Title: Starting Over

Author: Pompey

Universe: Elementary

Rating: PG

Warnings: spoilers for series finale episode

Word count: 431

Summary: After years working together and years working apart, Joan and Sherlock start over.

Prompt: July 14 – word list: zealous, jumpy, savor, group, tender, yielding, crib, strive, dull, equal

Having just placed Arthur into his crib for a nap, it was time for Joan to indulge in a long-delayed lunch. Yielding to an equally long-delayed craving, she arranged the frozen, breaded chicken pieces out into a somewhat neat group in the air fryer and let it go.

The air fryer was not silent but it wasn't loud enough to cover the faint sounds of someone not only picking her front door's lock but also manipulating the safety chain. Immediately Joan shut the door to Arthur's room, grabbed her gun, and aimed it at the door.

Sherlock Holmes stared down the barrel of the gun that was held a few feet from his face. "Motherhood has made you jumpy."

Joan lowered the gun and clicked the safety back on. "And for good reason. Actually, several good reasons. All of which you already know." She skirted around him to relock and relatch the door.

"Yes. Just as you know first-hand how the life of a consulting detective can be simultaneously dull and dangerous, yet you've adopted a child," Holmes said quietly.

"I'm wasn't about to let my job interfere with what I wanted in my personal life," Joan snapped. "If that means taking some extra precautions to keep my son safe, then I'll take those extra precautions."

"Zealously," Holmes agreed. "That's not a criticism," he added quickly, seeing Joan's ire increase. "I admire it. I admire you, how you took stock of all of your goals and then took steps to achieve them in a way that harmonizes and balances them. I strive to be like you."

Joan didn't bother trying to repress a smile that proved how touched she was. "Well," she replied, "we can work on that together, now that you're back. If you wanted to, I mean."

"Have we come full circle, then? We met because I needed a sober companion to help get my life 'back on track.' Now that I've relapsed . . ."

"No," Joan interrupted. "This time we're starting out as equals, as partners and friends. That means we work in tandem. One person's strengths compliment the other's weak areas. For both of us."

Now it was Holmes's turn to look touched. Whatever he was planning to say, however, was derailed by an electronic ding coming from the kitchen. "What was that?" he demanded suspiciously.

Joan entered the kitchen and let herself savor the scent of the freshly cooked chicken. "Air fryer," she called over her shoulder. She walked into the kitchen and pulled out the fryer basket to offer it to Holmes. "Chicken tender?"