EPILOGUE

But today there is no day or night

Today there is no dark or light

Today there is no black or white

Only shades of gray

Only shades of gray

Mid-September 2012

The Matenadaran, Yerevan, Armenia

A light brown-haired man with thick "professor" style glasses and overall "university professor with a cheap clothing budget" apparel enjoys studying a Grigor Narekatsi manuscript on display when his cheap cell phone vibrates in his jacket. He quickly moves out of the way of other visitors and answers it. "Barev Dzez?" (Hello?)

"Am I speaking to Mr. Sigerson?"

He checks around. He's in a little nook and his voice won't echo the way museums do if he keeps his voice soft. So he answers back. "Is this Mr. Gray? Your voice sounds different over the phone."

"Yes, it's Charles. Your voice sounds strange as well. Must be the distance or some such technothingy."

"This is Sigerson."

Having said all the passcodes, they now talk plainly.

"I thought you should know. Sherlock Holmes' will was read two weeks ago."

Sigerson heads toward the exit, forcing himself to keep his pace leisurely. "Any problems?"

"Dr. Hooper handled herself well all things considered. She's not happy with continuing to lie to John and the others, but she did a better job than I expected."

"Too many people underestimate her."

"Very true. I won't make that mistake in the future, rest assured.

"Mr. McFarlane questioned why Holmes' parents weren't invited, but was deflected from asking too many questions which could have aroused suspicion if John and Lestrade weren't too busy mourning. It might have been more prudent if they were invited like it was sugge-"

"I will not go over this again with you." Sigerson quickly moves out of the museum and all but runs towards the parking lot where his rental car is. "It's bad enough they had to be told, wait…" He gets into his car. "I'm alone now."

"As am I."

"They were told I committed suicide after confessing to be a fraud. That and the tabloids destroying my reputation, and the accusations of my being a kidnapper on top of it, it just… Having them go to the will reading just felt wrong."

"Felt?"

"I know you believe I'm making too many mistakes as it is, with my caring," He practically snarls the last word. "but I can't do that to them. Bad enough I had to hurt John and the others, but I can't do that to Mum and Dad again. I'v-I've hurt them enough as it is growing up, I didn't want them at that farce."

"…I understand, little brother. More than you think I do."

He sighs in relief, feeling the tension leave his body. "Tell me the rest."

"Holmes' legacies were extremely generous to everyone who was invited.

"John will be able to stay in 221B for several years, even if Mrs. Hudson hadn't already decided to reduce the rent the week before the will reading. She will be able to afford keeping the rent as low as she wants and can get 221C fixed up properly if she wishes.

"Aside from taking guitar lessons of all things," Mycroft scoffs, but Sherlock still grins a little at the thought.

"Lestrade is making progress in his divorce proceedings against his wife. The legacy you gave him will allow him the breathing space he very badly needed from her. That and the information you left with me will ensure that she and her solicitor will yield to the more than generous offer his solicitor will give her."

"She was too stupid for a good man like him anyway."

"I agree with you on that point. Far too materialistic and self-centered to be a good wife for anyone. Not that I'm an expert in what makes a happy marriage. I only know of one successful matrimony and Mummy and Father are too extraordinarily unique a couple to be used as an accurate reference point."

Now Sherlock's sorta-grin turns into a real smile. "True. What about Lestrade's position? He won't be happy in any other job."

"I wasn't able to tell him at the time, but it will be a matter of months before he is reinstated as Detective Inspector complete with a proper apology. And the Chief Superintendent will take an early retirement. Scotland Yard really can't afford to lose Lestrade. He is one of the few they have with a working mind. One or two other members of the force had supported him, but Lestrade tried to make them not testify on his behalf at the inquiry. It's so noble it's almost disgusting."

He ignores the weak flippancy. "How is…how is John?"

"…He's using his cane again."

He leans his head back against the headrest and takes a few deep breaths before bringing the phone back to his ear. "Will he be alright?"

"Mrs. Hudson and Dr. Hooper are keeping an eye on him. His sister is also trying to be supportive, which is rather flimsy considering. But apparently it makes him feel better to see her sober for more than one week, so I suppose every little atom helps. The Detective Inspector is also trying despite how busy he is with his own problems."

Sherlock takes this in and loses his focus as he thinks about his friends.

"Sigerson? Talk to me."

Hearing Mycroft's voice grow tense with worry, Sherlock snaps out of it. "I'm here."

"Don't ever do that again." Mycroft exhales over the phone in both relief and frustration.

"I won't."

"Now, what is the latest development?"

