Author's Note: Yeah, yeah I know! I don't own Sherlock Holmes. It makes me sad to think about it.

Chapter 9 Recalled to Life

"Watson…Watson, wake up old chap!"

I groaned, rubbing my eyes and sitting up. I was on the couch in the study and Sherlock Holmes was sitting in a chair beside me, grinning with relief.

"Thank heavens, I was worried about you for a moment," he said, "How do you feel?"

"Completely shocked," was my reply as I stared in amazement, "I heard Moriarty say you were dead. I heard the shot. I saw a body fall into the water. I don't understand!"

"It is quite elementary actually. The Professor and I were wrestling for each others' guns and had gone behind a large pile of crates," Holmes explained, "A gun was fired and hit the Professor. I tried to grab him from falling but was only left with his jacket and hat. Realizing I only had seconds to act, I slipped on his clothes and told those on the ship that Sherlock Holmes had died. It was not my intention for you all to hear that and I am so sorry for the pain I have caused you all."

"But why did you not just come straight home? Why wait a week?"

"I saw an opportunity to put the most evil of men in jail forever so I played the part of Moriarty."

"How?" I asked in wonder but Holmes just smiled mysteriously and shrugged.

"Only yesterday," he continued, "I docked the ship where a select few officers took the criminals away. Phillips would have known nothing about this because he had taken some time off after he filed his report." I remembered Phillips telling Victoria that a few days ago. "I had heard that everyone thought I was dead and I did not want to frighten Mrs. Hudson, for I know she is very emotional. Therefore, I planned to enter Baker Street as an old woman and calmly tell her I was alive. Then I would let her bring one of you in at a time. However, the plan did not work because a gang decided to pray on who they thought was a meek beggar woman. Luckily, you came before they could do much damage.

"I saw how much everyone was affected by my so-called death, and believe me when I say that I had no intention of causing you this much pain again Watson. It was completely accidental this time, I can assure you. Can you ever forgive me, my friend?"

"Of course I can," I said without hesitation, "Everyone will be thrilled, poor Victoria hasn't been the same since that evening. I shall get them all straight away."

Holmes agreed that it would be best to have them see him at once; they had gone through enough suffering. I ran out of the study and shouted for everyone to come quickly. Footsteps echoed from everywhere and Victoria was the first to arrive with Sherlock behind her.

"Dr. Watson, what is it? What is the matter?" she asked as she ran in. When she saw her father, she just stared for two seconds, gasped in amazement, and ran to Holmes. "I thought you were dead," she said as she held him to her. Sherlock was barking loudly and jumping on Holmes, the dog's tongue hanging out of his mouth.

Mr. James, Phillips, and Mrs. Hudson came in next. Mrs. Hudson let out a shriek of shock, composed herself, and slapped Holmes across the face.

"What is the meaning of this? You gave us all a fright, you did!" she cried.

"It's good to see you too Mrs. Hudson," said Holmes with a smile, rubbing his face.

Phillips shook hands with the detective as if he were in a daze while Mr. James shook hands eagerly and with a huge grin.

"Welcome back from the land of the dead Sherlock Holmes," he said beamingly.

"Where's Irene?" I asked, "Victoria, please run and get her. I'm sure she will want to hear the news as well."

Victoria nodded and left swiftly. Only seconds later, the young girl was leading Irene into the room. Irene froze with her eyes wide, and she began to shake. I was afraid she was going to faint, but she composed herself well and only gave a small smile toward my friend.

"Welcome back Mr. Holmes," she said calmly. Holmes looked slightly confused but nodded politely. I looked from one to the other and was just as confused.

"I think now would be the appropriate time to explain yourself," said Mrs. Hudson, breaking the awkward silence, "I will get us some tea and biscuits so don't you dare start without me. I think I have a right to know everything too."

We all laughed, even Holmes who never laughed at Mrs. Hudson, and waited until the landlady returned. Once we all had tea and some biscuits, my friend told them all what he had already told me. They listened with rapt attention until the very end. Victoria was the first to recover.

"So Moriarty really is dead?" she asked.

