─ damage, s.h.

TWENTY-SIX

REAL LIFE

"So Rachel, how are you feeling about your upcoming nomination tonight?" Rachel took a deep breath.

"Honestly, I still can't believe it! I feel like someone's just going to come up to me and tell me to go home!" The interviewer chuckled, looking back to her cue cards. "But honestly I'm so grateful that I've made it to this point, and there's nowhere else I'd rather be."

"Might that be not only down to the award, but due to a certain Jack Harper?" Rachel frowned for a minute, but then laughed.

"I was so confused, god! Um, well yes actually! I definitely wouldn't be here if it weren't for Sherlock and I wouldn't trade him for the world. He helped me through some annoying moments where I doubted my work and he's been super supportive. So yes, I'd say he's one of the reasons I'm so happy right now."

"So you met on the set of Phoenix and Spectrum, do you think you'll be working together on the second movie which was announced just a few days ago?"

"Yes! Most definitely. They offered me my previous job, and I accepted in a heartbeat. I can't wait to not only work with Sherlock again, but also with the whole crew and the remaining and new cast. I'm excited to see how I can develop their characters through the clothing and really dig my nails into the project." The interviewer nodded her head and smiled.

"Well thank you for taking some time to answer my questions, and we're all rooting for you!"

"Thank you very much, have a nice evening!" Rachel was ushered away, finding Sherlock waiting for her a little way down the carpet.

"How did it go?" Sherlock asked as she approached him.

"Wow, I mean, it's an experience. Considering I knew little to nothing about what to do, I think I might have done alright?"

"You were great, I'm sure. Come on," He started, holding out his hand. "We'd better socialise." Rachel burst out laughing. "What?"

"The way you said it - it's not suicide!" He rolled his eyes.

"Might as well be."

"Lovely to see you haven't changed since I first met you." She joked.

"Were you expecting me to?"

"Absolutely not."

XXX

Sherlock and Rachel made their way around the main hall, speaking to some of the other guests before they were required to take their seats. Rachel had by now convinced herself that she was in no way going to win the award, so instead she focused her excitement on Sherlock, who she was sure would win.

Somehow, she wasn't surprised that Sherlock had settled into acting so easily, and it was even less surprising that he'd excelled in his role. She knew he'd already had some more offers through, and after his delightful conversation with his older brother, Rachel knew that he was likely to take one of them. That, paired with the second Phoenix and Spectrum movie meant he was fully booked work wise until at least August 2022.

However, Rachel did feel a little bad for her boyfriend. She knew her sympathy would fall on deaf ears, but she was worried that Sherlock's old friends locking him out after such a big change had taken a toll on him. Then again, he seemed to be thriving in his new environment, despite their absence. She knew as long as they weren't going to cause any trouble for him, she was happy to leave it be.