Elizabeth had ordered masks for the three of them, and the day before the party, they all arrived. The joys of online shopping meant she could do everything from the apartment without breaching her house arrest, however, one of the items on her list required a short shopping trip. She wasn't too sure how the men would react to her little request but she would ask them all in due time.

"Right then boys, masks are here." Elizabeth smiled, flashing the set of masks to the army doctor and detective who were sat in their chairs, "Which mask do you want?"

John looked up to the three that she held, as did Sherlock. One of them was green with silver swirls, another was black and clashed with white and the last one was black and red. The two men really seemed to contemplate which one to go for before finally answering.

"I'll go for the red and black." John answered.

"Then I shall go for the black and white." Sherlock then nodded, "Are you going for the green?"

She smiled, "No, I've got a different mask."

Placing their two masks on the coffee table beside Sherlock's chair, she walked back to the kitchen to retrieve the final mask from the box that had been delivered. The mask itself was a deep red, accompanied by gold edges and patterns, along with a jewel in the centre of the forehead, and a stunning red flower at the side. When Elizabeth saw it online, she couldn't help but buy it. She had the money so it wasn't like that was a worry. She showed it off to the two with an adoring look towards the item.

"Stunning, isn't it?"

"Hold on, why do we get plain, cheap looking ones while you get a more expensive looking one?" John frowned thoughtfully.

"Because you two didn't participate in picking out what you wanted and they were pricy enough."

"I doubt the money matters much to you anyway." Sherlock mumbled.

"I still save. Plus, now that I'm not stealing anymore, I'm going to need to aren't I? Considering I'm not getting paid to do this either."

"No, instead you're getting a clean slate." He smiled.

"Well, thank you, but my money won't last forever." Elizabeth replied, walking back to Sherlock's room.

"She's rich though, isn't she?" John whispered to Sherlock.

The detective nodded. She was just being tight with her money but who could really blame her? She had no idea what the future held for her. If she wanted some stability, the least she could ensure for herself was her financial stability.

"I estimate around six figures."

Elizabeth wandered back in without the mask now and with a somewhat 'trying to be innocent' air about her. The detective took one look and he already knew what she was going to say, kind of like how a parent would know that their child was going to ask for something.

"What do you want?"

The thief smiled sweetly, "Well, you see, I don't have a dress - "

"Buy one online."

"It won't come in time."

"What about next day delivery?" John asked.

She glared at him, "You don't understand the struggle for women when shopping online, do you?"

The two men glanced to each other briefly as she continued.

"There is no universal size that all shops have, including online ones. I could buy ten size fourteen tops from different places and I gurantee you they would all be different sizes. Shopping online is even worse, because you don't get to try on the item before you buy it." She took a breath to calm herself from her mini rant, "I need to go out and buy my dress. I know where from, but last time I checked, I couldn't leave without one of you escorting me."

John smiled and chuckled a bit, "Sorry, I'm busy - Sherlock will have to take you."

John got up, still chuckling away to himself considering what his friend might consider the 'death sentence' once he understood why the situation would be bad for him. When he got to the kitchen, he peeked his head out to them again.

"And Sherlock,"

"Yes?"

"No guns."

"Why would I need a gun?"

John just chortled to himself, not answering his question. Elizabeth gave a bright look to Sherlock, happy she could go out to get her dress. She loved parties like these - dressing up was fun after all. Yes, she wouldn't have minded a fellow lady to accompany her but Mrs Hudson was out today, looking for a present for a friend.

"Perfect, come on, let's go." She fetched his coat and scarf off the coat stand and chucked it to him, "They don't stay open all day."

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They had spent hours at an independent dress shop that Elizabeth frequented for these kinds of events. She had probably spent half an hour just talking to the shop owner casually before they even tried on any dresses. Sherlock now understood why John said no gun. Being unable to do anything when waiting for Elizabeth was soul-sucking. He would do anything to just get out of here. Elizabeth knew the shop owner well enough to ask for her advice when picking a dress but that just meant that he had been sat in the waiting room for approximately:

"Two hours, thirty-six minutes and ten seconds." He groaned like an impatient child as he dramatically slid off of the chair.

How many red dresses could they possibly have? He'd do anything to just be back at the apartment now because this was just plain tedious. Part of him blamed Mycroft: had he not have said that she would stay with John and himself, this wouldn't be happening.

His eyes darted to the clock again - only a minute had passed since he last looked.

Sherlock stood up now, pacing. He'd even prefer human contact rather than this mind-numbing shopping trip. He took his phone out and found John on his contacts.

~Help me - SH~

~Why? Where's Elizabeth? - JW~

~Lost in the abyss of a changing room :( - SH~

~Are you sure she didn't run away? - JW~

The detectives head whipped up to the changing rooms and he paced over rapidly. He walked down the short aisle of stalls, which were only hidden by a curtain. He pulled each of the curtains open in search of Elizabeth. Thankfully, no other customers had come in here since they had so he knew he would only find Elizabeth if he just checked all -

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" She shrieked, startling Sherlock, and pulled the curtain back over her half-bare body (she was only wearing her jeans) like lightning.

The shop owner, hurried out from another door, just beside the last changing room that she was in, with a bag in her hands. Sherlock backed away from a furious looking Elizabeth and a deeply confused looking shop owner.

