A small black paw peeked up over the edge of the couch, batting with curious claws at Lorna's sock-covered toes.

She shifted again, chuckling as she saw the little black paw, and leaned forward to scoop the kitten up into her arms. "Hi, baby. Are you being a bad little girl?"

"Her name is Shinyfuck," he reminded her, patting her shoulder gently. The kitten batted at her shirt, only to get a claw stuck, and start tugging at it with a disgruntled expression.

"Her name is Magpie," she scolded, gently untangling her claw from her shirt. "Not that stupid name."

"Shinyfuck isn't stupid, it's much more suiting," he retorted with a smirk. He reached out to bop the kitten's nose. She gave him much the same look she had given Lorna's shirt, and he grinned.

She shot Sebastian a look and ducked her head to kiss Magpie's forehead, ignoring her slightly indignant wiggle in her hands. "No it's not. Shut up."

"You watch," he responded with a broad, toothy grin. "She'll respond to it better than Magpie."

"Fuck off, Moran," she rolled her eyes. "Leave her alone."

"She's fine," he retorted. "I'm not bothering her at all."

"You're bullying her," she insisted. "I won't have it."

"I bullied you and you're engaged to me. It's how I make friends," he shot back.

She scoffed. "I wouldn't use that as a defense."

"Which makes you a better human than me," he conceded easily.

"And a worse criminal," she snorted. "But at this point I'd say it evens out."

"Probably," he says with a small laugh. It ended in a bit of a wheeze, but he forestalled a cough.

She kissed Magpie on the head and then let her back down onto the floor. Then she curled back up with Sebastian, and kissed his shoulder, settling in for the documentary.

The next week seemed to pass in agonizing slowness. Tests were performed, and checked, and double-checked. Doctors said a lot of things he ignored and a few things he listened to, and he started lining up bottles of medication above the sink- a modern art piece in orange prescription bottles.

Unable to resort to alcoholism, Lorna buried herself in her work. She didn't know what else to do with herself, so she worked every second she wasn't asleep or with Sebastian. She killed a man that week, when he walked into her office unannounced and saw her crying.

There were ripples. How could there not be? He did his best to keep them contained, and the medical staff knew better than to spread rumors that were so easy to trace, but still the tension could be felt. Moriarty didn't emerge from his office, but his fury burned down chains of communication as all but a few wondered what the hell was going on.

Moran knew that it was only a matter of time before the story broke, before someone pieced something together. So he waited for Lorna to leave for her office the Tuesday after they found out, and he paged hits. "Send Keira up to my flat."

Keira knew it wasn't going to be good. The last time she'd talked to her father they'd been interrupted mid-talk by Harrison, who had promptly ruined it, and now the higher-ups were acting far more savagely than usual. She couldn't imagine what it could be. They'd obviously had a fight, but this seemed far less contained than their usual fights. She knocked on his door full of apprehension.

"Come in," he called from the couch. He sipped the smoothie thing that Harrison had made for him, gave it a disgusted look, and set it well out of reach.

She opened the door, surprised that he'd left it unlocked, and stepped in, gaze settling on him at the sofa. "Hey. What's up?"

He looked up. "Close and lock the door, and come sit," he said, motioning to the far side of the couch.

Keira nodded, doing as he asked just quick enough not to be able to be accused of stalling, then walked over and sat on the other side of the couch. "What's this about?"

He waited for her to sit, and then turned to face her, elbows shifting onto his knees. Blue eyes met blue, and for a moment there was silence. Subtlety was his art, but physically, never in speech. Brutal bluntness had always been his way there. "You will not tell anyone what I tell you here, do you understand?"

She nodded, brows furrowed. "Of course. That's how it always is."

He nodded, and took a slow breath, holding her gaze. "I have cancer."

She took in a quicker breath than she was expecting, startled. She bit back her first response, which was What? and her second, which was How long? Neither would be helpful, and she was sure he would appreciate it if she didn't waste his time. So she settled on her last response. "How bad is it?"

"Stage 2," he said evenly. "It's in my left lung. I'll need chemo, at the least."

She nodded a little, just absorbing for a second. "Fuck... A genetic anomaly, or were you a heavy smoker? I guess I'm asking if I need to start getting tested as I age."

He sighed. "I smoke occasionally. But you could stand to get tested in a few years, yeah."

