Chapter Text
Jane was home. Back at 221B Baker Street, and already wanting to be back in the hospital.
“What have you done?” Jane asked, astonished with the amount of paperwork that was taking over the flat. “Sherlock?”
The lanky man slid his coat off, hanging it on the hook behind the door.
“It’s for that case I told you about. I’ve been doing some research on who it could be, and I’ve narrowed it down to two men who have been working together for years. They stopped ten years ago, due to almost being caught.”
“I told you not yet Sherlock.”
“I’m not on the case yet.” He retorted. “Unless they murder before we think they might.
“We?”
“Lestrade. I haven’t told him everything. I don’t want to, because he would never let us do this. Oh, and here.” He handed her a velvet box.
“What is this?” Jane asked, astonished at the amount of information Sherlock was giving her. And that he wasn’t calling her an idiot…
“It was my grandmothers.” He shrugged, sitting on the floor in the middle of his paperwork. “Open it.”
Jane grew nervous as she opened the small box. Inside was an antique ring. The center stone was sapphire and round, with a square halo around it. The halo was filled with small diamonds long with four on each side. It was white gold, and absolutely beautiful. All she could do was stare at it.
“Sherlock, um, I am confused. Why are you giving me this?”
“So people know we are engaged Jane. Really, I need you to keep up with me.” Sherlock waved his hand at her. “Take a seat, you’ll bust a rib again breathing that hard.”
“I never accepted a proposal from you Sherlock.”
“Jane,” Sherlock looked up, finding Jane’s eyes wide. “Oh yes, I haven’t informed you.”
“No, you haven’t Sherlock.” Jane seethed.
“In the cold case, every couple was found dead. The male killed by the female, then the female made to look like it was suicide. Until the last couple murders, they became sloppy, and it was discovered that it was a serial killer. He targeted wealthy males, and would force the females into writing a note about marrying the male because of how much money they had, but got too impatient.”
“So you want us to pose as an engaged then married couple to get the murderers attention?” Jane asked slowly, her eyes darting everywhere but the ring and Sherlock.
“Yes, I’ve narrowed it down to the two men who were working together. I just don’t have an sufficient evidence. They stopped when a girl had escaped, and told the police. But they never found them, and later she was found dead by shooting herself. Which was actually another murder. I can’t find what they had in common yet. The one thing is that there are three couples a year. January, May, and September.”
“Well that’s new.” Jane rolled her eyes. Already another case. She should be completely used to this by now. But it saves Mrs. Hudson’s wall from being abused again. “Then what’s with the ring?”
“You need to wear it when we’re in public. Do keep up Jane. Idiocy is not a good look on you.” He shrugged, moving more papers around.
“I haven’t agreed to this yet.” Jane sighed, laying back down. Her side was hurting, and she was pretty sure the tape would need changing before she went to bed.
“We could get this done fairly quickly.” Sherlock added, walking into the kitchen. He poured water into the kettle, and set it on the stove.
“Are you making tea?” Jane asked, astonished.
“Yes I am. You need something Jane.” He mused, back to the pile of papers. Her eyes just stared at him, but he ignored it. “And besides, we need to tell everyone we’re engaged Jane.”
“Why would we need to do that? Can just the people we’re going after know?”
“No. We have to make it believable. Pay attention” Sherlock stated, rolling his eyes.
“Then you better propose to me, darling.” Jane snapped, getting up. She wanted to make a better exit than limping in pain. But she was already irritated with Sherlock, and her nose started to hurt. Everything was just hurting more then it normally did.
Damn it Sherlock
~****~
Two weeks later, Jane was lying in bed. Her body wasn’t hurting as much as before, but her nose and ribs still contained a dull ache. Tomorrow she was going in to have the two ribs checked, even though she knew they were healed. She still had to wear the tape before then to be safe.
“Shit-” She muttered. She forgot to change it.
Groaning, Jane got out of bed and went into the restroom. The only problem was that her shoulder was killing her, and it would make it difficult for her to even remove the tape around her.
“You didn’t change it before bed.” Sherlock’s voice startled her.
“Jesus Sherlock!” Jane snapped, catching her breath. “I almost hit you hard enough to knock you out.”
