The Anonymous | S.H. ? O.C.

- 7 -

Ann nods and takes deeper breaths.

"Why are you panicking so much? This is what you wanted from the beginning." Sherlock's comment sparks a flame inside of Ann; something that she hadn't felt because of him in the past.

"Well, unlike you, Sherlock, I have more emotions than the typical sociopath." Coming out of John's grasp, an arm around her shoulders that went unnoticed before, Ann approaches Sherlock in a defensive manner.

"You admitted to having feelings for Michael Birch multiple times, but now you just confirmed it more than before. First, you called him by a nickname: Mike, instead of Michael. Now, you just proved that you have emotions, meaning that you could have actually liked Birch. Ann, I suppose you become more of a detective than the lady of the night; it would help you out quite a lot." His tone is monotone and shows no emotions; the only ones that peek through is the aggression towards the end.

Fighting through a choking feeling in the back of her throat, Ann manages to spit back a few words of her own.

"What the hell is your problem with me?" Tears begin to crease the waterline of her eyes.

"All I've ever done is be nice and try to help, but you never return the favour. I get it, you don't understand human emotions, but you could at least try to rather than be a dick all the time!" The water drains from her eyes as she speed-walks into the building and into the ladies' restroom.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she tries to make herself not cry anymore, but more tears come, and they don't stop coming. Hovering over the sink in front of her, she decides to let it all out while she can in an empty bathroom.

~

Ann runs into the courthouse, tears raining from her eyes.

"What the hell, Sherlock? Ann and I are all you have, and you just lost her." John's face reddens. He tries to be quiet as he shows his disappointment with anger.

"How many times do I have to say this?- I don't need her help." Now Sherlock is showing his frustration.

"It's not help, Sherlock! Its called having a friend! Whether you want to call her that or not, she's been here for you, even when you didn't ask for her to. You need to show that you appreciate it, even if you don't."

"Why would I say something I don't mean?" Sherlock's eyebrows furrow, showing that he's legitimately confused.

"Its human nature!"

"We both know by now that I am no human. You've said it before; I'm a machine."

John gives up with a heavy sigh and walks away from Sherlock, leaving him to himself. John enters the courthouse and begins to search for Ann, but can't find her. It occurs to him that she may be in the restroom, so he heads to the restroom doors.

Upon approaching them, Ann exits the ladies' room, almost running into him.

"I'm sorry on his behalf."

Without words, Ann falls into John's arms and he gives a comforting hug. Her tears are gone, but the sadness in her eyes remain. They stay holding each other for a short while.

The room holding O'Neill's case opens and people flood in.

John suggests that they head in so it can get started. Ann asks, "what about Sherlock?" John says to "forget him".

They enter the formal courtroom. The jury are just getting settled into their seats, lawyers are pulling out papers from hard cases.

Once the judge gets in, he tells everyone to settle down and be seated.