In Love With a Consulting Detective

Chapter 1: Doubts

The fire is softly crackling in the fireplace. It's been quiet here for almost two months. He left a while ago, for just another workday. I had a surprise for him that morning but he was in a rush to get out the door. I remember him saying, "tell me tonight, love. I'll be back sometime soon..." I'm used to him saying this but two months isn't like him. Especially when he hasn't called. I've called his cell numerous times but it runs straight to voicemail. I'm worried. Does he know? Did he run because he didn't want to be a father? No. I brush these thoughts aside.

"He's my husband; he loves me. There's no need to worry." I look down at my stomach even though I'm not showing quite yet. I get up from the soft blue loveseat and walk into the kitchen. I make myself tea then lean against the counter, thinking. I see my phone next to me. I haven't checked it since the last time I called him. I subconsciously unlock my phone as my thoughts distract me. I snap back to reality to see that I have one notification for my voicemail. I open it and it was from him. He sent it the day I last saw him two months ago. How did I miss that?

I dial my voicemail shakily. "You have one unheard message." I roll my eyes as I grip my cup trying to calm my anxiety. There's a pause. "First message." Another pause. Really? Come on. "Becca?" I can hear his voice shaking and it scared me to no end. I've never heard him like this. "Darling, I need you to promise me something." Another silence. He sighs. "I need you to.." He stops because his voice breaks and I know he's going to cry. Tears sting my eyes as my worry level skyrockets. "I've run into trouble...as usual. But whatever you do, please do NOT attempt to find me. I...I don't want you hurt. I will be fine. I'm trying to find a way out of this mess." Classic Sherlock...I wonder what he tangled himself with this time. Moriarty is always at his throat or mine. "I'm coming back to you, Becca. I promise..." Another silence and I realize he's crying as I let my tears roll down my cheeks silently. "...I promise I'll do whatever it takes to get back to you. I'm not giving up on you. I...I..." There's a muffled sound in the background. "Alright...just please give me a minute...thank you...Becca, I love you...always..." There's a sound almost like his phone is being thrown and then nothing.

I set my phone on the countertop and just stare at it while tears continue to roll down my cheeks. He's in danger. REAL danger if my life is threatened as well. I know I'm not supposed to go after him, but he's always in danger ninety-eight percent of the time. We're a team. I look down at my stomach. "Alright baby, we have to go save Daddy." What's strange is he wouldn't tell me to stay home...he never has before. I regain control of my emotions and call John. It rings twice before he answers sleepily, "Hello?"

"John, it's Becca." I grab my cup of tea and walk back into the sitting room.

"I know Becca, what's wrong?" He yawns, giving me the sign that he's half-awake. I'll use this to my advantage.

"Nothing. Everything is fine...I was just wondering if you could tell me where Sherlock is." He sighs but doesn't tell me he doesn't know like he normally would.

"He was with Lestrade...told me yesterday Moriarty took him hostage, that I needed to keep you safe because Moriarty is trying to get him to say where you are. We're going to get him tomorrow while Lestrade and I trick you into staying with Molly and..." Pause. "...wait a sec. Becca listen to me." At this point, I have already written everything he said down and was just grabbing my shoes. "Becca don't. It's a trap."

"I have to John."

"Let Lestrade and I handle this...go get some sleep and so help you, if you step foot out of your flat you will be very sorry. Understood?"

"As clear as crystal..." I sigh and sink into the loveseat, my abandoned tea on the coffee table.

"I'll stop by tomorrow morning with Lestrade to check in on you. I know you're worried. We are too. I promise everything's alright."

"Okay...goodnight John."

"G'night Becca." The phone clicks, ending the call. I curl up and watch the fire dance as I drift off to sleep.