A/N: OK, so we've reached the end of this epic, thanks for hanging around for the whole story! A special thank you to liathwen for betaing for me this chapter, and as always, thank you for the lovely reviews, they make my day!

Of course, my tale does not end with that moment; how could it, when I am sure there are many questions my readers are clamoring to hear answered? As I have already introduced Doctor Hooper in this narrative as the woman Holmes would eventually take as his wife, then you already know the answer to the most important question. As for how quickly that marriage took place…well. Holmes has badgered me to allow him to recite the facts of the matter, claiming he cannot trust me not to 'over-romanticize' it. So please, enjoy my good friend's version of what happened next.

Holmes' Tale

Thank you, Watson, for allowing me to tell the story of my proposal and my wife's eventual acceptance. It is quite good of you, very generous indeed, to allow me to share so intimate a moment with your readers in my words, rather than secondhand through your rather misty lens of unnecessary sentiment. Perhaps next time you could illuminate your readers as to your adventures in treating women's hysteria?

Returning to the subject at hand, I was, indeed, quite impressed with Doctor Hooper's comportment during the confrontation with the last of the Moriarty brothers. She caught my meaning when I signaled with my eyes for her to drop to the ground – a quick glance down at her feet and then back up to her face, a slight nod on her part to signify her understanding, and the deed was done, freeing my attention from Moriarty to his lackey as I embedded my blade in his throat.

I should explain two things about this particular moment: I was actually aiming for the unfortunate lackey's shoulder, intending only to incapacitate his gun hand, and I had no idea that Doctor Hooper would be so quick-witted as to bring Moriarty tumbling to the ground with her in her faux-faint. The former miscalculation admittedly was one that nearly cost me my good graces with Inspector Lestrade, but the latter worked to our advantage quite beautifully.

I am informed by a certain person standing over my shoulder, reading as I commit my version of events – the factual version, the most accurate version – to paper that the latter was not actually a miscalculation. That Moriarty was not brought tumbling to the pavement by an inadvertent action on Doctor Hooper's part, but deliberately; she tugged at the waist of his trousers as she collapsed in order to ensure that he joined her, even if only momentarily. And I accept this correction, duly chastened as it is, indeed, what I observed. I misspoke, and will attempt not to do so again.

As Doctor Watson has so fatuously noted, I did, indeed, spend some time studying Doctor Hooper as she used my cravat to restrain her tormentor. She had quite coolly and calmly asked me for that article of clothing after the death of Moriarty's henchman, and I offered it to her without demur or hesitation. Was my gaze admiring, my smile proud, as she made swift work of our mutual foe? Perhaps, although I would classify them as assessing and approving. Doctor Hooper had already proven herself to be a superior woman in every way; to see her so calm and calculating when under duress that would have brought many other women – and men! – to hysterics only raised her in my estimation. I dare say my admiration for her surpasses that of any other woman currently living.

Hmm, apparently I am 'taking too long to get to the point'. Very well; after Lestrade was convinced to consider my actions during the battle with Moriarty's henchmen self-defense, I waited for Doctor Hooper to rise to her feet, offering my hand and feeling rather pleased when she accepted it. I took the opportunity to apologize for my uninvited and poorly-timed attempt at physical intimacy, promised that no such intrusions should ever happen without her permission in future…and was astonished and absurdly pleased when she took the opportunity to throw her arms around my neck and kiss me quite, quite thoroughly.

Lestrade and his men busied themselves with removing the villains from the scene of the almost-crime, although I distinctly heard both sniggering and an under-the-breath comment along the lines of "Look at that, he's human after all" in Lestrade's distinctive accent.

I admit to being somewhat lost in the embrace when I heard Watson loudly clearing his throat and felt his hand on my shoulder. "Perhaps you and the young lady might consider concluding the marriage negotiations in private?" he suggested humorously.

"Watson, the 'young lady' is a medical professional, just as you are," I pointed out. "Perhaps if you were to remember to use her title, as is her well-earned right, then you might make less of an ass of yourself in future."

"Mr. Holmes, do kindly shut up," Doctor Hooper interrupted me. She did not, however, release her hold on me, slipping her arm through mine and leaning her head against my shoulder as she smiled up at me. "Unless it is to formally propose, of course, or to ask Doctor Watson to stand up with you at our wedding in…two weeks?"

I was not, as I have been informed by both doctors, rendered speechless by this extraordinary statement; on the contrary, I deliberately maintained my silence as I mentally reviewed my schedule for the next two weeks in order to ascertain my availability for the proposed merger. "Very well," I finally said, looking down at my newly-minted fiancée. "Two weeks, no more. John, you and Mary will do us the honor of attending, of course?"

He gaped at the two of us as if we had grown an extra head apiece. "I was joking!" he spluttered, while Lestrade shouted with laughter and the remaining constables let out a cheer. Then I kissed my Molly, and we were united in wedlock two weeks later. John stood as my best man and Molly's friend, Miss Meena Patil stood as her maid of honor. Mrs. Hudson, Mary Watson, Michael Stamford, and Inspector Lestrade as well as my brother Mycroft were the only other guests. I do not pretend to know the future holds for my wife and myself, but I do know this much: no matter what adversity might be thrown our way, we shall surely weather it together.

The End