Consulting Pineapples (Psychlock)

Chapter Eleven--Gone

Sherlock had been bored before, but this was beyond boredom. He had a case, and he couldn’t solve it until later. It was unbelievably frustrating, and it was all he could do not to break something. He sighed for what seemed like the millionth time that day and then looked around for anything to do. Nothing. Quickly, he threw on his coat and walked out of the flat, trying to think of someone interesting, but not working or being the single most annoying person on the planet. He smiled when he thought of a solution and hailed a cab.

    “Saint Bart’s, please.” He said, making an effort to be polite.

Shawn walked into his hotel room, bracing himself for the stream of admonishments he knew was coming. He closed his eyes, opened the door, and…

    Nothing.

    Everything was still in the same place. The note hadn’t been moved. Shawn couldn’t believe it. “He’s not even awake yet! Ha!” He sighed with relief and went to sit down. He’d wait for Gus before going down to breakfast.

    About twenty minutes later, Gus emerged from his own room. “Someone’s up early.”

    “Well...I don’t know. I just woke up. Jet lag, maybe?” Shawn grinned and mentally crossed his fingers.

    Gus raised an eyebrow but had no further comment. “Breakfast?”

    “Sure. Sounds delicious.”

    They walked downstairs to the hotel buffet, where Lassiter was already eating at a table. They each got their food before walking over to where he was sitting.

    “Mind if we sit here? Thanks, Lassie.” Shawn sat down before the other man could say anything. Gus rolled his eyes but followed suit. “Doing anything today?”

    “It’s Tuesday,” Lassiter grumbled.

    “Ah, yes. Tuesday.” Shawn frowned. “Oh! Yes! Tuesday!”

    Lassiter rolled his eyes. “Oh, Spencer.”

    “What?”

    “Nothing. By the way, someone’s here to see you.” Lassiter jerked his head back in the direction of the lobby.

    Shawn frowned. Sherlock wouldn’t be here, would he? “Thanks,” he told Lassiter. He walked to the lobby and was about to go up to the desk when his hand was grabbed from behind.

    “Hello, Shawn.” The voice was very, very familiar.

    Shawn whirled around. Of course! Juliet! “Jules! What are you doing here?” He grinned. “Not that I’m complaining or anything.”

    She laughed and hugged him. “Vacation.”

    “Wonderful!” he said, unable to stop grinning. “Fantastic!”

    “It is, isn’t it? You can show me all around London!”

    “Well…” he said, pausing to look around. “I haven’t seen all that much of London. Except for a courthouse.”

    Jules raised an eyebrow. “I don’t think I want to know.”

    “Probably not, no,” Shawn agreed. “Anyway...breakfast?”

    She laughed again and took his hand. “Breakfast.”

Molly was at her desk, facing away from the door as Sherlock walked in almost silently, poking her shoulder to get her attention.

    She jumped and accidentally tossed her pen as she turned. “Don’t do that!”

    Sherlock refrained from making a face and looked at her, slightly confused. “You didn’t hear me coming?”