Experiments (Sherlock BBC- Johnlock Fanfic)

2- Mrs. Hudson's Daughter

-Sherlock-

A week had gone by, but it was an easy week. I had missed John so much it ached, and to come back to 221B Baker Street had made me happy, although still can't understand why he hit me with an umbrella, and then hugged me. Human emotions are so confusing.

John has changed. He's still the same old John, but he is thin, and the dark circles have only just started receding from his face. I confiscated his sleeping pills and anti-depressants, and he didn't put up a fight. I think he's finally realized they were doing more harm than good.

It's not just his appearance that has changed though. There is only approximately 26 minutes until Mrs. Hudson's presumably single daughter arrives. I expected John to be exited, or at least dress up a bit, but no, he is sitting and reading the newspaper. His change in behavior was bothering me.

'You are aware that Mrs. Hudson's young, single daughter will be arriving soon right?' I asked, looking at him suspiciously.

John looked at me and furrowed his eyebrows. It was cute how he did that.

'Yes I am.' He went back to the newspaper.

'And you're not going to dress up to try and woo her?' I asked.

John looked mildly uncomfortable and awkward. This was completely irregular behavior for John.

'No. I'm not. To be fully honest with you Sherlock, I haven't dated since... since you died.'

I felt my stomach flip over. What could he mean? Did it mean that I'd emotionally damaged him in some way that stopped him from wanting to date? Or had my false death scared him away from being close to anyone again? My mind raced over a multitude of scenarios in a matter of seconds, and was so deep in thought that I didn't realize I was staring at him.

'Ahh, Sherlock? Why are you staring at me?' I felt my cheeks grow warm and I absentmindedly stood up. I shook my head at him and picked up my violin.

I started playing, the cords soft and sweet and sad. John folded up his newspaper and watched me play. I felt a tremendous pressure on me to be perfect, to hit the perfect notes, to show John that I was good.

I sped up the tune, playing almost impossibly fast, the notes high and fast. John looked at me in awe. Abruptly the door swung open as I dropped the bow from the violin, pointing it at the door. Mrs. Hudson was smiling, as she ushered a young girl into our flat.

She had long blonde hair which was pulled from her face into a neat ponytail, giving the impression that she cared about her appearance. She had contacts, but not glasses, meaning she was probably insecure about her appearance. Her shirt was stained in multiple places with what looked like iodine, which suggested she worked as either a scientist or a chemist. On her left ring finger, she had a green stain where a ring used to be, probably meaning that her husband or fiancé split, resulting in her returning from America. The skin around her fingernails was badly bitten, which is a sign of anxiety. The skin biting plus the contacts and the ring and the speedy move from America lead to one assumption. Her significant other cheated on her, which now causes her severe anxiety about not being up to standards.

Satisfied, I put my violin down. The girl was looking at me with red cheeks. John got up and introduced himself to her, shaking her hand, but her eyes didn't stray from mine.

'Hi I'm John Watson, and this is Sherlock Holmes, it's very lovely to meet you.' John glanced back at me, obviously expecting me to say something. When I refused to comply, he gave an exasperated sigh, and invited the girl to sit down.

'Ooh I'll go put the kettle on!' Mrs. Hudson said.

'Some biscuits would be nice,' asked John.

'I'm not your housekeeper!' she replied, disappearing into the kitchen.

John laughed and the girl sat down politely on one of the spare chairs, glancing up nervously at me every few seconds.

'I'm Donna by the way. Donna Morg... I mean Hudson. I am very pleased to meet you both.'

She smiled at John. So it was a husband she had left. No wonder. If the bloke had brought me a copper wedding ring, I would have split with him too.

John made polite conversation with her, boring me. I easily got lost in my thought. John's voice startled me back into reality, as I realized he was talking about our job. I decided to finally talk to the girl.

'So are you a chemist or a scientist?' I interrupted.

She looked baffled and stuttered.

'A chemist... how did you?'

'Iodine stains on your shirt.'

John beamed at me. I looked at him, baffled.

'Sherlock is always like that. He's absolutely brilliant isn't he?' John said proudly looking at me.

I was taken aback by his compliment. I opened my mouth to reply, but said nothing.

'What else do you know about me?' she asked hesitantly.

'You have anxiety and self-confidence issues, and you recently moved back to London after your husband and you split, probably because he cheated on you.' I sat down in my chair and put my violin in my lap.

Mrs. Hudson came back with the teas, looking sad. She sat down and rubbed her daughters back.

'I never liked him anyway, he was a right sod.'

I started tuning my violin. Donna stayed relatively quiet for a while, and then looked up at me.

'You haven't been sleeping. I could get you something for that. There's something heavy on your mind, and you need to get it out because it is affecting your health. I could prescribe you with some sleeping pills if you'd like.'

I put my violin down and looked at her. It couldn't take a genius to see I was sleep deprived, but is there any way she could know about John?

'Sleeping pills have awfully bad side effects'. I said simply, picking up my violin again and looking pointedly at John.

'Oh you can tell me that again. I used to get about 4 complaints a day about them. But they really do help some people.'

She smiled at me then, and I felt the corner of my mouth turn up, because she looked exactly like Mrs. Hudson.

John started a new conversation, and I plucked my violin absently. I was starting to get bored.

As if on cue, my phone buzzed. It was a text from Lestrade. I had informed the media of my return as soon as I got back, but I was lying low as not to draw attention to myself, although I was getting bored of staying home. Before I got lost in my thoughts again, I read the text.

'Sherlock, there's been a murder

Come to Scotland Yard ASAP

-Lestrade'

I jumped up and almost squealed. I smiled at John.

'There's been a murder John! Oh I can't wait! Are you ready to get back into the game John?'

I grabbed my coat and scarf, making for the door. John got up and followed me, making a quick apology to Donna.

'Be careful dear,' called Mrs. Hudson, but I was already out the door.