Adler-Holmes

Girl That You Love

"Charlotte? What are you doing here? I was on my way to Baker Street to talk to you and Sherlock about yesterday?" Lestrade was looking me up and down, sensing something was wrong. He then spotted Jim.

"What's going on, Charlotte? And don't lie to me, I can get you taken to the station." A few people were starting to look our way, so I had to make this quick. Jim brushed his hand against mine, before taking it.

"Babe, who's this?" He put on a mock accent, his hat and sunglasses hiding his identity.

"Oh, sorry, this is D.I. Lestrade. He works with my dad. Surely my dad told you, Lestrade? I'm off to get some clothes? I left them all at Irene's? But I obviously realized that it wouldn't be a good idea with her clients around to go alone, so I brought my boyfriend with me." I smiled sweetly.

"Oh... okay... Wait- Boyfriend? Does Sherlock know?"

"I believe he does. Or he will when you tell him when you get to Baker Street." I winked, trying not to show how scared I was. Lestrade let out a chuckle.

"Oh dear. Well, may I be introduced? Just so I know if you go missing who you were with, obviously?" He grinned, showing he was joking.

"Oh, of course! Lestrade, this is Jamie. Jamie, Lestrade." I placed my hand on Jim's chest as I introduced them, feeling a gun tucked away in his jacket. I moved my hand to my side, knowing Lestrade wouldn't be safe if we didn't get out of this quickly.

Jim held out his hand to Lestrade.

"Pleasure, Lestrade." Lestrade took it.

"And you, Jamie. I'm sure she's warned you about Sherlock, but do watch yourself. He's known for being protective of this one." Jim laughed.

"Oh, I did pick that up. Then again, who wouldn't be?" Jim pulled me into him, staring at me through his sunglasses.I clocked what would end this. Public displays of affection. They make everyone uncomfortable, sometimes including the people involved, and in this case that would certainly be true. But Lestrade wouldn't be comfortable with watching me and 'Jamie' make-out.

"So, how did you meet?"

"Oh, it was through a family friend." I shrugged the question off, still watching Jim.

"Family friend? Who has those, your mother or your father?" Lestrade asked.

"Well, my family knew Lott's grandparents and introduced us when you were visiting them. Isn't that right, babe?" Jim looked at me and I nodded.

"And then I suppose it just went from there..." I kept my eyes fixed on Jim, before moving in to kiss him. Lestrade coughed. I pulled away, still staring into Jim's eyes.

"Well, I'd better be going. See you later, Charlotte. Nice to meet you Jamie." Lestrade smiled and walked the other way.

"Bye," I called out, eyes still fixed on Jim.

"Bye," Jim mimicked me, before stepping away and walking away, my hand still in his, forcing me to follow.

We walked down the street towards a turning on the left, leading to a quieter road. I let go of Jim's hand as we approached Irene's house. Jim stopped and looked at me.

"What's wrong, Jim?"

"I have a plan for after this. You need to trust me on that. We'll go in, I'll speak to Irene whilst you pack some clothes, and then we go. Got that, Lott? No hesitation otherwise people get hurt." I nodded.

"Good." We knocked on the door, which was answered by Kate, Irene's assistant.

"Charlotte, it's good to see you again. Who's this?"

"Hi Kate," I spoke as I walked past her and into the house, Jim following.

"Hi," he said to Kate.

"Hello." They were almost flirting.

"Is that a client, Charlotte?"

"Who for?"

"Well, for you. I have no one booked, neither does your mother. That only leaves you."

"Could you go and get my mother please, Kate?" She nodded, shutting the door, pausing to look at both Jim and I, then walked upstairs. Jim moved behind me, whispering into my ear.

"My, my, Miss Adler-Holmes, are you accepting clients now?" I turned to glare at him. He smirked, stepping back and eyeing me up and down.

"Just a question." At that point, Irene came downstairs.

"Charlotte. Are you okay? There's some food in the kitchen for you. Kate told me you had a man with you?" She moved in front of me and Jim, obviously not recognizing him.

"Hi. Yep, thanks. Jim do you want anything?" I glanced at Jim.

"Please." I nodded.

"Jim," my mother gasped. He removed his glasses and hat.

"I thought it was dark in here. Can we talk in the lounge?" My mother glanced at me, concern flicking across her face for a moment, before making her way towards the lounge. Jim nodded at me. I walked into the kitchen and grabbed all the food I could fit into a container. I ran upstairs and grabbed a suitcase, shoving as many clothes in it as I could, before grabbing another rucksack, bigger this time, and shoving my dad's bag and the food inside it. I could grab some bottled water from the kitchen on the way out. I hesitated as I passed some photo frames of me and my family. I forced them into the suitcase, wrapping them in clothes, before grabbing a book which went into the rucksack and heading back downstairs. I filled two bottles with water and left the bags by the front door before waiting outside the lounge.

"Do come in, Lott," Jim's voice called out. I stepped inside, immediately noticing my mother's eyes were starting to well up and turning red around the sockets. She was scared, genuinely, about what was going to happen.

"Are you ready, Lott?" Jim asked me. I tore my eyes away from the strongest woman I knew who was crumbling in front of me, looking to the man who did this to her.

"Yes." He smiled, walking past me.

"You can say goodbye, just make it quick. I'll wait outside." The door shut behind him.

"Lott, you don't have to do this."

"You know I do."

"Don't play heroes with me. You know it doesn't work when he's involved."

"And you know I don't have a choice." She stood up and moved over to me, pulling me in for a hug.

"I love you. Just remember that." She spoke to me, softly.

"You loved me when I was younger, maybe. When I was a different person. Not this girl. You could never love this girl. The one who knows Jim," I told her coldly, trying to break all connections with those Jim said he'd hurt and signifying it by pulling away.

"I'm sorry for introducing him to you when you were younger. He said he'd hurt you if I didn't. But you still got hurt by him, and will."

"I know."

"Please be careful. Despite what you say, I still love you." I nodded.

"I love you too," I whispered, before turning and leaving the house, moving over to Jim.

"So, what's the plan now?" He smiled.