His Doctor~

Chapter 34

Jo-Ann stood at his grave once again, wrapping a certain long coat around her tighter and trying not to get her hair caught in her arms. It was all the way down her back now since she didn't bother to get it cut. There was an emptiness that never filled in her make-up surrounded eyes; one her friends feared could grow, worsening her condition. But for now, it was at bay, with the help of the man now standing beside her.

"You okay, Annie?" Marius asked with sympathy, putting a reassuring arm around her shoulder. She looked up at him with a some-what soft glare, disliking the nickname he decided to call her after meeting Harriet.

"I'm okay." Jo-Ann sighed and leaned her head into his slightly taller shoulder. "I'm okay now." It wasn't necessarily a lie, she was okay. But that was all she could be anymore, just staying at one level. Marius tilted his head onto hers and stood as long as she needed. Neither would say their relationship was romantic, but it was close. He had a way of keeping Jo-Ann happy, well as happy as she could be, and she owed him the world for that.

They finally left the cemetery, detangled but still walking close together despite Jo-Ann's cane. The day was only beginning and they were both off work, so Marius suggested going to the library. Jo-Ann agreed with enthusiasm, asking him to read her some literature, since he loved to read anyway and had a knack for bringing stories to life. He laughed at the idea, but once they got there, he was picking out his favorite classics.

Jo-Ann giggled as quietly as she could at his enthusiasm as he dashed through shelf after shelf, picking out books. One of which was The Iliad by Homer. He brought the few books he chose to the table Jo-Ann sat at with a goofy smile on his face. He sat across from her, pushing back his long grey sleeves and swinging his head to the side, moving his hair out of the way.

"Ready?" Marius smiled and opened the first book. Jo-Ann nodded excitedly and crossed her arms on the table, leaning forward. She honestly felt like a child when he read to her. It was calming, like a bedtime story that put her worries to rest. He showed his charming smirk and looked down at the page and began reading softly, so as not to disturb other readers.

"'And so their spirits soared as they took positions own the passageways of battle all night long, and the watch fires blazed among them. Hundreds strong, as stars in the night sky glittering round the moon's brilliance blaze in all their glory when the air falls to a sudden, windless calm... all the lookout peaks stand out and the jutting cliffs and the steep ravines and down from the high heavens bursts the boundless bright air and all the stars shine clear and the shepherd's heart exults - so many fires burned between the ships and the Xanthus' whirling rapids set by the men of Troy, bright against their walls.'" He read with a style that was graceful, yet strong. Not only were the words beautiful, but he made them sound alive. Marius looked up to Jo-Ann and was met with a gentle smile.

Sherlock strolled into the large library without a worry in the world. He was back in London, on an intriguing case, well-groomed, patched up, and healthy from his long holiday chasing down terrorists and Moriarty's web. Now all he needed was his doctor.

However, it only looked like that from the outside.

Truth be told, he was a tad on edge after his brother gave him a heads up about Jo-Ann's reaction. Mycroft said that the doctor may not be so welcoming to Sherlock; she may even reject him entirely. But what was he worried about? No doubt she was dying to see her beloved and would cry from joy when he returned. At least, that would be the best scenario out of ten- no, eleven- possibilities. The worst outcome… well, Sherlock would deal with that one if it came to it.

He had his disguise on, consisting of a long grey beard, a checked hat that nearly covered all of his hair, a pair of glasses, and an over-sized jumper atop his regular suit. He prepared his elderly voice impression and grabbed a few random books off the first shelf he walked by. Jo-Ann should be in here somewhere, Mycroft said she would be. And he was right, Sherlock confirmed as he spotted her across the seating area. But then he wondered if he was looking at the right woman.