The Muse

In which Sherlock is revealed both something and nothing

The woman was walking down the street, heading to her destination. It was a pleasant day out, and nothing much was going on. She wore her little black dress that day, and a blunt shade of dark red lipstick, as she had decided that she wanted to look especially dangerous for the job. Not anything mentally triggering. She had wanted to look fierce, but not so fierce as to give everything away. Alas, she had a terrible habit of always doing just that. "In either case", thought Irene to herself with a smirk, "It's always nice to get back in the game, isn't it?"

Just then she crossed the street, deftly sauntered up to Sherlock's apartment, and called his extension on the intercom. A very annoyed voice picked up

"Who is it now?" whined Sherlock.

"Hello Mr. Holmes. Mind if you let me in?"

"Ah, so it's you. The mysterious girl with the phone sex hotline. It was very clever, I must admit. Finding out the exact coordinates of where I live and who I am and all that? You know, I'm really a bit impressed that you'd go to such lengths to stalk me"

"Thank you, Mr. Holmes, for that" she felt a bit of a rush to hear him speak, to hear his choice of words seeping in. Then she checking herself, she added very matter-of-factly, "I'll be letting myself in. I have a key, you know". She hung up the intercom just as she heard a loud "You WHAT?!" on the other end.

She had, indeed, let herself in. Sherlock was sitting on his chair apprehensively, twitching nervously. A look of shock came on his face as she put in the key and entered the flat, swiftly and silently. "You're....you're the girl I saw in the coffee shop the other day! The one weeping into the phone booth!" "Oh, you liked that?" Irene added proudly. "It was just a bit of acting to get your attention. I know you always go for the damsel in distress. Although I must say, the last time you fell for it the consequences were much more damning." "What on earth are you talking about?" "Well, I can't very well put it down gently. And I can't spend five minutes trying to explain." Her voice suddenly took a very serious tone. "I honestly don't know how I am going to explain. But it's got to happen. Do you understand me? I have got to make you understand."

Sherlock didn't understand.