I'm sorry to say guys, that we have reached the end, I may sequel it but I need to think of a good plot first, please enjoy the last chapter of ghosts of the past, hope you like – Gimme shelter x

Chapter 24: The Bitter End

They all sat in Mrs Hudson's house, Nancy was still trying to absorb all the information, and she looked at Holmes;

' You still haven't explained to me how you knew?'

' It's a long story'

' Well I'm not going anywhere'

' Fine, when we got back her and you were upstairs I received a visit from Roberts father, he explained the whole story to me and told me that Robert was waiting for you, fairly certain that you would go to your old family home as soon as you heard about the murders, I decided it would be best to let you and let Robert tell you the whole story, when you left I contacted Roberts father and the two of us went to Catherine's house, both certain that she was behind the murders, when we got there and saw the house empty we knew we were right and with Watson, Lestrade and his men we entered the house and surrounded it and waited for you to come out'

' How did you know we would come out she could have just shot both of us then and there?'

' Because I know you and I knew you would draw her out of the house somehow'

' So how comes Robert got that bullet proof garment and I didn't?'

' Because I knew she'd shoot him first, in her eyes he'd wronged her more than you'

' What if she had shot me first?' Nancy smirked at him and Holmes for the first time appeared lost for words before muttering,

' Don't say that'

The night dragged on slowly as both she and Robert were questioned and gave statements to Lestrade, it was dawn when they left, Robert and his father both saying they would come back in the afternoon so Nancy could rest. Nancy walked slowly upstairs, she felt exhausted, she entered Holmes' room and sank onto the bed, too tired to remove her clothes or shoes, Holmes came in moments later and stared at her before leaning down and removing her shoes and stockings, he ran his hand up her leg before he started to unlace her dress, she sat up unwillingly and let him remove her clothes, she was too tired to care, but the second his lips began to softly kiss her shoulder she began to wake up, he trailed kisses along her shoulder to her neck and only stopped once to pull his shirt over his head. They lay together in bed, tangled in the sheets, Holmes was still panting as she rested her head on his chest, listening to his heart beat, she liked these moments after they'd made love and it felt like they were the only two people that existed. They slept in that position, Nancy woke first and got up quietly to allow him to sleep, she crossed the room and picked his robe up off his untidy desk, she looked at all the newspaper cuttings underneath, all of them mentioned various crimes, usually involving an elderly man reporting his lover missing as well as valuable items, she skimmed through them all and when she reached the bottom she found a photo frame turned over so the picture could not be seen, she lifted it and looked as a beautiful woman stared back at her, under the frame was a letter, she knew it was wrong of her to read his personal correspondences but she couldn't resist, the letter was from a woman named Irene, who Nancy assumed was the woman referred to in all the newspaper cutting and the woman in the photo, she had a sinking feeling in her stomach as she read the letter, this Irene woman wanted to meet with Sherlock at their old hotel room, Nancy bit her lip, feeling as though she'd just been punched in the stomach. She left Sherlock sleeping and went into her old room, she rifled through the wardrobe and dressed in a deep plum coloured dress and walked downstairs silently. She reached the kitchen and found Robert and his father talking with Mrs Hudson,

' Nancy did you get some sleep?' Robert still held concern in his eyes as he spoke,

' Yes I did thank you'

' I should introduce you both properly Nancy this is my father Lord Alfred Burton, father Nancy' Lord Burton surveyed Nancy with a warm smile, and took her hand,

' So you're the one I've been hearing all about, very beautiful and equally smart judging by last night' Nancy smiled shyly,

' You are too kind Lord Burton'

' Oh please dear call me Alfie' Nancy smirked, he was a kind man she could see that already,

' Ok then Alfie' he laughed happily and clapped his hands together,

' Oh I like you already, ask her Robert?'

' Ask me what?'

' Father and I are planning to journey to America and travel around a bit, we wondered if you would like to join us?'

' Well it sounds wonderful' she still had that sinking feeling in her stomach, was Holmes still seeing that Irene woman, she obviously meant something to him for him to keep tabs on her like that, if she was back would Holmes leave Nancy for her?

' How long will it be for?'

' As long as my old heart will let me' Alfie smiled ' so will you come with us?'

' Go you'd be a fool not to, how many opportunities will you get to see the world?' Mrs Hudson cut in,

' Please Nancy I've missed your entire life, that makes me the worlds worst older brother, let me make it up to you by showing you the world?' Nancy thought back to all the stories Styck had told her about his travels,

' I'll come on one condition?'

' Anything' Alfie answered immediately,

' You have to let me bring Alice'

' Who's Alice?' he looked at Robert confused,

' The young girl you saved from the work house I believe' Robert said looking at Nancy who looked immediately confused that he knew that,

' Dr Watson told me' he said anticipating her next question,

' More the merrier I say' Alfie said happily

' Well the ship leaves tonight, so I shall send our fastest coach to fetch Alice'

' There's no need sir' Mrs Hudson cut in again ' they're all on their way Nancy I telegrammed them last night I hope you don't mind?'

' Not at all, I'm so glad they're coming'.

Nancy watched the clock, a few hours later they arrived, Holmes had awoken and instantly gone out without a word to anyone, Nancy became angrier, she knew where he was going and who he was meeting. She talked the whole trip over with her aunt and uncle before telling Alice, they were happy for both of them to go and when Alice was told she was ecstatic. Nancy packed her belongings and said her goodbyes to everyone, Watson was at the house with Mary, she said goodbye to them,

' Do you want me to give him a message?' Watson asked her

' No I'm sure he'll be fine with Irene to comfort him' she knew she sounded bitter but she didn't care, Watson lowered his head and nodded understandingly, the whole coach ride to the docks she thought of nothing but Holmes, who would be enjoying himself with Irene right now and she had to bite her lip to stop herself crying, could she really have been wrong about him the whole time? They boarded the ship and Nancy settled Alice in the room, she had had a long day of travelling and needed to rest, Nancy stood on deck gazing at the stars and finally allowing a few tears to fall, as the ship departed from the dock and watched London begin to fade away into the fog, though as they left she could have sworn she saw the silhouette of a man on the docks watching the ship leave?