She nodded again. "Alright. Is there anything you want from me, here? Or is this just... a courtesy call, I guess."

"Yeah... That describes it, I suppose." He's quiet for a moment. "I'm going to recommend to Jim that we start training you as my replacement."

Again, she stopped herself from saying the first thing that came to her mind, which was Are you sure? Of course he was sure. Why else would he say it? She nodded, once again, and flicked a strand of hair out of her eyes. It was getting too long. She needed to shear it short again. "Alright. I'll do my best."

He nodded. "It'll take a few years before you're ready. I'm sure he'll go through some interim bodyguards. But consider it your inheritance if things go south and Jim approves."

She smirked a little. "That's all I get? A lousy job that's gonna end up with me dead? Gee, thanks Dad."

"Maybe I'll throw in that smoothie if you're lucky," he said, eyeing the green substance with distaste. Dad...

"Hey, I'm not the asshole who got cancer, don't make me suffer with you," she scoffed, grinning now. Covering up the pain.

He rolled his eyes and picked the concoction, taking another sip before deciding whatever it was, it was unpalatable. "I'll leave marching orders if I go out. Other than that, nothing changes. That's all. Off you go."

She nodded, standing again. "Alright. See you, then."

He watched her go, and called as she reached the door. "Keira..."

She turned, hand on the door knob, eyebrows raised. "Yeah?"

He stood, slowly, and nodded a little. "You've been doing a good job. Keep it up." Then he headed for his room, closing the door behind him.

She nodded a little as he left, then turned and exited the flat. Her eyes were prickling slightly.

He shut the door, looking around the room. This had become his solace. Two closed doors between him and the world, and silence. No pity. No worry. No tears. No time slipping away.

Kelly brought Lorna her wedding dress that day, and she nearly broke down in front of him. She took the rest of the afternoon off and spent it holed up in her office, knowing that Sebastian valued his space, and she tried not to cry over the blood-red dress.

He went up to Jim's office later that night. He hadn't been summoned, but he needed to talk to him.

Jim was working on contingency plans to escape Euros, if need be. They would need them, if Euros ever charmed her way into significant resources.

Moran knocked, rocking back onto his heels. He hadn't spoken to Jim since the day he was diagnosed. It was time to break the silence.

Jim looked up from his work, surprised. He hadn't expected this. "Come in, Moran."

He stepped inside, closing the door behind him, and nodding at the man behind the desk. "Boss." He eyed the man's rumpled suit. "When was the last time you slept?"

He lifted his arm to look at his wrist, flicking his sleeve back to view his watch. "Two days. I've been making sure dear old Euros doesn't catch us with our cocks out and a noose loose around our neck. I've had to adjust some of the contingency plans to accommodate for our newest trouble."

He nodded slightly. "You should consider taking a break, sir. Might I recommend tomorrow at around 6 p.m.?"

He sighed, leaning back in his chair with a creak of leather. "Are you inviting me for drinks, Moran?"

"No, sir, I'm inviting you to my wedding." He walked forward to lean against the back of the chair in front of Jim's desk. "That is if my fiancee agrees to the time. This is a bit off the cuff."

His eyebrows shot up. "You're the one pushing the date forward? My, my, Sebastian, how far we've come," he chuckled, though there was no venom behind his words. "I can't imagine she'll say no, so I suppose I'm obligated to take the time off, aren't I? I did agree to be your best man. Remind me to bring up that similarity to Sherlock next time we cross paths, I know it will haunt him."

He nodded casually, straightening. "You're in charge of ties, talk to Kelly in grifting for the color. Apparently I'm not supposed to see the dress."

"Yes, I hear that's the tradition," he said dryly. "Well, I look forward to scaring the skin off Kelly with my sudden appearance. What a beautiful wedding gift. You shouldn't have."

"I'm glad you like it," he shot back in a similar tone. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go confirm the venue and tell Lorna."

He waved his hand. "Oh. And next time you fuck in the elevator - there's a button that stops it. Perverts."

He grinned, flashing his canine. "Where's the fun in that, sir?" he pointed out, before heading out the door.

Lorna was changing in her office, having just finished the last bits of tailoring on her dress.

He stepped out of the lift, walking through grifting and leaving a wake of silence. He didn't bother looking at anyone, just knocked on Lorna's door.

The door opened to her half-naked, a pair of scissors in her hand, a shirt in the other. "Kell- oh, Sebastian. Come in," she said, stepping away from the door.

