Lady A: Hey everyone! Yeah, I know I said I wasn't going to post the next chapter till I got 10 reviews, but I have decided to dedicate this chapter to the 14 followers of this story. So without further ado, Chapter 4 of Two Minds, One Heart. *bows*


Chapter Four: Purity of Fire


The atmosphere within the one story home the brunette shared with her best mate was considerably darker than it had been the previous day. Greg had been trying to figure out what had happened. Lily insisted that he was not to blame, but every fiber of his being was demanding that he had to protect the girls.

Artimes's sleep had been fitful at best, Lily was beside herself with worry and seemed to be on the verge of crying at any given moment, and the red head, when awake, sat crossed legged on her bed with her eyes closed and was completely silent. She had not spoken a single word in the last two days.

Greg had tried to coax her out of the death trap that was her room, but after many failed attempts, he ceased his efforts. He remembered how absolute still she had been. It wasn't natural for someone to be that still. He could barely tell she was breathing.

He was currently standing on the front stoop looking up at a very worn out and distressed brunette.

"Lily…" He started but stopped.

He had no idea what to say. What could he possibly say to alleviate even a fraction of her distress? He felt completely and utterly useless. The girls needed him and he was letting them down. Some man he was turning out to be.

"Thank you." Lily whispered giving him a watery smile.

"For what?" He asked honestly confused.

"Your constant presence reminds her of what she needs to do and it gives her the stubbornness and mental fortitude to see it done." She answered.

"What is she doing?" He asked trying to wrap his head around this situation.

"Finding the solution to an impossible quandary." Lily answered cryptically.

Greg gave her an exasperated and somewhat lost look.

"Lily…" He began as she walked forward a few steps.

She covered his mouth with her fingertips which silenced him immediately. She then wrapped both arms around his waist and buried her face into his shirt. He was a little stunned by her actions. They had never been so close before, but he soon realized why when the front of his shirt gradually became wet. Her strong front had faltered for a moment and she was crying.

"I can't tell you because I don't know, Greg. I've never seen her like this. She's never been so distant before, but I do know that she is really, really focused. She only stops talking when she's really focused." Lily rambled holding onto the inspector with a vice like grip.

He had never seen her so distraught, so vulnerable. He wrapped his arms around her and tried to be the pillar of strength she seemed so desperately to need. His heart was aching as he stood there, holding the sobbing woman who had breezed into his life like she owned it. She bossed him around, got on his nerves, and tried his patience, but she was the best damn woman he had ever met. She was kind, caring, and loyal even though she acted like a child at times.

Here they stood, the man of honor and the woman with the valiant heart. She was crying out the very pain of her soul and yet it felt like his own soul was the one that was crying. He looked towards the house, his mind wandering to the crimson haired woman with the brilliant mind and dark past. He had only known them for a few months and yet he was so much closer to them than he ever was to his own family.

Every instinct he had was screaming to protect his girls, his family, but he was at a loss as to what he was protecting them from. He knew they had their secrets just as he had his, though probably not to the same extent as them. Sure, he was used to feeling dumb and idiotic when he was around Sherlock. Who wouldn't when there was a genius in the room?

This situation though was entirely different. This enemy had no body in which to injure. It was a completely unknown entity and he had nothing to go on. He was not accustomed to feeling so completely helpless and it frustrated him to no end. He could only hope that Artimes found whatever it was she was searching for and soon. They needed her.


*Mindscape*

Artimes stood in an expansive room which looked very much like a digitalized version of hard drive. It was a silvery blue color very similar to Sherlock's eyes. It had originally been a golden amber, but after her encounter with the detective she had altered it. The look of this mental room was based on the AI mainframe from the television series Andromeda. She even had a digitalized version of the Andromeda's AI called Rommie as her mental companion.

"I've gone over the calculations and all available assets. There is no way to prevent it. It will happen." Rommie informed crossing her arms.

The red head growled in annoyance. The morning after Magnussen's death, Artimes had received word that Sherlock was to be banished from Great Britain and would be sent on a mission in Eastern Europe that would claim his life in six months. This, she could not allow. She had spent the last two days trying to find a counter strategy to negate this outcome.

"There must be something, Rommie! Check again!" Artimes snapped her anger and frustration getting the better of her as she paced.

A man with brown hair and green eyes appeared in a flurry of ones and zeroes next to Rommie. This man was Gabriel, former avatar of the Balance of Judgment. He served as a secondary interface for her hard drive. He often held the solutions to problems when Rommie did not, but they usually required means of somewhat questionable legality in order to implement them.

"There may be a way, but it will require something big." Gabriel stated calmly.

