Mortar & Stone: an Elementary fanfiction

Chapter 1

"I'm going out Sherlock." Watson clicked down the stairs in black heels and a blue silk dress which at once both clung and flowed over her lithe form. She picked up her jacket, hovering by the coat rack.

Sherlock sat by the fire, tome in hand, "Is it a potential beau?" He pretended to read, not looking up.

She gave him that 'I'm trying to tolerate you right now' look. "Yes, Sherlock, it is a date."

"Of course, you wouldn't be wearing Issey Miyake if it weren't, would you? You only wear that scent on those particular occasions you are hoping to 'get lucky', to use the vernacular," he couldn't help raising his eyes to see her reaction. "Well then, you have my blessing Watson. Go, be free, expend all that sexual tension. I think you might need it."

"I wasn't asking for permission."

"You have it nonetheless. I'm sure I don't need to lecture you on protection." He picked up his book once again.

She flared her nostrils and grabbed her handbag. "You know, despite what you may believe, Sherlock, I do not need your blessing before every date."

"Really? I was of the impression you were looking for an 'out'."

"That is ridiculous." She didn't look at him as she threw it over one shoulder, flicking her hair over the strap.

"Well then, why aren't you leaving?"

"Already gone." She said, slamming the door behind her. She failed to notice Holmes' clenched fists as her heels clacked down the front steps and out into the New York night.

He knew what this was: punishment. Earlier in the day he had made the mistake of acknowledging a café girl's seductive smile. He should have known by now that Watson picked up on things that most people would not.

"Do you know her?" She had asked, as they left the café, coffees in hand.

"In the biblical sense? Yes. We met on Thursday."

"Last week? But we were working all day, where did you find-"

"You went out to get takeaway."

She stopped walking. "How is that even possible? I was gone for 10 minutes."

"Ample time Watson, when you know what you want and how to get it. App technology is quite remarkable."

She scoffed, but continued walking again. "You know, there is such a thing as replacing one addiction for another, Sherlock."

This time, it was Sherlock who stopped. "Don't worry Joan," he said acerbically, "if I ever find my life spiralling out of control once more, I'm sure you'll be the first to notice." He left her standing there and walked, to her great dismay, back into the coffee shop.

She shouldn't have said it, she knew. It was a low blow, but it got her every time; just how casual he could be about it. As if it never mattered, as if the thought of it ever being a meaningful act was alien to him.

"Joan, are you with me?" Tom tilted his head, his kind blue eyes ever-inquiring.

"Oh, sorry, thinking about work." She tried to shake Sherlock out of her mind. This was her night, in the company of the most charming, genuine man she had met in a very long time. She wouldn't let the other, emotionally distant, man in her life ruin it.

"So when am I going to meet the big boss?" He asked.

"Partner," She corrected.

"My mistake," He grinned. "Will I ever meet the amazing Sherlock Holmes? I'd like to see how he ticks."