Brotherly Love

Coming Home And First Meetings

Going back to London hadn't been my intention for obvious reasons. But no matter how hard I tried to find another solution, another way to get out of this nightmare that had become my life, there simply wasn't anything else I could do. So I packed my meagre belongings, bought a one-way-ticket to Heathrow and began my journey back to the city I once swore I would never return to. During the flight the dread filled pit in my stomach caused me to start shaking uncontrollably. It got so bad, that one of the stewardesses asked me concerned, if everything was alright. Faking a friendly smile I assured her, that I just had a fear of flying and I would be alright, once we landed.

Of course that was a load of crap, usually I loved travelling by aircraft. But I couldn't very well tell her, what was really troubling me. It had gotten even worse, when we finally reached our destination. It took all my willpower not to crumble into a hysteric mess on the ground, when my feet touched the familiar soil of the city I left behind more than two years prior. Keeping my head high and my strides fast and purposeful, I thankfully made it to the ladies room in time to endure a full fledged panic attack in one of the small stalls. Putting my head between my knees I tried to control my breathing, that came out in low broken sobs. For what felt like hours, but had been merely minutes, I sat on the closed lid of the toilet and tried to regain control of my faculties by taking deep breaths trough my nose and letting them out in audible puffs trough my mouth. It took a while, but finally I was put together enough to leave the stall and stare at myself in the mirror above the sink.

My usually dark brown hair was hidden under a blonde wig, securely tightened against my scalp with a ton of bobby pins. My eyes were red and puffy, brown coloured contact lenses hid the unusual light violet colour I usually saw when looking in the mirror. Disguising myself was imminent, for my return had to go unnoticed as long as possible. Gripping the edges of the sink harder, until my knuckles turned white, I took a deep trough the nose and blinked a few times. I had to remove the damn contacts sooner rather then later, going by the slight burning sensation. It had been almost 24 hours since I had first put them in, I've worn them for much longer than they should be worn.

Straightening I splashed some cold water on my face, smoothed out the wrinkled green sun-dress I was wearing and made my way outside. Pushing trough the waves of people bustling around the airport I went to get my luggage from the baggage claim area and finally made my way to the exits. It was late afternoon and the sun peaked occasionally from behind the cloudy sky. Breathing in the typical smell of London, a small smile graced my face. After all, it was still good to be home, even under those dire circumstances.

I flagged down a cab, put my suitcase in the trunk and told the driver my destination. Settling back in my seat, I watched the scenery pass by on our way trough the city. During the nearly forty minute ride my brain was cataloguing the changes that had occurred during my absence, updating the information and filing it away for later use. Thankfully the cabbie didn't seem to be interested in making conversation, to which I was extremely grateful.

My hands were still shaking a bit and the fast beating of my heart made the blood pound in my ears. When we arrived, I payed the cabbie, got my suitcase out of the trunk and stepped onto the curb. Starring at the front of the old brick building for a few minutes I took a few deep breaths, got up the small step to the front door and used the brass knocker to rap resolutely.

Footsteps approached from within and the door opened to reveal a small older woman with short hair and kind brown eyes. "Oh, hellu there deary, are you here to see Sherlock? Lord knows he needs a new case. Has been sulking about for the last few days, driving me and poor John up the wall with his incessant sulking. Come on in, it's right up the stairs, do you want a cuppa? I was already making one, it'll be no bother at all. I'll bring it right up!"