Chapter Text
John frowns, his back to our saviour, and tries to place the voice as Sherlock unties his hands. Once his hands are free he rips the tape off his mouth, wincing and spins to face Sherlock.
"You!" His tone is angry rather than relieved and the next second his curled fist is flying at Sherlock's face. "You! Left! Me! I! Thought! You! Were! Dead!" John emphasises each word with a punch; some to Sherlock's face and some to his chest.
Sherlock stands there taking the punches and staring blankly at John. He seems to have forgotten about me and the police officer. Only when John stops throwing punches and begins to cry, quietly, does emotion appear in Sherlock's eyes.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Sherlock's words come as a whisper I can't hear; it's only through lip-reading that I can tell what he's saying.
"SORRY!?" John shouts at Sherlock, taking a step back and staring at him as though he can't believe he's there. "You're fucking kidding me." He turns around, running his hands through his hair and staring at me while he mutters under his breath. "I'm guessing you knew all about this?"
He frowns at me and takes a step towards me, releasing me from my ties and pulling me into a tight embrace. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"
"No, no. I'm fine John. I'm fine."
"But you did know about Sherlock?" He doesn't sound angry, he sounds tired.
He pulls away from me, placing his hands on my shoulders and looking at me intently; whether he is scanning for injury or awaiting my answer I am unsure.
"Yeah, I did. I'm so sorry John. I couldn't tell you, it wasn't my place." I begin to cry; shock, adrenaline and regret washing through me.
"Hey, it's okay." He pulls me back into a hug and rubs my back, talking to me as if I'm a small child. "I understand Ivy. I'm not mad at you."
"Why?" My word is muffled, spoken into his shoulder, but he still responds.
"Because, it was loyalty that stopped you from telling me. And I respect that." He pulls away and checks me over again; this time I recognise the doctor in his mind coming out.
"When you to have stopped with your utterly touching reunion can we get on with the more important matters at hand?" Sherlock's sarcasm is as close to politeness as I have heard him get.
"Oh yes, of course." John slowly stands and helps me out of the chain, holding me steady while Sherlock tends to the police officer. "What are we going to do with him?" John nods his head towards Moran's limp body on the ground.
"I've texted Mycroft. This is more his area of expertise. Since this is clearly a matter of national security." The normal bored tone has returned to Sherlock's voice and the police officer stands; looking between the three of them.
I frown, thinking what will be happening next to everyone rather than focusing on Moran and the DI takes a step closer to me while John regards Sherlock warily.
"Confused?" The DI speaks under his breath to me; voice so quiet I wouldn't be aware that he was talking to me if it wasn't for his proximity and small smile.
"A little." I chuckle softly glancing round at the situation before me and trying to figure out what Sherlock's plans beyond Mycroft are. Home? Mine or Baker Street? God, what am I meant to do? Maybe I should just leave them alone… I have had sex with John and lived with Sherlock, if they're going to start a relationship they hardly need me around? My brow furrows further but my thoughts are interrupted by the DI.
"It's usually like this. Sherlock knows what's going on and nobody else does."
I smile further at this comment and look the police officer in the eye.
"Oh, I know. Trust me, I know."
"When you're quite finished." Sherlock is looking at me, eyebrow raised and a lack of amusement coming off him in waves.
"Okay, what are we doing?" I move towards him in an arc, trying to avoid going near Moran for a reason I haven't entirely formed.
"Is it not obvious?" It's my turn to raise my eyebrow. "Oh god, I forget you lot have tiny, boring little minds sometimes; how do you cope with the boredom?" You are not doing anything. DI Lestrade and I will take Moran to the street while John will help you down. There's a police car waiting for us downstairs and, once Mycroft has arrived, I will drive the three of you to hospital; you're probably in shock and you, Ivy, are most definitely in need of some medical care."
John puts an arm round my waist as Lestrade and Sherlock move to pick up Moran. Lestrade produces a set of handcuff and restrains Moran easily; his arms limp in his unconscious state.
"I'll look at you while we wait for Mycroft, I'm sure you're fine."
We make our way slowly down the stairs and John talks to me the whole way, most of the time about nothing in particular and I know he's just trying to stop me drifting off until I've been checked over.
We reach the bottom of the stairs and exit the building to see Mycroft waiting for us stood between the police car and the cab; umbrella in his hand. At the end of the road is a sleek black limousine. A car even I associate with Mycroft's near kidnappings, unfortunately, from past experiences.
"Nice to see you again; Miss Eventide, Dr Watson." He barely inclines his head to both of us and we reply in the same manner. "Well, Sherlock. I must say I wasn't quite expecting to see you today. How are you brother?"
"More concerned about Ivy and Moran than exchanging pleasantries, as you must well know Mycroft. Where's the van?"
"The van Sherlock?"
"Yes, the van. The van that will take away this well-known criminal who has definitely assisted with murders and committed kidnappings." He gestures towards me with one elegant wave of his arm. "And who has most likely committed a few muders himself. That van." Sherlock speaks as if to a child, as always when he is speaking to Mycroft and I let out a small giggle.
"Something funny Miss Eventide?" I shake my head at Mycroft but giggle again at the name 'Miss Eventide'. I'm Miss Eventide to my pupils, not to the brother of my ex?-room-mate.
"The van, Mycroft?"
"Oh yes, no, he'll be coming with me. We're going to give him a…" Mycroft pauses looking cautiously across at DI Lestrade before continuing. "Special treatment before we have him sent off and locked up. Quite appropriate after his little escapade with Miss Eventide don't you think? Help me get him into the car would you Dr Watson?" He smiles sweetly as John releases me from him embrace and warily steps away from me, watching me for wobbles as he goes.
They head towards the limousine and I can see Mycroft talking earnestly to John; probably convincing him to let Sherlock move back into Baker Street. Mycroft climbs into the car and it drives off, leaving the four of us stood on the side of the road with an abandoned cab and a police car.
John returns to us and without a word marches up to Sherlock. Before Sherlock can say a word John takes his head in his hands and kisses him softly. Trying to hide my smile as Sherlock responds, I blush and look away as DI Lestrade does the same.
We share a giggle and turn our backs on the new couple, giving them some privacy.
I let out a long sigh of relief as the adrenaline in my blood evaporates now Moran is safely away from me and that I know that sacrificing John's feelings was the right thing to do. My mind is satisfied but my body is exhausted.
My legs turn to jelly underneath my body. My head spins and I can feel myself falling but can do nothing to stop it. I tense, expecting to hit the pavement but instead I collapse into a pair of strong arms and am engulfed in a soft but masculine scent. Looking up I see the DI grinning down at me as he pulls me upright; holding on to me for a few more seconds than necessary.
"I don't think I introduced myself properly earlier. I'm DI Greg Lestrade."
I smile back, biting my lip and out of the corner of my eye I see John point subtly at me and whisper something to Sherlock.
"Hi, I'm Ivy Eventide. Pleased to meet you."