THE END: PART THREE OF THREE – THE ENDING.

The blast from the gun at close range was so powerful that Irene was thrown back against the wall, her head smacking against the hard, wooded panels. Stars burst into her vision, making her head spin. She stared down at her chest and noticed blood spreading across the white fibers of her blouse beneath her half-open leather jacket. "Y-you shot me…I can't believe…you s-shot me…" She choked out, blood present at the back of her throat.

Macey dropped the gun and started to heave uncontrollably. She had just shot someone...how? She had used a gun before, but never to kill someone. The gun had always been a relief from boredom…not a weapon!

Sherlock noticed Macey's reaction and wrapped his arms around her. "Macey, calm down. Its okay…You have to slow your breathing down…" Sherlock stroked her hair. "Macey…Macey! Please, slow your breathing." He knew if she didn't, she would pass out in his arms.

Joan –being the ex-doctor that she was- jumped into action and ran to Irene. She ripped the leather jacket off of the woman and placed it on the bullet wound. She applied pressure, partly to stop the bleeding and partly to keep Irene on her feet, against the wall.

Irene shoved her hands away and glared. "G-get away from m-me..." Irene growled, her words stuttering and slightly slurring.

"You'll die if I don't help you." Joan answered, reapplying pressure on the wound that was gushing blood.

Irene nodded tiredly, her eyes rolling back in her head, and slumped to the floor, her body going limp.

"Captain! Get help!" Joan demanded, looking up at the older man who had gotten up from his chair during the commotion and was now staring in horror at the scene playing out before him.

He nodded and yanked his office door open. "Bell! Call a bus! Bullet wound, possibly to the heart! Hurry!" Gregson crossed the floor, making his way over to Joan, ready to offer his help. "Is she going to be…?" He couldn't finish his sentence. He knelt down by Irene's body.

Joan looked up at him and shook her head.

Gregson pinched the bridge of his nose. "Jesus." He mumbled quietly.

Sherlock sat Macey in a chair and assessed how to take care of Macey's condition. Sherlock ran out the office door and made it to the break room. He rummaged through the cupboards until he found a brown paper lunch-bag for Macey to breathe into. He raced back to the room, only to have a group of medics cut him off from the room.

"Can't go in there, buddy. Big mess." A man held his hand up to stop Sherlock from going any further.

"My niece…She's-"

"Being taken care of." He cut him off. "You can see her after she's booked."

"Booked?"

"She just shot someone…of course she's being booked." He rolled his eyes and turned back toward the door, not letting Sherlock past.

Joan felt Moriarty's pulse and sighed. "Guys, I'm calling it." Joan stood, letting the medics take her body from the floor and transport it onto a gurney.

They pushed the gurney through the door just as the cuffs were secured around Macey's wrists. "Macey Ann Holmes, you are being arrested on the charge of the murder of Miss Irene Adler."

Sherlock pushed through the guard at the door and approached the officers behind Macey. "No, it was self-defense. Please don't take her…" He begged.

Bell appeared beside Sherlock and set a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Sherlock. The law is the law. I don't want to, but I have to."

Sherlock shrugged the hand off and tried to release the officers grasp on Macey's arm. "No! You cannot take her away!"

"Sherlock-" Bell started.

"No!" He tried to slug the officer in the eye, but Bell stopped him.

"Holmes! If you assault him, I'll have to book you too. Now how will that help Macey?" Bell restrained the consulting detective's fist behind his back and spoke in the man's ear. "If you want to help her, you'll have to keep yourself out of trouble, too." He released Sherlock's arm just as Macey was pushed out of the room.

"Macey!" Sherlock ran up behind the officer, ignoring Bell's warning, and pulled him backwards.

"Holmes! What did I say?!" Bell pushed Sherlock away from the officer who was now on the ground and helped the man to his feet.

"It was self-defense! Plus, she did the state of New York a favor! This woman is –was- Moriarty! You all know that!"

"Even so, she did just kill her." Bell explained.

"To save me!" Sherlock yelled.

"Sherlock-" Joan appeared behind him and placed a hand on his back.

"No, no! What are you? Idiots? This person, this woman, was Moriarty! Macey did this city a favor! And you're arresting her? You lot must be complete morons or just plain brain-dead!" Sherlock screamed.

"Sherlock, stop! Just…stop. I killed her, and am I sorry? Yes. But that doesn't matter. I killed her and I have to pay for it, so please…Just stop and let them arrest me." Macey cried. "She was right, Sherlock. Once a criminal, always a criminal."

