Author's Note: Greetings to all! I'm loving this story so much, I just wanted to share that with you lawl. But seriously, I'm in a Sherlock mood I suppose. It took me awhile to decide whether or not Mary was actually dead and also where to go from my last chapter. I know I know, it's like the easiest place to continue from but I don't know. I'm not an average person I suppose ;) But I just wanted to say that my decisions were based on your reviews! Yes, your reviews helped to decide the fate of Mary and this story! So that just proves how much I need you all to read and review, thank you so much!

Sherlock Sightings:

I had a dream that I was at a bookstore and I met Robert Downey Jr. and he invited me to be one of the main characters on the next Sherlock Holmes movie. Needless to say, I woke up, realized it wasn't true and cried lawl. - Zenappa (that's me haha)

My life XD - The Sock That Never Stays Orange

I was watching Ellen and Rachel McAdams was on and well… just watch the video yourself and see! Even if you don't like Ellen, it has our lovely RDJ in it hint hint… - Zenappa (me again)

Videos to Watch:

youtube .com/watch?v=F-yzrr3fctE&list=FLVjDdXe6xzuPWV7oaUenq9g&index=2&feature=plpp_video

Recommended Stories:

Harry Potter and the Resurrection Movement - CPO Movement

The Magician's Rabbit - The Sock That Never Stays Orange

Reviews (thank you so much for all of them, I look forward to reading many more!):

WriterMonkey0626: You always seem to be my first review lawl :D I'm so glad you enjoy this story so much! I do too ;) As for did I kill Mary… Maybe…? You'll just have to read on and see! Yeah, life sucks for Watson but I promise it all plays into the story.

bookmaniac2013: Wow. Thank you so much. I'm glad you're so intrigued with this story. Yes, it's quite confusing in the beginning but I promise it gets better. Enjoy!

TheSockNeverStaysOrange: Ummmm… maybe…? Please don't hurt me! XD You might just have to hurt me… I wasn't worried of course lawl. Um not really! I love your story so much! Thank you for all of your compliments, they mean so much to me! Suggestions are always great! And yes I will for sure make sure to include your Sherlock Sighting with no explanation necessary XD leave 'em guessing haha Irene! You're adorbs my wifey/twin!

Sushi: My thoughts exactly XD life does suck for her but somehow our favorite characters will get through it together, I promise it makes sense in the end. I'm glad you like it so much! Thank you for your nice compliment.

Vanya Caladwen: Um I love you? Oh shoot… But yeah she's quite annoying in my opinion, I like some other couple so much better. But I'm not going to tell you because it might just ruin the story XD Yeah I do some crazy things sometimes, you know better than anyone XD Yeah I did say Liebmann! I threw that in there for you, my best friend in the whole entire world! Thank you for reviewing darling!

tanti no hime: Yeah I was considering it but it doesn't really make sense in this story, it's a great idea however. Thanks for your review!

TheShow71: Thank you for your review! I'm glad you like my character Victoria, I modeled her after myself and then added an evil twist ;) I love her! *coughs* Well now it's getting awkward lawl so back to the actual story… Everything will be explained in the end, I promise! :) Thank you for saying that I can kill as many people as I want, I may take you up on that offer lawl XD

Songs I'm listening to:

Not Over You - Gavin DeGraw, Catatonic - Hans Zimmer (Sherlock Holmes), Romanian Wind - Hans Zimmer (Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows), Brandenburg - Black Violin, Good Feeling - Flo Rida, Without You - David Guetta, Avenger - Immediate Music

Thank you so much for everything! Keep on reading and reviewing!

~Zenna :D

Sherlock Holmes: The Dark Before Dawn

Not Over You

If you ask me how I'm doing, I will say I'm doing just fine. I would lie and say that you're not on my mind. But I go out and I sit down at a table set for two and finally I'm forced to face the truth. No matter what I say, I'm not over you.

There was nothing unusual about this day. There was nothing wrong with having a funeral in a church, there was nothing wrong with people grieving. There was nothing unusual about the comings and goings of the people in London today, it just seemed like an average everyday thing but today was something different to one person. Today was something different to Doctor John Watson.

He would admit that there is nothing unusual about wearing black at funerals but today everyone seemed like a suspicious guilty criminal. Everyone and anyone could be a suspect in this horrible crime. Watson felt like there was a chill in the air and he stood near the altar, examining the people that walked in. Something wasn't right, he had a feeling that something bad was going to happen.

