The Assistants/Pets

An Unexpected Visitor

It had been a week since John had met Lucy. And that was the last time they had talked. John was growing increasingly worried about her, and Sherlock was doing his best to distract him by taking lots of cases, nearly no matter how boring. John knew why he was doing it, and was grateful. But it didn't stop the pit of worry wallowing around in his stomach.

Lucy was walking really very fast. She didn't want to get caught here, but it was quicker to go this way. And that's when her luck turned for the worst. Someone on a bicycle rode past, and accidentally knocked off balance, causing her to twist her ankle. He stopped and asked if she was all right, and through gritted teeth, she said she was fine, her ankle just hurt a little. Rain was pouring down, and the longer she stayed out, the wetter and colder she would get. The bicyclist rose away again, and then someone came over to her.

"Are you all right dearie?" When Lucy turned to look, she accidentally used her ankle to help, and winced in pain. The woman came over and held her shoulders gently.

"Here, let's get you inside. You must be freezing, without a jacket on. And there is a doctor in the next flat that might be able to take a look at that ankle for you." She helped her up to the door, and that's when Lucy realised where she was.

221B Baker Street.

"Boys! You have a visitor! This one's for you John! Poor thing hurt her ankle right our the front of the apartments!" Mrs Hudson said as she helped her up the stairs. John came to the door and opened it.

"Lucy? Are you ok?" Lucy didn't look at him in the face, her wet and bedraggled hair covering her eyes.

"I twisted my ankle, that's all. I'm fine John, really." Now she looked up at him and smiled. He almost would have believed her, if he hadn't noticed her hobbling and that she was shivering.

"Well, let's at least get you dry." Mrs Hudson and John directed her to the couch and got her some clean and dry towels and blankets. Sherlock was playing his violin, with his back turned to the door.

"Thank you. But I really should be heading home..." Lucy quietly protested.

"No. You need to stay here a while. At least until that ankle is feeling a little better." John said, taking the tone of 'doctor' bordering on 'mother', with her. She just sighed. She didn't meet anyone's eyes, except when she gratefully accepted the cup of tea from Mrs Hudson. However, she did keep her eyes trained on Sherlock. Or, his back and shoes at least. She wasn't looking up much.

After about 5 minutes, John took a seat in his chair, Mrs Hudson left, and Sherlock finally turned around, putting down his violin once more. He looked at Lucy, and began to speak.

"So, you're Lucy?" He asked.

"And you're Sherlock." She replied in the same manner.

"Lucy, have you been ok? You haven't replied to my messages all week." John said sitting forward and leaning on his knees with his elbows.

"Daddy took my laptop. Said I'd been a 'naughty girl'." She used sarcasm when she said 'Daddy', and laughed a hollow laugh.

"Are you ok then?" Lucy nodded.

"Of course she's not John, just look at her. She's wet, tired, cold and hiding something. How can she be ok?" Sherlock looked at John.

"What's that supposed to mean?" John looked between his two friends.

"I'll be fine, you don't need to worry so much. I'm a big girl, I can look after myself." Lucy said, smiling at John.

"And yet, someone called 'Daddy' grounded you for meeting with John." Sherlock mused. John completely ignored him. Lucy however, took note of what he said. Then, her phone went off.

"Please, excuse me a minute. I should take this." And Lucy hobbled out of the room, taking a couple of blankets with her. She opened her phone, and answered it.

"Hello?"

"Lucy, where are you?" said the voice on the other end of the phone asked.

"You don't know...?" She frowned slightly.

"Of course I know. I guess I was more asking, why are you there of all places?"

"I'm so so sorry. I got knocked by a bike, and I hurt my ankle, then Mrs Hudson made me come in and see John... I'm so sorry." Her voice had dropped to a whisper.

"I'm sending a car over to pick you up. Understand?"

"Yes Daddy."

"What were you doing over that way anyway? I told you to stay away from there!" The voice was angry. Even though they weren't there, Lucy was still cowering on the spot.

"It was raining, and I was trying to make my way back and-"

"You should have called! Now you risk Sherlock finding out."

"I'm so sorry Mister-"

"Lucy..." They said warningly.

"Sorry Daddy." They hung up, and Lucy turned back towards the door. She saw the corner of Sherlock's coat swish past the door and immediately began to berate herself for paying so little attention.

She hobbled back up the steps and stopped at the door. "Daddy's sent someone to pick me up so I don't have to walk home." John nodded. He took her finished cup of tea and went into the kitchen. Sherlock took the moment to talk to Lucy in private.

"I knew who that was, didn't I?" Lucy nodded, guilt making her face blush.

"You can't let him know though." She whispered back.

"John?"

"Well, preferably not him either." Sherlock turned and started walking to the other side of the room, to the window. A car pulled up out the front, on the street.

"I think that's your ride Lucy."

"Thank you both for all your help. Please, thank Mrs Hudson for me as well." She turned, and John came over to help her down the stairs. She hugged him in thanks. "I think I can manage now. Thanks anyway John." And with a nod to Sherlock, she made her way down the stairs, and into the black car. It drove away almost as soon as she had closed the door.

"She needs our help John." Sherlock turned to him as he was about to sit down.

"She'll be fine, I'm sure." John sat down and sighed, glad to be in his comfy chair again.

"Not if I know who she was talking to on the phone. And she said I did. But first, we need to find out more about her and what happened those few years ago. I'm going to the police station to see Lestrade. Are you coming?"John thought for a second about how many times he had just sat down, before Sherlock whisked him away on another case immediately.

"Fine. But I don't see what all the fuss is about." He groaned, stood up again, and followed Sherlock out the door.