[Johnlock/Mystrade] Tears in rain

Chapter 14

May 2027 London Seventh year of the end of the Great Purge

Mycroft eventually gained control of the royals in favour of Moriarty, and the sleek assistant minister quickly switched sides and returned to bowing and scraping to Mycroft. Mycroft decided not to intervene; sure enough, the man was a bother, but he had some skills and may be useful. He had learned his lesson and would at least behave himself for a few years, pending the day when the prince inherited the throne and had his wings fully fledged.

There were still years to go. Mycroft was in no hurry.

Sherlock, on the other hand, could concentrate on getting rid of Irene.

He smiled as he told Irene what he had deduced. Irene was surprised by John and Sherlock's odd association, but she couldn't help but feel awful for John.

In all honesty, she admired John, even revered, perhaps.

She saw his true self before Sherlock did, and she was bowled over. She knew John deserved a better man.

"So, Sherlock, dear, what would you like me to do?"

"Well, I owe John a lot, and I'd like to make amends. Lest he refuses to see me, I would like you to be my lobbyist and offer him this gift." Sherlock was so sincere.

"Is that all?" She smirked, her eyes twinkling in amusement.

"Yes, Your Honour." Sherlock smiled broadly.

The so-called "gift" is evidence of last year's chaos at London Station, which John, with his cynicism, will send to the police at the earliest opportunity. Her Grace, the charming and gracious Earl of Adler, would have to flee the kingdom in shame. And Irene, who has brought shame to the family, will be banished.

Sherlock took a graceful sip of tea and leisurely watched the monitor.

John raised his eyebrows slightly at Irene, a little surprised that she'd come to see him alone.

"I've heard things, Doctor,"A rare touch of light make-up on Irene's face suggested her genuineness. "I've had quite a few dealings with that Mr. Holmes the younger, and he's not deserving of what you've done for him."

"You must be confused, Doctor," Irene continued calmly, "I was born into a large family, my grandfather was a gloomy, brooding man who trusted no one. I was raised to be a schemer and a manipulator. The same may be said for Sherlock Holmes, who has never been human because he is a member of an elite family and a member of the affluent and privileged. But you, Doctor, are not like us; you are a good man."

Irene probably wouldn't have expected to say such words ten minutes earlier, given that she had come to offer John a gift as per the bet. But the instant she saw John, she realized that if she could do one nice thing in her life, it would be now, and so the words came out of her mouth in an entirely different way.

This whim of kindness saved Irene's life, but that was an afterthought.

"You see, Sherlock has sent me to deliver you a gift, but it is entirely up to you whether or not you wish to open it." Irene set the package on the table.

They had no idea that the man behind the curtain had been watching everything in the restaurant through the camera.

Sherlock wasn't even annoyed, he was surprised, he hadn't considered that Irene would turn on him, and for reasons of goodwill, the kind of goodwill Sherlock never thought he'd see in that woman.

John thanked Irene, she shook her head. "May I ask you a question, Doctor?"

John acquiesced.