He slipped inside, closing it behind him and pointedly not looking around. "Anything I'm not supposed to see in here?"

"No, it's away," she chuckled, pointing to her closet.

He nodded a little, relaxing slightly. He looked over at her and smiled at her topless figure. "Hi."

She smirked, putting her scissors on her desk and pulling on her shirt. "Hi," she chuckled. "I assume you didn't come by to ravish me, right? I mean, if you did, I can take the shirt back off."

"I wouldn't object to ravishing," he smirked. "But no, I'm here to suggest we get married tomorrow."

Her eyebrows shot up. "Oh, shit, really? Fuck. I mean, yeah, let's fucking do it. Thank god I just finished the alterations," she snorted, amused, then grinned. "Where are we doing it?"

"That, you will see tomorrow, at six. Anyone you want there?" He reached out to slide his hands around her waist under her shirt.

She shrugged, stepping forward to loop her arms around his neck, smiling up at him. "Not really. Keira, maybe? It'd be funny to make her wear a dress."

"You can ask. I don't know if she'll be interested at the moment. I told her this afternoon, about me."

Her face fell a little, without her meaning for it to, but it was appropriate. "How did she take it?"

He gave her a small smile. "How I expected her to. Stoically. No fuss."

She gave a slightly rueful smile. "Unlike me, then. Well, she's certainly yours. Fine, then, she can take a break. I'll bring Kelly in just to sign the papers, or however we're doing it. He knows better than to blab his mouth."

"Ask her," he suggested. "Let her say no if she wants. She might decide it's something she wants to do." He shrugged. "And you should call Vince. Let him know."

She nodded at the first part, then smirked, shaking her head a little at him. "I assume you want it on speaker phone so you can hear what he says?"

He gave her a look that said no shit, and smirked. "Trust me. I want to hear this."

"Do you want me to call right now?" She asked, dropping an arm from his waist to slide into her pocket and pull out her phone.

"If you like. How much lead time do you want to give him?" he asked, leaning against the door.

She raised her eyebrows slightly. "Lead time?"

"Time to come up with a reason he can't skype in," he said, grinning.

"I already know what his excuse will be, so I don't doubt that he'll refuse in the very conversation that I invite him in," she laughed. "It will either be; 'I'm too busy with work, sorry,' or 'I don't want to ruin your big moment.'"

"Oh, please. Don't let him out of it that easy. I'll be disappointed if I don't know he's crying somewhere." He grinned.

She snorted. "You think he won't be crying no matter what? C'mon, look at what he's missing out!" She gestured at herself, phone in hand, then held it up. "I'm calling him. I don't want to waste my time with him tomorrow."

He laughed, coughed, and motioned for her to continue. "Do it then!"

She grinned and shifted in his arms to dial, immediately placing it on speaker phone, the sound of ringing filling the air.

The phone rang for a long time, and Moran could almost see Armetti staring uncertainly at the caller ID. Finally, just as he was beginning to wonder if it would go to voicemail, the ringing stopped.

There was a pause, and then Armetti said "Hello, Lorna."

"Hi, Vince," she said, solemnly, though she was smiling up at Seb. "Look, I know things ended... badly, between us. I wanted to extend an olive branch. Me and Sebastian are uh, getting married tomorrow. We wanted to know if you would skype in - hell, even fly over?"

Moran had to stifle a laugh with his hand during the silence that followed. "Congratulations," Vince's voice finally replied flatly, voice crackling over the long distance. "I'm so happy for you. But I'm afraid I've got an important meeting tomorrow that will be going most of the day."

Busy, Lorna mouthed to Sebastian, eyes twinkling. It was the least she could do to Vince, after he had hurt Sebastian. She had told him, all those years ago in New York, how displeased she would be if he'd ever laid a finger on Moran, and he hadn't listened to her. "Aw, shit, that sucks," she sighed, "Well, we'll send you wedding photos, so you can see the ceremony, or what have you."

"Yeah, of course. Thank you..." His voice was almost robotic.

"You're welcome. See you around, Vince," she said, then offered the phone to Sebastian with a raised eyebrow, mouthing Do you want to add anything?

"Shame you can't make it, Vince," Sebastian said, voice low and smooth. "Would have been good to see you. Ta!" He hit the end button, and cracked up.

