"So what do you think, blud?"

"I think it's extremely risky and there are no guarantees, except for the fact that you'd be angering a drug lord with clear scores to settle and could be a target if it doesn't work in your favor. You're still fairly new at this. If he could be so deep into this that he got his children killed, I don't expect that he'll be easily put away. Especially in the States, you know their law system is flawed, plus any jury can be rigged anywhere and I don't doubt that he has connections in very high places that want their payouts still and need him free."

"I know all of that, Captain Obvious, but you know she's mum's good friend, and I can see why she has never divulged this information to her that we know of. She has been good to me, Mycroft, and she said if I succeed in this, she may have a tenant moving out, and then I could move into her nice flat in the city instead of the soggy cardboard box I currently reside in. I'd pretty much do anything to be able to afford a flat in central London, closer to the action. Plus, she deserves justice for everything he put her through. She lost her sons for God's sake, because of the man that she thought was a good businessman. He fucked up her entire life, and he deserves to rot in hell for it. He chose to be nose deep into the cartel business; nobody forced his hand. He chose it to get rich fast, and he suffered the consequences, but so did Martha and her sons, who were innocent in all of it. Myc, after you went to boarding school, being with Mum and Dad all alone in the house was nearly unbearable, but when she'd come over it was a bit more pleasant. She'd bring those muffins that I like, and more importantly, she'd occupy Mum for hours while I did whatever I liked without interference."

"Mhh, if I didn't know you, dear brother, I'd think you were taking this case for your emotional tie to her."

Sherlock narrows his eyes. "No, Mycroft, I'm merely doing the right thing in the name of justice. But it doesn't hurt that it's someone who is fonder of me. Plus, I'm sure his death row trial will be somewhat of national telly over there, so hopefully, I'll get more international clients with all the press."

"Ah, thinking ahead, are we? That's quite the change of pace for you, little brother. Who knew you could be so motivated when you stopped injecting yourself with poison in the name of adrenaline?"

"Clearly not you", he looks back at him with a steely look in his eye.

"This isn't an occasion for banter, Sherlock. You came over here to discuss your travels for the Hudson case and I, as always, will be footing the bill. So might I remind you of that before you become so aggressive? It's unbecoming."

"No, /I'm/ footing the bill. Whatever commission I make on this case which seems to be a pretty decent amount, I can assure you the lodging bill will be paid back to you, Mycroft. The last thing I want is to owe you a damn thing, I know how dangerous that is."

"Are we still dredging up our childhood? Really, Sherlock, move on already."

"Move on!? You made me climb a ten-foot tree to get your kite because you blackmailed me and said that you'd tell mummy I was hiding frogs in my bedroom. To which I fell out of and nearly died!"

Mycroft huffs and crosses his arms. "You did not die; you merely broke your arm. You're so dramatic. It's a wonder you hadn't before then since you use to get yourself in all sorts of mortal trouble anyhow. Still do."

"Not the point!"

"Completely the point!"

Anthea walks in and gives her best eye roll and smirk at the pair of brothers. "Alright you two, enough is enough. Mycroft, are you going to help Sherlock or not?"

"Wh-…well…yes, but he-"

"Good. That's it."

"Sherlock, are you going to take Mycroft's help?"

Sherlock grumbles and crosses his arms like a small child. "Yes..."

"Then that's settled. No need for the bickering, especially here."

Mycroft sighs. "You're right, apologies Anthea."

"You're welcome, Boss."

Mycroft nods towards Sherlock. "Sherlock...I'll text you the flight and hotel details. I'm sure you'll keep me informed."

"Sure, whatever", he shrugs and tosses his coat back on, sauntering out of the door.

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Molly sighs deeply as she finishes up another day of work. It has been a long, arduous day. She barely got a lunch break and she worked two hours of overtime. Her feet are throbbing from standing all day and she cannot wait to get home and have a nice soak in the tub. As she heads out of Bart's a familiar figure comes out of the basement elevator and stands before her. She looks up at him blocking her way.

"Hello, Sherlock. Look, I have had a hell of a day and I would like to go home."

"Oh, I wasn't coming here for a case. Not this time. I just...um...I wanted to inform you that I will be away for a while. I'm not sure how long, but I'm going on an international case to the states for my landlady. She's got ties to Florida and needs help with a large case involving her drug-running husband."

Molly gapes a bit but nods. "W-Well…thanks you for letting me know so I don't think something is wrong when you're around."

He raises an eyebrow a bit and nods slowly. "That was all…I- noticed your car in your employee spot on my way by and I thought I should let you know. My plane leaves tomorrow so...congratulations on not having to deal with me for a bit."

