And then there was three; a Sherlock Fanfiction

Eighteen

Nurse Abigail Willson adored her job at the hospital. She especially loved the sense of pride and joy she experienced whenever one of her patients recovered and were released back into their normal lives. 

Today was one of those beautiful days, as the patient in room 302 was finally going home. The woman's name was Lilly Harper and Abigail had been her main nurse for the past two weeks. Lilly had been recovering steadily and was supposed to be released weeks ago, but on the fourth night of her stay she was rushed into the ICU with internal bleeding.

The bleeding set her recovery back some time, and she was forced to stay another two and a half weeks under the watchful eye of Nurse Abigail. Now the faithful nurse was carrying a small duffle bag full of Lilly's few remaining possessions and walking to the hospital lobby.

Dressed in loose pants to cover her cast and a grey t-shirt, Lilly hopped down the hospital corridor on her crutches. Faint burn scars traced her arms and legs, where they would most likely stay for the remainder of her life. The majority of her injuries were still in the process of healing, but the internal bleeding was of course stopped and she could finally get out.

Sadly, the explosion that caused all of her injuries also destroyed her apartment building and all of the possessions she had there. She wasn't complaining though, she knew that four people weren't as lucky as her and had lost not only their belongings in the mess, but their lives as well.

Lilly pushed the memories from that day to the back of her mind as she followed the nurse into the hospital lobby. And when she saw the familiar faces of Mary and John Watson, her mood brightened immediately.

"Mary, John, what are you doing here?" she asked, resting on her right crutch.

"We're picking you up," Mary said somewhat confusedly, "didn't someone tell you?"

"No, I just figured I'd be taking a cab," Lilly answered.

"Well, let's get going then," John said, nodding at Nurse Abigail and taking the duffle bag from her. Lilly thanked the nurse for everything and then followed her two friends out of the building and to their parked car.

As John threw Lilly's bag in the trunk, Mary helped her into the back seat, taking her crutches and placing them in the trunk as well. Mary sat in the passenger side and John sat in the drivers, pulling out of the parking lot swiftly.

"Are you feeling better?" Mary asked, glancing over her shoulder at the woman in the back.

Lilly nodded, "yeah, still a little sore but I'm doing good,"

An awkward silence filled the car as the three grew lost in their own thoughts. Eventually, John reached over and turned on the radio, filling the quiet void with music.

•••

The messy flat of 221B Baker Street was rather hectic that morning as Mrs. Hudson scrambled to tidy up.

"Sherlock, could you pick those books up off the floor? Lilly's on crutches remember, we don't want her falling," Mrs. Hudson said.

Sherlock let out a long dramatic sigh, but picked up the books and dropped them on the coffee table obediently. He then plopped back onto his chair and closed his eyes. He still hadn't been able to work out who had caused the the explosion that brought Lilly's home to the ground, but he was sure that it wasn't just a coincidence that it was her building.

"Oh Sherlock, they're here!" Mrs. Hudson exclaimed as the doorbell rang, "let's help them bring her stuff up,"

Sherlock rolled his eyes but got up, "it's not like she has much stuff left to bring up," he muttered.

Mrs. Hudson either didn't hear his remark or chose to ignore it. She scurried down the stairs, Sherlock following reluctantly.

Because Lilly's old flat was reduced to a pile of rubble, she was stuck rooming with Sherlock until further notice. And although she would miss her parents old home dearly, Lilly was kind of glad to have a roommate, even if it was the moody detective. Secretly, Sherlock was looking forward to the company too.

"Lilly, let me help you dear!" Mrs. Hudson said at the bottom of the stairs, pulling the door wider for her to enter.

"Thank you," Lilly said with a tight smile. John and Mary shuffled in behind her as Sherlock finally reached the bottom step of the staircase.

"Here Sherlock," Mrs. Hudson took Lilly's bag from John and shoved it in his arms, "take that for her won't you,"

Sherlock took the bag begrudgingly, his eyes giving Lilly a once over, "you look horrible,"

Lilly laughed as Mrs. Hudson gave him a smack, "wow thanks a lot, Sherlock. And they say chivalry is dead," she said jokingly.

Sherlock smiled weakly and turned to return to the flat at the top of the stairs. Lilly grabbed the railing and held both crutches in her other arm, starting up the daunting challenge.

"We can help you up, Lilly" John offered, trying to take the crutches from her grasp.

"Oh no, I'm fine," Lilly assured, "I have to learn how to get up on my own while I'm stuck in this cast,"

John nodded but watched her hobble up the stairs warily. Lilly started out hopping awkwardly but moved faster once she got in the rhythm of it. When she finally reached the last step, she was quite out of breath.

"You can stay in Sherlock's room for the time being," Mrs. Hudson told Lilly, joining her at the door, "his things are still in there but it's less stairs so I figured you wouldn't mind,"

"No, that's fine with me," Lilly said, her breathing returning to normal. She situated her crutches in her armpits and moved inside the familiar room. Sherlock was seated in his usual chair once again, Lilly's bag on the floor beside him. Their eyes met, both unsure what to say.

Finally Lilly broke the stare off by shrugging and giving Sherlock a grin, "well looks like we're roomies,"

_______________________________

Sorry about how long this one took, it was hard to get into writing this time for some reason. Also I am the queen of lame/awkward endings so I hope you're used to that by now.

BYE
M

P.S. HAVE YOU GUYS SEEN THE TRAILER FOR THE DOCTOR STRANGE MOVIE WITH BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH?!
I'm so excited.