As you can see we are now heading into Scandal in Belgravia! Thank you Ariane DeVere for your amazing transcripts of each episode, all of us writers would be lost without you!
Standard disclaimer applies-All main characters, plots to Conan Doyle, Gatiss and Moffat respectively except for Caitlin. She is mine. (:
Over the course of the next few weeks many people continued to arrive at 221B in hopes that Sherlock would take their case. Caitlin would drift in and out, sometimes coming down from upstairs where she had started to work once more. Other times it would be when she was arriving back from running errands. She lost count of how many times she had passed angry/crying/frustrated people fleeing the flat. Her least favorite way to encounter possible clients was when she would stumble out of bed in the morning to see a full living room. After the first couple of times she quickly learned to be dressed before stepping into the kitchen.
After their latest case had been solved Caitlin, Sherlock and John were finally spending a quiet evening together. Well...at least trying to. Caitlin was curled up on the couch reading as John was updating his blog. All was quiet until,
"Geek Interpreter. What's that?"
Glancing to see Sherlock hovering over his shoulder John sighed.
"It's the title."
With a roll of his eyes Sherlock huffed.
"What's it need a title for?"
Meeting Caitlin's eyes with a tight smile and receiving a sympathetic one in return John just continued typing as Sherlock walked away. Shaking her head lightly Caitlin reached her hand out to get Sherlock's attention. Walking over with an annoyed look Sherlock threw himself unceremoniously onto the couch and lay back so his head rested in Caitlin's lap. Lightly running her fingers through his curls with one hand and continuing to hold her book with the other Caitlin smiled softly when she saw Sherlock's eyes close. She could feel and see him visibly relax so she just continued her ministrations as silence filled the flat once more, only interrupted now and then by the clicking of John's keyboard or the rustling of a page being turned in her book.
–
A couple of hours later Sherlock was up once more, this time seated at his own laptop. John had disappeared out on another date so Caitlin decided to pause in her reading. Stretching her arms over her head, she let out a content sigh when she stood and rolled her neck. Walking to the window Caitlin watched the hustle and bustle of the city below, cars and people passing by each in their own little world. Glancing over to see Sherlock still lost in his work, mumbling something under his breath every now and then Caitlin decided she would fix something to eat for the two of them. Now that she lived here Caitlin was a lot better at keeping the fridge stocked than the two men. Opening the refrigerator door, Caitlin was careful to avoid certain drawers that she knew held some new and no doubt disgusting experiment Sherlock was working on. Focusing on the food items in front of her Caitlin came to a decision quickly. Pulling out the needed items she set them on the counter before pulling out all the necessary pots and pans. Turning the oven on she got to work. It was almost like a dance the way she moved around the kitchen and soon she started to hum as she moved from one task to the other, completely unaware that she was being watched.
It had taken a few minutes but Sherlock had finally come out of his trance as the soft sounds of dishes clinking reached his ears. Looking up from his laptop a small grin formed as he watched Caitlin hum as she cooked, completely lost n her own world. Caitlin. Her arrival months ago had completely upended his life. Sherlock used to think sentiment was a weakness. In several cases, it was. But for him, with her...he didn't know how to explain it. All he knew was that he loved her. Hearing a timer go off Sherlock watched as Caitlin pulled a pan out of the oven, instantly making the flat smell amazing. Standing he walked into the kitchen and leaned against the door frame watching as she turned off a couple of pans on the stove top. As she dumped the contents of one of the pans into a mixing bowl Sherlock lightly cleared his throat to let Caitlin know he was there lest he startle her and cause her to burn herself. When she turned her head and smiled at him Sherlock walked over to stand beside her. Pushing a strand of hair softly behind her ear he asked.
"Need any help?"
Reaching up to cup his cheek for a moment Caitlin gave Sherlock a small smile.
"No everything is almost ready. Why don't you go clear the table for us?"
Dipping his head Sherlock gave her soft kiss before heading back to the living room to clear some space at the table. Once he finished he headed to the bathroom to clean up a little.
Quickly finishing the mashed potatoes she had been preparing Caitlin prepared plates for both herself and Sherlock and headed to the table. Making one more trip to the kitchen to grab drinks for them and making sure nothing else was needed she set everything down before taking a seat.
Once Sherlock exited the bathroom he came and took a seat next to Caitlin. Knowing he wasn't one for idle chit chat Caitlin just smiled before she exclaimed.
"Dig in!"
–
After an enjoyable dinner, where Sherlock surprised Caitlin by trying to participate in the small talk he so despised and she quickly told him with a chuckle that it was ok, he didn't need to, Caitlin was putting away the leftovers and Sherlock was in his chair currently far away in his mind palace. Once the kitchen was clean, Caitlin glanced at the clock and was slightly surprised to find how late it was. Yawning slightly she walked over to stand behind Sherlocks chair. Leaning down Caitlin loosely draped her arms over his shoulders. Resting her chin on his left shoulder she murmured.
"I'm going to bed. Don't stay up too late."
When all she got was a 'Mmm' in return Caitlin pressed a light kiss to his cheek before standing upright once more and headed to the bedroom.
–
Caitlin's eyelids fluttered slightly when she felt the mattress depress slightly. Blinking slowly she turned her head. Voice thick with sleep she murmured,
"Sherlock?"
Feeling a familiar arm wrap around her Caitlin heard a familiar baritone reply quietly.
"Go back to sleep. Goodnight love."
Turning her head back she snuggled down into the pillow and felt Sherlock's thumb lightly brush her arm.
"G'night Sherlock."
