*I do not own Elementary, nor any of the characters*
She sat, knees to her chest, arms curled around her chest, hand over her mouth in the arm chair in front of the wall of televisions. He stood behind her, hands on the back of the chair, eyes unblinking as he too watched in shock. Each television showed a different network, some American, others British, even a few French, yet they all showed the same disaster.
"PARIS HAS BEEN ATTACKED"
"LASTNESS UPDATE: ATTACKS ON THREE LOCATIONS"
"HOSTAGES BEING HELD IN CONCERT HALL"
"OVER 120 DEATHES REPORTED, OVER 350 OTHERS INJURED"
"Sherlock…" Joan whispered, hand still hovering over her mouth in terror. The detective gently slide his hands to his partner's shoulders, she in turn placing her free hand over his. "Sherlock, can this be happening?"
"I fear so, Watson," He replied, never taking his gaze from the news reports in front of them. The two remained in silence as terror unfolded.
"What will happen now?" She asked, not truly expecting an answer as a tear rolled down her cheek. "If France declares war, the rest of the world is bound to follow suit. Can the world handle another World War?" As she continued, her shoulders began to shake and Sherlock took action. Walking around the chair, he scooped Joan into his arms and took her place, clinging his beloved Watson's body close to his own.
"I do not know, my dear Watson. I do not know if they will fight, if we will fight, if the world will survive. But, I do know this, those who attack the innocent will not go unpunished. The world united, is stronger than any impassioned organization. If the world were to war again, the destruction will indeed be great," he whispered in her ear, squeezing her tighter to his chest, "However, I believe that as long as we remain united, the people of this great world will raise from the ashes, and with luck build something greater than before. Built on the ideals of peace and unity."
"Is that truly what you believe?" Joan asked, tilting her head back to look up at her best friend and greatest comfort. Sherlock smiled and kissed the tip of her nose.
"That is what I hope, my sweet Joan. And in times like these, hope is all we have to keep us going." Sherlock turned his attention back to the screens as Joan cuddled into his arms.
"I hope that peace will win," Joan whispered, catching Sherlock's attention again. "But, I know that Paris will survive. They are strong, and we will stand with them." The detective smiled as he rested his cheek on her head.
"Today, we are all French. We are all united."
For Paris, for France, for the innocent. America stands with Paris, as does the rest of the world. God bless France. Que Dieu bénisse la France. Aujourd'hui nous sommes tous Français. ~Tiger Lily