The officers yanked her out of the room, her final destination being the slammer.

…

"You are now allowed to see her…but only for a minute or so, Sherlock. After this, no more favors." The warden unlocked the cell door and allowed Sherlock and his companion inside.

Macey was sitting against the wall, a bouncy ball clutched in her hands, and humming lightly to herself. She didn't even look up as the pair entered the cell, the door locking behind them.

"Ma-" Sherlock began.

"Don't." Macey responded. She threw the ball against the wall and caught it as it came bouncing back.

Sherlock and Joan exchanged worried looks. Joan walked over to her and slid into the spot next to her. Joan didn't speak, knowing Macey would acknowledge her if she wanted to talk.

Macey glanced sideways at Joan and sighed. "I suppose you want me to apologize for my actions?"

Joan shook her head silently.

Macey turned towards her slightly. "Really? 'Cause that's what everyone else wants."

"I believe what you did was out of concern for our safety. You were never going to hurt us. You were just playing Moriarty." Joan smiled lightly, watching Macey throw the ball again.

Macey nodded once. "You have to know, I would never let anything happen to you," Macey looked up at her Uncle, "or you, Sherlock."

Sherlock smiled at his niece. "Same thing goes for you, Macey, that's why I have my brother on hand."

Macey cocked her head to the side and blinked at him. "What? My…dad?"

Sherlock nodded. "I may have told a little white lie saying that it was me on trial, but nonetheless, you're going free."

Macey stared straight ahead at the wall. "I told you not to intervene."

"And I told you I don't listen well."

Macey let out a soft laugh. "I know, remember? We're alike, you and I. We both don't take directions seriously."

"Lucky for me, or I'd be dead right now." Sherlock chuckled. "But, I knew the whole time that you wouldn't hurt me, Macey. You're too good of a kid."

Macey beamed. "Thanks, Sherlock."

"Sherlock, you and your companion must go now." The warden unlocked the cell door and motioned for them to exit.

Sherlock helped Joan up and bent down to kiss Macey's forehead. He felt her tense slightly under his lips. "Oh, sorry…I keep forgetting you don't like to be touched."

Macey sighed. "It's okay. To tell you the truth, I'm learning to like it." She gave them a smile as they exited the cell and went on their way.

…

"And how do you find the defendant?" The judge asked the jury.

"We find the defendant, Macey Ann Holmes, not guilty for the murder of Irene Adler, a.k.a. Moriarty." The lone juror spoke for the entire jury.

Everyone in the court room stood up and cheered, not caring if it was proper or not to do so. Who could blame them? In their eyes, Macey should've never gone to court anyways. Moriarty was dead, thanks to her. That was better than Moriarty being locked up, seeing as she'd just find a way to break out anyway.

Macey sat in one of the chairs behind the defense table and instantly felt relief wash over her. She was free and this time, she'd remain out of trouble to stay that way. As a bonus, Sherlock had gotten her father to lift her parole (after a little white-lie-telling, of course), meaning she'd never have to go back to the women's correctional house ever again. She would never have to return to London ever again. She could stay in New York with her Uncle and his soon-to-be girlfriend (Joan Watson, if her suspicions were confirmed).

"Congratulations, Macey. You are free to go as soon as you finish some final paperwork." The judge had approached her table and was now offering his hand.

Macey took his hand and shook it. "You're the judge, aren't you supposed to be unbiased?"

"Supposed to be, yes, but truthfully," He leaned in and whispered in her ear, "I was rooting for you the whole time." He leaned away and smiled at her. "Good luck, Macey, I wish you all the happiness in the world." He took his leave and left her standing alone.

Macey smirked. Now she had a judge on her side.

"Hey, girlie." A familiar teenage girl voice sounded behind her.

Macey smiled. "Iris." She turned and approached the girl. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Iris rolled her eyes. "I couldn't just sit at home and wait for a verdict." Iris grinned, "Plus, I got a few days off of school."

"So did I." Macey and her friend burst out laughing and got a few weird looks. "We probably shouldn't laugh after I just nearly got out of a murder charge…"

"True that." Iris whispered. "So, when are you returning to school?"

"If I had it my way, never, but Sherlock wants me to return as soon as possible."

"I agree with him. If I were you, return as soon as possible to put the rumors to rest." Iris responded.

"Rumors?"