“Then I would have blocked Jane. Some of your movements are completely predictable.” Sherlock rolled his eyes. “You’re going to have a problem because your shoulder is stiff from the weather, and the way you were attempting to sleep on it.”
“I’ll manage.” Jane scoffed, attempting to push the door closed.
“No you won’t. You’ll be in too much pain.”
“Well I really haven’t a choice Sherlock, have I?” She frowned.
“I could help.”
“No.”
“Jane, it is perfectly logical.” Sherlock pushed his way in, closing the door behind him. “I know how to do it. Plus Dr. Frazier was adamant on showing me before he let you go. Remember?”
“Yes, I remember Sherlock. But you’re my flat mate, and this is pushing boundaries.” Jane replied, shaking her head. She should have known he had no sense of privacy.
“It is also making sure you do not hurt yourself further, since we need to get into the case quickly.” Sherlock turned her. “Lift your shirt.”
“Sherlock-
Ignoring her, he lifted the light shirt to just above where the tape was. Jane, being an idiot in his eyes, groaned, and protested, but Sherlock ignored it.
He noticed some scars along her torso. He wanted to know how they had gotten there, and why. Why would anyone try to hurt Jane? He assumed it was from war, and being a woman in the army was hard, even in this day and age.
“You were held hostage.” He finally spoke, while reaching for the tape. Jane didn’t answer him. She didn’t want too. “They didn’t violate you sexually, but it does look like-”
“Just stop.” Jane replied, her voice dark. “Do not say another word, alright?”
For once Sherlock listened, and just continued setting the tape around her.
“Thank you.” She whispered, pulling her shirt back down.
“Do you want some tea?” He asked, hoping to lighten the mood, and get more answers about her time in Afghanistan.
“Sherlock, what has gotten into you?” Jane narrowed her eyes, placing her hands on her hips. “Before the pool, you wouldn’t even bother doing anything like this at all. Now you’re making tea, and making sure I’m okay…”
“Nothing has gotten into me.” Sherlock huffed, opening the door. Jane tried to stop him, but heard the door of his room slam. She wasn’t exactly sure, but something had gotten into Sherlock, and she wanted to know what.
~****~
“Ah, so nice to see you, Jane Watson.” Mycroft looked up from his desk. “And it looks as though you are healing well?”
“Yea, just fine.”
“I take it you are here because of my brothers strange behavior?” He asked, leaning back in his chair.
“I am.” Jane sat across from him. She hated coming to see Mycroft. One particular reason was because she had to dress up. And dresses weren’t her favorite things after the army . “Did he receive any concussions, or anything?”
“No. He was only cut from a piece of metal. And also had a few scrapes and bruises. You were hurt the most.” Mycroft answered. “My brother has always had an, odd, concern for you Jane.”
“What do you mean by odd?” Jane raised an eyebrow suspiciously.
“Sherlock Holmes rarely cares for anything but himself, the game, and his violin. He cares about his work, and getting everything correct. Except, you aren’t entirely correct to my brother. You surprise him constantly, Jane Watson.”
Jane stared beyond Mycroft for a moment.
“Why should I answer if I know you know? You’ve stated it already.”
“Because it is nice to hear verbal conformation.”
“My brother may come off as many things, heartless being one of them. But he really isn’t that way. He just avoids situations where he gets too involved. No one understands how he thinks, and as a result he receives so many harsh words for his observation skills. Sherlock has never been much of a people person.”
“He isn’t going to like you mentioning this to me.” Jane stood, ready to get home and change. She had her answer.
“He isn’t going to like that you’re not wearing grandmothers ring yet either.” The elder Holmes brother smirked. “I do suppose he needs to make it official though.”
“Oh goodness.” Jane shook her head, retrieving her coat. Her phone buzzed promptly.
“I believe you have a case Jane. Do please look after Sherlock? I worry about him still.”
Jane nodded, still in awe of him. Damn right he was related to Sherlock. She almost didn’t remember why she went there.
She caught a cab back to Baker Street. There was apparently nothing wrong with her flat mate. Other than the fact he was attempting to be less infuriating when it came to matters of the flat.
Jane’s phone buzzed again, forcing her to actually check it.
New development. Come to 221B at once. -SH
Why haven’t you answered? I grow impatient Jane. And if you’re still with Mycroft, do tell him to bugger off. -SH
Jane chuckled, the cab pulling up to the door. She handed him his fair, before jumping out.
