Happy Christmas everyone! So in this excessively long chapter I explain A LOT. I hope my few readers enjoy it! Please leave comments and message me with thoughts and ideas! I'm sorry if I didn't explain a few things, PLEASE COMMENT AND I CAN FIX IT! Also, I've included some book references, so if you don't understand post a comment and I will explain. Once again, happy Christmas, and God bless!
"Alright Mary. First off, we start with you. I didn't know you until recently. Remember that. Now, I knew the other you, the parallel you. In the parallel universe, existing right along this one, I'm married to Rose and am a human. I age like you and can't regenerate. In that universe, you are the daughter of Rose and I. Now for some reason, when I first saw you in the street outside your flat about 4 months ago, something clicked between you and me.
"It's like you could sense the relationship between us that lived in the parallel universe. I'd go into detail, but..."
"Timey-wimey, wibbly-wobbly." Mary finished for him.
"Exactly! So basically, we got along swell, and you know the rest. Now earlier, say... I dunno... Almost four years ago, I met Sherlock for the first time. No interrupting!" The Doctor tapped Mary on the head and grinned. She only closed her half-open mouth and rolled her eyes.
"As I was saying, four years ago I met Sherlock. As it turned out, I saw him in the street and stopped him to sign my book. Of course he was stunned, then proceeded to read me like a book and prove that I really am older than I look and an alien.
"He was initially taken aback, to put it nicely, and I offered to show him the TARDIS. Scientific stuff, you know. It greatly interested him, though I must mention that it quite upset him, the number of scientific laws that I had broken. Apparently you humans have strict scientific laws that forbid objects that are bigger on the inside...
"But either way, we became acquaintances. I showed him the book, which, as you know, was written in another parallel universe and labeled fiction. We had a brilliant conversation... Ironic, isn't it that I earned two of the book's character's trust by showing them their parallel timelines?" The Doctor trailed off.
"But anyway, we talked for a while, then he returned to his flat. I of course, had just arrived in London. I was tracking an old enemy of mine, who I fear has been terrorizing this good city.
"I needed a place to stay, and I had no idea who to trust. I believe I told you, but most of my companions are scattered. I have a few left here, but I couldn't put them in danger by staying with them. I could interact indirectly with them, but they never knew it was me. After Sherlock went into hiding I paid a few of them to try and purchase his equipment from John. However, he wouldn't sell. I even went myself. I pretty much hired everyone who inquired. Even went myself once. But that's off topic.
"As you also know, I'm a huge fan of the Sherlock Holmes series. I wandered around London, visited Baker Street, the morgue, and Scotland Yard.
"When I went to look at Scotland Yard, however, I met a girl who was leaving the building. Apparently I looked a little strange to her, because she came over to me.
"'Aren't you a little cold? You aren't even wearing gloves!' she smiled at me and held out a hand. 'Molly Hooper.' she said. 'Are you trying to see DI Lestrade?'
"When I had talked to Sherlock earlier he had mentioned Molly. Said he worked with her sometimes. However he failed to mention how sweet she was.
"When she asked I shook my head. 'Actually, I'm in town to visit the great Sherlock Holmes. However, I need a place to stay. Have any suggestions?'
"'Well,' she told me, 'I actually work with Sherlock at the morgue. I have a spare room at my flat. If you'd like to stay in that room I can make sure Sherlock knows where he can find you easily.'" The Doctor chuckled.
"When she said this I must admit that she was a little red in the face. But I said yes and we hailed a cab. We got out at her flat, a pretty little building not far from Baker Street. We went upstairs and she showed me a room on the left side of the hallway. The rooms all connected, but she told me that the doors had locks on both sides and I was welcome to lock the side doors if I wished.
"Her flat was nice, but the connecting rooms caught my eye as a little strange. I figured that the landlord, or lady, had them put in after the flat was built.
"Well I sat down on the bed, and that was when I realized that I didn't have any things of my own. I told Molly I was going to pick up my bags from where Sherlock was holding them for me and slipped out. She didn't mind, of course. Fantastic woman, Molly. Really sweet.
"Well of course Sherlock had no such bags, so I walked to the TARDIS and looked for some. It took a while, but I found what I needed.
"I suppose you wouldn't know, but when I regenerate I tend to lean towards a particular fashion. This time it's this brilliant coat and a suit. I travelled to this fantastic planet once, truly fantastic, really, and they have a wonderful seamstress there, absolutely wonderful, who made me a few more suits just like my old one, so I don't have to purchase similar one's elsewhere. It's also why I look like I never change.