"Right, well...thanks again." Her face begins to flush even under the dim light, and she steps around him into the elevator. "Oh um...", she holds the elevator door for him, and he steps back in silently, standing still as a statue. She can feel her heart pounding hard in her chest as the silence is deafening around them the whole ride up to the main floor. Adjusting her bag on her shoulder she tries to fix her eyes upon the numbers as they rise but wishes she could stare at his gorgeous face illuminated in the small LED above them. Those cheekbones...that jawline...those lips...

"Stop it Molly!", she yells at herself internally and clears her throat a bit too loudly.

Sherlock notices how uncomfortable she is and holds back a smirk as much as he can. Once the doors open to the main lobby he steps out. "Have a good night, Doctor Hooper."

"Y-you too, Sherlock", she smiles sheepishly and rushes out to her car, her face reddened.

He walks out and hails a taxi, heading back to his flat and hoping Mrs. Hudson is there so he can speak with her about travel arrangements for the next day. As he sits in the cab, he shoots off a text to Mycroft and Lestrade both, requesting extra security checks of Baker Street since neither tenant will be residing there for at least a week.

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{Digital Journal of Sherlock Holmes – June 12, 2009

My mother's close friend Mrs. Martha Hudson, as it turns out, has many deep secrets. I knew that she had lost two sons, but I never knew the circumstances that led to their deaths. I now know why, as I was young at the time. I am moved to wonder if my mother knows the whole story. I assume she must, aside from the dealing of Hudders soon to be ex-husband. Emotional bit aside, this is quite frankly the biggest case I have been given as of late. I am a bit worried bout how I will perform in a real court of law, but I did take an online class on law back in Uni for fun. Mycroft tells me that in court you cannot display any arrogance, so there's already that hurdle to get over. I am in the process of convincing people that I am the best detective in the business because of my deductive skills, and yet I am supposed to not act arrogant and above those commonfolk? Not exactly a fair game, but I suppose it is sound advice if court is as intimidating as Mycroft makes it sound. However, back to this being the biggest case of my life so far. I have been commissioned to legitimately make sure that this man is surely executed for his crimes. That's not as easy a task as one might think, especially in the states. Their law system is disgustingly flawed towards the criminal, unfortunately. The whole innocent until proven guilty thing. I never understood that. You should most definitely be guilty until proven innocent in my book, especially in cases where there are literal witnesses, but I digress.

I need to be my best possible self to win this for her. If I fail, I doubt I will get many cases, and I will have to build my career from down in the pits of hell that I'll have to climb back up. At least if my self-righteous brother has anything to say about it. I will never live it down if I fail at my first international case. Ever. Therefore, failure is not a possible option. At all.

-SH }

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{The Blog of Doctor Molly Hooper – June 12, 2009

Guess what all!? My best friend Meena just called and told me that she is getting married! I'm so thrilled for her, but unfortunately, that means she will be permanently moving to the States. Not that I have seen her as of late anyway, as she has pretty much been there since before Christmas. However, we do FaceTime once a week and her fiancé David is really sweet. They will be an incredible couple. I can't help but feel jealous in the pit of my stomach, but I know that everyone's life runs at their own pace. She's going to let me know the date and even asked me to be her maid of honor. Of course, I said yes. But that means I'll have to travel to Texas to be in their wedding. It could be a very nice vacation, however.

Not too much going on in my own personal life. I'm pretty cookie-cutter for a pathologist. But then again, I work with the dead. Did you expect my days to be full of life? (haha, yeah, I'm so lame). Sherlock came by the lab when I was leaving. He told me that he has a very important international case in Florida. Something about having to solve it for his family friend. It's nice that he's doing that for her. I don't think he is as self-absorbed as people perceive him to be. Yeah, I get that he can be quite arrogant, but don't you have to be to prove yourself at first? I know I had to put my self-doubts and utter anxiety aside to do my dissertation and perform autopsies in front of my class to be graded at times. I hate being watched...well, I hated being watched. Somehow, I don't mind being watched by Sherlock. Some days it seems as though he is a bit impressed by my work. I guess that's one thing that I have over him. Access, tools, lab equipment for experiments and case odds and ends. I've been getting so completely attuned to him being around the morgue or the lab or Bart's in general that it's going to be really weird, him being gone for a week or more at a time. It almost makes me feel sad. I say almost because he touches everything and cleans up nothing. Oi vey. Maybe I'll send him a text and wish him a good trip. I probably won't get much of a reply though. He's like that.

x x x Molly }