Author's notes: I want to thank my reviewers so far, Iara, Silvarius, and Mary. Thanks to Sigerson for betaing. Disclaimer's in the second chapter. Please R & R!

It didn't take long for the pair to return to Lestrade's building. Not with Lestrade's driving, anyway. As they climbed the stairs in the old building Lestrade faintly heard music from the computer's speakers.

"See? I told you." She remarked to Holmes, who simply shook his head in response. She knocked on the door and called out. "Jess, it's Beth. Can I come in?" She heard a gasp and then someone jumping up and landing suddenly. Perhaps spooked' wasn't a strong enough word. They heard the sounds of the recliner being inclined and her walker being turned around, then quick footsteps. The door came open on its own, thanks to the automatic door-opener that was installed. As the door slowly opened Jessica sighed in relief.

"Beth! Am I ever glad to see you!" she exclaimed, waving her visitors in, then going to the window once more to see if her tail was still there. She just saw the edge of his cloak as he swept around the street corner. Holmes seated himself on the end of the couch, politely observing the girl's apparent panic.

"Jessie, what's going on? Are you okay?" Beth asked her friend, her voice laced with concern. The girl turned to face her visitors, looking very frightened. She motioned for Lestrade to sit down on the couch with Holmes, then re-seated herself in the recliner.

"Beth, you know that guy that you've been trying to put away? The one that escapes every time?"

"You must mean Moriarty - Why do you ask?" Beth answered.

"Well, I think his servant's been following me. Everywhere I've gone in the last few days or so that creep's been shadowing me. And I've gotten these scary e-mails too..." she said as she handed the Inspector a pad. Lestrade quickly ran over them before handing the little unit to Holmes, who examined them with great interest. Lestrade leveled her gaze on her friend.

Jess, why weren't the police called into this in the first place? E-mail abuse is a very serious offence, and so is stalking. Holmes rolled his eyes and scoffed, earning a discrete kick in the shin from Lestrade. Before Jess could open her mouth to answer, Holmes overrode with another question.

"Miss, have you had... difficulites like this before?" Holmes asked, glaring at Lestrade with watering eyes. Jessica just shook her head in response.

"Not this bad." she said. Holmes finally put down the thin pad, having all of the information he needed.

"Miss, how long has this gentleman been following you? Pray be precise to the details.

"Three weeks. I remember because I was coming back from the market. You remember, Beth - I asked you for help with the bags as I went in."

"Yeah, I remember that day. You'd really stocked up. Your hoverchair was practically falling over." Lestrade said, smiling. There was a lapse in the conversation, which Jess moved to fill.

"Uh, can I get you guys anything? Something to drink, or a snack? Would you like some tea?" Both accepted politely, and Jessica got up and went into the kitchen. A few quiet seconds passed while Holmes closed his eyes to think, then they heard a violent crash from the kitchen. A very, very loud ZED IT! echoed out into the sitting room.

"Jess, are you okay?" Lestrade yelped, jumping up and rushing into the kitchen.

"Yeah, just had an accident." Her friend was crouched on the floor, trying to pick up the pieces of several shattered glasses and some smashed dishes from the highest shelf. Lestrade shook her head and smiled at her poor friend's nerves.

"Here, let me get that, kid. Can't have you hurting yourself." She said, bending down and shooing Jess away. Jessica surrendered and rejoined Holmes in the living room. As she moved to sit down, Holmes spoke.

Who was it before? he mused quietly, shooting her a speculative glance.

Jess stuttered, now shaking visibly. Holmes quickly deduced that she hadn't been frightened before only on account of Lestrade's presence. He hated having people frightened of him unintentionally. It made questioning difficult. Holmes put on his most soothing, deep tone.

A comment you made earlier indicated that you have had stalkers in the past. I merely wondered who.

"Oh, that. Umm... you can call me Jess, no need for formality." she said, starting to relax a little. Holmes had the art calming a person down pat.

"All right, Jess. Holmes said, trying her name and finding it to be satisfactory. As I asked before..." he allowed his voice to trail off. Jess took the hint.

"Well, you see, as a kid I was picked on regularly. Beth was the only one who stood up for me."

"I see." he said with a gentle smile, showing he meant no harm. It was then that Beth came in with the drinks.

"Well, looks like you've calmed down." she said to Jess, who smiled slightly at the inspector. "So what did you mean before? About the stalker-ish behavior?" Holmes gave Lestrade his most disapproving stare, aware that she had been eavesdropping. Jess was not deterred.

"You know, stares, whispered comments when I'm barely in earshot, that kind of thing." The inspector nodded understandingly.