"I saw the bullet go through his cold heart," said Holmes grimly, "Believe me, he is gone forever. But enough about me, I need to have some things cleared up immediately. Richard," he said in a lighter tone to Mr. James, "Would you kindly tell us why Moriarty wanted your services?"

"You see Holmes, I was inventing this fascinating bit of machinery. It would completely revolutionize modern means of transportation as we know it. I won't go into the boring details but all you have to know it that it runs on an engine that uses gasoline! Before now, no one has ever found a means for it and just thought it a useless byproduct of oil. Then, that horrible man came to my house and took me away. The Professor, as he likes to be called, told me my invention could be used to change modern warfare but I refused to help. My inventions would not be used as killing machines!"

"So he tried to persuade you otherwise?" Holmes asked and Mr. James nodded, turning to his niece.

"He said that if I refused him again, he would make you pay for it. He told me all about your attempt to find me and that he knew exactly where you were. I knew that you were with Mr. Holmes and that was the safest place in the whole of London, so I told him no. It seems I underestimated his abilities when I saw you arrive. I'm so sorry."

"Richard, did you tell him anything?" Holmes asked seriously, "Remember, even the slightest detail may be of the greatest importance."

"Never," Mr. James said, shaking his head so that his glasses almost fell off, "I did not tell him a word, I am sure of it."

"Very good," said Holmes, stretching in his chair, "Then I suggest we all try to get some rest. I do not know about you all, but it has been a very trying day."

"Father," said Victoria with a laugh, "This entire week has been trying!"

"Yes of course, I suppose it was. Anyway, off to bed with you young lady!"

"Yes sir, good night everyone!" said Victoria, "Come along Sherlock." The sheep dog rose to his feet and trotted after his mistress. I helped Mrs. Hudson carry the trays down the stairs and Irene returned to her room. Once I was sure Mrs. Hudson had everything together, I left and went back to the sitting room where Phillips and Holmes were sitting together and talking quietly. They stopped abruptly as I entered.

"I am sorry, did I interrupt something?" I asked, getting ready to turn around and leave.

"No my friend, we were finished anyway," Holmes said, standing up and walking to the door, "Good evening Detective Phillips and sleep well. Come Watson, let us let the poor lad rest in peace. I believe he has much to turn over in his mind before he can even think of sleeping."

So we left the young detective, who had been sleeping on the couch in that room for the last week, and each went to our separate rooms. As I read in my bed, I heard Holmes pacing in his room next to mine. Maybe it was me knowing him for so long, but I had a feeling he was thinking about Irene Adler and her reaction to his return. She was always able to keep her true emotions hidden so well. I was sure Holmes was turning it all over in his mind and would not get any rest until he solved this mystery.

Sighing, I put down my book and turned out my light. It took me a while to fall asleep for I was turning over the case in my own mind. It had turned out not to be as simple as Holmes had imagined it to be when he first heard it. I had not even imagined all the things that were learned from this case. This would be one we would talk about for the rest of our lives. Finally, the weight of sleep forced my eyes closed and I fell into the deepest sleep I had in a while.

No one was up before ten o' clock in the morning, except for Holmes but I imagined he had not gotten any sleep at all. We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast and Holmes spent the rest of the morning interviewing Mr. Richard James about his experiences as a hostage, as well as talking with his daughter. Irene had not come out of her room and insisted she was not hungry when lunch was offered for her. It was just after we finished eating when Victoria wished to take Sherlock for a walk in the park. Phillips offered to accompany her and Holmes suggested I go as well. As I was getting ready to leave, he pulled me aside.

"Watson, I am putting you in charge of her now," he whispered quietly, "Make sure nothing happens to her. Also, consider yourself her chaperone. Do I make myself clear?"

"You have my word Holmes," I said and put my hat on.

We walked to the park and down the paths. Eventually, I had to stop and rest and the young people went off a little way from me so I still had them in my line of vision. They were talking to each other intently, but I was too far to hear what they were saying. However afterwards, Victoria kindly told me the conversation they had, which I recorded right here:

"Lovely day, isn't it?" Phillips asked, looking around. It was damp, misty, and rather cold.

