Lestrade had been alone for about 6 month since Holmes and Watson had seemed to disappear into thin air to work some case or other. Being left with the worried Irregulars had her having to hide her own fears and not confront them. She did not want to seem afraid in front of the teens and started to adapt them into her own cases as well. Even more then when Holmes was around. The lone wolf had a pack and was enjoying it immensely. Of course there would be a note here or there to let her know that Holmes and Watson were alright and that she need not worry. She had many eyes in the city more then even she let on to Greyson or the kids. Comes with being the daughter of well... She really didn't want to say. But needless to say she knew that Moriarty and Fenwick had about as much of an idea where those two were as she did. Lestrade would every friday go out to Regents park for her daily run and her note from Holmes knowing that if she ever had a great need that she could leave a note back. But she never felt like she really need to. Deidre was the worst at being worried about Holmes and Watson and Lestrade made sure she could read the notes first. Six months though was a really long time and Lestrade was starting to feel alone. Never a note missed, but nothing more then "Alright L. No worries. Game afoot." -S. The notes were obviously new and would variate but were pretty much the same. So she knew they were not copies. Beside well as said before she had ways of knowing. The thing that bothered her most is she had no way to find out where they were at if trouble should arise.

One day almost seven months after the two left Baker Street Deidre came up to her with a question.

"Do you think they will ever come back Beth?"

"Yes, I do not know when though. I do not even know which case. I had hoped they would be back before now." Lestrade then left Deidre at the cafe and went back to work. Only to have one more surprise.

"It's time for you to go home Beth."

"But Chief what about Moriarty and Fenwick. What about Holmes?

"I have others to assign to them you have been kept here long enough. The exchange program will not allow for you to be here any longer. You are the best Inspector I have ever had and if you want to file paperwork to be a legal citizen of the UK then we could see about you being here."

"But Chief you know I can't, my father, my brothers, I could never really do that to them. And I guess you are right I have been homesick lately. When do I go home?"

Greyson reached into his desk and handed Lestrade flight passes back to her home in Gotham for the last flight Friday night. One hour after the normal note pick up and leaving.

"Thank you chief I will get the last of the paperwork done."

Lestrade walked out of the office a frown on her face. She had hoped for more time. She had hoped she could know Holmes better. But times change and so must she. (yes Doctor Who tribute right there now that is a show I wish I owned or at least could write for ;)) Lestrade walked back to her office finished filling out her paperwork and packed up to go home. Greyson already making sure no other case files would be put on her desk.

When Lestrade made it home that night she sat down and tried to figure out what to write and leave Holmes and Watson. She knew if she left it early enough that they might come back and see her off. But she also did not like saying goodbye either. She didn't want to go. But she knew her duty was back at home in the end and that she did need to go back to Gotham and settle down.

Meanwhile Holmes was getting ready to close the net on the case he had been working on for the past seven months. Being gone so long from Lestrade and hurt him more then he knew it would. It hurt him worse then he could have possibly imagined. He had the left a note in the beginning because it was to dangerous to do much more. But as the months went by and he was not watched as closely he knew his resolve would weaken and he might stay to long to spend time with his Beth. Watson knew how much Holmes was missing Lestrade and had started leaving the notes instead to make it easier on Holmes. He was a safe distance away as a contact so if trouble should arise he could get a hold of Lestrade quickly. On that Thursday before the last note was to be left Holmes charged Watson to going to a jewelry store and purchasing a special necklace that he had had crafted for her. One that was not to much but would convey what he felt better then his words.

Watson went into the jewelery store and got the simple silver locket with a rose in the middle. He opened the inside and saw a picture taken of the whole group pop up in the hologram format with Holmes and Lestrade in the middle. Watson smiled at the thought put behind the locket and went back to Holmes. Passing Regency Park at first he thought to check the bench just in case but changed his mind and hurried on to the hideaway.

Unknowing to Lestrade Watson was walking by as she left the note letting Holmes know that she was leaving. She hoped he would get it in time for her to be able to say goodbye. The only thing she could think of to write was "H meet me at the normal place with W. To important to wait. 6 will be best no later." -L

Lestrade walked to Baker Street her apartment already packed up and everything either on its way or do to ship out on Saturday. The box with the original Watson's journals under her arm and a small suitcase with a change of clothes and reading material for the trip on Friday night. The Irregulars met her that night at Baker Street to say goodbye and have a little goodbye. In some ways Lestrade was desperately hoping that Holmes and Watson would walk in that night but it came for naught. She decided to bring Deirdre with her the next night to first off make sure she knew where to get the notes from Holmes and as moral support. The girl had become a little sister to her. As the Irregulars left she gave them each a gift. For Wiggins a new set of boxing gloves and 50 credits. Tennyson she gave her book of the Greatest Hackers of the 20th and 21st century and 50 credits. Deidre she gave her a collection of criminal justice books and 50 credits as well.

The next night Lestrade and Deidre got to the bench somewhat early and waited and until 7:30 leaving Lestrade only 30 minutes to get to her flight. "Well Deidre I guess they couldn't make it or probably didn't want to. Tell them goodbye for me since I couldn't in the note. Probably for the best."

With that the two hugged and Lestrade grabbed her suitcase and left the park. Deidre left the park not long after Lestrade. Lestrade made it to the transport station and as she bored the transport looked back one last time on New London. She boarded the flight and took her seat and watched New London until she could see it no more.

At 5:30 sharp Holmes and Watson began pulling the net tighter and the local yardies came in and helped them close everything up. By 7:30 they were leaving the station and Holmes and Watson both exhausted headed back to the safe house and grabbed their things with one last stop at Regency Park before heading back to Baker Street. At the park at the normal bench Holmes saw that the ground had been disturbed by two people. He reached underneath and pulled out a note. "H meet at the normal place with W. To important to wait. 6 will be best no later" -L. Holmes frowned at the note and looked at Watson. We missed an important meeting it would seem Watson. It is time for us to get home and call her quickly.

As they got into their hovercoach Holmes dialed Lestrade and waited and waited as the phone rang off the hook. Watson glanced back to see and extremely worried Holmes. Holmes decided to call Deidre and see if she knew what was going on. As the phone rang Holmes not one for gut feelings felt a deep feeling that something was wrong. When Deidre finally answered he saw tears in her eyes.

"What is wrong Deidre where is Lestrade?"

"Did you miss on purpose or did something happen?"

"We did not have time the case ended and took much longer then I had hoped. Where is Lestrade? Why is she not answering?"

"She's gone Holmes."

T.B.C. if I get at least one review.