It Started With Stealing | Sherlock Holmes

60 - Cruise Day

She pulled out of the hug with Mrs H before hugging John, "You have full permission from a doctor to break anyone who tries to hurt you."

Elizabeth grinned at the statement, "Thanks."

And finally that left Sherlock. Neither moved to embrace each other and instead stood awkwardly in front of each other. He looked like he wanted to peck her cheek as a goodbye but had then remembered that they weren't exactly together anymore.

The detective swallowed instead, "Be...safe."

"I will." She affirmed before turning to leave.

Dragging her suitcase out of the front door, she turned briefly to give the three one last wave before putting her suitcase in the back of Mycroft's car and then climbed into the back herself.

Maybe three days away from him would just be a good break.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

The moment Elizabeth left, Sherlock raced upstairs and took out his own suitcase from underneath the dining room table and placed it on top of the table. He double-checked that he had everything and ensured all the zips were closed. Then he grabbed his coat, scarf and gloves. He had to check in elsewhere first. Still needed a suitable disguise after all.

John had followed Sherlock back upstairs and waited in the doorway to the kitchen, watching him organise his bag on the table, his brow bunching up like a kink in a carpet.

"Uh, Sherlock?"

"Yes, John?" The detective answered without looking away, mentally checking off his itinerary.

"What are you doing?"

"I swear I told you."

"Mm, no, nope. I don't believe you did."

"I am going on a case."

"With a case?"

Sherlock looked between his suitcase and John, "It's needed."

"And you don't need help on this case?"

"No, Lestrade isn't necessary."

"No, I meant me, Sherlock. I normally accompany you on cases."

"Oh, John, I'm... giving you a break." Sherlock turned to smile at his friend, an action John rarely saw, "You've helped me so much recently that I thought you deserved a break."

John's eyes narrowed at his obvious lie, "And how long will you be gone for?"

"Three days - I mean four."

"Sherlock."

"John, I promise you this is for a case."

"Where?"

"On the RMS Valour..."

"The same cruise line as Elizabeth?"

"Ye - yes but not for Elizabeth. For the case."

"What is the case?"

"Some woman thinks her husband is cheating on her and has asked me to join her on the cruise as she thinks whoever her husband is cheating on her with has been invited on the cruise too."

"Name?"

"Lucetta Silk - Silvan - Silver, something like that."

"Sherlock, Mycroft and Elizabeth have both asked you not to go. Why are you doing this?"

"She's not going to have anyone - "

"She will have Mycroft's contact and one member of security with her."