Annie was picking up the papers scattered all over her desk when a colleague came to warn her about John's presence outside the building.
"He said he wanted to check on you" the other journalist shrugged, "I told him to come up, but he refused"
"Right then, I'll go and see him"
"If you can... give him my number" the older woman hopefully gave her a piece of paper with a big red lipstick imprint of her painted lips.
"Sure" Annie replied with an uncertain smile.
She rushed out of the building as soon as coat and scarf were wrapped securely around her, wondering why a complete stranger was so interested in her well-being.
If her experience with Sherlock was anything to go by, then John would surely ask an answer to their offer. Slowing down a bit as the parking lot came into her visual, the woman lost all interest in whatever the pair had to say.
John Watson seemed a decent man despite Sherlock's company, but she still had no interest in joining their long list of informants.
As she joined the man on the curb, Annie realised he was alone for the first time ever since they met.
Maybe it was the absence of the tall and cold companion, but the doctor seemed less suspicious.
"Miss Harrison, good morning. How are you?"
"Better, thank you. I never had occasion to express my gratitude for what you did at the funeral" she smiled at him, "Please, give my thanks to Mr Holmes too"
"Don't mention it. It was the right thing to do in that moment and I hope you won't find me nosy if I ask you what are your intentions for the future" John watched as the woman toyed with her scarf, sadness returning in her Hazel eyes.
"I suppose it's too early to say I'll surely move on, but soon or later it will happen and Percy will be a fond memory. It's scary how much dependent on someone you can become only to be stranded as soon as this person leaves"
"I was a soldier. I can understand what you mean... and that is why I decided to warn you before Sherlock can trample all over your feelings"
Annie watched him with interest John fidgeting on the spot, suddenly interested in the dirty curb.
"Something happened?"
"Sherlock solved your case and asked me to bring you to him as soon as you're ready"
"Well then, lead the way" she shrugged, looking around for a cab.
"Just one more thing. Even if he comes out as an ass, he really wouldn't hurt anyone willingly"
The woman was really curious now, wondering what John's words meant and why Sherlock didn't come out himself with the solution.
The detective couldn't resist showing off in front of everyone, so it was a bit strange for her to be called in his flat privately.
They spent the trip to Baker Street in silence as John's worry grew up as soon as the familiar building came in sight.
Mrs Hudson greeted them politely and told them Sherlock and Mycroft were waiting for them.
"Mycroft too?" John asked, "When...?"
"Just a couple of minutes after you left. I suppose Sherlock called him"
Annie followed John upstairs where the Holmes brothers were in uncomfortable silence.
"Miss Harrison, please sit down" Mycroft greeted her, offering his chair - or rather John's.
"Please, I'm here only to hear your brother's conclusions, Mr Holmes. As soon as we've done here, I have to go back to work"
"I took the liberty of warning your boss of your absence this afternoon. You'll thank me" he commented as Sherlock glared at him.
"As usual you think yourself above the others, making decisions for them" John scolded the older Holmes.
"I have no desire of hearing you two bickering" Sherlock snapped, "All of you, sit down. You too, Miss Annie"
The young woman took a seat on the couch beside John and forced the brothers to come closer, leaving the comfortable chairs beside the fireplace.
"As he was investigating on your fiance's death, my brother was also trying to retrieve an important document Mr Phelps was keeping safe for the government"
"When Mycroft told me about it, I thought it was the reason why the killer attacked him, but the room was a mess and the evidence still untouched. Clearly it was a surprise for our man to find Mr Phelps in the office and when they saw each other, the only thing to do was obvious"
"I checked his body. Anderson said his troath had been cut and the killer was behind Phelps, but it turns out he got it wrong" John placed a comforting hand on her shoulder as Annie paled.
"He had been recognized, so panicking he barely noticed what he had done. And I guess he knew of your presence out of the door, because he cleaned up and disappeared leaving a potential witness unscathed"
"Do you know why he did it, Miss Harrison?" Mycroft asked.
Annie trembled violently against John's hold on her shoulders when she attempted to stand up and almost fainted.
"Even if he was the source of your pain, he couldn't bear to harm his little sister" Sherlock concluded, "I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry"
And then, as everything was swimming in front of her eyes, Annie finally collapsed.
A pair of cold hand grabbed her from the waist and helped John guiding her to the couch.
"... sorry"
...
"It went well" Mycroft commented, ready to leave the flat, "I'm sure she will cooperate with us in apprehending her brother"
"Leave the poor girl alone for today, Mycroft" John replied, "We'll let you know if she agrees"
"Don't waste too much time, little brother. If Harrison manages to sell the treaty, a catastrophical international incident will happen"
Sherlock sat in front of Annie's unconscious body and frowned at how pale she seemed even in that moment.
Surely it couldn't be healthy so much stress.
"What we do now, Sherlock" John sighed, "The government already declared it treason and Joseph will probably end in some remote prison. She will never move on from something like this"
Sherlock didn't reply as he wondered what she would do.
Mycroft was a nosy pompous ass, but he couldn't imagine himself in her shoes. To see a sibling being accused of murder would be shocking for anyone.
"Maybe she will accept my offer and your friendship, John"
It would be a good distraction from her boring routine.