His Doctor~

Chapter 47

Jo-Ann scrounged through the dirt with vigor, ducking her head every time another explosion went off. Her heart raced at the rush of adrenaline she received from it but couldn't enjoy it like she usually did. Frustration flooded her as she tried to salvage what she could from the important and currently burning documents she and Sherlock had yet to memorize. She could hear the commotion creeping up on her like the fire was eating away the edges of paper. She was starting to burn her hands as she patted the fire out with a too-thin cloth and pick up what she could. She was dirty, hurt, and almost going deaf with gunfire nearby.

And where the hell was Sherlock?!

"Run run run run run!" Sherlock suddenly grabbed her from behind and pulled her to her feet, fully dressed in the locals' clothing and already running.

"The papers!" Jo-Ann yelled and the detective immediately responded by setting them on fire again.

"Done! Let's go!" he pulled her arm and ran away with her as the gunfire started chasing their feet.

They ran for about an hour, until their legs couldn't take it anymore and gave up. Sherlock was first to collapse, and Jo-Ann tried to help him up, but failed to. They found a secluded spot in the forest where a rock protruded from a hill, tangled in vines. Jo-Ann helped Sherlock sit down, her own legs shaking a bit as her lungs burned. Sherlock panted and refused water when she tried to give it.

"You first." He breathed. Jo-Ann quickly took a sip before giving it back, not too prideful to reject his offer in this case.

"We lost some of the documents." She said between to pants and sat back. "We didn't have time to... memorize them all."

"I'm aware of that." Sherlock nodded a bit and tried catching his breath. "But we couldn't stay and... they couldn't get a hold of them."

"They're catching up Sher." Jo-Ann shook her head a bit, still getting used to her pixie cut hair. The shorter her hair, the longer she could go without getting grabbed. "We're running out of time."

"I know." He sighed and laid down completely. "It's past Mycroft's predicted life expectancy."

"I think that translates to 'thank you for saving my arse, Jo-Ann'." The doctor chuckled a bit and laid beside him, finally breathing.

"Perhaps it does. Or 'Mycroft is really bad at estimating'." Sherlock smirked and turned over, gently rubbing her side. Jo-Ann laughed quietly and nodded.

"It probably means both." She smiled at him with love and held his hand for a bit. "Now, look at what you've done. You've made me forget we're in a war."

"That can be dangerous, you shouldn't get so distracted." He smiled and sat up. "I can take the first watch."

"Nuh uh, you stay here." She pulled him back to lay down and got up. "If anybody's gonna make it through the night it better be the genius."

"Oh enough of that!" Sherlock groaned and smacked her butt. "You know you have your own value." Jo-Ann smiled and nodded.

"I know. I just like to hear you say it." She smiled and went to the edge of their little sanctuary. "Just in case it's the last time." She added quietly and knew Sherlock would hear anyway. Sherlock himself could see how much closer they had become due to the constant fear of death looming above their heads. If they did make it out alive, they would never be the same; if one of them didn't... It wouldn't be long before the other gave up. 

"Jo-Ann." Sherlock sat up, thinking in depth about what he was about to propose. Jo-Ann hummed and turned a bit to show she was listening, but kept her eyes out to look for their enemy. The detective took a breath and gulped at the same time. "Maybe... since we probably don't have long..." he trailed off a bit.