Royalty

Chapter 30: There Is Nothing Wrong With Me

(A/N: Proper apologies are at the end, this is just to let you know that this is an extra-long chapter (Like, six thousand words extra-long) to kinda try and make up for it, so, in the words of Professor Minerva McGonagall, this is not something "you can accomplish with your minds on dinner" ... or elsewhere)

Astra's POV:

I pull the black dress out of its packaging again. It really is a gorgeous gown ... I sighed. It was five-thirty, I needed to start getting ready. 

I glanced around the lab at St. Bart's. Sherlock and John were sitting on the opposite side of the room, talking about something. I kept the dress out of sight under the table, but Molly still noticed as she walked by.

"Ooh. You have a date tonight?"

I flushed at the suggestion of a date. But I couldn't exactly tell her I was overseeing an illegal handoff for her psycho ex-boyfriend. "Sort of, I guess. I don't suppose you keep makeup or hair things here?" She smiles. She's such a sweet woman.

"Actually, I do. Here's the key to my locker, number three, the room's on the second floor, north end of the hallway. You can use anything you find in there, I don't get much use out of it anyway."

I took the key, surprised but grateful. "Can I just use any bathroom?"

"You'll want to use the one on the fourth floor. Not as many people." I nodded. That sounded best. She said something else which I missed.

"Sorry?"

"Well, if it's not impertinent ... Who's the lucky guy?" My voice catches in my throat slightly. 

Number one, again,  I don't exactly classify this as a date. Number two, I really don't want to be the one to explain that I'm working for the consulting criminal who just so happens to be her ex. 

Techincally her ex.

"No one really important. Someone from work. His, uh, his name's James."

"James ..." she said thoughtfully. "I've always liked that name."

Me too, I realized suddenly, before pushing the thought as far from me as I could. "Thanks for the supplies," I said gratefully, packing the dress away again and standing with the small key. "I have to be ready by seven, so I should really get ready. He's the type to be early."

"Well," she smiles sincerely, almost mischievously actually, "Have a good time." I nodded in acknowledgement before following her directions down to the second floor and then up to the fourth.

I grabbed only the basics from her small locker, the last thing I wanted was for the Irish bastard to think I was dressing up for him.

As I changed into the dress and curled my hair, I thought about what I was doing. Was this a date? Well, no ... Not exactly. I was supposed to oversee a handoff for Moriarty's network. It was unclear whether it was one of his crimes or one of his clients' crimes, but that never mattered much.

Did he say it was a masquerade ball? I hoped he had masks, because I wasn't really sure how to get my hands on one before he got here. Actually, did he even know to come here? We'd planned on Baker Street, but then the fire ...

I sent a quick text.

I'm at St. Bart's, so you know. - AF

I know you are. - JM

Just making sure, stalker. - AF

He didn't answer after that, so I figured he was probably busy. Usually, he answered my texts quite quickly and it took a lot of nagging to get him to stop texting me.