Royalty

Chapter 34: I've Just Got One

(A/N: Hey! I think this chapter took a little longer, so I am sorry about that. I think part of it was Winter Break, and various other things, but I've also been thinking about how I want to tweak HotB for this fic.

This is probably the last of James we'll see for a little while, aside from texts, maybe one or two phone calls, I want to make sure this fic has depth in places other than the main relationship.

But I also wanted to say thank for the comments on the last chapter! It was the most I've ever had -- even if seven isn't really all that much, and even if they were all from the same person. Thanks so much, getting those notifications really just makes my day! Please do not hesitate to comment!

As always, I hope you enjoy!)

"Astra, what's wrong?"

John looks a little bit genuinely concerned. I've been dissociating hard all day. No matter how much I berate myself to focus, I just keep wandering back to James. I miss him.

But forget about it.

It's better like this.

I was barely even paying attention as Sherlock and John started actually exploring. I feigned a headache that Sherlock saw through immediately, but he was so eager to explore Baskerville, he didn't even seem to mind.

But I'm sure he's deduced enough that I'll get another speech about focusing when they get back. I keep trying to think vaguely about the case ... Some hound? Weird experiments ... Henry Knight ... I can't focus.

I keep looking at my phone, keep seeing that he keeps replying. It takes everything in me not to reply to him.

I'm sorry. - JM

Astra. - JM

Please reply. - JM

Dammit, don't make me look this desperate. - JM

Astra! - JM

But now they've returned to the rooms we got at the pub, and John was apparently worried.

"I don't know. I'm fine, it's nothing." My phone buzzes again on the nightstand. I quickly check it and swipe away the notification before John can see it or try to look at it.

Astra, please. - JM

"Who is that? They were texting you the whole way up here --"

"No one. It's no one." I put the phone facedown on the nightstand. He gives me a look, far too knowing for my comfort. I sighed. "Please, I'm trying to forget about it right now. How did Baskerville go?"

John shakes his head and sighs. "Oh, we almost got arrested, as usual." I cracked a smile at that.

"What happened?"

"Sherlock swiped Mycroft's ID to get into the base. Turns out we went there and Sherlock used the opportunity to discover that one of the doctors does some secret experiments. But then they started to realize there was a problem. Some scientist recognized us, played dumb and said Sherlock was Mycroft, and we managed to get out."

I smiled, laying back on my bed. "Well, at least you've gotten your danger fix for the day. Any plans for tonight?"

"Sherlock says he has an idea, and we're going down to Henry's house to execute it. You opposed at all?"

"No," I said with emphasis. "I need to get out and do something." I flop back on the bed as a brief silence falls over the room.

John asks hesitantly, "... Why did you stay with him for so long?"