Artimes turned and faced him, her eyes narrowing. How big was big and how many favors would she have to call in to get it done? Moreover, would it risk the safety of her unborn son, her best mate, and the inspector? How high was the percentage of failure and how high was it for the entire situation to blow up in her face?

"Explain." She ordered her voice cold and deadly.

He calmly told her what was needed to be done and Artimes disengaged herself from her hard drive.

*End Mindscape*

Artimes opened her eyes slowly. She closed them a moment at the sudden brightness of the room. She then opened them again and they adjusted gradually until she could see clearly. The faint sounds of a violin being played made her heart speed up for a moment, remembering the piece that she and Sherlock had danced to that night. She calmed herself and deduced that Lily must have gotten tired of waiting for her and turned the television on. She hadn't bothered to change it from the new station she had created on their Roku's Pandora radio channel.

She untwisted herself from the Indian style position she had seated herself into on her bed and stood up, her back and joints popping from being still too long. Artimes's eyes softened as she remembered why she had created that particular Pandora station. She always listened to the violin when Sage was being particularly restless. He enjoyed the sounds of that instrument quite a bit which only further proved that he was kin to the consultant detective.

She exited her bedroom and made her way to the living room. Lily was scowling at the screen and raised the remote to change the station. Artimes's hand covered the brunette's to prevent this from occurring. Her sudden interference startled the young woman resulting in her dropping the remote onto the couch in front of her.

It was clear from her flat mate's red and puffy eyes that Lily had been crying, a lot. The red head inwardly recoiled and her body stiffened, her entire being wracked with guilt for causing her best friend such distress. She had cause a lot of pain to her flat mate in the last two days. She did not think of the consequences of taking such an immediate action. She should have explained what she was going to do before she entered her hard drive.

The brunette must have noticed the shift in the red head's state of mind because she gave Artimes a heartfelt though brief hug. She pulled back, her eyes shining with determination. Artimes was very confused by her friend's sudden change in mood. She cocked her head to the left a bit, trying to figure out exactly what it meant.

"What do we need?" Lily asked her voice even, steady, and calm.

The red head's eyes widened for a moment before softening. The brunette obviously did not give herself enough credit. Lily knew Artimes's mind better than anyone could possibly imagine.

"A distraction." She stated simply.

"What kind of distraction?" The brunette asked her body shifting to a stance of readiness subconsciously.

"A big one." She answered vaguely, knowing that it would incite the brunette's curiosity.

"How big is big?" Lily asked slightly skeptical and a little weary.

Artimes fought to keep the smile off her face. She had thought something similar earlier when Gabriel had made his suggestion.

"Oh, I don't know. Something that will catch the attention of…let's say the whole country of England." Artimes answered.

The brunette's mouth fell open.

"And how exactly are we going to manage tha…" She started but got distracted when the TV began to fritz oddly, "What the hell?"

Lily walked over to the television and smacked her hand on the top of it a few times. Artimes resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Contrary to popular belief, whacking something will not fix the problem, and will most likely make it worse.

"Did you miss me?" The TV said causing Lily to back up and look at the screen.

Her eyes widened and she let out a small 'Eep!' in surprise and stumbled back a few more steps.

"But that's not possible… it can't be…he's dead…it's…" Lily rambled a bit, her voice trying to catch up to her whirling thoughts.

"James Moriarty." Both girls said together.

Lily's phone started going berserk and she whipped it out quickly. She scrolled through the messages she had just received, her eyes going a little bug eyed.

"It's not just us. This is happening all across the country, on every screen simultaneously." She informed.

Artimes chuckled as the grin she had been fighting finally slid onto her face. Lily, upon realizing what she had just said, smiled like an idiot. She pulled out her friend's replacement phone and tossed it to the highly amused and almost giddy red head.

"Go save our detective." The brunette ordered crossing her arms.

Artimes nodded at her friend.

"With pleasure." She answered leaving the room.

She had a very important phone call to make and it was going to be highly productive and very entertaining.


Deep within the walls of the Buckingham Palace, the Chief of Staff for her majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, was stationed outside the sun room in the Eastern wing. Her majesty had retired to this particular room for its lack of a television. A problem had arisen with the broadcasting and had startled the queen.

His mobile began to ring quietly, and he wondered he would be calling him since the crisis with the televisions had yet to be resolved. He pulled it from his inner left jacket pocket and answered it.

"Tell me. What do you know of the purity of fire?" The caller asked.

The man paled considerably at those words and a lump lodged in his throat. He had been told by her majesty about this particular individual and the code phrase required to answer her. He knew her reputation and had a vague account of the deeds she had done on behalf of the Royal family. Why? Why would she be calling? He had heard an unconfirmed rumor from Mycroft Holmes that she had retired. Why would she suddenly get into contact now?

