "John, I know you want to do right by me and I know you do you me but Sherlock," Mary paused her eyes became sad, "You belong right here without me," John felt his breath hitch in his throat as he listened, "I want you to be happy and you're the happiest by his side." She looked down at her finger. The engagement ring gleamed dully in the light of the lamp on the night stand.
Mary slowly pulled it off "I was good for you when Sherlock was gone," she spoke her eyes on the little silver ring. Bringing her eyes back to John's she held it out to him. He felt numb as he shakily held up his hand realizing silent tears were rolling down her face.
"I would have married you," John found himself saying. Mary dropped the ring in his waiting hand, her fingers brushed his palm. She gave him a weak smile not bothering to wipe up the tears.
"I know," Mary said sounding upset for the first time, "John you are a good man and brave and noble and you need to be here for Sherlock," she moved forward to embrace him. "I love you John Watson," Mary spoke in his ear her voice broken with quiet sobs.
"And I love you," John told her squeezing her as best as he could.
Before they broke apart Mary brushed a kiss to his cheek John watched as she wiped a few tears from her face. "Take your time in picking up your stuff from the house. I'm going to go visit my family for a few weeks." Mary said as she stood.
"Will you be alright?" John asked feeling naïve.
She gave him a watery smile "Yes I think I will be," she answered sincerely.
Mary looked at him a moment longer before looking at Sherlock her eyes softened and she smiled "Goodbye John," she spoke though kept looking at the sleeping man, "Goodnight Sherlock sleep well," she added before turning and left without another look.
John felt surreal he couldn't help but feel guilt and shame.
I should have tried…
It wouldn't have worked.
But I should have made any effort.
She wouldn't have stayed
John was at war with himself coming closer and closer to the conclusion that with Sherlock back in his life there was no room for anyone else. John couldn't understand how he had forgotten that. Before Sherlock's Fall John hadn't been able to keep any serious relationships because he had understood. John still couldn't help but feel a little sick. Mary didn't deserve this she was too good, too gentle.
I'm no good
John felt no tears prickle in his eyes. Sighing feeling exhaustion and misery John set the ring on the night stand, turning the light off, and lay his head back. Minutes passed before he was asleep.