"So I got my stuff, my clothes, my screwdriver, all that good stuff. I don't have a companion right now, so I was alone.
"I left the TARDIS and went back to Molly's flat, where I've been staying ever since. I stayed there for about three months under the excuse that I was doing some work with Sherlock, who I visited occasionally to lend some Time Lord science to his studies. I always avoided John, though. Sherlock wasn't sure how he would react to an alien... Probably shoot me in the face.
"For three months I stayed at Molly's, tracking this old friend of mine who I told you about. I couldn't believe that this man was alive, but I had signals that he was in London again and I had seen his work before.
"It took me these three months, and multiple visits with Sherlock to find out that we happened to be after the same thing.
"Before I came along and saw Sherlock in the street, he had been tracking a great criminal mind whom he said was his worst enemy. Apparently the man, Moriarty, was behind a series of serious crimes, and had promised to get Sherlock in the end.
"Well one day, I was at Sherlock's flat while John was out for milk. Sherlock told me that he was close to catching the criminal Moriarty. He needed help however, and I obviously volunteered my brilliant mind and spectacular hair with both my hearts.
"He accepted the offer. He showed me recent papers, where this man, Moriarty, labeled Sherlock as a fake and named himself Richard Brook. Richard said Sherlock hired him as an actor to make Sherlock look brilliant and heroic."
Mary paused the Doctor. "Wait, wait, wait! And don't say I can't interrupt, I can do whatever I want. You haven't told me who you though Richard or Moriarty or whatever was."
The Doctor paused, twisting his sonic screwdriver in his hands. "Oh. I suppose that's a bit important. To be honest, I thought that he was the Master. Harold Saxon. Returned from the dead for just about the billionth time. He just refuses to die, that man."
"The prime minister from forever ago?"
"That's him. He's basically an evil Time Lord who wants me dead with every ounce of his hearts. He's tried to kill me repeatedly, too, and I guess I probably frustrate him as much as he frustrates me."
Mary just nodded. "I believe I'm beginning to understand a little."
The Doctor ran a hand through his hair, making it stick up even worse. "Yes. So Sherlock told me about what had been going on. Missing children, threats, 'come and play', you know. 'Man with the key is king.' All that stuff."
"No, I don't understand. Come and play? The king has the key? Don't pull that 'oh we both know what's going on face!'"
"Oh. Sorry, I forget. Now shut up and I'll explain that later.
"So Sherlock needed to catch the criminal, and I needed to stop the Master before he destroys earth. I've absolutely no idea how he came back, because I was so sure he had died...
"Sherlock had a plan, though. That man is brilliant! I love humans. So anyway, he planned to meet Moriarty at the top of St. Bart's, fake his death by jumping, and then when Moriarty began to slack off, bag him up. It was a fantastic plan. Unfortunately, it was going to require John to see Sherlock fall and believe his death for maybe, eh, a year. Then Sherlock could safely return, hello, hugs, and joy all around. The worst criminal in all of time and space destroyed by a consulting detective and a Time Lord.
"Sherlock needed Molly's help, but she didn't know what I was. We went to her together, and I told her. She was shocked, to say the least. All of the colour drained from her face. For a moment I worried that she might pass out, but she pulled herself up. She said that if Sherlock believed me, she could. He was the most realistic, scientific man alive, and not one for pranks.
"I was thrilled. I led them both outside, then down a few blocks. I had parked the TARDIS less than a hundred metres away for safekeeping in an empty alley. She was of course invisible, and it was quite a shock to Molly when she appeared out of thin air, but Sherlock only made some brilliant observations about her invisibility features. According to him it was quite easy scientifically.
"I led them in, warning Molly of its size. She was awed, and I invited them over to the control panel." The Doctor stood up and walked out of the bedroom they'd been sitting in and into the control room. He led Mary to the control panel in the centre of the room.
"C'mon, Mary." The Doctor flipped two switches and pulled a cord. "A small box appeared on one of the screens, circles and lines swirling inside.
The Doctor pointed. "Circular Gallifreyan. My language. It's basically writing in time. It's asking if I want to activate the light beam. Gift from Captain Jack. It basically can catch anything in air and put in in the TARDIS. Still with me?"
Mary nodded slowly. "So, Sherlock jumps, and centimetres from the ground you catch him with this, and then he's in the TARDIS."
"Yeah. Then he jumps out, blood down his face, and the homeless network surrounds him and takes him in the hospital. Brilliant, Mary! You're keeping up wonderfully.