"They say that lightning is the purest form of fire, but there is something that burns hotter than fire and shines brighter than lightning." He began managing to clear his throat discreetly beforehand.

"It is the fire that burns in the heart and the light that shines in the soul. It is the place where darkness dare not dwell and it is the only place where the lightning's shadow can be seen." The caller finished.

The Chief of Staff took a deep breath.

"What do you need?" He asked almost fearful of what her response might be.

"I need to speak to your employer." The caller answered.

There was a barely contained gleefulness in her tone and it made shivers go down his spine in fear. She was calling to speak to the queen. God help them. She was finally collecting payment on the many debts owed to her by the Royal family. This would not end well.


The queen gazed around the sun room, a bored expression on her face. Of all days for that mad man to make a reappearance. He certainly did know how to make her life so dreadfully dull. She didn't particularly care for this room and had meaning to have it redecorated. Everything was in shades of ivory, cream, or opal. All in all, the room was simply too bland.

She honestly wished that something interesting would happen to save her from her silent boredom. Her Chief of Staff entered the room, his face pale and his eyes slightly wide with fear. Good heavens, what happened to the poor man to put him in such a state?

"Forgive the intrusion, your majesty, but it's…her." He stated his voice raising an octave at the word 'her'.

Her eyes widened slightly, but not out of fear. Oh no, she would never fear the person her employee referred to. The queen knew the true heart of that woman and there was nothing to fear from such a kind and gentle soul, no matter how dark and turbulent her past was. She accepted the phone and brought it to her ear as the Chief of Staff left the room.

"Why hello dear. It certainly has been a long time. Why have you not come to see me?" She asked smiling.

She never treated this woman like the monster everyone believed her to be. She spoke to her as if she were an old friend and in all honesty, she was. The young woman had never treated her like a royal and for that, Elizabeth was eternally grateful. She had enough people bowing to her as is and her beloved Light's antics were rather refreshing and often times saved her from the dullness of nobility.

"Forgive my absence, Liz, but I got lost on the road of life." Light answered her tone humorous.

"Oh my, I never knew retirement could be so distracting." Elizabeth commented.

"They say those who are retired lead busier lives than those who still work for a living." The woman stated.

The queen chuckled softly. How she missed these conversations?

"Now tell me, my Light. What is the true purpose and intent for this call? For I am certain that it was not simply for nostalgia's sake alone. If that were the case, you would have used my private line, but you called my Chief of Staff, meaning you want it to be known that though you may be retired, you are not gone." Elizabeth deduced.

"Right on all counts, your majesty. I'm certain by now you have been apprised of certain…irregularities in today's televisual broadcasting schedule." Light answered.

"Indeed I have. I received such knowledge first hand. It gave me quite the fright while I was watching the cooking channel." She replied knowing what the young woman's reaction would be.

"You're still on that kick? Remember the soufflé incident last spring?" Light asked her tone highly amused and slightly concerned.

Elizabeth out right laughed. Only her Light could be amused and worried at the same time. She had just cause to be, considering the soufflé the queen had been trying to make exploded from the oven, soufflé debris going everywhere and covering both herself, her Light, and her Light's charming friend, Lily, from head to toe.

An entire squadron of security officers had burst into the room to discover the cause for of the 'explosion' and had had to contend with a seriously pissed off Light. It was then decided that Elizabeth was not allowed to go near an oven without the supervision of the head chef or his staff. Ah, good times.

"Yes, I remember, but back to the matter at hand. What is it that you need of me?" The queen asked her tone becoming serious.

"I have a favor…several in fact." Light stated.

Elizabeth resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Why else would Light call her Chief of Staff and not her directly? She had already discerned that she needed something from her, not as Liz, but as the Queen of England.

"Given the amount of debt that I, my family, my secret service, my government, and my entire country owes to you, there is nothing you can ask for that will surprise me." The queen replied suddenly remembering the tea sitting in front of her.

She took a sip and frowned. Her tea had gone cold, how annoying. She set the cup down with a silent huff.

"Is that so? Well hold onto to your crown, Lizzy, there's a first time for everything." Light countered her tone slightly smug.

Interesting. Was it truly possible for her favors to be so fantastic that it would surprise even her? The queen smirked slightly. Hardly. Light mentioned the issue with the televisions, so this had something to do with that lunatic. She was certain of it.

"Your favors undoubtedly center around a certain consultant criminal. You mentioned the broadcast earlier, so tell me what you want in regards to that mad man." The queen stated.

"Always so confident in your powers of deductive reasoning. You've been reading Doctor Watson's blog too much. My favors have nothing to do with the consulting criminal, but rather his arch nemesis, the consultant detective." Light replied.

