Distraction - Sherlock Fanfiction

Kiss

Later in the night, John had gone out leaving Beth alone with Sherlock and Irene. Beth was laid out in her usual night time spot on the long sofa, Sherlock was sat in his arm chair, fiddling with his violin and Irene was sat in John's chair.

"Coventry." Sherlock said from deep in thought.

"I've never been. Is it nice?" Irene asked.

"Where's John?"

"He went out a couple of hours ago."

"I was just talking to him."

"He said you do that. What's Coventry got to do with anything?"

"It's a story, probably not true. In the Second World War, the Allies knew that Coventry was going to get bombed because they'd broken the German code but they didn't want the Germans to know that they'd broken the code, so they let it happen anyway."

"Have you ever had anyone?" Irene said suddenly making Beth tense.

"Sorry?"

"And when I say "had," I'm being indelicate."

"I'm going to bed." Beth gulped out, standing from the sofa quickly.

"What?" Sherlock looked over to Beth confused, "Why?"

"Because I'm tired, Sherlock." Beth said softly.

"But, I always take you to bed..."

This time it was Beth's turn to say, "What?"

"You always fall asleep on the sofa, I always carry you to bed"

Beth blinked her watery eyes, "Goodnight, Sherlock."

~~

"Jim Moriarty sends his love." Sherlock lifted his head at Irene's words, he was facing away from Irene and his brother.

"Yes, he's been in touch. Seems desperate for my attention. I'm sure can be arranged." Sherlock's face hardened at his brother's words.

"I had all this stuff, never knew what to do with it. Thank God for the consultant criminal. Gave me a lot of advice about how to play the Holmes boys. Do you know what he calls you? The Ice Man... and the Virgin with a Heart." Irene smiled smugly.

Sherlock's jaw clenched and his mind flicked back to Moriarty throwing Beth into the swimming pool, proving that Sherlock Holmes does have a heart. He then dismissed the memory and began to work something out in his head.

"Didn't even ask for anything. I think he just likes to cause trouble. Now that's my kind of man."

"And here you are, the dominatrix who brought a nation to its knees. Nicely played." Mycroft said.

"No."

"Sorry?" Irene smiled, smug that she had won.

"I said no. Very very close, but no." Sherlock stood to his feet and walked towards Irene, "You got carried away. The game was too elaborate. You were enjoying yourself too much."

"No such thing as too much."

"Oh, enjoying the thrill of the chase is fine, craving the distraction of the game, I sympathise entirely, but sentiment? Sentiment is a chemical defect found in the losing side."

"Sentiment? What are you talking about?" Irene asked, smiling at Sherlock's false deductions.

"You."

"Oh dear God. Look at the poor man. You don't actually think I was interested in you? Why? Because you're the great Sherlock Holmes, the clever detective in the funny hat? I think you've got it mixed up, darling, you've been ignoring a very beautiful and in love girl just for me." Irene said, hinting towards Beth.