The Science of Deduction Does Not Extend to Relationships

Chapter 7: Surprises Suck

            “So Sherlock was right about you then,” I stated dully, causing the woman standing above me to smile in a sickeningly sweet fashion.  I stared into the face of Irene Adler, the woman Sherlock had been tailing earlier today (or was it yesterday?), and the reason we had fought.  Oh the fight seemed so mundane and childish now, looking back at it.  “What is it you want from me anyway?”

            “Nothing for now, but in a little bit you’re going to make a phone call to a certain consulting detective and then we’ll sit back and see what happens.”  She checked her watch before continuing.  “But not for a little while.  Our boy’s probably sound asleep without a care in the world.”  I laughed a little at this.  “What, pray tell, is so funny?” Irene snapped at me.

            “Well,” I explained, smiling up at her in a sort or challenge, “if you knew anything about Sherlock, you’d know two things: one, he hardly ever sleeps when he’s working on a case, and two, Sherlock is never without a care in the world.”

            “Doesn’t really matter, anyway.  You’re going to make the call in half an hour,” she shrugged and stomped out in her designer heels.  When she was gone I buried my head in my arms and started to cry.  How had I gotten involved in all this?  I hadn’t even seen or talked to Sherlock in roughly twelve years and I was going to die because he’s such a great goddamn detective!

            Despite all of this, I couldn’t stay angry at him.  The more I thought about it, the less afraid I was of the situation.  Sherlock had never once let me down when I was in trouble and had always done what he thought was best for me (even if that meant ignoring me for twelve years).  So that had to mean he wouldn’t let me die like this; no, Sherlock would save me.

            With this, Irene Adler stormed back into to room with a cell phone and paper in hand.  She thrust both into my hand.  “Sherlock’s number’s on the top of the page.  Follow the script there, say that and only that.”  As I dialed, she cocked a revolver and put it up to the side of my head.  Okay, so whatever I had said before, I was now terrified.  After what felt like hours, I heard someone pick up, though he or she did not speak.

            “Hello…Sh-sherlock?” I stammered, my voice betraying my faith in Sherlock, but hey, guns pointed at one’s head tend to have that effect on a person.

            I heard a soft exhale, like the person at the other end had been holding their breath.  “Lills, you’re alright,” I heard Sherlock’s voice and gave a relieved giggle.  Typical Sherlock: never asking direct questions about your emotions, always a statement or observation.  This was the Sherlock I knew and loved; this is the Sherlock I know can save me.

            I took a deep breath, put on a brave face and started, “Define alright,” okay, so clearly I was braver than I was feeling because that was most definitely NOT part of the script I had been given. 

            “By alright I meant satisfactory, unharmed…”

            “Sherlock, I know what you meant, I was trying to lighten the mood,” I cut him off.  “Well anyway, you have two options Sherlock.  I’m going to send you both the address where I am and the address where Moriarty is staying.  You can either go after him or come save me, not both.  Don’t send John to the other location and don’t call Scotland Yard or Mycroft.  If you do any of these things, the people here are going to kill me.  They have eyes on you, so they’ll know if you even try breaking their rules.  It isn’t a trap, either.  Whichever you choose, they won’t try killing you when you show up.  He says it’s all just part of the dance.  You have one hour.  I hope to see you soon.”  Before Sherlock could respond I hung up, tears now running down my face.  It was honestly a miracle I had held it together and kept my voice from shaking until after hanging up.  Adler took the phone and texted both addresses to the number she had had me call and put her revolver away, laughing. 

            “Since you’ve been such a good girl, I’ve got a surprise for you.” 

            Turns out, Irene Adler’s surprises suck: surprise, surprise.  Some big guy wheeled in a television and turned it on.  What I saw on the screen made me want to cry all over again.  It was Sherlock and John’s flat.  John seemed to have collapsed in the armchair in complete and utter shock and Sherlock was pacing back and forth, deep in thought.  “We have to go after her, you know,” John stated simply and I smiled. 

            “Well I know, but…” That but crushed everything in me.  I had thought Sherlock was going to protect me.  He always had, no matter what.  John seemed to share my opinion.

            “Sherlock, there are NO buts,” he demanded in disbelief.  “We go to get Lilly.”

            “John,” Sherlock reasoned, “it may be our only chance to catch Moriarty.”  John couldn’t think of anything to say to this, he was so shocked by Sherlock.  He marched into Sherlock’s room, the detective following close behind.  The camera switched to a view of Sherlock’s room.

            “Is giving that up worth it, Sherlock?  The only friend you’ve ever had.  Is giving her up worth it?” He asked, pointing to the pictures of Sherlock and me.

            Sherlock picked up the one of me teaching him to ride a bike and smiled slightly.  “You’re right,” was all he said before racing out of the flat.  The next twenty minutes were the longest of my life.  I sat where I was in utter shock that Sherlock had seriously toyed with the possibility of letting me die in order to catch Moriarty.  Finally, finally, I heard what I’d been waiting for.

            “Cozy, are we?”  That deep dulcet voice had never sounded so wonderful to me.

            “Sherlock!” I called before jumping up and running over to him and John, the latter hugging me protectively.

            “Go on, take her.  We’ve got what we wanted,” Irene Adler said nonchalantly from her chair, waving her hand lazily.  Without another word, John, Sherlock and I walked out of the warehouse and to the cab Sherlock had asked to wait out front.  

Sorry again for the time between updates, but I have now officially applied to seven colleges as an English major!  Even used Sherlock Holmes for my Common App essay for six of those schools.<3 But enough about me and my life, hope you continue to enjoy my story!  This picture is THE Irene Adler dun dun dun!!