"Oh…yes, I suppose it is depending on your definition of lovely," Victoria said, "Did you get enough sleep on the couch?"

"Truthfully, I had a very hard time getting to sleep," he said, slowing down now, "I had a lot on my mind."

"Oh?" she asked, "Well, this whole experience is a lot to take in at once. I know that I had a hard time sleeping last night as well. To think that my father is alive! It came as a great shock to me and it took some time for me to finally calm down enough to rest."

"Yes, I never got a chance to formally congratulate you on finding out who your father actually was," said Phillips, almost forced, "It must be wonderful to have someone as famous as your father."

"I suppose it is," she said with a small shrug, "So far he has been a wonderful father. You know, I am very glad you came back. I could never have done as well as I did this past week if you had not been there for me, although I know I was very deeply depressed. I had been afraid I would never see you again when you left us in the hansom that day." Phillips did not answer so she continued, "Why did you leave us so suddenly?"

"I had told you, I had other business to-"

"Detective, do you honestly expect me to believe that?" Victoria asked with raised eyebrows, "I did not believe it then nor do I now. Have we not always been truthful to one another? If you do not wish to tell me, just say so."

"I had to step back from the case for a while," Phillips said after a long pause, "My judgment was becoming affected."

"Your judgment? Why?"

"It was being clouded because…because, as the professionals would say, I was "getting too close to the victim". I was too worried about what would happen to you and not about the case as a whole."

"Worried…about me?" she whispered.

"Yes, you are all that matters to me now," he said, gaining momentum as he spoke, "If anything were to happen to you, I would have no reason to live. I have never met any woman like you in my life, nor will I ever I believe. You are devilishly clever, are never afraid to speak your mind, and when I first saw you running up those stairs after your dog," he had stopped and took her hands in his, "God could have sent a bolt of lightning down and I would have died a happy man. I know I am not the most wealthy man in London and that you could do much better than me, but I care so much for you and you cannot say that about all the men you would meet."

Victoria was silent for a few moments, looking the young detective in the eyes. Finally, she spoke quietly.

"I am not sure what to say right now except that was that the reason why you wanted to leave? You felt inferior to me! George, you have no idea how wonderful you are. You are caring, witty, and have the makings of an excellent detective. Money does not matter to me and it never has."

"But one day it might," said Phillips, "Victoria, my job does not pay as well as you deserve to live with."

"You forget that my uncle did not make a lot of money when I lived with him," she said and suddenly grinned widely, "You called me by my first name."

"Oh no, I'm sorry Miss-"

"Do not be sorry," Victoria whispered, still grinning widely, "Now that I heard you say it, I do not want to hear you call me anything else. George, please get this through that wonderfully thick head of yours, I…do…not…care!"

Phillips took her hand, looked at it, and kissed it lightly. Victoria's grin, if possible, grew wider. From my spot on the bench, I saw Phillips laugh like a boy at Christmas and hold out an arm that Victoria took willingly. He saw me watching and gestured for me to join them. I got up and walked over to the young people.

"Doctor, I wanted you to be our witness," he said and got down on one knee, "Victoria, I know that we have not known one another very long, but I also know that I love you with all my heart. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I already asked your father for permission and he agreed so," he pulled out a small, black velvet box and opened it to reveal a small, but beautiful diamond ring, "Victoria Elizabeth Holmes, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

Victoria's eyes widened in surprise and she said, "Yes, of course!"

I smiled and politely turned away as the new couple embraced. Once I was sure they were finished, I looked up and shook hands with Detective Phillips and Victoria embraced me as well.

"Congratulations to you both," I told them happily, "Come now, let us tell this good news to the others."

So we returned home and the other three gave their congratulations. Even Holmes looked genuinely happy for his daughter and new son-in-law. However, I could tell something was nagging in the back of Holmes' mind and I would soon learn what it was that was bothering him.

Author's Note: Only one more chapter to go, just to wrap a couple things up. How are you guys liking it so far? I couldn't kill Holmes, that would be horrible. I'd feel like a murderer. Reviews are wanted and greatly appreciated, as always! :)