The silence was almost deafening. Derry's Force-storm died as suddenly as its master, leaving us all blinking in startlingly bright sunshine. The nightmare creatures dissipated into nothing. The battle was over.

The Jedi stood as though frozen. I couldn't blame them; I felt much the same. Holmes was rigidly silent, turning away from me, from the others, to stalk off a few paces, putting distance between himself and Derry's body.

Grey Wolf was the first to move, dropping from his crouch onto the ground and pulling Shannan's still form to him. My heart leapt into my throat at the sight of her still, white face and the blood darkening the leather of her clothes. Collecting my scattered wits, I forced my feet to move, hurrying to her side.

Ugly gashes marred her shoulder and left side, but her pulse was strong. Some stitches, some rest, and she would be fine, albeit scarred. I moved on to Ben, still lying against the rocky hill face, his master bent over him. He was in better shape than Shannan, but there was a goose-egg lump on the back of his skull. I patted Qui-Gon's shoulder reassuringly and looked around for more wounded.

MacEiver leaned heavily against Mrs. Hudson, massaging his throat. He waved away my inquiries, indicating that it hurt too much to speak. Bereft of patients to treat (not that I had any supplies on hand anyway), I turned my attention to the dead.

Maeve stood over Derry's body, head bowed, the lines of her face rigid. I drifted to her side, uncertain as to what I ought to do. Instead I stood silently, wishing there was something to say that wouldn't sound trite or, God forbid, callous.

"He used to be a good man," she said at last, her voice so low I had to strain to hear it. "So merry, always ready with a joke...how could he become this?"

"Only the most foolish of us pretend to understand the human mind," I replied quietly. "None of us can really know the path another treads...Are you glad he is dead?"

"I am glad the murderer has been stopped," she said. "I believe that death was the only way justice could be served...but I grieve for the man he once was. He–he was a friend, once. He and Ilein..." Maeve's voice trailed off. She turned her face away to hide the tears filling her eyes.

I heard footsteps crunching on rock, and looked up to see Holmes returning. He was still very pale, but his jaw was set in a determined line.

Mrs. Hudson helped MacEiver to a convenient rock and turned to my associate. "You interefered, Mr. Holmes."

His nostrils flared, but his voice was even."I don't recall any requests not to."

"You know we did not wish to kill him."

"Frankly, Mrs. Hudson, I don't see where he left you any choice. You seemed unwilling to do the deed, however, so I took matters into my own hands."

"You're very good at that."

"That, Mrs. Hudson, is my job." His lips curled into a thin smile. "If you have any complaints, I shall be happy to receive them at my office. And I'm sure we can settle the matter of the bill another time. And the rent."

Her eyes narrowed. "This is hardly a jesting matter, Holmes."

"Who's jesting? Incidentally, I charge extra for killing–particularly when those whose duty it is refuse to do so."

"How dare you!"

"I dare a lot, Mrs. Hudson, particularly when the fate of my world is at stake." He drew himself up, his silvery eyes flashing. "I will not stand idle in the face of destruction while you people dither over your dubious morality."

"So you justify killing?" MacEiver demanded hoarsely.

"If the murder of one man will save the lives of millions, then yes, I will. I will take that stain to save them. Can you not do the same? Or does your precious Code forbid the protection of innocent life?" Holmes swept an arm out, encompassing the lands around us. "How many would have died for your hesitation? How secret would your presence here have remained, had Derry lived and escaped?"

"You don't know–" MacEiver began hotly.

"Oh, enough!" I snapped. They turned to stare at me. "You cannot claim that you intended to spare him, at the end. But you delayed, and courted defeat. You left Holmes with no other choice. You ought to be thanking him for saving your sorry hides, instead of berating him in the name of a Code that is not his!"

Far Lao's soft voice broke in. "He is right, my friends," he said to Mrs. Hudson and MacEiver. "I know you both take Derry's fall very personally...but a Jedi must know when to admit failure."

Qui-Gon, helping his groggy apprentice to his feet, nodded. "The Code is important to us all, but necessity is a part of the Living Force. To refuse to take a life when doing so would save the lives of others is folly, and pride. Have you been so long in exile that you have forgotten this?"

MacEiver paled, and bowed his head. Mrs. Hudson sighed. "Indeed, Master Jinn...you are correct. And...I did fail, with Derry. I have become too settled in my life here, too content." She turned back to Holmes, her eyes full of sorrow. "Forgive me, my friend. Forgive me for placing you in this position."

Holmes was silent for a long moment. Then he shook his head. "Forgiveness I can grant, Mrs. Hudson. I do not like having blood on my hands." He looked away, up at the ships clinging to the mountainside above us. "But if this world is safe, then the price I pay is worthwhile."

"Force grant it to be so, Sherlock Holmes."

"God grant it be so, Mrs. Hudson," Holmes murmured.