Sherlock story in my mind. This has been on my mind for sometime and I am finally putting out there.

The heaviness she felt while walking was taking a toll on her feet. Work was far from done and the next patient was about to enter. A long sigh, she closed her eyes, gather her mind and her wits. Things would've been easier if she wasn't here, but she was and she wasn't going to look back. Slowly she sank down on the seat, behind her desk. Inhaling and exhaling, she rubbed her temples.

A knock on the door, "Yes." She answered, as she gathered her files of patients she had just finished. The door opened slowly as a nurses head popped in the door, "There are two men to see you." she said in a small tone.

Two men?

"I'm waiting for Ms. Nott."

"I know ma'am but they insist on seeing you."

"Why?" A frustrated growl, "If they are the same men from last week, tell them I can not recommend a sex change doctor. I told them this but they-"

"Ma'am, it's not them."

A small pause. The look on the nurses face said something she didn't want to know.

"Two men, you say?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Do they know me?"

"They said you were old acquaintances."

"That doesn't say much-"

"They're English and very rude, ma'am." she whispered as if she was keeping a secret.

"Rude?" she paused. "They're rude in general. Nothing new." she said as she shuffled her papers to organize her desk.

"Are they really?" the nurse asked.

Shrugging her shoulders, "I've had my share." she paused, "Did they say why they wanted to see me if they're not patients?"

"They didn't say ma'am. Only that it was very important."

It wasn't uncommon for English folks to be in the area. However, there was a small fleeting moment of fear. The blood from her face had left her. Her mind was buzzing with thousands of thoughts and ideas. Fear had struck her. Overreacting? Possibly. But this was not normal, two men looking for her. Dizziness had struck her and was glad she was sitting down.

"Bring them in." she said in a low shallow voice.

"Yes, ma'am."

The nurse was about to close the door, when the Doctor said, "When they come in, I want you time it. Come back in10 minutes." she looked at her watch.

"Why?"

"In case I need a distraction. Bring a file in and tell me that Mr. Notts is here."

"Sure thing ma'am."

The nurse closed the door, leaving her in the office. Her heart started to pump hard, her breathing had become somewhat erratic but she controlled herself. This was not the time and place for this. It could be anyone and narrowing down to only two men she knew, would scare her to death for no reason. Slowly the door opened, getting ready to stand up to greet them she had suddenly felt her feet give way, feeling like a ton of brick had kept her on the chair. Her hands were on the desk, not moving them. Any sudden moves would give herself away.

The two men entered the room and slowly sat down on the chairs. The only thing that was separating them was the desk and for that she was grateful.

The silence in the room was defining. The ticks from her watch were the only comfort she could find.

One with his umbrella, slowly and quietly tapping it on the ground and the other drumming his pinky finger on his lap. A hard inhale escaped her throat. She could not read their faces, they had nothing to show for it. They were anything but warm and excited to see her and neither was she. There was no energy to greet them and likewise.

She had met the older man, once, and hoped it would be just once. The younger one she had known all to well. Well enough for her to throw a seething look at him. Shifting her eyes between the two men, observing where they were looking. She quietly prayed to herself to remain calm and not give herself away. Stay neutral as possible.

The younger man, saw that she was trying hard to control herself. Her dark green eyes stared down at him, almost in a pleading way then it changed to a protective mode. It was apparent to him that she was not going to yield to them. Not after what happened almost a year ago.

They were going to speak and when they do, they would have the advantage. But what could she say to them? They no longer had anything to do with her and she didn't need them for anything.

"Hello Ms. Latimer." said the older gentlemen.

They had beat her to the punch. Shaking her head she leaned forward on into the desk.

She did not answer. Yes, she was being rude, but it wouldn't have mattered to her.

"It's been a long time."

Still no answer.

"South Africa was not what we though you had in mind."

"How long have you been following me?" she said in a shaky tone.

"You were hard to find." said the older tone.

"You flatter me." as her sarcastic tone exposed how she felt.

"Ms. Latimer, there is no need for you to be so resentful."

"Why are you here?" she asked in a low tone. Still another moment of silence, she huffed. "I have nothing to do with him. Not any more."

"We know what happened but we want to hear it from you." the older man said as he tapped his umbrella on the ground, which gave a small thud. Her eyes flickered to the umbrella, jumping slightly. He caught on to her. "You look as if you're expecting," he paused to see her hands, "to be attacked."

She inhaled and exhaled hard.

"If there is one thing I've learned from you two, it's to never be too comfortable." she retorted but a deep voice changed the conversation. It was demanding. Which was not what she wanted.

"Why did you run?" The younger one asked.

She found herself short of breath when he asked. "Wouldn't you run if you were in my situation? I didn't know what else to do. I didn't want to get involved and yet, I was and now, I am no longer involved." she said in a seething tone.

"That's where you are wrong," said the other man in a low baritone.

Then his eyes started to move, rapid like. She knew what he was doing, "Stop it!" the temptation to yell, she knew he was learning about her and her situation. Then a gasp escaped his throat which made her crumble on the desk. He knew.

"Please, just please, stop-" pleading with the them both as she tried to contain self-control, trying hard not to move her hands from the desk.

"How long?" the low baritone had suddenly become a growl.

No answer.

He repeated, "how long?" With a tone of authority.

"He's dead. I watched him-"

"How long Ms. Latimer?" Said the elder gentlemen as he stomped his umbrella on the ground.

