221B BAKER STREET
Sherlock lay awake in the early hours of the morning. He'd slept peacefully no nightmares had haunted his dreams, his mind for once completely silent.
The silence was a unique experience for him. Usually his mind was constantly active, completely driven, completely fixed on the endgame. He craved the adrenalin rush it gave him, solving a case was by far the best high. Drugs were a poor substitute, but they did help when boredom overtook him, as it did from time to time.
In the past he would have done anything to avoid the sensation of being at peace. In truth it was something he had always feared, perhaps because he knew what would take its place.
His true alpha natureā¦
And yet, now as he looked down at the petite woman snuggled securely against him, his mate, he realised that there had been nothing to fear. He hadn't lost anything by letting sentiment in. The complete opposite was true he had gained so much more by letting his heart and body rule his head.
No, what was of more concern to Sherlock was what was behind these new feelings. Were they a result of what Moriarty and Moran had done to him? Or was it Molly?
He sincerely hoped it was the latter rather than the former. But how was he to know for certain? He needed answers.
These concerns vanished when he felt once again the calming presence that Molly offered. It had started while they made their way to London. Now that they were bonded, he was even more aware of her calming influence.
He took a deep breath and inhaled the sweet, intoxicating scent of his mate and let it wash over him.
He felt more relaxed almost instantly. But he soon became aware that something felt out of place. When he tried to verify what it was, the more illusive it proved to be.
Sherlock frowned. There was no sign that Molly was trying to hide anything from him. On the contrary, now that they were mated she felt secure enough to share with him all that he wanted to know about her.
It was like there was a gap, a whole chunk of her life that she had either forgotten, or that she had no memory of. And if that were the case, why.
What had been done to his sweet-natured little omega?
Before he could delve any further into these troubling thoughts, he found himself distracted when he felt Molly's fingers innocently walking there way over his chest and abdomen, before moving further down.
He grabbed hold of her hand, turning to position himself above her. "What do you think you're up to?" he growled low, smirking with satisfaction when he saw her shiver in response.
But it didn't stop Molly fluttering innocent eyelashes over mischievous eyes.
"Me?" she queried with a knowing grin as she glanced down between their bodies and the prominent erection he was currently sporting.
In the blink of an eye Sherlock had her legs spread wide, slipping his aching cock deeply within her welcoming folds. As he began to move his hips in a blistering rhythm, he took hold of both her hands and held them firmly above her head.
With eyes that glinted feverishly with intensity, his breath coming in short, rapid pants, he ground out raggedly. "Ready for round two?"
"For you, always," she gasped eagerly.
THE MM CORP HEADQUARTERS
"All right everyone, spread out," Lestrade barked out his orders as soon as they entered the ruins of The Moriarty Moran Corporation Headquarters.
They had managed to get to the building without incident. John prayed their luck would hold long enough for them to find some information they could use to bring this whole terrible situation to an end.
"Anderson, Donovan," Lestrade bellowed. "Head over to the manufacturing section. See if you can find anything there." He then turned to Stamford, Kitty and Janine. "See what you can find in the research facility on the next floor."
As everyone prepared to make a move John reminded all of them. "Be careful everyone. We don't know how stable this building is, so mind your step. And stay alert we've been lucky so far not to be detected by the cyborgs. Lets keep it that way, yeah."
Lestrade and John now turned to Irene Adler. "Any idea where they kept the really sensitive information?" John asked.
"As a matter of fact I believe I do," she replied.
"After you," Lestrade said as he indicated with a tilt of his head that she should lead the way.
ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF LONDON
Two cloaked and hooded figures made their way cautiously along the deserted road.
They both paused when the familiar silhouette of the city of London came into view.
Sebastian Moran turned to his companion, his expression a mixture of determination and trepidation.
He knew why Moriarty was willing to take the risk to return to London. Sherlock Holmes had destroyed all of his plans and had ruined the reputation he'd been so carefully cultivating.
That was a blow his ego would not accept. Using the world's only consulting detective as a guinea pig for his latest cybernetic incarnation had been a stroke of pure genius. But now even that had been snatched away from him, by a slip of a girl of no importance.
In an attempt to regain control he was prepared to return to the one place where he and Moran shouldn't go if they valued their lives.
"You're certain he'll be there?" Moran queried, not wholly convinced or happy with Moriarty's decision.
"Where else would he go?" came the confident reply. "Its where he believes he is strongest."
"It wasn't the last time he was there. And he's no longer the man he used to be," Moran pointed out.
Moriarty turned, an inhuman grin spreading across his face. "No by God he isn't. But for all that I have no doubt he'll return to what's most familiar."
"If it's still standing."
They were just turning into Baker Street when Moriarty received a text. His expression became hopeful when he saw who the message was from.
"The spiders web is still active," he said as he scanned the message.
It was soon apparent that the news he'd received wasn't to his liking, his expression becoming as stormy as the sky above them.
"What is it?" Moran asked, a prolonged silence on the part of his partner-in-crime never a good sign.
"Damn them!" Moriarty exploded.
"Them? Who?"
"The underground network is currently conducting a raid on our headquarters."
Moran let out the breath he'd been holding, not understanding Moriarty's sudden anxiety.
"There's no need to worry," he tried to reassure his friend. "They wont be able to find anything."
But Moriarty had already changed direction and had broken into a run.
Moran took off after him. "What's wrong? Jim, what's going on?"
Moriarty paused, turning to Moran. "She's with them. The Woman."
"Shit!"
NEAR THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT
"How can you be certain he'll come here?" Mary asked.
"Oh he'll come Mrs Watson, of that you can be sure," Mycroft replied confidently.
"Well I hope he comes soon," Mary grumbled, not happy that they were outside and far too exposed for her liking.
"Our contacts advise us that he is on his way as we speak," Anthea reassured her.
"Anthea and I will follow him in once he arrives and attempt to question him. Regardless of our success or failure, if you feel you have the shot, take him out."
Mary rechecked the sight on her riffle. "It will be my pleasure," she assured him.
At that moment a tall figure emerged through the shadows and made his way stealthily to the entrance of the building, and entered.
Mycroft, Anthea and Mary silently followed.
Mary held back as they entered the houses of parliament. All three exchanged looks, it was now or never.
With a nod of the head to the former assassin, Mycroft and Anthea followed their prey.
