Pond & Holmes

Chapter 15

Very shortly afterwards, Sherlock had taken off his coat and was sitting on the sofa in the elegant sitting room, looking around. Suddenly, he heard footsteps approaching. He sat up a little and held the handkerchief to his cheek. He heard a female voice, "Hello, Sorry to hear the you're hurt. I don't think Kate caught your name."

Sherlock repiled, "I'm so sorry. I'm-" He turned and looked at Irene as she walked into view and stopped at the doorway. His voice fails him and he tenses up when he realised that apart for her high-heeled shoes, she was naked. His jaw dropped a little.

Irene smiled and said, "Isn't it hard to remember when you've had a fright, isn't it?" She walked into the room and stood directly in front of him, straddled her legs and half-kneeled on the sofa. Irene grinned down at him and continued, "Mr Sherlock Holmes."

Sherlock repiled in his normal voice, "And Miss Alder, I presume." 

Irene gazed down at his face, "Look at those cheekbones. I could cut myself slapping that face. Would you like me to try?" She winked at him and placed a hand on his shoulder. As Sherlock stared at her in confusion, Amy walked into the room carrying a bowl of water and a fabric napkin. Her eyes were lowered to the bowl as she walked in, so as to make sure she didn't spill the contents.

Amy muttered, "Right. This should do it, Mr Holm-" She stopped dead in the doorway as she lifted her eyes and saw the scene in front of her. Irene looked around to her, her grin still on her face. Amy looked at her awkwardly as she felt rage bubble up inside her, then back at the bowl and looked up again. Amy said, with a bright red face that matched her hair, "I missed something haven't I?" She seemed to go out of her character without her knowing.

Irene stepped back from Sherlock, who was fidgeting uncomfortably on the sofa as she walked away. She said, "Please, sit down. Or if you'll like some tea I can call the maid."

Sherlock repiled, "I had some at the palace."

"I know."

"Clearly."

Irene sat down at the nearby arm chair and crossed her legs, and folded her arms gracefully to cover her chest. They stared silently at each other for a few seconds, sizing one another up. Amy looked at them awkwardly, and said, trying to hide the anger from her voice, "I had tea, too, at the Palace, if anyone wants to know."

Irene ignored Amy and smiled confidently at Sherlock, "Do you know a big problem with your disguise, Mr Holmes?" Sherlock quirked an eyebrow at her and she repiled, "It's always a self-portrait of yourself. In your case, I think you're damaged, delusional and believe in a higher power. It's yourself."

Sherlock unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt, as the tightness of it was starting to annoy him. Irene leaned forward and said, "Oh, and somebody loves you. Why, if I saw a naked woman on top of my man I would be angry myself." Irene glanced at Amy and she forced a laugh. A blush slowly crept up to her cheeks when she realised that Irene was referring to her, which was rubbish. She did not love Sherlock. The idea was stupid. Idiotc. Dumb. Even if she did love him, he was, afterall, married to his work.

Amy glanced down at what she was holding and said, "Could you put something on, please? Er, anything at all. Maybe, a napkin." 

Irene smirked and repiled, "Why? Are you feeling exposed? We are both girls, anyway." Sherlock sighed and stood up. He picked up his coat, shook it out and handed it to Irene. Ignoring Sherlock for a moment, Irene stood up and walked closer to Amy, who tried to keep an impassive facial expression through her rage. 

Irene turned to Sherlock who was still holding out the coat while steadfastly keeping his gaze averted from her chest area. Irene said as she took the coat from him, "I'm not sure if you know where to look."