A moment she gathered her strength. "Get out!"

The younger man stood up, "How dare you hide this from us? You think we wouldn't of figured it out?" As he leaned on the desk entrapping her as he slammed his fist.

"I ran away, hoping I would never see any of you Holmes Brothers. I ran away so I can find myself a new life. The life he lived was not something I signed up for! I was dragged into it and I took the bait like an idiot. Because compassion is something you Holmes know nothing of and I should've taken that page out of your rule book. But now, I will pay for it-"

"And you think we're not paying for it either?"

"Sherlock, sit down."

"Are you not seeing what I am seeing, Mycroft?" Sherlock yelled back at Mycroft.

"I'm not impervious to her dilemma and I see exactly what is in front of me, now stop winding her up before her blood pressure harms her and-"raising his voice only a little but was taken back when she yelled.

"Get out of my office! Now! I never want to see you Holmes for as long as I live. You will have nothing to do with my life and what I choose to do." starting to feel overwhelmed.

So much for staying neutral.

They knew how to push her buttons. She could keep her own secrets but in this case, how long could she hide it? They were the Holmes brothers, they would've figured it out but she'd be damned if she didn't try to hide from them. Another moment of silence and she could feel her belly roil. Closing her eyes to gain control.

"That's where you are wrong." Sherlock stated, "you are now involved, more then ever." As his eyes traveled down to her bust.

"Stop analyzing me! You deserve nothing from this, neither does Ford. He's dead. I saw him fall!

"You see, that's just it, Ms. Latimer. Death has a hard time grasping any Holmes brothers."

Shaking her head she didn't want to know. "Just get out." stubborness had hit her and she was no longer being diplomatic. She was emotionally drained already and she couldn't gather her wits anymore.

"What you saw was just a set up-"

"Get out!" She finally yelled at the top of her lungs as she stood up and pointed to the door and the other hand resting at the top of her stomach, in a protective way. Both Holmes brothers saw her, finally revealing her true state.

"Don't tell me that what he did could justify what happened to me. Everything he did, he did it out of selfishness! He will never have to face the consequences and neither will you. I will deal with it and I don't need your help. He's dead," she paused as she held back her small whimper, "just as I am."

Sherlock finally was able to make his analyzes, he saw her swollen breasts, her feet and her belly. "I didn't think Ford had it in him-" he said but was caught of guard when he saw a stappler flying towards him. Quickly he dodged it and was surprised.

She had it in her right mind to go a across the room and slap him, but the stapler was enough. "And you think I wanted this? Get the hell out of here or I swear to God, I'll call the police. You dare insult me like this? This is the reason why I left because you would be so disgusted by this-"

"Victoria, he's alive!" Mycroft said over her yelling.

A pause and a small whimper escaped from her mouth. Shaking her head, "Is this some con? Is this your way of punishing me? Because you're doing a very good job!"

Both were silent.

Victoria was waiting for one of them to crack a smile and say it was all a joke. She wanted to hear them say that they were in her office to check on her and leave her alone for as long as she lives. For once, she wanted a lie. Not the truth.

She held her breath.

Waiting for the ah-ha moment.

Slowly, Sherlock took out something from his pocket and slowly placed it on the desk. A Chess piece. A queen. A white queen.

Leaning against the desk for support, she started to feel dizzy. Slowly shaking her head, as a tear escaped from her eyes. Looking back at the Holmes Brothers, whom were staring back at her. Cold and calculating, they had no room for sympathy.

With her hands shaking she slowly picked up the chess piece, closing her eyes she slowly grazed her thumb on the bottom of the piece. Victoria had hoped for a smooth bottom, it was anything but, it was carved, making her gasp as she opened her eyes. Looking around the room she tried hard to hold her tears in. Shaking her head, "It's not-" she choked, "Possible."

Slowly turning it around she saw it. An initials were carved.

VL

Victoria's heart dropped, just as the piece dropped. Victoria could feel her chest constricting, the feeling in her fingers were gone.

"Sherrinford Holmes is alive." Sherlock said in a cold tone which vibrated through her body.

"But he died-" she said as she gasped. Her body had become numb, but the ounce of fear she had had caused her to move to the door. Fight or flight. This was it. The rush of blood to her head made walking hard. Sherlock followed her, "Victoria, breathe. You'll hurt yourself and the-" but before he would finish, he saw her knees buckle, she lost all control of her body as she fainted. Sherlock managed to grab her on time before she fell. Slowly he went down with her, taking the weight.

"Mycroft get a doctor, now!" Sherlock yelled to Mycroft.

Mycroft didn't need to be told twice, opening the door, he yelled for a Doctor to assist. His authority and tone said it all, he was afraid. Afraid for her.

"She's breathing but only just."

"I need a doctor now!" Shouting at a nurse.

Sherlock looked at her, growing pale and almost clammy. Automatically his gaze had gone to her stomach. Slowly but gently placed a hand on her belly. There was a small kick, ripping his hand away from her belly. A lump formed on his throat, this was not a game any more, this was different.

It was life.

Growing inside her.

"He will find her and especially in her state, it will complicate the matter. More than we anticipated." Sherlock said to Mycroft, who was waiting outside.

"Don't you think I know that? If he knows then it could mean dire consequences. She can't stay here."

A doctor entered the room as they tended to her.

Their intentions were just, but now, it had become complicated. There were more than one life on the line. Another Holmes was on the way.