The Science of Starting Again//Book Five

Chapter 11~ On Each Other's Team

Lestrade's P.O.V

We were driving down the desolate road, eyes peeled for the car Sherlock had told us to look for. After locking down the reception area Sherlock had texted both Teddy and I details on what we were to do next. Those details were to give chase on the photographer.

"Why the photographer?" I asked as we drove, still confused as to what was going on. Teddy smiled coyly, staring out the window and watching the scenery pass us by. "What does he have to do with all this- this craziness?"

"I'll leave you to your deductions," she replied, obviously gleeful about my confusion. I groaned, making Teddy chuckle in amusement.

"Come on, Teddy. You know something and you're not telling me."

"Oh no, I'm not gonna tell you," she teased, looking at me. "You're smart enough to figure this one out, Lestrade. Just give it a little time."

I rolled my eyes before focusing back on the road. The sun was beginning to set now, streaks of blue and orange blending into one. By the time Teddy and I returned to the reception it would surely be dark. The party woud just be getting started. Mary and John would have had their first dance together as man and wife...

I frowned, my mind venturing into dark territory. I found myself remembering my own wedding day from so many years ago. It had been large and lavish, all for Esme's enjoyment. She wanted a big wedding to celebrate the big day. I wouldn't have minded a small wedding, in all honesty, but at the time I would've done anything for her. She was sexy and smart and seductive, a woman that wasn't meant for me, really. She was too sexy, more cunning-like a snake- and so seductive it wasn't just me she worked her magic on. During our nearly decade long marriage she had cheated on me three times, the last being with the P.E teacher from the school she worked at. It was strange thinking about her now and comparing her to the woman I had first fallen in love with. I should've realized then that she wasn't good for me.

Casper, however... She was great. A far better partner than Esme ever was. There were times where I imagined us getting married. I always pictured it in my head whenever we were talking: our wedding would've been in Athens where we had met. It would've been small but still very beautiful. And afterwards, a few years later, we would have kids. It would've been perfect. She would've moved to London and we would've brought a house together. Our children would've been raised in a happy home where I would still work at Scotland Yard and Casper would continue doing her photography on the side. Maybe there would've been a dog.

Of course, none of this would ever happen now. She was dead and I was here, forty-two, old, alone, done for. There was an unlikely chance of me ever finding love again.

And yet...

"Do you remember the day we met?" Teddy suddenly asked, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"Uh, yeah, yeah. It was when the bombs started, and those presents."

"Mmm," Teddy hummed, staring out the window and lifting one finger to the glass. She tapped on her reflection lightly before replying. "This reminds me of all the times we would have to do a raid or a car chase or head to a crime scene. You remember that?"

"Yeah, of course," I replied with a smile. I would've added every single one, however nerves caught me just before I could add it on. "I- um, I remember. You would always turn the radio on to some kind of upbeat, rock and roll channel to set the mood."

"It helped get the blood pumping," Teddy said. "Life needs a soundtrack. Makes it seem better, more interesting."

"Those songs really were quite good," I mused, making Teddy chuckle.