✔️THE HEART| Sherlock Holmes

Two

Even a significant distance from the scene of the crime, Sherlock didn't slow their pace nor lapse his grip on her hand.

In fact, only when they were up the stairs of 221B, did they stop their running and they stood beside one another, hand-in-hand, laughing softly as they caught their breath. Only when Marnie noticed an absence in their group, did she drop his hand and he seemed perhaps slightly saddened by the development though she didn't notice as she pulled her coat off.

"We left John behind," she remarked and Sherlock shrugged, grinning as if he didn't matter.

"Oh well, he knows how to run- I'm sure he can take care of himself" the detective hummed, turning back to the wall again as if they'd never even left. Though this time, he continued to talk. "You're planning on going back to the army again."

"It's nothing against you or John, or even this place. It's all great, it really is but... You two have it all sorted out, you have your... Whatever this is and I'm happy for you and John, I really am. I'm just... Looking for my place, and the closest I have ever been to that is the army,"

"You might just find your place here yet, Marnie. You enjoy this, running around the city- I know you do because you're not that different from John and I. You and John are, in fact, incredibly similar. Both stuck in the war but knowing you need to move on eventually. This might be a next step for you- it was for him" Sherlock shrugged, looking over the papers. "Besides, there's always use here for a combat medic, you'd be surprised by how often we are threatened with guns. We could use someone who can treat a gunshot."

"What's John for then?"

"I just keep him around because he makes me look tall" Sherlock smirked and she laughed softly at his joke, surprised that he had even bothered to make one as they lapsed into a comfortable silence and she contemplated his words. Join team Johnlock? Help with their little... Company, if that is what you'd call it. She could try, at least. She did have a month here regardless, she had promised. She'd do it, be a part of whatever they were and after a month- if it hadn't called her attention completely... she could go off again as if it never happened.

She didn't exactly have anything to lose from the deal.

Soon enough, her questions were answered when the front door slammed open and hammering footsteps angrily abused the stairs.

"You've been a while" Sherlock mused calmly as a seething John re entered the room, practically spewing steam in his outrage. Marnie carefully trained her eyes elsewhere, knowing how hot-headed John could be when it came to the consulting detective. For some reason, the doctor didn't seem to blame the medic for this and she was glad for it as she pinned her eyes on the cipher messages.

"Yeah, well, you know how it is." John clearly attempted to restrain himself but his hands were balled into fists. "Custody sergeants don't really like to be hurried, do they? Just formalities." he began to pace between the door and where Marnie sat at the desk. "Fingerprints, charge sheet, and I've got to be in magistrates' court on Tuesday."

"What?" Sherlock sliced across his mumbling, never bothering to turn around though he could clearly see the seething soldier through the reflection of the mirror.

"Me, Sherlock, In court, on Tuesday! They're giving me an ASBO!" he snapped, something Marnie could only recall seeing once before, this was a different level of anger, more so than his usual bickering and she couldn't exactly blame him. She'd be angry too.

"Good, fine" Sherlock waved off as if he hadn't even heard him and Marnie cringed at his response, ready for the backlash.

"You wanna tell your little pal he's welcome to go and own up anytime." John collected himself, attempting to remain calm which was admirable either way. Marnie was adamantly keeping out of this one, she couldn't win no matter whose side she chose to be on.