The Science of Starting Again//Book Five

Chapter 29~ One Week, Seven Days, 168 Hours

Author Note: To be honest, this chapter may be a little triggering for those who have had to deal with any form of sexual assault. If you are triggered by this particular subject I would suggest you skip it, or at least just read the very bottom part that's cut off by this ~*~*~*~*~*~*~.
This chapter doesn't go into heavy detail about it happening- we brushed over it in the chapter before- but it does go into the effects it can have on its victims.

Third Person P.O.V

One week. Seven days. 168 hours. Greg knew how they had all gone, even if Teddy herself didn't. He had watched them go by, his expression growing more concerned as they passed. She never said a word. He didn't think she realized that New Years eve had just passed them. He didn't think she really cared.

Day one after the incident. Greg had found himself at the home of Mr and Mrs Holmes'. When Mrs Holmes had answered the door she had been surprised, unaware that there was one more guest to arrive for Christmas. Once Greg had explained who he was, though, she had welcomed him into the house enthusiastically, ushering him towards the kitchen before making him a cup of tea. Although glad for her hospitality, he couldn't help but wonder where Teddy was. When he had voiced his query to the older woman she had hesitated, looking away from him for a moment before sitting down.

"I would have thought that perhaps Mycroft would've rung you and told you everything that had occurred," Mrs Holmes had said softly, shaking her head. Greg had suddenly felt himself grow fearful, concerned for Teddy's safety.

"Tell me what? What... What happened?" he had asked, looking around the room and hoping that perhaps Teddy would show up to put his fears to bed. 

"Oh, Gregory, it was... It wasn't good," she had replied.

Mrs Holmes had told him about what happened: about the drugging and how Sherlock, John, and Teddy had left the house for Appledore. She had spoken in a hushed, tense voice, making Greg worried beyond belief. When she told him about how Sherlock had tried- and failed- to bring Charles Augustus Magnussen down via Mycroft's laptop, Greg had been shocked. He had only heard about this little case between Sherlock and Magnussen through what Teddy knew. He hadn't realized just how big it was though. When Mrs Holmes had told him that Sherlock had shot the man in the head, Greg couldn't believe it. At first he denied it, claiming that Sherlock would never have done such a thing. After further explanations, however, Greg had to accept the truth: Sherlock Holmes was a murderer. 

Now Sherlock was in custody and Mycroft was talking to people in the hopes of granting Sherlock a short sentence. John and Mary had returned home early that morning, John in a relatively bittersweet mood. From what Mrs Holmes had been told, Sherlock had killed Magnussen in an act of protection. He had wanted to save John, Mary, and Thea. Why he felt the need to save them from this man and what he was saving them from, Mrs Holmes couldn't say. 

"But he did it for a reason," she had told him. "My Sherlock wouldn't have killed a man without reason. He was only protecting his friends and family."

So that had left Teddy unaccounted for. When Greg had asked where his partner was Mrs Holmes had led him outside to a small patio. Sitting in a metal chair beneath the cloudy sky was Mr Holmes. At first glance Greg could see why a younger Teddy might've been a little afraid of her father: he was tall and thin, the type of person who's silhouette could've been used in a horror movie. However, Greg came to see the softness in his face and the worry in his eyes. Whatever man Teddy used to fear as a child was no longer there to behold.

"She doesn't speak," he had told Greg as they stood together, staring at the figure sitting on the steps a distance away. "You should've seen the state of her when Mycroft brought her and John back. She had blood all over her face- not hers, thank God- but she didn't seem aware of it. She's just... vacant. And sad. She looks very sad, Gregory. Try to talk to her if you can, get a response from her, but don't be upset if you can't."