Royalty

Chapter Fifteen: Staring Into The Darkness

I opened my eyes to the familiar sight of Baker Street. The wallpaper, still painted with that bullet-ridden smiley face.

And Sherlock, standing over me. "Speak of the devil. Astra? Astra, are you alright?"

I blinked, trying to clear my vision, which was blurry. There was light coming through the window. "When --?"

"We don't know. We got back at five-thirty in the morning. You weren't here then. We left the room, and you were here by six-thirty."

"Hospital ...? Or did he take me right away ...?" I asked, noticing my words were slurred.

"They got you in stable condition, and he took you. What happened?"

"Sherlock, she just woke up! It's eight in the morning, for heaven's sake." John's voice came from the kitchen.

I winced, and could tell Sherlock's expression softened slightly. "We should probably get you back to the hospital ... you hadn't gotten stitches yet, they weren't entirely sure the wounds were clean --"

"Sherlock, I checked her when you went to sleep, she had the stitches in."

"What? No. Her doctor specifically said she hadn't been stitched up yet."

"Well, then someone else stitched her up. Our least favorite bomber, probably."

"Why does he keep helping her? Why is avoiding doing her real harm?"

"Avoiding -- Sherlock, she might have permanent muscle damage from this! He had her shot! Twice!"

Shut up. Shut up.

"Yes, so I've heard. But then why did he call the ambulance? Why did he help finish the healing job? He's barely hurting her --"

"Sherlock, she'll hardly be able to use her arms for months! You call that avoiding real harm --"

"Shut up," I muttered softly, pain rolling through both shoulders like a fire.

"Oh, come on, John! He could have done much worse! The other snipers were on your chest and my head! But he only shot her in the shoulders, why?"

"Shut up!" I yelled. "Would you two just stop -- ah --!" I'd leaned painfully on one of my shoulders. Sherlock appeared at my side, holding a few pills.

"Painkillers. Heavy-duty. Sorry," he said quickly, handing me the pills.

I shoved the pills into my mouth without a second thought. "Thanks," I muttered. "Where's my phone?"

"Here," John said, handing it directly to me. I winced, moving it so I could look over the messages.

Nothing. I sighed in relief.

"What happened?" Sherlock asked quietly. "What did he say, exactly?"

"I -- it's -- I can't remember exactly. He had me under some sedative. Just a lot of general threats to you and John. He ... he asked how I met you guys. He didn't understand why you'd keep me around." There. Cover up the lie with a truth. And pray he couldn't see it in my eyes. I closed my eyes, sighing in relief as if tired to try and cover up any hint of my deception.

"John!" Sherlock said suddenly. "We're out of Earl Grey tea up here, could you grab some from Mrs. Hudson?"

"Uh, yeah, sure ... ?" John left, looking bewildered.

"Before he comes back, then. What are you hiding?"

"What are you talking about?" I asked, trying my best to look offended and confused at the same time.