"I'm going to the Charles Aznavour museum in twenty minutes. Once I find verification there, I'll be able to provide proof that would-be 'Baron' Maupertuis is a most accomplished swindler and is in fact the head of the European branch of Moriarty's loan shark and extortion operations."

"I'll make sure INTERPOL will be available to make the arrests once you contact Lee."

"I can't use Lee. Maupertuis' men are suspicious of him. He stupidly went to the library too soon and frightened their operative. And he's an idiot. I'll have to use Cummings to contact you and INTERPOL."

"Very well. I'll have Lee transferred."

"Then I'll making my way to Shanghai."

"And as I have warned you before, taking down the Black Lotus will be needlessly dangerous as well as time-consuming. Time which you can't afford to waste for anything that doesn't involve Moriarty's organization. They were only associated with Black Lotus for that one occasion."

"And John still blames himself for Soo Lin's death."

"…Well, I won't deny that one less tong in the world would be one less headache for me."

"I'm so thrilled to hear that." Sherlock says as deadpan, yet also as sarcastic as possible at the same time.

"I know it makes your day to know how happy you're made me." Mycroft replies as smug as possible.

"Hanging up now! Contact you in four days."

And with that, Sherlock turns off his phone, starts up his rental, and drives off.

His mind still thinking about the people he left in London and wondering how they reacted when McFarlane read his will.

Were they happy with the money? Are they mad at him for being a "fraud"? Do they still miss him? Did they miss him at all?

Sherlock Holmes forces himself to "barricade" that wing of his Mind Palace regarding his past and focuses on his long-term goal.

Demolish every trace of Moriarty in the world.

Then he can go home.

FINAL AUTHOR'S NOTES

PLEASE don't ask when I'll post my next Sherlock story. The "2nd episode" is only a few pages worth right now. I write when I feel like it and it could take me to any one of my stories. My next posted story could be MLP or Greek Myths or something else.

The beautiful song, "Shades of Grey" (1967) was performed by The Monkees and is the property of Rhino Entertainment. Also the only Shades of Grey that I consider worth my time.

The Matenadaran is a real museum that holds one of the world's largest collections of medieval manuscripts and books.

Grigor Narekatsi AKA Saint Gregory of Narek was a monk and is considered Armenia's first great poet. He was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Francis in 2015.

"Sigerson" is the alias Sherlock Holmes uses during his three years while pretending to be dead. Lots of Sherlock Holmes fans believe this means Sherlock and Mycroft's father is named Siger. I use a different name in my fanfics.

Charles Gray played Mycroft Holmes to Jeremy Brett's Sherlock in the Granada Sherlock Holmes series. And did an amazing job of it. He and Jeremy clicked so well together. Besides "Greek Interpreter" and "The Bruce-Partington Plans", Charles also appeared in episodes that were adapted from stories Mycroft's not in. The reasons why are various but primarily because of Jeremy's failing health at the time.

Yes, I know that in the show, Sherlock's parents knew he faked his death. Mycroft will tell them sometimes between this story and the " 3rd season finale". Sherlock and Mycroft were concerned the Moriarty had spies watching the parents, hence why they weren't told right away.

It may seem foolish for Lestrade to start guitar lessons when his budget is tight from the divorce. But remember, Sherlock wanted everyone to use the money on fun things that they always wanted to do. And Lestrade has too much free time so he needs to occupy it with something productive.

Charles Aznavour is Armenia's biggest celebrity as well as one of France's most popular singers. Has been recognized by CNN and other organizations as Entertainer and outstanding performer of the 20th century, beating Elvis and Bob Dylan. I don't have the room so go look him up on Wikipedia for all his exploits. He's a pretty awesome guy! Over 90 and still performing! Yes, there is a museum dedicated to him in Armenia. I first became aware of him in "The Muppet Show" and one adaption of "And Then There Were None". Both times, he sings "The Old Fashioned Way" which is a pretty good song.

Baron Maupertuis is mentioned in the beginning of "The Reigate Puzzle" story and is mentioned in the "Sherlock" episode "The Empty Hearse". What a cool name for a villain. All unproduceable and yet sounding most sinister.

I love John, I really do. Martin Freeman is one of the best Watsons we've had in decades. But he messed up so bad when it came to protecting Soo Lin. I refuse to let him off the hook for that. Granted, that episode has a lot of flaws, but John's screw up was the biggest one.

SHERLOCK FANFICS I RECOMMEND:

"The Long Week" and "Two Words" by: Kali47 at this website. I really don't have the words to describe how wonderful this writer is! She writes Sherlock and Mycroft's relationship the way I can only dream of describing in my works! She wrote three other good Sherlock works, but these two are the ones to start with!