Promises Series

Promise of Home - My Disaster

The title of this chapter is "My Disaster" by Seether.

A/N: Hi again! I'll try to post every Saturday and Wednesday now. Please remember my warnings, okay? I don't want to trigger anyone.

Sherlock slept for a few hours that night. It was more than he needed, actually. But he wanted to be well-rested when he talked to Mycroft the next morning. It was bound to be a busy day. After his meeting with Mycroft, Sherlock was to return to London immediately. He'd have to tell everyone he wasn't actually dead. Lestrade, Mrs. Hudson, Molly. John. He'd have to tell John.

He had to deal with the girl on top of all that, too.

Sherlock definitely wasn't going to keep her around; she had no use. Even if she wasn't useless, there weren't enough bedrooms in Baker Street for the three of them to live comfortably. Unless, of course, developments between him and John arose.

But it's too late for that, Sherlock thought.

John would be furious with him when he showed up. If he'd had any romantic feelings for Sherlock before he disappeared, they were surely gone now. In two years, John would've moved on. Just because Sherlock's feelings never wavered, didn't mean John's were particularly sturdy to begin with. That was, if John had any feelings for Sherlock.

Sherlock supposed he could send Julia to boarding school if he couldn't find anyone for her to live with. She'd be out of their hair for most of the year, and when she did come back for break, Sherlock could sleep on the couch.

He was still thinking when he followed Julia to the café downstairs. She walked right up to the cashier and started talking with him.

"Hey, Paulos," she said. "This is my uncle. I told you about him this morning."

"Hello, pretty girl," he slurred in a terrible accent. "Are you here for lunch?"

"Yep. Whaddaya got for us, Paulos?" She smiled and leaned on the counter.

"Anything you want," he replied, grinning.

Sherlock wanted to be sick, but he watched Julia more closely. Her smile didn't reach her eyes. She'd crossed her arms, closing him off. Julia picked out two sandwiches and bags of crisps, a hot chocolate, and tea.

"Oh," she said, knitting her brow, "how much do you think it'll be?" She glanced at Sherlock and back at the boy, fidgeting with her shirt sleeves. Paulos looked over too. He smiled knowingly, and for what should've cost at least twenty euros, they were charged ten.

Sherlock was impressed, but he didn't let it show. If she was trying to prove herself, she didn't need to.

"Thanks a million, Paulos," Julia said, winking. Paulos blushed and waved as they made their way out of the café. Julia's smile disappeared as soon as Paulos was out of sight. Sherlock glanced at her thoughtfully.

"Why did you do that?"

"He likes me. He thinks I like him. I got us free food. We leave today. No harm done."

"I suppose. You didn't even ask him to lower the price. I'd say I was impressed..."

"But?"

"I can do better."

"I dare you to go downstairs and flirt with Paulos until he gives you free sandwiches," Julia laughed. "He doesn't like you. It'll be tougher, but I'm sure you could do it."

"If it were an adult my age, it would be fair," Sherlock replied. "I used to flatter Molly to get into the morgue at Bart's. It's incredibly easy."