The Science of Starting Again//Book Five

Chapter 28~ The Things We Do For Love

Third Person P.O.V

She didn't look up when he arrived. Her laughter had died down into little hiccups now and vigorously she wiped at her cheeks. She didn't want him to see her as she really was: a broken, beaten mess. When he sat down next to her she didn't flinch. She had been expecting it, and more. He had won, after all, and now it was time for him to claim his prizes, the first one being her.

"It's really, truly unfortunate, all of this," Magnussen said. Teddy didn't take her eyes away from the sky, instead letting herself become lost in its dark blue colour. "The fact that you became caught up in this is quite unfair. You never even took the case."

"Oh, well," Teddy found herself saying, her sarcastic streak getting the better of her. "It's to be expected. Life is, after all, unfair. And you know what? It's been awhile since something unfair has happened to me. This just serves as a reminder to never get your hopes up and to always remember that you're a slave to the disappointment that is your life."

"You should put that on a t-shirt," Magnussen replied. Teddy was aware of how close he was sitting next to her now. When he took her hand in his she tried not to jump at the clammy contact.

"I..." Teddy swallowed, taking a moment to still her mind. "I think you know what I'm about to ask you."

"And what's that?" he replied, his thumb rubbing across her hand softly. In the back of her mind Teddy couldn't help but think about John and how he always used to do that to her whenever she was anxious. With a shudder Teddy turned to face the man who was threatening everyone she loved.

"Please," she said softly, trying to find some kind of human emotion in those dead eyes of his. "Please. If you let us go, if you let us leave, then we'll never bother you again. We can pretend like this never happened. I promise, if you let us go we'll forget the whole thing. Just... just don't do this. Not to my boys, not to me, just... please."

Magnussen smiled, a wide-toothed grin that made Teddy think of a shark. He gripped her hands tightly.

"I think I like you begging, Miss Holmes," he said, helping her to her feet. The pair stood there, Magnussen cupping Teddy's cheek while the woman fought the urge to run. She knew there was no point in running, not unless he gave her permission to do so.

"I have another offer for you, Miss Holmes," he spoke as he walked towards the side of his patio. "I have told you in the past that you intrigue me. I do enjoy the way you look, and I just love how Mycroft Holmes cares for you, his tortured little sister. So I'll give you this lifeline: I won't let your brother or his funny little friend go... but I'll let you go. You can return to your silver-haired boyfriend and whatever life it is you have, so long as you come and visit every once and awhile."

Teddy felt a cold shiver run down her spine, and although she had expected this she still couldn't keep the disgust at bay. She shook her head, pulling herself away from him and taking a step back. 

"No. I won't. Not that," she replied, glaring at him in anger. He didn't seem disturbed by her fiery glare, continuing to stare at her with an unblinking gaze.

"The thing is, Miss Holmes: you don't get to decide," he said, a smile on his face. "I was lenient in the hospital, but I did warn you, didn't I?"

"I'm not a plaything."

"I don't care what you are. All that matters is that you're Mycroft Holmes' sister, and I'd love to see him squirm with the idea of you being around here more often for my own personal use," Magnussen replied, a delighted gleam in his eyes. Teddy felt like she was going to throw up and she had to turn away from him to get her stomach under control. She felt his hands grip her shoulders, felt him press himself against her back, his lips far too close to her ear and cheek.