Lestrade couldn't believe it.
He stared at the body.
How?
No.
He felt dizzy. Was it his fault?
If he hadn't arrested him...Started to believe that he was a fraud...
Maybe Sherlock wouldn't have done it.
He wasn't a fraud.
He may have told John he was a fake.
But he wasn't.
He was a genius.
Lestrade new that.
How did he end up believing the lie?
Donavon and Anderson.
They convinced him.
How did he let them convince him?
He wanted to throw them out of his division but the superintendent wouldn't allow it.
Sherlock must have had a plan and it went wrong?
Since when do Sherlock's plans go wrong?
There was someone else's blood on the roof.
Maybe he was forced at gun point?
No, Sherlock would have preferred to be shot than tell everyone he was a fake.
Maybe someone else was at gun point...
He only has three friends, four if Lestrade included himself. Five if he included Mycroft.
But the brothers didn't get along.
But Sherlock wouldn't have let Mycroft be shot?
Would he?
John, Mrs Hudson, Evie and Lestrade.
Evie.
Did she know?
Would Mycroft have told her?
Lestrade didn't know.
Evie and he had gotten to know each other over the three years since they met.
Whilst Sherlock was going through the first withdrawal she came to see him. Asked for his advice and he gave it. He had seen junkies before, seen them go through withdrawal, relapses, he had seen them fail at quitting but he had also seen them succeed.
Sherlock was a strong character so Lestrade thought he would succeed.
He did eventually.
Lestrade told that to Evie. He explained his experiences with people who had taken drugs and Evie seemed to appreciate it.
He wasn't completely sure how or when but somehow, they ended up meeting up often, and slowly they became friends.
After she left Sherlock, Evie gravitated towards him for some reason, taking comfort in Lestrade's presence.
He didn't mind, he enjoyed Evie's company and was willing to be there for her.
He visited her, in her house in Dover as often as he could. Stayed a few days when he could get the time off.
They weren't together or anything. They were just friends. He didn't want it to be anything more and neither did Evie.
"I'm in love with Sherlock," she had confided in him earlier that year, "Even after all this time. I still love him. I think I'll always love him, no matter what"
Sighing heavily Lestrade turned on his heel and left the morgue, leaving behind Sherlock's ever still body behind, in the hands of Molly Hooper.
He took a few days off.
The superintendent wasn't happy about it but he allowed it.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Evie flopped onto the sofa with a large pizza with the sides flopping of the edge. She picked up a slice and bit into it, the hot melted cheese burning her tongue but it tasted amazing. "Mmmm." She picked up the remote and clicked play.
Beauty and the Beast.
Sometimes the best thing to do was have a relaxing hot bath in the afternoon, then sit in her pyjamas and eat a large pizza for dinner, watch a childhood movie and eat ice cream which was currently in the freezer, for dessert.
"Evie?" Lestrade's voice echoed through the room, half an hour into the film.
Evie jumped, she hadn't heard the door open. She looked at what she was wearing but found she didn't care, she trusted the DI and he had seen her in just Pyjamas before. "In here." Evie called putting the un-eaten quarter of the pizza down on the table and stood up to greet the Detective Inspector.
Lestrade came into the sitting room but something stopped Evie from rushing to give him the usual 'hello hug'. He looked tired, sleepless bags very visible under his eyes. His frown looked almost permanent and his hands were shaking. The stubble on his cheeks was getting past just 'stubble' and threatening to turn into a beard. His clothes looked as if he hadn't changed in days and he had lost a lot of weight. When was the last time he ate? He was staring at her and his eyes were so sad.
Something was very wrong.
"Greg?" Evie asked carefully. He shook his head and walked over, to join her, he led her to the sofa and making her sit down.
"Have you spoken to Mycroft?" He asked. He knew she couldn't have otherwise she wouldn't look so relaxed and mildly cheerful; at least she was until she saw his own distress.
Evie shook her head, something was wrong with either Mycroft or Sherlock otherwise Lestrade wouldn't be here and looking so...old. "He rung a few days ago but he told me that he'd be quite busy for a few days so he won't be able to talk to me. Ha-Has something happened?"
Lestrade took a deep breath. He'd have to do it then.
"Sherlock…he…he's dead."
Evie froze. She stopped moving. She stopped breathing. What did Greg just say? No.
"Evie, Evie…" Lestrade shook her gently. "Evie, come on breathe." He shook her a little harder.
The world started spinning. This was impossible. Her best friend was dead. No he couldn't be, Sherlock's can't die, he's too smart to die.
No, he's not.
Why would Greg lie to her?
He wouldn't that's why.
She felt numb.
