Here's another little chapter! Hopefully it will help clear up any questions that you had about the last one. The next might help too, but I'm still hammering out some rocky patches, so this will have to tide you over for now.
-SSB
Caitlin sat quietly before placing some flowers on the headstone in front of her. A tear rolled down her cheek as she rested her hand on the cold marble. It was definitely not a coincidence. A year ago today, she'd lost Abby. Now, she had lost her boss. Closing her eyes, tears flowed as she whispered,
"I'm so sorry Abs."
Her eyes shot open when she heard a voice.
"I knew when you said she went home that you didn't mean back to Texas."
Not saying anything in return, Caitlin looked away from the man who now stood beside her.
"When you began to talk about your family on the day we met, I noticed that when you told us about her your lip quivered, your voice wavered, and-"
"Sherlock just stop. I don't need this right now ok? It's the anniversary of my sister's death and I just wanted to be alone for a few minutes and visit her in peace. Please, just go away."
Turning away from him again, Caitlin continued to sit, choosing to ignore him. Pausing for a moment, Sherlock had opened his mouth to say something, but thought better of it and walked away to give Caitlin some privacy.
After a few minutes, Caitlin stood and taking one last look, began to walk away from the grave. Noticing that Sherlock was still there waiting under a tree a ways away, Caitlin walked up to him. A deafening silence enveloped the two until Caitlin asked quietly,
"What are you doing here?"
"Lestrade said you went home. You weren't there, so I figured you might be here."
Quirking a tiny smile, Caitlin thought it was sweet that he seemed to be concerned about her. As the two started to walk, they were quiet for awhile until Sherlock stated,
"I know he's after you. The person who killed your boss also killed your sister, didn't he?"
Nodding, Caitlin responded,
"Yes. Now he's after me."
"He won't get you."
Caitlin looked up to meet Sherlock's piercing gaze.
"No more walks alone though. Agreed?"
Grinning a little, Caitlin just murmured,
"Agreed."
Caitlin sat in Sherlock's flat sipping at a cup of tea. Glancing up to find two sets of eyes looking at her, she sighed.
"What?"
"Aren't you going to tell us what you obviously did not tell Lestrade?"
Caitlin just glared at Sherlock's smug face, before giving in and starting her story.
"Last year my sister Abby was murdered. The killer was never found. He was very careful and no matter how far or how deep they delved, the police couldn't find any trace of him."
As she took another sip, Sherlock motioned for her to continue.
"There had been similar killings in other countries but after Abby's he literally seemed to disappear. I know he's toying with me. He's trying to get me unsettled by killing someone close to me, and on the one year anniversary of Abby's death no less."
"Do you know why he's after you?"
Hearing John's question, Caitlin looked to the window for a moment, trying to keep her emotions in check.
"I don't know John. I don't know why he's singled my family out. Why he's singled me out."
Leaning back, Sherlock settled his chin on his folded hands. A serial killer, hmm? Lovely. As he obviously had blocked the other two out once Caitlin had finished her tale, John just rolled his eyes and stood to take the cups to the kitchen.
"Why don't you stay here tonight? We can order take away."
"Really John? You sure that's not an imposition?"
"Of course not," John smiled before sitting next to her. "Besides, I don't want you to have to be alone after a day like today. Neither does he I'm sure."
Motioning to Sherlock with his head he called out,
"Am I right Sherlock?"
"Hmmm? Oh yes sure, lovely," Sherlock mumbled, completely oblivious.
Snorting in amusement at Sherlock as John just looked to the heavens as if he were praying to hold on to his sanity, Caitlin stood.
Alright if you insist. Thank you John, just let me just grab some things from upstairs and I'll be right back."
Before she had even reached the door, Sherlock jumped up exclaiming,
"That's it!"
John and Caitlin stared at the other man before Caitlin asked,
"What?"
Throwing on his jacket, Sherlock made for the door saying,
"I'm off to the lab."
"What about dinner?"
In response to John's query, Sherlock shouted up the stairs,
"Digestion slows me down, you know that John!"