The Science of Sacrifice//Book Four

Chapter 6~ The Trial of the Century

Teddy's P.O.V

"Damn it!"

As John put on his suit and grabbed his socks, looking absolutely smoking, I was still wrapped up in a towel, chucking countless articles of clothing onto the bed and floor.

"How could someone who owns that much clothing not have anything to wear?" John asked, sitting on the bed and pulling on his socks.

"I don't know!" I retorted, giving him a quick glare before turning back to my wardrobe.

"Why didn't you pick out your outfit last night?"

"Because I have horrible planning skills," I grumbled, before pulling out a dark red button up and holding it to my chest.

"Here, what do you think?" I asked John. He looked up from his feet and nodded with a smile.

"I like it. But..."

"But what?"

"But you look better in lighter colours."

"What's wrong with this?"

"Nothing, it just makes you look really pale. You should wear the white blouse, the one you wore to Irene's house last year. You looked cute."

"I'm not going for cute, John. I'm going for fierce, you know? I want that 'don't mess with me' look. But it has to look professional at the same time. I don't want light colours, I want dark!" I nearly shouted, sounding like a prissy teenage girl throwing a hissy fit because daddy didn't buy her the car she wanted. John seemed to have picked up on that because he frowned, stood up, and walked over to me. He took the shirt out of my hands and let it drop onto the floor before pulling me in for a hug.

"I'm gonna get your suit wet," I mumbled against his neck, but he just patted my damp hair and kissed my head.

"I know you're freaking out," he murmured. "Today's the big day." Softly John ran his fingers over my left shoulder, touching the puckered scar that I actively tried to avoid looking at whenever I got out of the shower or stood in front of a mirror.

"It's going to be all right, Teddy," John told me.

"I just don't want him to look at me and see how much he affects me," I whispered. John pulled back a little, looking at me with a small smile.

"And he won't," John replied. "He won't see that. He'll see a strong, smart, independent woman who could kick his ass any day."

I laughed, pulling away from him and going through my closet again. I found a black peplum dress hiding towards the back and with a grin I pulled it out and showed John. He looked at it and whistled.

"Now that's fierce," he grinned. "And sexy."

"Defiantly," I agreed. "Okay, you, go upstairs and see if Sherly's done making himself look pretty."

"Do you think he'll be all right today?" John asked, grabbing his tie.

"Dunno," I answered truthfully. "Hopefully he'll listen to what Greg and I told him last night. 'Don't get cocky, Sherlock, and don't be a smart ass.' Part of me doesn't believe he'll listen, though"

"That's not what the court will want," John said.

"I know. Here's hoping he'll dull it down a little."

"Doubt it."

"So do I. Now go, I'll be ready in five," I told him, already beginning to change.

The boys were waiting beside the door when I walked out of my flat. Sherlock looked over at me and nodded his greeting, looking impeccably dressed and like he was getting ready for war.