Nothing was real anymore. Nothing mattered.
"EVIE! Listen. Breathe. Now." a voice ordered while shaking her, breaking through into her thoughts and Evie realized she wasn't breathing; she took a sudden deep breath feeling the oxygen fill her lungs.
She looked at the one who spoke.
Gregory Lestrade.
"No. How? When?" Her voice sounded...broken even to her.
"This Morning." Lestrade started explaining everything that had happened, at least what he knew about. From the children going missing and then screaming at the sight of Sherlock, and them arresting him. Escaping with John and then jumping off the roof of St Barts. John had told him what Sherlock said over the phone and Lestrade repeated this for Evie.
"No." Evie was sure. "He's not a fake. He's a genius."
"I know."
Evie didn't hear him. "He's always done it. Since we were eight years old. He's always just...known stuff because he's brilliant! He sees things that we don't. He's just very observant and he can deduce!" her voice broke with the last words and she turned into Lestrade's side.
She didn't know how long she cried into his shoulder, everything else forgotten. Thoughts of her best friend flooding through her head. Every time she thought she would stop crying, another memory hit her and the flood came out again.
Was it her fault?
Maybe if she had gone back to him? He had been clean for months, she knew that much, but she was waiting for him. Giving him the choice to come back to her, if he wanted to.
But maybe she should have gone back first, he would still be alive.
She knew what he had told John was a lie.
Sherlock is not a fake. He was a genius.
She knew that.
Mycroft had to know that.
He wouldn't have done it if she was there.
He would still be alive.
Wouldn't he?
Sherlock was dead.
He couldn't be dead.
Why did he do it?
Evie's head hurt, her whole body hurt and she felt impossibly guilty. Empty.
But she felt numb.
Nothing was real anymore.
She wanted to wake up and this be a horrible nightmare.
"No." Evie denied sitting up and wiping the tears falling down her cheek. "No. He can't be…" She couldn't say it.
Evie pulled back and looked at Lestrade. "What's gonna happen now? Does…'Croft know…?"
"I haven't spoken to him. But I would assume so."
"I've gotta…" Evie reached to the table and picked up her mobile dialling Mycroft's number.
No answer.
She tried again.
No answer.
Again.
No answer.
Evie sighed and looked up at Lestrade. "He's not answering. I need to talk to him…what does he know? How…" Evie gasped, "What about the funeral?"
*Brrrrring Brrrrrring*
Evie jumped and looked down at her phone, 'Croft' was clearly displayed, "'Croft?"
"Evie, I apologize I had just come home." His voice sounded empty.
Evie didn't bother with small talk, "Do you know? Why didn't you tell me?" Evie choked out.
"Ah, you have spoken to Lestrade?" Mycroft had been hoping nobody would talk to Evie until he got the chance.
"Yes. He's here. Why? Shouldn't you have told me?"
"I…" Mycroft wasn't sure what to say, he had his reasons but he couldn't tell her over the phone. Too dangerous. Moriarty's men are still out there. He had a plan; he just hadn't expected Lestrade to go over to Evie's. "I have had so much to sort out. I apologize. I was just about to tell you." He lied. He hated lying to Evie, but for the moment he had to. For everyone's safety. Evie would understand soon.
"How? I don't understand. You know him as well as I do Mycro…he's not a fake. He can't be de-." She couldn't say it.
"I know. But others are more likely to believe the words that he spoke."
"I'm coming up." Evie decided, she had to see the man she saw as an older brother. She had to see Sherlock's body to believe it. She had to see her own parents for their comfort.
"No." It was too dangerous for her, he couldn't tell her yet.
"What?" Evie didn't understand. "Why not?"
"Evie…I can't explain right now, but you have to stay there. I will come down as soon as I can. But you have to stay there Evie. Please."
Evie could hear the desperation in his voice so she knew she would do as he said. "But what about his fu-funeral?"
Mycroft sighed; he couldn't make her miss that. "I will send a helicopter that day. Please Evie. Do as I say."
"I will." Evie sighed; she knew if she didn't, Mycroft would go to any length to make she that she does. She knew it was for her own safety, even if she didn't know what the danger was. "But I expect an explanation."
"And you will get one. I apologize Evie but I have to go."
"See you." Evie murmured.
Mycroft cut off the phone and Evie stared at it for a few moments. She didn't understand. Why couldn't see go and see him? Something was dangerous for her to go. But what?
Moriarty?
Why would he be after her?
"What's happened?" Lestrade broke through her thoughts.
"Mycroft doesn't want me to come up to London. I don't know why. It's dangerous that much is obvious but what?"
He didn't know.