"So we had this plan all set up, and it was going to work out beautifully. The Master would be caught, London's consulting criminal would be off the streets. I'm assuming you read the papers that day?"
Mary nodded. "Yeah. I saw what happened. Sherlock jumps, Jim or Richard, or the Master or, or, whatever his name is, kills himself with a gun."
"Exactly. What the papers didn't say, though, was that Moriarty was real. Sherlock told me the whole story. What actually happened, no. You know what, I'll let him tell it. You've seen him before, no? But you didn't talk. Well he's in a back room by the pool, so I'll be right back."
A moment later the Doctor returned, a tall man trailing him. The man was pale with dark curly hair. His eyes were a pale ice colour, so light that they were almost not coloured at all. He wore a purple dress shirt and nice trousers, a long black overcoat, and a blue scarf.
He walked swiftly to Mary and stuck out a hand. In a deep, almost bored voice he said simply, "Mary, I'm assuming."
Mary took his hand and nodded. "That's me."
"Sherlock Holmes. Pleasure." a small smile stretched over his features, looking quite forced. It was nothing compared to the Doctor's grin.
"Well Mary? I let you read some of his stories. Just like the books?" the Doctor clapped Sherlock on the shoulder.
"I believe so, Doctor. But I don't understand. I realize that because the book is from a parallel universe, some things are off, like the time period and smaller details, and some things may have changed slightly, like the culprits' names or motives. Maybe some of the cases were left out, and some of the characters were left out or replaced. But from what you've told me, the main plot is the same. Sherlock fakes his death, Moriarty dies, I marry John, all of that."
"Yes, Mary?"
"It's just that, you don't find it strange that something as big as the Reichenbach fall was changed?"
Here Sherlock interrupted. "Are you suggesting that Moriarty is still alive? That he faked his death, too? Because that's impossible. He shot himself. I was there. Some things are easily faked, like falling off a building. Especially with a brilliant machine such as this. But I was two metres from Moriarty. I saw him die."
"But", said Mary, holding her ground, "the Doctor said he was a Time Lord..."
"It's impossible that he survived! Impossible!" Sherlock was practically shouting now. The Doctor's smile had disappeared, and he stepped forward.
"Fingers on lips!" The Doctor stood between Mary and Sherlock, his finger pressed against his lips. Neither Sherlock nor Mary moved. Then Mary let out a giggle. Sherlock smirked. "Excuse me, Timeman?"
The Doctor reddened, then squinted at them. "Hmm. Worked a little better on the last group. Now, Sherlock I brought you in here to fill Mary in about the backside of your story. The whole Richard Brook, Moriarty, sniper thing."
"Alright then, Doctor. If it truly helps. We'd best sit down."
The trio settled themselves on the grate that covered the TARDIS floor.
"Sure you lot don't want to find a more comfortable place?"
Mary shook her head and Sherlock replied that the floor was fine. The Doctor shrugged and sat down.
"So, you read the papers." Sherlock gestured at Mary. "Your left sleeve is wrinkled at the elbow where you lean it on the table to read. And smudges on your finger where you licked it to turn the page and smeared ink onto your index finger."
Mary didn't seem particularly surprised, after hearing so much about the great detective. "That's right. The stories I read claimed that you were 'a fraud incapable of gaining glory without the help of greater men'."
"Psh. Papers. Papers are dull. They don't see the truth even if it's right in front of them. I suppose I'd better start from the beginning so that you understand.
"You know that Moriarty was put to court for stealing the crown jewels, although he didn't take them? And that he specifically wrote my name on the display?"
Mary nodded. Sherlock continued, "Then I trust that you understand that he was released with no charge. The papers made up a story about how he really was innocent and knew he didn't need to put up a fight to prove it.
"What they didn't realize, was that he is the most dangerous man in all of London. Possibly even the world. He has endless ties and connections to powerful people everywhere. After he was released John called immediately.
"At the flat I put on a kettle and waited for Moriarty to arrive. He showed up on the stairs a bit later, and we sat down to a cuppa. not typical criminal behaviour, I suppose, but Jim is, no, was, no ordinary criminal.
"We talked. He told me of how each hotel room holding a member of the court had a personalized TV screen. Releasing threats was not that difficult.
"We finished our conversation, and he stated quite plainly that 'he owed me a fall.'
"Shortly after that, a lovely little episode ensued. I ended up arrested due to a whole deal at Scotland Yard about the kidnapped child, I'm sure you've heard of it in the paper, screaming at the sight of me.