Elizabeth's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Sherlock Holmes? Why would her Light be interested in the exiled detective? He was a murderer. He shot a man in the head in front of dozens of witnesses. She would think that Light would be disgusted by that sort of act…unless there was a greater reason behind his actions.

She knew that Magnussen was about as far away from a saint as one could get without being called the devil incarnate. Perhaps she should inquire after Mycroft about the incident. She had a feeling she was missing something very important in regards to this detective.

"How did the Americans phrase it? Ah yes, I do believe it is high time to stop beating around the bush." Elizabeth stated her tone one of authority.

She disliked using such a tone, but she needed answers and only her Light could provide them at this time.

"Very well. Repeal the exile of Sherlock Holmes, grant him a royal pardon for his crimes against Charles Augustus Magnussen, sanction his work as a consultant detective, allow him to work freely with the police without obstacle or hindrance, and for heaven's sake, make certain he is adequately compensated for his consultant work. God knows how many crimes have been solved by that man's hands alone." Light informed her voice holding a tone that demanded complete compliance or the consequences would be rather unsightly and forthwith.

In all honesty, the queen was in a state of shock. Light not only meant business, but that she was also willing to go to whatever means were necessary to see it done. Her requests were well thought out and worded to perfection. This was no longer the light and cheerful banter amongst friends but the demand of payment for a debt owed to the very dangerous and very lethal, Lightning Shadow. It was beyond all shadow of doubt that Light genuinely and deeply cared for the consultant detective, Sherlock Holmes.

She has claimed him as her own and thus he falls under her protection and that of her brother, Shadow Moon. Had she known of his ties to her Light, she would have acted more proactively and he would never have been banished in the first place and he would already have a royal pardon. She never wanted to hurt her Light, but her own stagnation and ignorance had clearly done so. She will do whatever it takes to rectify the wrong she has so idiotically committed against her friend. Still she was curious as to how those two met in the first place and what he did to warrant her favor.

"It will be done…though may I ask, why the sudden interest in this man?" Elizabeth asked.

There was a long pause.

"What are you doing next Thursday…around three o'clock?" Light asked suddenly, her tone much softer and kinder than it once was.

Elizabeth sighed inwardly in relief. It would seem that for the moment, she has been forgiven.

"I have a meeting with the prime minister." She answered.

"Cancel it. We'll have tea." Light ordered her tone belying her humor.

The queen shook her head. Her friend was back to her usual antics. She certainly did love to rankle the prime minister. The idiot shouldn't have insulted her at the last charity ball, because Light has made certain to ruin his life perfectly made schedule on several occasions just to piss him off.

"Will you bring that friend of yours along as well? I do miss her energy. It get so dreadfully dull in the palace." She inquired smiling slightly as she remembered the cheerful brunette and her child like wonder.

"Of course. Can't let you get bored, now can we? We'd have another soufflé incident in no time." The young woman answered.

Elizabeth frowned slightly. Light was evading her earlier question.

"You're not going to tell me why you are so deeply involved with Sherlock Holmes, are you?" She asked slightly miffed at being denied the chance at sating her rampaging curiosity.

Light chuckled softly.

"You'll understand when I come by for tea next week." She answered cryptically.

The queen's brows furrowed in mild confusion. Trying to deduce Light was always a problem given that everything about her was cloaked in an odd static that seemed to disrupt all the senses simultaneously whether you were physically in front of her or not. It's like you can read it but you simply don't want to and therefore you ignore it. That reaction was completely subconscious and there was no way around her strange filter. It was a part of her. It reminded her of the low level perception filter that the Tardis possessed. Blimey, she has been watching too many reruns of Doctor Who.

"Have a good day, Liz." Light said suddenly, drawing the queen from her thoughts.

"You as well, my Light. I will be bring your detective home." Elizabeth replied.

"Thank you." Light responded gratitude ringing loud and clear in those two words.

The queen ended the call, her eyes distant as she mulled over the entire conversation. One thing was absolutely clear; she had a great deal of work to do and not a lot of time to get it done. She left the sun room with her Chief of Staff following closely on her heels. She had promised to return her Light's detective and she going to make damn certain that nothing and no one got in her way.


Lady A: Tada! Chapter 4: Purity of Fire is complete! So what did you think? Crazy right? We all know who Light is right? If you don't, you might as well smack yourself in the forehead, because it is so obvious. Also the tone for the question 'What do you know of the purity of fire?' originally came from Doctor Who. you want to know the tone then go watch The Time of Angels/Flesh and Stone. The original question, said by Doctor River song, was 'What do you know of the Weeping Angels?' Next chapter will be Chapter 5: The East Wind!