“Oh, what took you so long?” Sherlock snapped when Jane walked in. “I didn’t-”
He stopped, giving her a quick glance. Jane was wearing a dress. And actual dress.
“Sherlock?” She asked, waving her hand in front of his face. He looked lost, and that shocked to her.
“Sorry.” He shook his head. “Lestrade would like us down at the Yard. He has a different case than this one, that will tide us over till we can go through with the other one.”
“I’ll just change really quick.” She nodded turning to leave, until his hand grasped her arm.
“No need too.” He nodded. “We need to leave now.”
“Fine.” Jane wrinkled her nose. Sherlock sped a head of her, while she grabbed the illegal fire arm that was kept in a drawer. Luckily, the knife was already secure to the front of her bra. Ever since the pool incident, she didn’t go anywhere without it.
The man was oddly silent in the cab, but she couldn’t help but notice the quick glances from his phone.
~****~
“I will kick every one of those men in the sac…” Jane growled as Sherlock held the door open for her to the yard. Almost every sergeant, DI, or officer had whistled at her. She hated when men whistled at her. Don’t they know what she could do to them?
“Most men are borderline savage Jane. They have most likely, not seen a woman in a dress for a while, or not seen you in a dress. I would go with the latter.”
“That’s why you didn’t let me change isn’t it?” Jane’s eyes widened. “You wanted to test their reactions…”
“Not just theirs.” Sherlock stated simply, walking into Lestrade’s office.
“Ah Sherlock, and Jane.” He nodded to Anderson before walking toward them. “It’s nice to see that you look better. Both of you.”
“You called. What is the case?” Sherlock snapped.
“We have a man on the loose…”
“I don’t do those Lestrade. You know that.”
“Thing is, he disappeared. We were chasing him on foot, when he just vanished. He broke from Sergeant Donovan’s hold, elbowed her in the nose, and ran off.”
“Is Donovan okay?” Jane asked, ignoring Sherlock’s childish plop into the chair.
“Yes, just getting her nose set. She’ll match you, if you don’t mind me saying…”
“Enough with the flirting Lestrade.” Sherlock rolled his eyes. “I’m assuming the culprit had some help. I need his file.”
Lestrade huffed, walking out of the room.
“You didn’t have to be rude Sherlock.” Jane scolded him. “He wasn’t flirting.”
“Mentioning that Donovan would look like you, just because you both have bandages on your noses is very much flirting Jane. But proves my theory.” He mused, his eyes falling upon Anderson, who was stealing glances at Jane.
“And what theory is that?” Jane whispered as Lestrade walked in, and handed the file to Sherlock.
“You should wear dresses more often.” He smirked, setting the file down. “I have everything I need, I know where the man is and who is helping him.”
“Did you just use the fact that I have nice legs and curves to distract them?” Jane nearly shouted, feeling her face flush.
“When you put it that way Jane, it sounds awful. I used your gender to our advantage.”
“Our? You mean your. I could smack you Sherlock. Hard.”
The man just chuckled. With Lestrade in the room, Jane would have to wait on her revenge.
“The file was in here.” Sherlock smiled. “I have an idea of where he is. Be there in two hours. I’ll text the address.”
With that he sauntered off. Lestrade stared at him, and Jane had to hurry up to him.
“Did he make you dress that way?” Anderson asked, his voice snide and annoying.
“No Anderson, I am actually capable of dressing myself.” She retorted.
“You can’t seriously follow him around like that though. It makes you an easy target for attackers, and draws attention to the both of you.” He sneered.
“Jane! Come on!” Sherlock shouted, by the door.
“I don’t follow him around, and I will never be an easy target Anderson. Please get those illusions out of your head, and stop staring at me.” Jane turned to leave.
“Any one who follows the freak around is an easy target. Look what happened to you with the pool incident-”
The sentence wasn’t even finished before Jane’s fist met Anderson’s already crooked nose. The man fell back against his desk, and other officers, including Lestrade were all around him.
“Please think before you speak Anderson.” Jane smiled, shaking her hand out. “And stop staring at me. I’ll file a report next time you make a comment on what I am wearing.”
Lestrade was holding back from laughing when she walked away. This time, Sherlock had to hurry to catch up to her.
