AU

[i_favour_you]

Follows this.

It wasn't until he found the beach that he realized they had made it to Cape May. Of all of New Jersey, this was possibly his least favorite place. It was so nice here. Cosy shops, happy people, and homes that cost far too much money.

Also, art supply stores. Sherlock purchases the needle, thread, alcohol, and some glue. Can't look too obvious, even with the blood under his fingernails and the tears in his tee-shirt. Not long after, he parks the stolen car in front of a chain hotel and goes in as calmly as possible to book them a room. His body is vibrating with panic. He can't remain this calm for much longer. Watson is bleeding. She's injured. He has to smile and wait in line and be bloody calm.

He pulls a coat out of the bag of clothes to put over Watson's shoulders once he gets back to the car.

"There's a vending machine and room service," he tells her. "We can get you orange juice and water for the blood loss."

Comments

[i_favour_you]

There are two officers. Sherlock notes the cut of their trousers, the way their shoes are muddy, and the hats. Both worked about 5 hours so far, long shift but small town. Legitimate police. This is something routine. Perhaps. There's a buzz on the walkie, and Sherlock gets the impression it might not be.

"A stolen vehicle was found in the parking lot of this establishment," the officer says. "A potential hostage situation may have occurred."

[formersurgeon]

She notices most of that as well, as well as the fact that their guns are still very much in their holsters. She relaxes just a little. She might actually survive this encounter.

"Oh my god," she says, looking concerned with a touch of shocked. "Are we in danger? Should we stay inside and keep the doors locked or something?"

[i_favour_you]

It's everything in Sherlock not to burst into laughter at how she sounds.

"Is everything okay?" Sherlock asks from the bed, sounding like he'd only caught a snippet of the conversation.

One of the officers speaks to Watson. "No, but we'll be by in the morning, need to get a few statements." Her lack of attire clearly makes the officer uncomfortable.

[formersurgeon]

"Hold on, sweetie," she says to Sherlock over her shoulder before turning back to the officers. She can't help but notice the officer's discomfort, and she mirrors it, tugging at the hem of the shirt a little to suggest that she wishes it covered more. Hoping her own discomfort coupled with his would encourage them to move on quicker.

"Yeah, sure, of course. We're glad to help in any way we can."

[i_favour_you]

"We've got your information, Mrs. Morstan," the other officer says. "We'll be by early in the morning. Try not to head out before then."

The awkward officer moves to try to go to the next room, and Sherlock eyes the window cautiously. They'll be watching for who might try to leave earlier. Of course they will be. This is going to be significantly more difficult than he originally thought.

[formersurgeon]

"Sure, no problem. Thanks."

She closes the door, turns the lock, replaces the chain. Then she leans her forehead against the door, closes her eyes, and does a slow count to five to make sure they've moved on.

[i_favour_you]

He steps up behind her, putting a hand to her hip.

"You should get some sleep," he says. "We'll need to leave before they come back tomorrow."

[formersurgeon]

She nods, steps back, and sags against him. She had to work hard to be on her feet and look normal for the cops, and now her legs are failing her.

[i_favour_you]

He wraps an arm around her, relishing in the feel of her so close. Close, alive.

"My dear Watson," he murmurs. "Come back to bed."

She needs to sleep. He needs to plan.

[formersurgeon]

"Yeah, just...you might have to help me a little here."

She holds onto him, forcing her legs to work as much as possible, to take them back to the bed.

[i_favour_you]

He leans down, moving his other arm under her knees to lift her up.

"Hold onto me."

[formersurgeon]

Under most circumstances, she wouldn't let him get away with this. Would insist that no, really, she's fine, she can make it. Really.

But now she's worn, in so many ways, still in pain, still just a few steps away from shock. And Sherlock feels so guilty, for letting her get hurt, for not being able to fix her correctly.

She's going to let him take care of her.

She nods, and slips her good arm over his shoulder, around his neck, holds the bad arm against her stomach.

[i_favour_you]

He walks her over to the bed and is astounded again by how light she is. He doesn't take good enough care of her, his mind informs him. He lays her down carefully, smoothing down her hair as he does.

"Rest," he says. "I'll be here."

[formersurgeon]

She cups his cheek with her good hand before lowering her arm.

"You'd better be," she says softly, with just a hint of a smile.

[i_favour_you]

He leans forward, pressing a kiss to her temple.

"I promise," he says, his voice just above a whisper.

[formersurgeon]

She nods slightly, closing her eyes. It isn't long at all before she falls asleep, her body taking advantage of her stillness and relative safety to take the rest and recuperation it desperately needs.

[i_favour_you]

He is not tired. He might've liked the endorphin rush of an orgasm to put him to sleep, but this is for the best. Once he's certain she's sleeping, he goes into the bathroom, pours the vodka over her scraps of clothes, and sets them on fire. He changes his outfit, calculates the amount of money they have left, and turns the television on mute.

It's around 4am when he moves to wake her.

"Watson," he says. "Watson."

[formersurgeon]

She sleeps the deep sleep of the exhausted and the pained, her dreams hazy and half-formed. When Sherlock comes to wake her, it takes a moment for her to swim up for those depths. She opens her eyes before she's quite awake, her expression almost puzzled. Then she blinks, the haze clearing.

"Sherlock. Is everything okay?"

[i_favour_you]

"We need to get going," he says. "Before the police arrive."

He moves a lock of hair from her forehead. This early in the morning he feels somewhat daring in how tactile he's being with her. After all, they've been everything apart from strictly intimate thus far.

[formersurgeon]

"Right."

She wants to return that affectionate touch, and reciprocates by lifting her hand to brush her fingertips down the side of his face.

"How are we going to do this?"

[i_favour_you]

"Head down the boardwalk, steal another car," he says. "Get to another town as quickly as we can. You can sleep while I drive."

He turns his head to press his lips against her fingertips. He makes no real move to get up from how he's lying next to her on the bed. He has no need to.

[formersurgeon]

He kisses her fingers, and she brushes them lightly over his lips. He's not making any move to get up; things must not be terribly urgent for the moment.

"Kiss me," she whispers.

[i_favour_you]

They should be leaving. They have a lot of running to do. But she instructs, and he doesn't hesitate to follow, leaning down to press his mouth to hers.

He shouldn't need her this much. It makes things dangerous for her. She will be the target of everything they do, everywhere they go. But he can't stop wanting her, and he can't leave her.

[formersurgeon]

He obeys, as she knew he would, and she kisses him back, slow and lingering and loving. She wants him to feel loved, feel how much she loves him. She knows he fears for her, feels guilty for what he thinks he's putting her through. She knows that her words and reassurances can only go so far, that there are wounds there that run deeper than she can yet reach. So she wants to give him this. The knowledge of her love, and her loyalty, that unlike those he's known before she won't abandon him, turn on him, push him away. That he can count on her to be by his side.

[i_favour_you]

When he breaks the kiss, he keeps close, brushing her nose with his.

"Please," he murmurs. "Let me send you somewhere safe."

As he speaks, he traces his hand down her torso, words asking her to go while his hands keeping her firmly with him.