Lestrade stayed for a few days but Evie wasn't good company.
She fell into denial and all her grief went into cleaning, by the time the few days were over the house was spotless.
When she had no distraction, she cried.
She barely ate and barely slept.
Lestrade had to force feed her and drugged her a couple of times so that she would get some sleep.
Lestrade spoke to John over the phone, helping John and Mycroft to arrange Sherlock's funeral. Evie put in anything she thought Sherlock would like.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
True to his word four days after he had died, Mycroft sent a helicopter to pick up Evie and Lestrade and take them to the Church where Sherlock would be buried.
As soon as she landed she saw Mycroft waiting for them and she ran over to him hugging him tightly.
He hugged her back just as tightly before placing a light kiss on her forehead. "It's true then?" Evie asked. She didn't want to believe it. She was half hoping Sherlock would just jump out from behind a tree and hug her telling her it was just a stupid joke and she was an idiot for believing it.
"It's true." Mycroft confirmed lightly placing his hand on her cheek, his thumb brushing over the small dent like scar that Sherlock's fist had left.
It was a closed coffin funeral.
There weren't many people there, just Evie, Mycroft, John, Lestrade, Mrs Hudson, Molly, and a few others that Sherlock has helped over the years.
John stood to say a few words about him but Evie barely heard them. She couldn't take her eyes off the coffin.
His body was inside.
"Would anyone else like to say a few words?" the preacher asked.
Evie made a move to stand up, she hadn't prepared anything but she felt she needed to say something. Say a goodbye to her best friend, but Mycroft stopped her with a hand on her leg and a slight shake of his head when she looked at him. "But-"
"It's not safe." He whispered under his breath. So low, Evie wasn't sure if she heard correctly, but she did as she was told and stayed silent except for the sods wrecking through her chest as his body was lowed into the ground.
Mycroft walked her to the helicopter. "I will be down later tonight, Evie. Its time I explained." He whispered as he hugged her goodbye.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
That evening Evie was sat quietly in the sitting room and she broke down. Sobs heaving through her body.
She was alone. Lestrade had to go back to work; she didn't know when Mycroft would be there.
She had to do something.
Evie stood up and went into the kitchen, after digging around the cupboards, she found she had the correct ingredients and started making the coconut cake batter. She allowed herself to think about all the times Sherlock and she used to make this together. She laughed and cried as memory after memory hit her, until a thought about the house she lived in.
The moment Mycroft hit the age of 18 he found himself in the Government, he found that he had a lot of work to down in Dover. So instead of staying in a hotel, Mycroft decided to buy a house. He had the money so didn't see any reason why he shouldn't, except for the fact that he rarely spent any time in said house except for sleeping and eating.
So after having the house for almost a year he decided to invite his brother and Evie to stay in that house over the summer.
It soon became a regular occurrence, he went down to Dover and whenever Sherlock and Evie were off school at the same time as his trips they would join him.
It's an average sized house. Evie remembered the first time she walked in, straight into a hallway and off to the left was the sizable sitting room already decorated and furnished, but basically untouched. To the right was the large kitchen, connected with a dining room. Straight opposite the front door was another door which led into a shower room, and the stairs leading upstairs which included a large bathroom, the Master bedroom and two smaller, but still large bedrooms, and then another smaller bedroom which was changed into an office. From the office there was another door leading to stairs which led onto the roof.
Evie and Sherlock spent many weeks there and it became like a third home to Evie, her parent's house and the Holmes' place being the other two.
But one day really stuck out to her, when they were 19 years old, it was the summer Sherlock had finished his year at University but Evie still had two years left. They had gone home for the summer but the two friends decided to go down to Dover for a couple of weeks.
They were eating pie and roast potatoes for dinner when Evie turned to Sherlock, "So what are you doing now?"
"Eating dinner whilst watching mind numbing television." Sherlock replied.
Evie resisted the urge to roll her eyes despite knowing Sherlock's answer was completely serious as if she couldn't see what he was doing. "I mean, you've completed Uni, what's next? For you?"
"I shall stay in Cambridge with you and do anything that shall, as you say, take my fancy."
"Still wanna be a pirate?" Evie had to ask, with a teasing smile.
"Oh ha ha." Sherlock laughed sarcastically but he couldn't help but smile at his friend.
"So that's a yes then?"
"Ay."
Evie rolled her eyes, "And I will be the ships lady yeah?"
"No, that's Mycroft."
Evie had to cover her mouth quickly with her hand before she spat out the potato she just placed in her mouth. Evie allowed herself to giggle once she swallowed. "'Croft as the ships lady...I can't see him wanting to do that."