"I was to be taken in for questioning, as if I had stolen the children! Ha." Sherlock rose and started to pace in an agitated manner.
"John punched the chief of police, I took a gun, and we ran away. We became fugitives. We eventually learned that 221B was being watched by assassins. Moriarty had told them that the key that helped him steal the crown jewels, release the prisoners, unlock the bank vault, and all of his other despicable actions was located at my flat. He had left nothing at my flat but an apple, and had touched nothing but his tea.
"All of things led to the fall. John received a text that Mrs. Hudson had been shot, and left immediately. I went to the top of Saint Bart's to meet Moriarty. He was sitting up there, blasting a song on his phone.
"As soon as I arrived, he stood up. 'Staying alive. Isn't staying alive boring?' He said something stupid like that. He tried to make me jump. Told me to end it, he had won. There wasn't even a key. He had made it up. As I've said, he has connections. They happened to be more than willing to help him.
"He told me I was 'ordinary. On the side of the angels.' I replied that I may be on the side of the angels, but I'm not one of them. We were the same. He agreed.
"He knew that he had the upper hand. I was stalling, waiting for the Doctor to arrive. I stood on the ledge once, looking down for him. As soon as I saw him I stepped down.
"In the end I asked him what happened if I didn't jump. What the papers didn't mention is that he had gunmen on John, LeStrade, and Mrs. Hudson. John told me once that friends protect people. It was all I could do." Sherlock trailed off.
Mary had a hand over her mouth, and the Doctor grimaced. "Moriarty wasn't supposed to kill himself. So, I suppose the Master is dead, and Moriarty is off the streets. It worked out either way, but we lost information that only he had."
As Sherlock finished his narrative, Mary removed her hand from her mouth.
"So you're in hiding still, though? It's been years since John's seen you! He's breaking up!" Mary was standing now, too, practically shouting. "Go to him!" she thrust a finger towards the TARDIS's door.
"I can't do that." Sherlock's voice was so quiet that Mary had to lean forward to hear him. "And why not?" she was shaking now, her whole body racked with grief for the man she was to love. "John needs you."
The Doctor stepped forward and took Mary by the shoulders. Pulling her towards him, he said calmly, "You never finished the books. Moriarty had an accomplice. Sebastian. He's still out there. If Sherlock goes out, he puts both himself and John in danger." Tears streamed down Mary's face now.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't know. I guess I already love him. Reading his own story to him in the hospital... I guess something just... clicked."
The Doctor laughed and Sherlock curled his lip. "As I've said before, love is a weakness, and caring is not an advantage."
The Doctor hugged Mary tighter. "I think it's wonderful, Mary. Absolutely brilliant! I love happy endings."
Mary looked up at him, uncertainty etched on her reddened face. "I still don't quite understand, though. So Sherlock, you still need to hide? How long before you can come out? And why has Sebastian not shown himself? Is he even a threat, now that Moriarty is gone?"
Sherlock smiled for the first time since the start of his story. "Not long, Mary. Not long. Sebastian is hardly a threat with his commander dead. With a little 'indirect' help, Scotland Yard should catch him soon."
Now that all of them were standing, Mary shook Sherlock's hand again. "It's been a pleasure."
"It has."
"Sherlock? Do you know that John... That John..."
"Tried to commit suicide? I do."
Mary looked slightly worried. Sherlock looked down at her. "Did you hear that he was saved by a man named Jonathan Walters, a custodian who resigned from his duties shortly after saving John?"
Mary nodded. Sherlock continued, "Jonathan doesn't exist. That was me. I've been monitoring all of John's electronic devices and communications. When he sent his note to this T.W., I saw it. I stopped him just in time and drugged him with a simple sleeping draught."
Mary relaxed a bit, but the tension didn't leave her shoulders.
"Just one more question. Why are so many of the things that happened here different from in the book? I mean, yeah a few things are changed, little details and such. But I read A Scandal In Bohemia. I also read John's blog. There were some major differences."
"Ah! You are definitely my daughter! Just like Rose. Always questioning everything. I love humans! Don't forget that not everything was included in the story. Just like real-life John, fictional John didn't know all the parts to the story. Is that all that you were wondering?"
Mary at last fully relaxed. "Yes. Thank you Doctor. And Sherlock." she waved as Sherlock disappeared into one of the TARDIS's multiple hallways.
The Doctor patted Mary on the shoulder. "Let's go and see your future husband again. We don't actually know who this mysterious T.W. is. It might be very important... He trailed off as they pulled open the TARDIS door.
