"The fastest way to a man's heart is by tearing a hole through his rib cage. "
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Beth laughed, taking James's hand in hers, "That was amazing! Did you see the look on Sherlock's face-"
James laughed as well. "He was so surprised."
"And John had a near heart attack!" Beth added in.
James gave her a rough, passionate kiss, "You were perfect, Bee."
"I really was good? I didn't oversell my role?"
He embraced her, and held her in his arms. She had never messed up in her job. Never did oversell it. Yet part of Beth's brain always kept telling her the opposite. Her husband knew that. She was still a confident, clever, capable woman. But when she got insecure, he always made it a point to hold her. He had found out a few months ago that doing this allowed her to hear his steady heartbeat. He had also found out that it soothed her.
"You never oversell it. Now, come on. Let's go home. I'll make your favorite for dinner."
"Really?" She gave a smile.
"Really." He verified.
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When John and Sherlock got back to their flat, it had started with silence. They had moved around the flat, silently. Dusting for anything that Beth would have left a fingerprint on. If they found anything, then they would give it to D.I. Lestrade. Or maybe Molly Hooper.
Either way, they only found a few fingerprints on a glass she had used. Besides that, nothing. It was as if she had never even existed.
Sherlock could remember the last time she had been in this flat. It had only been about a week or two ago. They had paced around together until midnight. Sherlock had been feverishly belting out a tune on his violin. Beth had been gently moving around the flat while making a soft whisper melt out of her flute. They had shared their racing thoughts to each other at 2 AM. Drank tea together at 3. He had loved that night.
His heart shattered a little bit more when he remembered that she had been acting through every second of it.
The next step was to spread the news.
Ultimately, it had been John's idea entirely.
They had called Lestrade first about it. He, of course, had been devastated. He had liked her as an employee and a friend. He had expressed his surprise, before hanging up to inform Scotland Yard that if they saw anyone that matched Beth's appearance, they could arrest her on sight.
Molly was next. Her reply was a mix of surprised gasps and her own statements of disbelief.
The rest of the calls were the same. Sherlock hated every moment of it. They hadn't had to see her in the flesh. Hear her voice. It had sounded.... Different. Slightly different accent. A slight difference in pitch. Just enough for it to be noticeable. Her movements and gestures had been different. Instead of her original relaxed stance and clumsy yet knowing movements, she had stood as if there had been a broom taped against her back. Her footsteps had been from the heel to the toe. Yet she hadn't been in the military. No. It had come from years of needing to be confident in order to trick people. And she looked most confident while in a military stance.
Oh god. Her eyes had been so different too. When he had first met her months ago, her eyes had been sweet and kind. A little calculating. As if ready to spring on any opportunity to help someone.
Not it was completely different.
Her eyes had been absolutely wild. Feral. Ready to find a target to slaughter. To please James.
It was John who roused him from his thoughts. Gave him tea. Calmed him down.
John would never double cross him.
That was the only thought that Sherlock hanged on to.
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HIIIII
Long time no see!
What do you think of the chapter?
I'm trying to add a tad bit of angst to every chapter to warm you guys up for the last few chapters, so tell me if it's not very well written.
See you guys next chapter! Love ya'll!