[COMPLETE] ??? ???? ?? ??? ??????「Sherlock」

015; The Magician and His Assistant

"Oh! Sherlock— he's— not my boyfriend, he's a friend," Julia sputtered, dreading the fact that her cheeks became even pinker with embarrassment. It had to have been painfully obvious in the golden spot-light filtering in through the glass of one of the nearby boutiques.

"Obviously," he scoffed, turning to face the two. "Time to go, Julia."

Deflating slightly, she offered Katie a sheepish glance, wishing to apologize for how eager the detective was to flee. She quietly said goodbye. "It was nice to meet you—"

The girl perked up and stepped forward, pulling her back by one of her arms in an almost childish manner. Julia felt a pang of anxiety wash over her as she was suddenly touched by a stranger. She turned her head so quickly that she could have sworn that her neck had audibly cracked. "Hey, well, at least let me get your number!"

Julia was delighted by the idea, but as she reached into her purse, she recalled that her phone had been left behind at Sherlock's flat. "Oh, blast! I left it back at home," she sighed, her heart sinking. It wasn't until she felt a hand upon her shoulder that she was drawn from her moment of self-degradation. One of Sherlock's pale hands ghosted into view, and within it was her device, as if he had pulled it from his magical hat. "Where did you get that?"

"Have I never told you how easy it is to pick someone's pocket?" he inquired deviously as she snatched it away. Julia stuck her tongue out at him and brushed him away. Katie and the rosette finally managed to exchange emails and other contact details, and then said their farewells. As they were strolling away, making their way across town once more, Julia couldn't help but puzzle over how the sleuth had managed to try his hand at the art of silent theft. Hopefully this would be the last time he would pull something like that. Taking the time to open her phone, she noticed two messages from Elliot and four missed calls from John. Her heart hammered in her chest as she began to read them, praying that he had been informed of her sudden little outing with Sherlock. He wouldn't be upset, would he?

Just on my way from lunch.
Didn't see you around. Maybe
next time?

(12/22/11, 12:03PM)

Haven't heard from you lately,
hope you're having a good
day. Love you :)

(12/22/11, 3:26PM)

Oh, why had she not clued in to Sherlock's mischievous nature? Was she really that much of a fool to overlook her own cellular phone being snatched from her purse? The young woman sighed heavily and shook her head, beginning to type out a quick message using numb fingers. Vehicles were backed up in the streets, honking irritably at one another as their drivers were eager to get home for the night. She read over her message a few times before hitting send.

On our way back to Baker Street.
I'll give you a call once we're home.

(12/22/11, 8:27PM)

The moment her eyes rose, she felt Sherlock's hand upon her arm and she jumped at the sight of that same man they had spotted upon the bus. Their abrupt collision was unavoidable, the burly man slamming into her shoulder-first and nearly knocking her off her feet, dropping the two bags hanging from her slender arm and stumbling into her companion. Sherlock shot the threat a nasty glower and then set her back on her feet, standing guard as she scooped up the bags. As soon as Julia looked upon the svelte gentleman's high cheekbones and piercing gaze, she was surprised as he held a hand out to her. "Hand me the box," he murmured.

Although this would have been the part where the rosette would have argued, insisting that she keep the gifts herself, she suddenly knew something was off and did as she was told. They abandoned the shopping bags and Sherlock stowed them away within the confines of his coat lining. He then jerked his head forward and they silently travelled the way the man had come, continuing at a keen pace. They paused at the lights, approaching a small palmful of people and attempting to merge themselves within their numbers. "What was that man doing, making a b-line for me? He nearly knocked me flat," Julia finally hissed.