“I was never expecting something like that to happen.” He breathed out, finally caught up to her quickened strides. “Not from you Jane Watson.”
She looked up at him, stopping. His pupils were dilated, and she could see that his pulse was quickened. Sherlock was, attracted? To her?
Then Mycroft’s words played in her head again.
“You surprise him constantly, Jane Watson.”
“Where do we need to go Sherlock?”
~****~
“I do way too much for you…” Jane shivered, her teeth chattering loudly against the cold.
They had caught the criminal. In fact, Jane had caught him, but he decided to throw them into the Thames. She was now freezing, and hated that her favorite pair of boots were completely soaked.
Sherlock had almost panicked when he saw them go over. He wasn’t sure if she would survive the fall, and if she did, what would the criminal could have done to her still plays in his mind.
“Here.” He wrapped his coat around her along with his scarf. “Are you okay?”
“Other than freezing, and not feeling my shoulder yes. I’m fine.” Jane snapped, snuggling further into his coat. It was fairly big on her, but she didn’t mind the warmth.
“Good, I wouldn’t want you to be dead before the wedding.” Sherlock smirked, making Jane want to punch him.
“You haven’t proposed yet, sweetheart.” Jane smiled, tapping his face as a playful gesture. But she made sure it stung.
“Um, what?” Donovan stopped in her tracks.
“I was going to wait till our dinner reservation, but now I just can’t.” Sherlock smiled, flashing his playful eyes to Jane.
“Don’t you dare…” Jane seethed quietly, pulling the man down to her eye level. “Sherlock-”
“We need witnesses, and you are well enough.” Sherlock remarked quietly.
“I’m going to murder you in your sleep.” Jane whispered as he stood back up.
I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. Jane thought.
“What’s going on?” Donovan asked again. “Are you two together?”
“Of course we are. None of your skills are as par as mine, hence is why you hadn’t noticed.” Sherlock waved his hand, and dropped down to one knee. “Jane Hannah Watson, will you do the honor of becoming my wife?”
Jane gaped at Sherlock. Her face became red with embarrassment, but his matched it color for color. She almost believed it was real. The small velvet box was in his hand, and opened. She was impressed, except the fact he mention of her middle name.
“You’re kidding?” Lestrade asked, eyes wide.
“No.” Sherlock told him, face straight and eyes actually glowing. “It’s not a joke.”
Jane grabbed Sherlock by the collar, pulling him level with her. She figured if he was doing this in front of everyone, she should make it believable. Then, she kissed him.
“What the fuck?” Anderson shouted, loud enough for everyone to hear.
It was a careful kiss on Jane’s part. Sherlock figured they were suppose to be ‘happy go lucky’ at this point, so his arms wrapped tightly around her waist, while kissing Jane harder. Naturally, Jane’s arms wrapped around his neck and she gave him plenty of tongue. It was believable.
“I take that as a yes?” Sherlock asked, after breaking apart for air. Jane could only nod. She had a few words for him waiting at the back of her mouth.
“Yes.” She answered finally, so everyone could hear. Sherlock smiled like an idiot, and slid the ring on her finger. “Oh, it’s lovely Sherlock.”
“Are you really with him?” Donovan asked, pointing at Sherlock like he was some sort of science experiment. He might as well be to her.
“It isn’t our fault that no one paid attention.” Sherlock rolled his eyes, wrapping his arm around Jane’s waist. “We’re getting married, and would like you to attend when we decide a date.”
“Don’t you think we should head home darling?” Jane smiled resting her hand on his chest. If he was going to play this way, so was she.
“Alright, I want you in tomorrow for your statements.” Lestrade walked up to them. “And to discuss other things.”
“We’ll be there.” Sherlock smiled, pulling Jane away with him for a cab.
“I can’t believe I said yes.” Jane whispered as he pulled her along.
“I had to make it believable Jane. I wasn’t expecting you to fall into the Thames, and I was going to ask you at the pub with the Yard later. But this is enough. They believed it.”
“I think I almost did too.” She responded as Sherlock hailed a cab.
“It was good for credibility. Everyone now knows we’re engaged.” He smiled, opening the door for her.
“I still might murder you in your sleep.” Jane murmured, leaning her head against his shoulder. At least he made it believable.