Chapter 2

Ruby spit in the face of her captor angrily; He struck her and screamed obscenities at her. She had been refusing to give any information for hours and she was beginning to weaken. It became evident to her that this man would not stop until he got what he wanted. She began to think of Sherlock and John. The Doctor, she would need eventually; The Detective, she needed now. His quick mind and strange methods would come in handy. Ruby could only hope that someone would realize that she was gone and needed help. She was clever, but never could have seen this coming, no matter how obvious it was to Holmes. The petite woman looked up at her captor, eyes flashing angrily.

"J'ai peux-être une femme, mais je suis sa femme. Fidèle à la fin…" she whispered, hoping he would fine her before the end came.

The next morning, Watson went back to Ruby's hotel, but found her gone. The room had been ransacked, things tossed everywhere. He immediately summoned Holmes and let him examine the scene. At first, the detective thought the entire thing was just an elaborate ruse, but knew better than to think that Ruby would do that to him. He looked around, really looked. Holmes saw everything, taking it in and trying to make something of it. Watson watched him carefully. The doctor continued to try to piece the situation together. It nearly gave the poor man a headache. Holmes suddenly stood upright and ran his fingers through his hair.

"What is it, Holmes?" Watson asked, hoping he wouldn't regret it.

"She's been taken. Somewhere near the Tower Bridge. A warehouse…."

"Abandoned?"

"Obviously…if it was in use and, therefore, frequently inhabited they would not be using it… Come, Watson! We must be off!"

Holmes left the hotel in quite a hurry, not bothering with a cab for the time being. The duo searched every warehouse in the vicinity of the bridge, finding nothing. On their last warehouse, Holmes was sure they would find her inside. They split up to search. Watson found what they had been looking for first.

"Holmes! You're going to want to see this…"

Holmes appeared in the doorway moments later, mouth falling open at what he saw. The emerald dress she had worn days before was draped over a chair, stained with blood. A small, neatly folded piece of paper rested on the seat of the chair. Holmes snatched it up and read it quickly.

Annoying, this one. You can have her back now…

Holmes crumpled the paper in his hand, "We should get back to Baker Street…"

The moment they arrived at the rooms, Holmes rushed upstairs. Watson heard his knees hit the floor, as if he were kneeling in front of something to reach it easier. He heard the detective yell for him and ascended the stairs himself. The sight of Sherlock Holmes kneeling before a woman nearly swept Watson off his feet. The dark brown eyes of his friend begged the doctor to help her. Of course, Holmes was too proud to actually beg, but Watson had learned to read him over the years. He crossed the room and knelt next to the sofa where she lay unconscious. She was wearing nothing but a coat that was unfamiliar to the two men. After a lengthy examination, John stood and glanced at his friend.

"She's alive, just unconscious. From the looks of her, she lost quite a bit of blood. I'll leave you alone with her for a while…"

Watson left, leaving Holmes with the unconscious Ruby. He knew better than to think that Holmes would do something stupid with her in that state. After dressing her in a pair of his pyjamas, Holmes sat by her for the rest of the day and through the night. Around 1AM, he heard a sharp intake of breath and a low groan from her.

"Sherlock…" she whispered.

"Right here, Ruby." He replied, his voice just above a whisper.

"I've wanted to tell you something for so long. I think now might be the time…"

He winced uncharacteristically. Never before had he heard her sound so weak and tired.

"Tell me."

"I-I loved you. All those years I was gone. I still love you, I think. I feel so weak…"

For once in his life, Sherlock Holmes had nothing to say. Her eyes flickered open briefly and met with his.

"Don't you dare. Ruby, don't say goodbye. There's so much you don't know."

She managed a weak smile that faded as quickly as it had formed. Ruby's eyes closed; Holmes took her hand and kissed it gently. Her skin was porcelain white and cold to touch. It was obvious that she was still conscious, just not speaking anymore. The detective stayed by her side.

Watson smiled to himself as he crept silently back up to his room. He had seen and heard everything. He wondered what Holmes had meant by "There's so much you don't know." At least there was some indication that he cared or had cared for this woman at one point or another. Watson had seen no point in staying by her that night. There was nothing more he could do for her other than let her rest.

The next morning, Watson plodded downstairs in his pyjamas to find Holmes still sitting on the floor next to Ruby. She was more animated than she had been last night, he noticed. The detective was smiling and talking to her. Holmes may have mistrusted women, but he could be charming when he wanted to be. It looked like they were getting along well after the events that had occurred. Watson cleared his throat to attract the attention of his patient and his friend. Holmes immediately got to his feet and turned around.

"Good morning you two."

"Good morning, Watson. Why are you grinning like that?"

"No reason…just glad to see she's all right."