"There are a lot. Like how you are now a criminal mastermind, that you're a cold-blooded murderer, or that you are a spy for the British Government and you were sent here to spy on us."

"Yeah, 'cause the British Government is concerned with the behavior of American teenagers at Xavier High School in New York." Macey joked.

Iris laughed, softer this time to not attract attention. "And especially with all the geniuses at Xavier High."

Macey laughed. "The students aren't all bad…"

"Tell that to the geniuses in Science class. They thought you were lying about living in London because you don't have the accent." Iris smirked. "Idiots."

Macey laughed. "Morons! I don't have the accent because I was born here in the United States and moved there when I was two. Not everyone in London has an accent! I taught myself not to conform to the accent, even though I've heard it's more attractive…"

Iris laughed.

"And the fact that I've spent the last how many years of my life in a parole house, locked in my room for most of the day, not talking to people, and avoiding everyone I could, the fact that I do not have the accent shouldn't be much of a surprise." Macey's attention was caught from a person behind Iris.

Sherlock came up to the two girls and smiled. "I heard that you only need to finish some paperwork and you're free to go home. Please tell me that you're going to stay with Joan and I…because I've already prepared a room."

Macey nodded. "Of course, Sherlock. That is where I belong."

Sherlock smiled. "Yes it is." Sherlock nodded curtly at Iris and redirected his attention toward Macey. "Joan and I will be waiting by the exit once you're all set to go." With that, he took his leave, linking his arm with Joan's and exiting the courtroom.

Suspicion confirmed! Macey grinned at her perfect deduction that the two would actually get together. "Ha. I could see that happening a mile away."

Iris smirked. "You're just so clever. Hope that rubs off on me! Don't forget that you promised to teach me your skills!"

"I would never forget." Macey smiled. "See you at school?"

"You know it!" Iris gave her a hug and bounded away, reuniting with her parents by the door. She waved goodbye to Macey and left the courtroom.

Macey took a deep breath and breathed out. "Free…at last."

…

Macey stepped out of the courtroom, feeling the breeze on her face for the first time in the six weeks she had spent in a cell. Her eyes swept the steps and found Sherlock and Joan waiting for her off to the side. She ducked behind a pillar to avoid the press and met up with them, turning away to hide her face from the 'paparazzi'.

"Ready to go?" Joan smiled at her, her hand intertwined with Sherlock's.

Macey glanced at their clasped hands and smirked. "Yup. Let's go home."

Sherlock stopped them both by calling them back. "Wait! I have something for you, Macey."

"Something for me?" Macey looked to Joan and found her just as confused.

Sherlock produced a small jewelry box from his jacket-pocket and handed it to her. "Just a little something I saw in a jewelry shop…"

Macey opened the box and gasped. A gold necklace with a pendant that read 'Macey' was shining up at her. "It's…beautiful…" Her eyes welled up and she went in for a hug. "Thank you, Sherlock, thank you so much." She whispered into his chest.

Sherlock embraced her and kissed the top of her head. "I just wanted you to know you're loved."

Macey hugged him tighter. "You're making me cry, Sherlock…I haven't cried like this in years."

Sherlock gasped mockingly. "The tough Macey Holmes is crying?"

She punched him playfully in the arm. "Oh, shut up." She wiped her eyes and smirked up at him.

"What?" Sherlock asked, now suspicious.

Macey's smirk grew. "I'll pay for the cab." Macey turned and bounded down the steps.

"You'll pay? You have that kind of money?" Sherlock asked, surprised.

"Now I do." Macey flashed Sherlock's wallet that she had swiped during their embrace and took off running, laughing as she ran.

Sherlock searched his pockets and frowned. How had he not felt that? "Get back here!" He commanded in a mock angry tone.

Joan rolled her eyes at the sight of Sherlock chasing after his niece in front of the courthouse. "Great, so now I live with two children."

But what could she say? One couldn't be more like the other.

THANKS FOR READING MY STORY!

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK SO MANY PEOPLE FOR THE SUPPORT, BUT I HAVE TO THANK marshmallowdeviant THE MOST. SHE HELPED ME WHEN I LOST ALL INSPIRATION BY SENDING ME GOOD VIBES AND WHENEVER I NEEDED IT, SHE SENT ME ADVICE. I WOULD'VE NEVER EVER FINISHED THIS STORY IF IT WEREN'T FOR YOU, GIRL! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! PLEASE NEVER STOP BEING AWESOME! ;D

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