I'm Not Afraid (Sherlock BBC Fanfiction)

Chapter 9: The Return of an Old Enemy (Alice's POV)

After I fed Sherlock some dinner, showered, and brushed my teeth, I found myself lying on the bed in my pajamas, my head on Sherlock's lap. He was gently stroking my hair. He looked down with a smile.

"Tell me, how was your day?" He asked. I rolled to my other side, facing him.

"It was good, wonderful." I answered, smiling to myself as I recalled the wonderful day I had with Esther.

"Tell me about it." He urged. I sighed.

"Well, Lestrade came over and he brought these files. In one of them, there was a speeding tIcket about this woman, Esther Watson. Well, she has the same last name as I do, and when I asked more about her, I realized that one of her parents was my father. Well, I drove to her house. Turns out that we are half-sisters." Sherlock, to my utter surprise, frowned.

"Ah, yes. Her." He said coldly. My eyes widened.

"You know each other?"

"Yes. Yes, we do."

"Bu-- I-- you-- she-- what?" I sputtered unable to make a proper sentence.

"I knew her from Oxford. We went there together."

"You guys are the same age, then?" I asked softly. I mentally hit myself for that. Out of everything that I could ask for! I could have asked something important. Sherlock smiled very appreciatively at me.

"Very good. Yes, we were. She was very ordinary and.... Annoying." I frowned.

"She's not... she's the nicest person I met."

"To you, yes. But to me... she hated how deduced things about her, called me a psychopath, and was generally the rudest person that I have ever met. Point is, I hate your half-sister, and she hates me." Sherlock shook his head and looked down at me. He stroked my cheek softly. "Have I upset you?" I shook my head and sat up.

"We should go to sleep." I slowly gotten inside my covers. Sherlock hit the lights off. I laid in silence, staring at the ceiling, I knew that I would go to sleep and then wake up, screaming, drowning in my sobs. But now I didn't seem to care. Not since I have learned that Moriarty was gonna see me again. I felt my face becoming damp with sweat. Breathe. In and out. In and out, I told myself. I heard the bed slightly creak as Sherlock moved to me.

"Alice," Sherlock began to stroke my hair. "Are you afraid of sleeping?" I shook my head. "What? What were you thinking of?"

"You know." I whispered through my gasps. He sighed.

"You know I don't. Now, what's wrong?"

"Moriarty..." I couldn't say anything else. Sherlock effortlessly pulled me close and held me there, his arms around me.

"Don't be afraid." His baritone voice echoed in my ear. "You're safe with me." After the panic attack was gone, the trembling began over my body.

"What if he tries?" I could barely get those words out.

"To hurt you? If he lays a finger on you, it would be the last time he has any hands." I laughed slightly into his chest. I looked up at him. He was staring at me, his icy green-blue eyes shining in the darkness. Sherlock smiled slightly, moving his hand up and down and my cheek. He sighed. "Your worries aren't necessary."

"Okay." I surrendered myself to him. He kissed my forehead softly.

"You silly, beautiful, little girl." He chuckled softly.

"I am not that young."

"I am older than you. And besides, you're not little in that sense." He kissed my nose. "Go to sleep, shortie." I giggled softly. Sherlock pressed his lips on mine. I touched his hair as I pulled away.