The black car came to a screeching halt in front of the street leading down to the old tram tunnel. Melody saw the flashing blue lights, an ambulance, and several police men walking around. Mel thanked the driver, then sprint over to the scene. Paramedics wheeled out stretchers with covered corpses on them as she ducked under the tape and approached Dimmock.

"They out yet?" she asked him.

He turned to look at her and shook his head. "They're giving them a quick once over at the ambulance over there." He explained.

When she looked where he was pointing, she saw Sarah sitting in the back of an ambulance with a blanket over her shoulders. She wass obviously shocked, but didn't appear physically hurt. Just beyond was another ambulance where a paramedic was looking over John. Sherlock stood close by.

Mel nod her head and walked quickly past Sarah's ambulance to the one behind it.

Sherlock and John were side by side as the medic stepped away. Melody sighed in relief as they both looked at her.

"How did you get here so quickly?" Sherlock asked.

"Mycroft sent me off as soon as the call went out. I just arrived." she informed him. She gave him a hug, then turned to John, who looked a bit worse for wear. "I expect to hear everything tomorrow once you've gotten some rest." she said before giving him a tight hug.

"Come on. Let's get back to the flat. We can all get some rest now that the case is over." Sherlock suggested.

Melody nod and took John's arm as they walked. "You feeling alright?" she asked as they approached Dimmock.

"Yeah, I'll be okay. Just small bump on the head, and I'm a bit miffed that Sarah probably won't want to date me anymore." he admit.

"Don't worry, John. You'll find a girl who can handle the antics that Sherlock drags us through."

They now stood in front of Dimmock, and Sherlock spoke very casually. "We'll just slip off. No need to mention us in the report."

"Mr. Holmes..." the inspector started.

"I have high hopes for you, Inspector. A glittering career."

"I go where you point me."

"Exactly."

Sherlock turned and began walking away, and Melody urged John to follow, assuring him she would be right there. She turned to Dimmock with a small smile.

"Inspector, I know that you were hesitant at first, but I want to thank you for trusting us. Trusting him. It means a lot. And I promise that if you ever need our help again, you can call us. If he doesn't answer, I will." she said.

"Thank you, Miss Hudson. I truly appreciate it. Now, you should probably go. Don't want to keep Mr. Holmes waiting." he said with a quiet chuckle.

Melody nod and jogged over to where Sherlock and John stood waiting. "Ready, to go home?" she asked.

Both boys nod in agreement and she motioned for them to lead the way.

The next morning, the trio sat at the dining table, staring at the decoded message. 'Nine Mill Fore Jade Pin. Dragon Den Black Tramway'.

"'Nine Mill...'?" John inquired.

"'Million'." Sherlock supplied.

"Yes. 'Million'. 'Nine million for Jade Pin. Dragon Den Black Tramway'."

"An instruction - to all of their operatives in London. A message what they were trying to reclaim."

"A jade pin worth nine million pounds. Bring it to the tramway - their London hideout." Mel said in understanding.

"But... a hairpin. Worth nine million pounds!" John exclaimed.

"Apparently." Sherlock shrugged.

"Why so much?"

"Depends who owned it."

Melody smiled and looked at Sherlock. "Well, I think we know who owns it now. Should we go pay her a visit? You can tell her the news while John and I deal with Sebastian."

He frowned at the name "Sebastian". "Fine, but you make sure you and John are both there the entire time. I don't like the way Sebastian looked at you last time."

"Deal. Now, come on. Lets go talk to a woman about a jade pin."

Sherlock, John, and Melody walked into the bank and finally went their separate ways. John and Melody waltzed right into the man's office and sat down. John took the lead and explained how they solved the case, or rather, what Sebastian needed to know about it.

Sebastian stood up and pulled out his cheque book. He made one out to 'cash', handing John the final cheque for their services. "He really climbed up on to balcony?"

"Nail a plank across the window and all your problems are over." John quipped.

At that moment, Amanda jumped up in the air and shrieked. Melody looked through the glass wall and made eye contact with Sherlock who was smiling.

"Right. Well, I do believe that finishes up our business here. John, you ready?"

"Absolutely." the man agreed, leading her out before Sebastian could protest.

They met Sherlock at the doorway and quickly exit the building. Sherlock offered Mel his arm, and she gladly accepted it.

"Where to now?" she asked.

"I was thinking the museum. Perhaps they'd be interested in a certain Jade pin."

The trio stood in the Chinese Antiquities Room. They stared intently at the mannequin of the Empress in gold and black, the museum director standing approaching behind them. The mannequin's costume had been fashioned to resemble her exactly as she was at her wedding a thousand years ago. The mannequin wore a plastic green reproduction hair pin as part of the ensemble.

The museum director broke the silence after a few minutes. "Empress Wu Zetian. Only woman to rule Imperial China. This costume is a mock-up of course. She lived fourteen hundred years ago. Nothing of hers has survived."

"You're sure about that?" Sherlock questioned.

"You hear rumours. The Chinese are always uncovering new artifacts. Anything of hers would be worth... millions."

Sherlock produced the pin, holding it up in front of her. "I wonder - could you find a place for this, somewhere in the display?"

The woman looked at the pin, eyes wide. She immediately knew its true value. She thanked him profusely, taking the pin the the office.

The three made their way to the Atrium to see Andy waiting for them by the exit. "Almost the last thing she said to me... you have to look hard at something to see its value. I knew she was a sweet girl. But truly - I never knew how brave she was as well." the boy said sadly.

John smiled sadly as he walked past. A moment later, he came back. "That list of benefactors - on the gallery wall. What sort of donation would I need?" He asked, handing the cheque from Sebastian.

Andy opened it and his eyes widened. "This would certainly cover it. What name?"

"Three words."

"Of course. 'Holmes, Hudson, Watson'.

"No. No. Soo Lin Yao."

Andy looked at the man with tears in his eyes and nod once. John pat the man on the shoulder and left, catching back up with the others.

By the time they got home, it was nearly dinner time. Melody knew that she would need to throw together a meal, but she was absolutely exhausted. As if he could read her mind, Sherlock looked at her while they climbed the stairs.

"If you would like, I can make dinner. I read something on how to make chicken tandori a few days ago. I could make that." he offered.

Melody smiled gratefully. "That would actually be amazing. Thank you so much."

That night, both Hudson women, John, and Sherlock all ate dinner together and relaxed. After they finished eating, Melody and Sherlock were washing and drying the dishes. It had become something of a routine for them, and they enjoyed just being near eachother in silence.

Sherlock looked over at her and stopped drying for a moment. "How would you feel about going on a real date tomorrow?"

Melody looked over at him with a shocked expression. "A date?"

"Yes. Dinner or something, and perhaps some sort of activity after?" he suggested.

"That sounds wonderful." she agreed, finishing up her last dish. "You think we could get Chinese?"

Sherlock burst out laughing. "Clever, really clever. I was thinking Italian."

"Italian it is." Melody said through her own laughter.

Things were changing, and they were happy. They all were. But they had no idea the hell that was about to be unleashed on them.