Sherlock looked over at his friend and smirked, "I guess I'll have to make him walk the plank."
"Ah, but Peter Pan will save him."
"Does that make me Captain Hook?"
"Well if you grew your hair..."
"Aren't you forgetting that he wears a wig?"
"Ah, true. Grow your hair, and then cut it off to make it a wig."
"If I'm Captain Hook and Peter Pan is saving Mycroft from the plank...does that make Mycroft...Wendy?"
Evie snorted in laughter, "Then who am I?"
"Hmm," Sherlock put his hand on his chin and stared at Evie for a moment, "Smee." He answered eventually causing Evie to laugh even more.
"Ah glad you think so highly of me."
"Well, he is Hook's right hand man."
"Or woman in this case."
"Well..." Sherlock tipped his head slightly and Evie threw a potato at him causing him to chuckle and throw it back at her.
They were both silent for a few minutes eating their food when Evie burst into sudden laughter. Sherlock looked up at her in wonder, "Sorry, sorry." Evie said un-apologetically, "I just got the image."
Sherlock wasn't sure he wanted to know having been on the receiving ends of her 'metal imaging' before. But curiosity got the better of him. "Image?"
"Mycroft as Wendy." Sherlock snorted, a noise he would forever deny before closing his eyes willing himself to delete the image.
"That is quite...disturbing."
"Quite." Evie agreed, but she was smiling in amusement.
Evie placed the cake in the oven, it was moments like that she missed the most.
The carefree banter between them, that didn't mean anything except that they could relax in each other's presence so easily.
"Evie." Evie jumped at the voice and couldn't help it when a small giggle from escaped her when she caught eyes with Mycroft, having the mental image once more.
Mycroft raised a single eyebrow in question but Evie shook her head, "Sorry, I'm just..." She shrugged not knowing how to explain, suddenly happiness escaping her once more.
"Right, I believe it is time to explain everything." Mycroft told her and Evie stood up straighter in anticipation. What was so dangerous that she couldn't even speak at her best friend's funeral, "You may want to sit down?" Mycroft turned on heel and went into the sitting room with his umbrella clicking on the floor. Evie followed him silently.
She almost fainted at the sight.
Sherlock Holmes was sat on the sofa.
Alive.
"Sh-Sherly?" Evie wasn't sure if she had said it out loud or in her head.
"Hello." Sherlock didn't know what to say. His eyes went straight to the cheek he had punched over 3 years ago. A small dent like scar was on it and the guilt felt heavier than ever, but right now was not the time to think about that. When he entered the house memories of time spent with Evie came over him but he tried to push them back. He took a seat whilst Mycroft went to find Evie.
"Sorry, I'm just..." Sherlock tensed at her voice. He hadn't heard it in so long and it sounded beautiful to his ears.
He heard them walking into the room and he didn't know how to react. He thought acting calm would be the best idea, but his heart was pounding harder than ever. He didn't know how she would react to seeing him.
He would normally have some idea but Evie always surprised him. He loved her for that. But right now he wished that she didn't.
Evie just stared at him in disbelief. She slowly took a step. Seemed to find that she was balance and walked slowly towards him. Once she reached him she sat down next to him and placed her hand on his cheek and stared in to his eyes.
He lent into her touch and stared back waiting for her to speak first.
Her hand felt amazing on his cheek; he hadn't felt her touch in three years.
And then she slapped him.
Hard.
He put his hand where she had slapped and looked up in confusion.
"So you go and just casually DIE? But then it turns out you're not dead, just sitting in my living room drinking..." she looked at the table finding no drink there she looked back at him, "Will be drinking tea, as if nothing's happened?"
Sherlock hadn't been expecting this reaction and wasn't sure what to say. He opened his mouth to speak when Evie just started crying and pulled him into a tight hug which after a moment he hugged back. He hadn't hugged anyone in a while and it felt strange, but good.
Very good with Evie.
Evie felt the old but familiar tingles of electric all over her body as he hugged back.
"You're alive! I don't...Am I gonna wake up in a minute? Or am I dead? I don't remember dying? But then 'Croft?" Evie pulled away from Sherlock and looked at Mycroft, "Are we all dead?"
Mycroft felt just as dumbfounded at her reaction as Sherlock is, managed to shake his head. "We are all very much alive."
"Then...how?"
Sherlock glanced at Mycroft who sat in the armchair next to the sofa but turned it so that it faced them.
They began to explain that Sherlock had faked his death with help from Molly and Mycroft together. Sherlock explained that he had to do it too keep everyone safe because Moriarty had gunmen ready to kill John, Mrs Hudson and Lestrade if they didn't see him jump, he had already had a plan, Mycroft explained that Moriarty doesn't know about Evie because he kept her safe by not telling him about her. Altering Sherlock's life story, to keep her safe.