"Well?" Elizabeth's stare practically burned holes into his soul as she awaited an explanation.

The detective ruffled the back of his curly hair slightly as he looked everywhere but Elizabeth.

"Well, I - uh - came to check on you - "

"So you call my name." She spoke slowly as if he were some idiot.

He wasn't. Well, he was with some things but not everything. Certainly, not everything.

"Next time use your head." She scalded, "Idiot - I'll be out in a moment, I was just getting changed."

Sherlock just nodded and retreated back to the waiting area. Taking out his phone, he texted John back.

~I wish she did - SH~

~Why? - JW~

~It would have been more interesting running after her than finding her - SH~

~But then it would have been disappointing too - JW~

~To some degree - SH~

It also would have been less shocking than the situation that had just happened. A red hue rose in his cheeks when he next saw Elizabeth, carrying a bag with presumably her dress in it, followed by the shop owner who went to the till. She paid and then turned to see Sherlock standing there, still not making eye contact with her.

"Let's go." She practically commanded.

Sherlock nodded, hurrying out of the shop, leaving Elizabeth to thank the owner and hailed a taxi. He opened the door for her to get in and then promptly followed. He could tell the she wasn't exactly happy with his behaviour given the fact that didn't even look at him for the entire journey. All she did was stare out of the window.

Sherlock got out as she paid the driver and waited there on the pavement for her. When she got out, she took one look at him and walked past him to the apartment door without a word. He understood that he was being given the silent treatment. When he unlocked the door and they headed upstairs, they found John sat in his chair, typing on his laptop. Elizabeth stormed off to Sherlock's room without even greeting the army doctor.

John could sense the tension and simply watched as Sherlock stared at her as she left, looking like a lost sheep.

"What did you do?" John asked, putting his laptop to the side.

"More like what did you do?"

"What did I do?"

"You told me she ran away."

"I asked if you were sure that she didn't run away."

Sherlock went to sit in his chair, opposite John. His fingers were pressed against his temple as he thought about what he could do to make the situation better. He wasn't good with these things but they would be working as a team tomorrow night and he couldn't risk the facade breaking at the party because of a stupid accident (that he still held John responsible for).

"You still didn't explain what happened." John stated with a curious twinkle in his eyes.

With a sigh, the detective answered, "I checked the stalls and may have almost walked in whilst she was half-dressed."

John formed an 'O' with his mouth as he understood Elizabeth's mood now. It was understandable.

"Wait, how's that my fault?"

"You placed the seed of worry in my mind and it grew - within a second."

John just closed his eyes, begging the Lord to give him strength.

"Did you apologise?"

Sherlock stared at John blankly as he processed this. Then his mouth formed a small 'o'. That's what he could do to make the situation a little better: apologise. John looked at his friend in awe of his stupidity. He knew he wasn't good with people but this was just simple logic, surely.

"Go and apologise to her."

"I will - after I make tea - "

"No, Sherlock. Apologise now." John insisted.

"Fine." Sherlock's lips formed a tight smile before he got up.

"And don't forget to knock on the door first." John added.

The detective glared at his friend before walking towards his room door which was currently closed. He raised his hand to knock but paused for a moment.

"I'm not hearing any knocking!" John called through the room.

Rolling his eyes, he knocked, rather gingerly, on the wooden door. There was no sound from inside. He knocked again.

"Elizabeth?"

"What?" Came a muffled response.

"Can I come in?"

"No."

John appeared behind him, "Say please."

Sherlock exhaled, a little annoyed, "Can I come in, please?"

"Why?"

"Because I want to talk to you."

"About?"

"You know what about."

There was a pause.

"Fine." Came her final response.

John gave Sherlock a thumbs up before walking back to the kitchen but the detective just shook his head. As he walked in, he saw Elizabeth sat on his bed with a look at him as though she was wishing that he would be struck by lightning.

"Well?"

The detective shuffled on his feet for a moment, even looking down to the floor as he considered what to say.

"I'm here to - apologise." He dared to look up, almost fearing her response.

"For?"

Sherlock frowned, "You know what for - "

"Say it."

"I'm - sorry - for walking in on you while you were in the changing room."

Her gaze softened by a fraction. A sigh left her lips as it was her turn to look down.

"Thank you..." Elizabeth paused, "Question: Why?"

"I thought you ran away."

Now, Elizabeth scowled a bit. Surely, they would have given her the benefit of the doubt? Perhaps not. Her scowl broke down into more of an understanding look.

"It was John's fault really."

"John's fault?" She quirked an eyebrow.

"He sowed the seed of doubt in my mind. I had faith you wouldn't run."

Her eyes narrowed and she fought not to smile, "Sure you did."

They were both quiet for a moment.

"Is all forgiven?" John poked his head into the room.

Elizabeth's gaze moved between John and Sherlock; she sighed.

"I understand. I wouldn't trust me yet either. All is forgiven. I said I would help and I will."

"Sorted." John beamed, admittedly feeling a little bad for joking around with Sherlock now considering the outcome of the situation.

"Would you like some tea? As a peace offering?" Sherlock questioned Elizabeth.

She smiled, "Please."

______________________

A/N: The party shall come next ^-^