Sophia Holmes and the Inexplicable Matchbox (Sherlock/Marvel Fanfic) *Completed*

Chapter Seven

When I wake up, everything feels different. My head hurts, but eventually I manage to open my eyes.

The room I'm in has three white walls, the fourth being a large window, making it not unlike Loki's cell on Asgard. Except, going by the vibrations beneath my feet, we're inside a helicopter. A really big helicopter.

Though I'm on my own, when I look out through the window I see dad pacing around his cell - still dressed, as am I, in his clown attire - trying to figure out a way to get out, while John is banging on the glass of his own cell. Neither approach seems to be working, so I take a seat on the bed and try to work out what happened.

It's clear we've been captured, but by who? And why? As my head thumps, I start to recall what Princess Python had been telling us. What had she said? '"HYDRA pay a very high price."' She sold us out to HYDRA. They must be eager to get their experiment back.

A little while later, the door to my cell opens and a man with dark hair and slight facial stubble appears.

"Miss Holmes," he says, offering his hand. "Grant Ward." I don't move, so he lowers his arm. "Mr Strucker would like a word."

"The man himself," I reply, an eyebrow raised. "I guess I should feel honoured, but I'll think I'll pass."

Ward smiled humourlessly. "Yeah, we figured you'd say that." He gestures to his left, and one of the agents bring forward another prisoner.

"Mrs Hudson," I say, levelly, trying not to betray the panic I feel when I see her beaten and bruised body. She struggles against her binds, her cries muffled by the gag over her mouth. I swore after the American beat us up last time that no one would lay a finger on her again.

"We know you don't care much for your own welfare, Miss Holmes, and both your father and Doctor Watson are more than willing to offer up their lives. The one weakness which you all share..." he looks down and caresses Mrs Hudson's cheek, "...is your landlady." He drops his hand and looks to his right. "Get Mr Holmes and Doctor Watson." Ward looks back to me. "I don't think you need to be threatened."

As he turns and starts to walk, I close my eyes for a moment. I don't know what to do. We don't have what he and Strucker want. We have nothing to negotiate with. I guess we'll have to do what we do best - make it up as we go.

I follow Ward out, and soon I'm joined by dad and John who are being pushed along by HYDRA agents.

John casts an amused eye over dad and I. "Nice outfits."

"Shut up," dad mutters back.

"Such a shame they took my phone," John continued. "Greg would have loved this." I send him a look, but can't help but smile.

Ward stops as we get close to the front of the helicopter. From here, it looks a bit more like a standard helicopter, besides the fact it's about six times bigger. There's a row of seats attached to the left and right sides, but they're all empty.

"Where's Strucker?" I ask, and Ward turns around.

"Fifteen minutes away," he answers. "Now, you can either give me our weapon and I'll let you go..." he walks over to the door of the helicopter and opens it, sending in a gust of wind, "...or I can give you over to Strucker." Ward walks over to me and leans in. "Which I promise you not enjoy."

I look at him in disbelief as he draws back. "Have you ever worn a clown suit before?" Ward looks back at me, unsure where I'm going. "They don't have pockets. So where exactly do you suppose your 'weapon' is?"

Ward hesitates for a moment, then grabs Mrs Hudson and starts walking towards the open door. An agent grabs me from behind as I start to move forward, and I kick back at him, but his grip remains tight.

"Ward, please, it's not us you want," John shouts from behind. "S.H.I.E.L.D has it. Please, we don't have it!"

Ward continues to walk forwards, only stopping as his own feet reach the side of the helicopter. Mrs Hudson stiffens as he holds her out over the side.

"No!" John cries as he and dad struggle against the agents holding them. "Ward, no, please. You don't have to do this! We don't have it! Please!"

Ward looks at Mrs Hudson emotionlessly. "I'm sorry," he says, and Mrs Hudson's eyes widen in fear. "It's nothing personal." He lets go, and Mrs Hudson falls out of sight.