Adler-Holmes

Stall Me

The door slammed, making me flinch. John hurried out to where I was sat.

"What's happened?"

"Sherlock's decided he's going to get custody from a legally dead woman." I shrugged as John looked at me quizzically.

"Oh... okay?" I finished my soup and drank some tea before picking up the tray and taking it back downstairs to Mrs. Hudson.

"Charlotte! Thank you. Are you feeling okay? I remember last time you were here you were ill for an entire week. There's a spare room down the hall if you wanted to sleep there? I know it can get quite dramatic upstairs and you could probably do with some rest."

"Thank you Mrs. Hudson. I'll be okay for now, but I may take you up on that offer later, please?"

"Of course. Let me know if you need anything." I smiled before making my way back upstairs.

John was sat in his seat, reading a newspaper. I curled up into my dad's before my phone vibrated in my pocket.

"Hello?"

"Charlotte, it's me." Irene's voice spoke through the other end.

"Irene..." I spoke through gritted teeth.

"There's a car coming to pick you up now. I've made some food which will  be ready for as soon as you arrive." I looked at John who had placed his newspaper down as soon as I spoke her name.

"I've already eaten."

"Well, it can be saved until tomorrow." I heard footsteps approach up the stairs, making me jump up and hurry backwards to John. John stood and sheltered me, taking my free hand in his. The door handle turned and Sherlock entered, staring at us before moving to me and staring at the phone.

"No."

"Charlotte. Go outside and get into the car." My dad held out his hand for the phone.

"Dad wants to talk to you." I said simply and handed him the phone.

"Irene." Pause.

"No. She can stay here." Pause.

"May I remind you that you're legally dead, meaning custody does not belong to you but to me now." Pause.

"She's not coming back to yours. She's not for sale." My dad was still staring at me, making me look away. There was another pause.

"I don't care if you think it was a misunderstanding. She's staying here." Pause.

"If she wants to talk to you she can," he removed the phone from his ear, "She wants to talk to you." He held out the phone.

"Say if you don't want to." I thought for a moment. I held out my hand, my dad giving me his. I rolled my eyes. Not what I had been after but it was a comfort. I took my phone from his hand, placing it on the table, and his phone from his pocket, pressing record and putting my phone onto speakerphone.

"Irene?"

"That's mother to you."

"Mother?"

"You can stay there for the night, but in the morning I want you to come home. You will be home by 7:30."

"Ready for your first client?" I rolled my eyes, my dad's face turning livid again.

"I would give you a motive, but I already know you aren't stupid enough to realise what that would involve."

"Maybe I am. What would it involve?"

"I am more than happy to get Jim involved." I gulped, pausing for a second.

"Good girl. See you in the morning. Pass on my regards to John." She hung up. I took my dad's phone off of record, handing it back to him.

"You can show that to Mycroft, or Lestrade." I stated the obvious.

I took a seat, staring off into the distance. John and Sherlock were communicating through a series of looks. John shook his head.

"Lott, who's Jim?" John asked me, gently.

"Just a client."

"If he were just a client you wouldn't have paused so much." My dad pointed out.

"It doesn't matter. I'm going to get some sleep."

"You can sleep in my room, if you like." My dad offered, probably sensing I needed some comfort, but was too nervous to ask it from him.

"Thanks." I moved over to him, hugging him quickly but tightly.

"Night, dad."

"Goodnight, Lott." I moved over to John and did the same.

"Night."

"Night sweetheart." I made my way to my dad's bedroom, opening the door and pulling it too behind me, pausing when I heard the two men speaking.

"She was shaking, John."

"I know."

"Who is Jim? It feels too obvious. I'm missing something."

"Sherlock. She kept telling you to tell Mycroft or Lestrade. Tell them."

"It's obviously something big then."

"Sherlock, just do me a favour. Text them both now, telling them what's happened. Call Mycroft if need be. Send them that recording. Then she may not have to go back tomorrow." I silently clicked the door shut, moving over to the bed. I slipped off my shoes and clothes, switching into one of my dad's shirts before climbing into bed. As my eyes shut, I received a text.

See you tomorrow

-Jim

I gulped, tears threatening to fall. I hesitantly wrote back.

And what if you don't?

-Lott

I waited no more than a few seconds for a reply.

Honey, you don't want to know the answer to that. I'll be outside at 6. Leave early and they won't notice.

-Jim

I put my phone away, tears silently falling as I awaited tomorrow, emotions clouding my ability to reason a plan.