She grinned, sliding her phone back into her pocket, getting more amusement out of Sebastian's reaction than Vince's. She loved seeing him happy. And now, she would do almost anything to see it. She leaned up on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on his cheek. God, they were getting married tomorrow.

He rubbed at his face, the last of the giggling fading away. "Alright," he said after a moment, catching his breath. "Well, that was... fun.."

"Now you sound like you're not sure," she accused, pouting. "Liven up. We're getting married tomorrow! God, am I stifling a squeal. You've weakened me, Sebastian Moran."

He gave her a grin. "Oh no, trust me... that was.. fun.." He paused to let his breath catch up to him, wrinkling his nose just a touch in annoyance. But then he gave her a full smile. "Want to go to my off-site flat tonight? Celebrate a bit?"

"You trying to spoil me with a pre-honeymoon?" She chuckled, slipping her hand into his. "Yes, of course. I miss that jacuzzi."

He rolled his eyes. "You and the fucking jacuzzi. Alright, let's go now, then. One night off won't kill us."

"It most certainly will not," she agreed, gathering up her bag and nodding towards the door. "Let's get back to the flat and grab some stuff. God, I should just put some clothes at your place."

"Bring some extras to leave there. Or buy some new stuff and have it delivered," he suggested, heading for the lift. Grifting had moved back to a noisy bustle, but fell silent again as they walked through.

"Oooh, new stuff," she hummed, quirking her eyebrows with a grin. "You know, technically, the flat will be half mine after tomorrow. I assume that's how the law works. Not that we're gettinglawfully married, but still," she snorted, saving the last bit until they were out of the department.

"How do you mean?" he asked as he called the lift. "Not lawfully?"

"We can't exactly submit our papers in court, can we?" She sighed. "My name certainly isn't in the system, and while yours might be I don't know how we'd get around myself not having any papers. My assumption was that you have to exist to be able to do normal things, like get married."

He laughed. "That's fair, I suppose. But you can get anything on the black market. A marriage certificate wasn't remotely difficult. True, it'll never be formally submitted, but it'll exist."

The lift doors opened, and she was relieved to have an excuse to be silent for a moment, surprised that he'd bothered to go as far as to get them an actual marriage certificate. For some reason she'd imagined that he was only doing this to make her happy, not because he really wanted to himself. Maybe it was her rocky relationship history, but that was how she had felt. "Well, that's something, then. Even if it's not formally submitted, I'm pleased that we'll at least have that."

He shrugged, hitting the button for their floor. "Otherwise what's the point? We'd just be playing dress up." He wrinkled his nose.

She chuckled. "Come on, it's not like wearing a tux is so bad. And it's not as if seeing me in a beautiful dress is a hardship."

"I'll grant you that," he agreed. "Oh, by the way. I sicced Jim on Kelly in regards to a tie, so if you're short a second in command tomorrow, my vaguely-sincere apologies." The lift hit their floor and he stepped out, walking over to key into the flat.

"Oh, Jesus, take away the one person who can replace me, why don't you?" She huffed, rolling her eyes slightly. "It will be enough of a burden to the department to have the both of us away for the duration of the wedding, let alone removing him entirely."

"Who knows. Maybe you'll get lucky and Jim will like him," he snorted, pushing the door open and going to start packing.

She tossed her bag on the sofa and followed him, crossing her fingers. "Please, Kelly, don't be an idiot, please..."

"Yeah, good luck with that," he snorted as he grabbed a duffle bag and started packing.

"If I haven't killed him for ineptitude, hopefully he can survive five minutes of Jim," she said, on the other side of the room, throwing together her own things. "Hopefully."

"Jim has a slightly higher bar than you, no offense." He walked into the bathroom, grabbing their toiletries and his pile of pill bottles.

She chuckled, shrugging a little. "Yeah, true. Still, I'm sure he's run into Jim before."

"Good luck to him, at any rate," Moran chuckled, zipping up his bag. "Ready?"

"Yup," she hummed, putting her bag over her shoulder. "Let's go de-stress."

He nodded, slinging his own bag over his shoulder.

A/N

Thanks for the review, whoever you are! I personally love in-depth reviews like that and my friend does too! (To be fair to ourselves on the kidnapping, we WERE just writing this for ourselves XD - as for the smut - those are our best read chapters; I can show you the stats. Yes, guys. I see you. I am laughing. (Enjoy yourselves tho))