Royalty

Chapter 28: Look At You, All Happy. It's Not Decent

(A/N:

Am I publishing at 2:39 a.m.? 

Yeeeeeeess.

Are we going to talk about why I'm publishing at 2:39 a.m.?

Noooo.

In any case, this chapter is a little bit shorter, but I still hope you enjoy it! I actually wrote it in one whole sitting, which I'm pretty proud of. 

Feel free to leave comments or feedback, and as always,

I hope you enjoy!)

John's POV:

This is the fourth time we've been over the pavement between the station and Scotland Yard, and people are starting to stare. Especially when Sherlock laid on the road to get an eye level view.

I'm casting my mind around for some excuse that will get both geniuses out of here. They haven't found anything other than – surprise, surprise – cement and concrete. But they keep looking.

"Sherlock, Astra –" I tried. But they both cut me off with a vague handwave, and a hissed 'shh –'. I sighed, glancing at my watch. It was almost one thirty. I wondered somewhere in the back of mind how long it would take for them to realize how ridiculous this was.

They hadn't found anything, or they had and would realize it later, they'd remember all of this anyway. If the two would let me talk, we might actually get to where they left the girl's phone.

But mostly, I'm starting to get hungry, and Astra didn't even have breakfast. She's looking pale too, from the combination of her cough and lack of food. She needs some rest.

I tried again. "You two –" they cut me off again, but I kept going nonetheless, " – need to let it go." My reward was an eye roll from Sherlock and pained reluctance from Astra as she stood up straight, stretching her back for the first time in ten minutes. I handed her her now-empty water bottle.

She rubbed her forehead, wincing slightly as she had to use her injured arm. "Sherlock, I think he might be right. This is getting nowhere and it's just making us more frustrated." A heavy sigh from Sherlock, but finally he turned away from the stretch of road as well.

"Then what next? The police station for her phone, or the alley where they found her phone –"

"Neither," I interrupted firmly. A look of confusion from both of them. "Sherlock, you can do what you like, but Astra needs food, and at least some kind of rest. And I'm getting hungry, too."

Astra waves me off. "John, I'm fi ..." her voice trails off as she suddenly closes her eyes and sways slightly on her feet. Her eyes snap open and she shakes her head vigorously. "I'm fine."

"No, no you're not. You need some lunch, doctor's orders. Sherlock, you can keep going if you feel up to it, but the two of us are getting lunch."

His eyes flicker between the two of us and the police station as he weighs putting the case on hold or being without any ... companionship. He finally sighs softly. "Very well. I'll keep in touch if I find anything. You two stay in the area at least?"

I nod, surprised slightly at his willingness. Even Astra argued against it. "Fine. We'll call when we're done."

He nods and turns on his heel without another word, heading towards Scotland Yard. I sighed, glancing back at Astra, who still looks like she wants to follow him. But she relents, staying where she is as he disappears from view.

"Do you know anywhere around here?" I asked hesitantly. She shakes her head, coughing slightly and frowning at her water bottle.

"I need more water," she says, her voice slightly hoarser than normal.