Loving a Holmes

Anyone

It had been a week since Mary's funeral and John refused to speak to Sherlock, and I hadn't seen much of him either. I had spent most of my time watching John and Rosie when Molly wasn't available. But to be honest I enjoy looking after Rosie, she makes me feel closer to Mary, and it's the least I can do to help John move through this difficult time. I can't even begin to imagine what he's going through right now, losing the love of his life and pushing away his best friend as time goes on. I don't blame him for being mad at Sherlock. Hell, I'm mad at him too, if he had stopped when Mary and I had warned him too or if the two of us had waited until Mycroft and Greg got there, things could have turned out of differently. I had gotten home from watching Rosie and I needed to be back there in a few hours after to take over for Molly, so she can go to work. I had showered and changed my clothes. Since I am watching Rosie, I had changed my style back to  what it was when I had met Sherlock, jeans and a tee shirt, with tennis shoes. But it's not like I'm going to be out of John's flat so what's the worry, right?

When I head out of the bedroom Mrs. Hudson stops me in the kitchen. "Nothing will ever be the same again, will it?"

I sigh as I walk into the room. "No, it won't."

Mrs. Hudson gives me a weak smile, shaking her head, before giving me a hug. "We'll have to rally around, I except. Do our bit. Look after little Rosie."

Sherlock stands from his armchair, looking around as if he is uncertain what to do, then points to a small pile of letters next to his laptop on the table. "Just going to, um... go through these things. There might be a case."

"A Case?"

I sigh softly, taking a deep breath. "Mrs. H, it's his process." She nods and leaves the flat, as Sherlock sits at the table in front of his laptop, just staring at it. I walk up to him and place my hands on his shoulders. "Not up to it?"

Sherlock drops his head a little. "Work is the best antidote to sorrow." I begin to step away from him, but he places his hand on mine, stopping me. "Madison?"

"Yes?"

"If you ever think I'm becoming a bit... full of myself, cocky or... over-confident, again, would you just say the word 'Norbury' to me, would you?"

I take a deep breath. "How about I just punch you instead?"

Sherlock lets out a quick chuckle, before shaking his head. "I'm serious."

"Yes, I will tell you 'Norbury.'"

"Thank you." Turning back towards where his hand is resting on the correspondence on the dining table, he lifts the top item and pulls out a padded envelope from underneath it.

"What is that?"

"I don't know." Sherlock opens the envelope and pulls out a DVD. It is a plain white disc but written on it are the words, 'MISS ME?' Sherlock and I stare down at the disc.

"Oh... My... God..."

"Must be."

"It can't be."

Sherlock puts the disc into his computer and I pull up one of the other chairs and sit next to him as the disc loads. "I knew it wouldn't end like this. I knew Moriarty made plans."

For a moment the 'loading' circle spins and then the disc begins to play. But it's not James who appears on the screen. It's Mary. She smiles into the camera and rolls her eyes a little as she speaks. "Thought that would get your attention." I scoff softly and shake my head as Sherlock takes my hand and the video continues. "So, this is in case... in case the day comes. If you are watching this, I'm ... probably dead. I hope I can have an ordinary life, but who knows? Nothing Is certain; nothing is written. My old life – it was full of consequences. The danger was the fun part, but you can't outrun that forever. You need to remember that, so ... I'm giving you a case, Maddie, and Sherlock. Might be the hardest case of your career. When I'm ... gone – if I'm gone – I need you to do something for me. Save John Watson, save him, you too. And you know him like I know him, and you two will have to go somewhere dark, you'll have to get involved with some horrible. Because, if one of you two need him, I promise he will be there. Go to hell."

I take a deep breath as the video ends and Sherlock closes the laptop. I look down at my watch and wipe the tears from my face. "I need to get going or Molly will be late for work."

Sherlock stands taking off his dressing gown, under it, he is dressed in a button up and slacks like normal. "Let me walk you."

"Sherlock I don't know if that's a good idea...."

"Please, if nothing more then to make sure you get there safe."

I nod and sigh softly. "Alright."

Once we arrive at John's flat, Molly opens the door and greets me with a smile. "Hey, Maddie."

"Hello, Molly."

When Molly's gaze moves to Sherlock, her smile disappears. "hi."

Sherlock speaks quietly. "I just... wondered how things were going and... and if there was anything I could do."

Molly hands Rosie to me, before reaching into her pocket and pulling out an envelope, holding it out to Sherlock. "It's, uh, it's from John. You don't need to read it now. I'm sorry, Sherlock. He says... John said if you were to come round asking after him, offering to help... He... said he'd r... that he'd rather have anyone but you. Anyone." Sherlock blinks and presses his lips together. Molly looks over to Rosie and then turns before she takes her back and goes back indoors, closing the door behind her. Sherlock stands there for a few seconds, then turns and walks away, tucking the envelope into his coat pocket. I sigh softly as Sherlock leaves, shaking my head, wishing he had listened to me before we left the flat. I take a deep breath before heading into the flat. Molly had put Rosie back into her playpen and was getting a couple of her things gathered up to leave. "Is he going to be okay?"

"I honestly don't know. I've never seen the two of them like this. Even after Sherlock faked his death, John was still willing to see him."

Molly nods and takes a deep breath. "Well, I'd better get going."

"Yeah, have a nice day at work."

"Thanks, her dummy is over there and there are a couple of bottles in the fridge." I nod and wave to Molly as she leaves the flat.