Chapter twenty-six: Tammy's in love

John exhaled and looked at Sherlock in admiration as the ambulance pulled away from the small, dark, warehouse bearing the body of the missing girl. "I can't understand how you knew it was the father who abducted her."

Sherlock smiles. "Well, it was fairly obvious."

"But I still don't see how-

"Don't bait him John." I advise quickly. "You know how much he loves it."

Sherlock frowns at me. "No I don't."

"Yeah you do," I tap my finger on his nose. "because….genius needs an audience, and you know it. But, go ahead and tell John anyway."

He frowns slightly at me. "Why?"

"Because I am not going to deny you the privilege of humiliating John and everyone else, so go ahead."

He glowers at me and turns to Lestrade. "Make sure that Mrs. Meeks gets this," Sherlock reaches into his pocket and hands him a card. "he's a good lawyer, rarely loses a case. Should be able to get a divorce quickly and easily. They might even wind up seeing each other before her divorce is even final."

Greg looks at Sherlock with distaste. "Oh, Sherlock, you can't be serious."

I nod my head. "He's dead serious. Trust me Greg; she's going to want that card. No woman is going to remain married to the man who kidnapped her child and then held her hostage, threatening to kill her."

"Well, if you insist." He takes the card from Sherlock and tucks it into his pocket, before extending me his hand. "Well, goodnight Tammy."

I shake his hand, but also lean forward to give him a friendly hug around the shoulder. "Goodnight." I can feel the grin on his face as we pull apart. My ring catches on a snag in his jacket. "Oops, sorry about that."

"Way to go Tammy." Sherlock mutters.

Greg helps me free my hand, but doesn't release it. He frowns as he looks at the ring. "What's this? It looks like an engagement ring."

"It's not." Sherlock says tightly. "It's a promise ring."

John frowns as he looks at my hand. "I didn't see that ring before."

I shook my head. "I just got it."

"Really?" Greg smiles broadly. "A promise ring for what occasion?"

I bite my lip and say. "A promise to a commitment in a relationship, with possibilities of matrimony in the future."

"A marriage proposal then?" Greg laughed. "Well, I'd say a bottle of champagne is in order for you then."

I smile. "I don't know about champagne, but I do think I'd like a drink. It's been quite a week."

Sherlock nods as he nudges me towards Greg's car. "I agree, let's go."

Greg shows no objections as we pile into the car. Sherlock is somehow able to manipulate the entire conversation about the case, doing everything possible to forestall the fore coming question about who gave me the ring. We're able to put it off quite well, until we're seated outside, under the stars at a quaint, deserted café, with our order.

"So," Greg asks as he hands me my glass of wine. Sherlock had changed the wine order to one that would agree with my tastes. "now to the point of this whole conversation. Who's the lucky man? Anyone we know?"

"Oh for God's sake," Sherlock snaps out. "I gave it to her."

"YOU!" John and Greg shout in unison.

Sherlock shrugs. "Who else?" he places his arm on my shoulder, draping it around my neck. "Why are people so idiotic at times?"

"Sherlock…stop it, be nice."

"Why?"

"Because I asked you."

"I know that, but why should I be nice because you asked me to be nice?"

"Because it would make me happy."

He shrugs. "Point noted, but not taken."

Greg stammered. "You and Sherlock….you two are actually….dating?"

I frown and look at Sherlock, I've propped my elbow up on the table, resting my head atop my hand. "I'm not too sure what we're doing," he smirks down at me as I smile. "but it's fun."

"Fun." John said slowly. "Not a word that I'd associate with Sherlock. How are you two ever going to find the time to go together out on dates?"

"We'll make the time."

Sherlock frowns. "What do you think this is?"

John chuckles and shakes his head. "This is not a date Sherlock. Lestrade and I are here."

"For the moment."

I smile. "Best to take a moment present, as a present for the moment. Seize the moment, stars may fall any moment." John, Lestrade and Sherlock frown at me and I explain. "Lyrics, from Stephen Sondheim's into the woods."

"Tammy has an utterly annoying habit of finding lyrics," Sherlock says rather pointedly. "that are suitable for almost every occasion."

"Really?" John crosses his arms and leans forward slightly on them. "Is there a song called 'Tammy' out of curiosity."

I nod. "Yes. It's an old one though."

"Do you know it?"

I inhale and begin singing quietly as I run my finger over the glass of wine. I hear the cottonwoods whistling above. "Tammy, Tammy, Tammy's in love."

"Aren't you?" Sherlock mutters close to my ear.

I ignore him but smile. The old hooty owl, hooty-hoots, to the dove. "Tammy, Tammy, Tammy's in love." I turn and give Sherlock a pointed look. Does my lover feel what I feel, when he comes near? Sherlock arches a brow slightly at me as I flush lightly. My heart beats so joyfully, you'd think that he could hear. Wish I knew, if he knew, what I'm dreaming of. Tammy, Tammy, Tammy's in love.

I then continue to the second verse. It's late and there isn't anyone really around to hear me so my voice echoes slightly in the night air. Whippoorwill, whippoorwill, you and I know. Tammy, Tammy, can't let him go. Sherlock arches his brow questioningly again and I nod at him. The breeze in the bayou keeps murmuring low, "Tammy, Tammy, my voice almost fails me. you love him so."

"Do you?" Sherlock asks me quietly, so only I can hear.

I nod instead of replying. When the night is warm, soft and warm, I long for his charms. I'd sing like a violin….if I were in his arms. On cue, Sherlock pulls me into his arms and holds me closely. I smile as I lean back against him, looking up at him slightly. Wish I knew, if he knew what I'm thinking of. Tammy, my voice wavers slightly as Sherlock leans towards me. Tammy, Tammy's in love.

And with that, his lips descend lightly over mine. I smile as I reach up and run a hand through his hair. Sherlock gently breaks the kiss before planting another quick kiss on my lips before turning to Greg and John. "Now, as I was saying earlier in the car-

I smile as I listen to Sherlock prattle on and on, spoiling the moment. But what did I care? I was in love, with Sherlock Holmes, he had feelings for me and I was happy. That was all that mattered.

The next part of the story continues in 'A sorta love song!' You'll find it on my profile page.

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