That was why he didn't want her talking at the funeral, Evie realized, or going up to London.
"But Greg saw your body...?" Evie tried. "John felt your pulse!" At least Lestrade told her everything John had told him.
"Neither of them was me." Sherlock sighed lightly, "I had a plan. Moriarty didn't know about. But I have to stay hidden. Pretend to be dead until all Moriarty's men are gone. Which I have to find."
"And kill them?" Evie had to know.
"Give them to the Government." Was the only answer Sherlock gave.
Evie opened her mouth to ask something else when a beeping echoed through the room. Evie frowned in confusion before she remembered the cake. "I made coconut cake." She stated in explanation, before rushing into the kitchen. She switched the timer off, picked up the oven gloves before getting the cake out of the oven. She stared at it for a few minutes.
Sherlock is alive.
Sherlock is in her living room.
Alive.
It had been three years since they last saw each other face to face and she didn't know what to do or say.
She knew what was coming next.
He would stay here with her until he'd found all of Moriarty's men.
And then what?
She couldn't lose him again.
Not after he was back.
But then again, if this hadn't happened...would he have ever come back?
She didn't know.
Evie took a deep breath to ready herself, before cutting into the cake. She took 3 pieces and placed each on an individual plates.
She then made tea.
She could hear the brother's murmurs as they discussed something quietly.
"Does she want me here?" She heard Sherlock say.
"Yes." Mycroft whispered forcefully. "She's just in shock. Give her time."
"What if you're wrong?"
"I am never wrong Sherlock."
Evie blocked out the conversation and put the cake and tea on and tray and took it to them and put it on the table before sitting down beside Sherlock once more and taking her own tea, taking a sip and ignoring the fact that it was burning her tongue.
"Evie," Mycroft started. "I think you know what we are going to ask. We have taken every precaution possible to ensure that you are both safe. And I need to continue on as if I have lost my brother. But I will, of course, visit."
Evie looked at Sherlock, she looked into his sad eyes and knew no matter what, she would never let him go again.
"I have been clean for almost 18 months." Sherlock felt the need to tell her as Mycroft picked up a slice of the offered cake, more out of politeness than actually wanting it, "Except for the Hound drug which I did not choose to take and it was quickly out of my system."
"Sherly..." Evie spoke quietly and put down her tea before clearing her throat trying to find the right words. "You can stay as long as you want." Evie said eventually, "I missed you." She added honestly while placing her hand on Sherlock's arm.
"I've missed you too..." Sherlock tentatively reached forward and put his hand on her left cheek. Evie almost jumped at what felt like electric running from his hand to her cheek, a feeling she had grown so accustomed to but hadn't felt in too long. She closed her eyes and lent into his touch, enjoying the contact. Sherlock's thumb brushed delicately over the scar. He missed this, this close relationship with Evie. He missed the feel of her skin, her smile, her contentment but that scar. It was entirely his fault. "Evie..." He choked her name aloud for the first time in over two years, "I-I'm so sorry." He finally said the apology that he should have made over three years prior. "Will you...forgive me?" He readied himself for the no. For the fact that he can stay but he's not forgiven.
Evie opened her eyes and put her hand over his. "I already have."
Sherlock felt incredible happiness flow through him. It was more than he could wish for.
She pulled him to another hug and they stayed that way until Evie heard the front door close and realized Mycroft had made a stealthy exit. "Wait here." she told Sherlock before running after Mycroft. She caught him just before he climbed into the Helicopter. "Mycro!" she ran into his arms and hugged him tightly, he hugged back for a moment before pulling back.
"What do I do?" Evie asked.
Mycroft looked at her; he had known her since she was eight years old, and at that moment, at 25 years old, she reminded him of the eight year old he had first met.
So small and vulnerable, wanting to be brave but knowing she didn't have too. Not in front of him.
"Whatever you wish to do so." He answered the only thing he could think of.
"But..."
"Evie." Mycroft softened his voice and stopped being the British Government and became the older brother Evie saw him as, "He wanted to come here. He could have stayed at my home and did what he needs to do from there, but he asked me to bring him here. To stay with you."
Evie's eyes brightened and she smiled, it didn't completely meet her eyes but it was enough, "Thank you."
Mycroft nodded and kissed her forehead once more before climbing into the helicopter.
Evie took a deep breath and turned towards the house and readied herself. She didn't know what the next few months would be like, but she had her best friend back and she knew it would all be ok.