He was searching among the women mostly, trying to find the one culprit that he was almost positive was guilty of these crimes. But alas, it was harder to pick out one woman amongst many, especially at a funeral. Every woman was wearing a black dress with some sort of cloak or shawl with a hood that hid their face. Oh yes, according to the kind doctor, everyone was a suspect.

The wind howled outside and rain pattered against the church windows. It seemed even the weather was mourning the loss of dearest Mary. Watson sighed, thinking of the last time he was here in this church at a funeral no less. While last time he was slumped on the floor in the middle of winter, today it was also winter but he was staying strong today and standing up straight. He vowed not to show any weakness whatsoever and not to break down like he did last time. He should be used to this by now and while his insides were sobbing, he forced himself to remain calm. He would stand strong today, for Mary.

It was humorous how in just a year, three people who were close to him had died. He had no one left, he tried not to picture how the rest of his life would play out. He forced himself to think straight because he couldn't show defeat, no, he wouldn't let Victoria Moriarty win. It was funny how she and her father were the cause of all three deaths as well. While he promised himself that he wouldn't think of revenge, it always seemed to flicker to the forefront of his brain. It wasn't an avoidable thing, it was not simple at all. First, it was Irene Adler, poisoned with a rare case of tuberculosis because she knew too much and was falling in love with the enemy. Then, it was his dear good friend Sherlock Holmes, sacrificing himself because he knew that Moriarty couldn't win. Now, it was his dearest Mary, murdered in the comfort of her own home because she was involved with too many cases and she too knew too much. This rampage had to end, it had to be avoided. After today, two out of the three funerals would be done and Irene's would take place next week sometime. Mrs. Hudson still hadn't decided on a specific date yet. Watson had frowned upon the lack of detective work around here since Holmes passed on; it had taken a year to find Irene's body for crying out loud! He shook his head as the church door slammed open with extra force. He rolled his eyes as he saw the fairly large man enter the church.

Of course, Mycroft Holmes had arrived.

Watson, now shaken out of his reveries, scanned the pews and balcony, looking at the people gathered here today. Mary's parents were sitting in the front pew where Watson would also take his seat once the ceremony started, they were currently glaring at him and Watson sighed. He knew that they blamed him for their daughter's death and frankly, he couldn't blame them. It was her involvement with him and Holmes that had gotten her killed. Mycroft quickly approached the front of the church and took a seat next to Inspector Lestrade, the pew behind Mary's parents. Mycroft nodded once to Watson, signaling so many unsaid words, and started a conversation with Lestrade that Watson knew he wouldn't want to be part of. It seemed like the whole town of London had emptied into this tiny church for the fair maiden's funeral, the woman slaughtered for fun they called it. Watson was disgusted by the press's handle of the events but there was simply nothing he could do about it.

He was looking for one woman in particular though and he was not having any luck finding her. Victoria Moriarty. He knew somehow someway she would be here today and he wouldn't put it past her to show up, making her alibi. His lip crinkled up in disgust and he shook his head, not being able to think about that devil woman anymore. But the women dressed in black scattered throughout the church all looked the same to the doctor and he was forced to admit defeat for now. He had notified the alter servers and officials within the church about her description and to arrest her if she made to enter the holy place. But no one was being stopped and Watson made his way towards his seat.

As he stood in front of the first row of pews, he stared down at Mary's parents, swallowing the uncomfortable feeling in his throat.

"I am so sorry for your loss," he said quietly, his voice cracking and he cleared his throat before continuing. "I truly am and I can't help but feel that this is my fault."

"It is," snapped Mr. Morstan and Watson cringed; this conversation was not going well.

"Listen, I never asked her to do anything she did not want to do," Watson began, trying to smoothen out the dialogue between them. "She got involved in our cases all by herself, and she knew the risks of being with someone like me. I told her everything from the start and she could have -"

"I know darling," Mrs. Morstan whispered, calming her husband down. "We both know, but we're just grieving. We know you would never put her in danger yourself."

"Thank you Mrs. Morstan," Watson put in quickly before Mary's mother could change her mind.

Mr. Morstan huffed and crossed his arms over his chest, "You promised never to hurt my little girl but you got her killed anyway!"

Watson's mouth opened and closed but no words came out. Mr. Morstan was expressing what Watson's inner fears were also telling him. The good doctor knew that he was right and he never should have gotten involved with a woman. He should have seen this coming but he tried to protect her so hard, in the end it just simply failed. He sighed and rubbed his temples like he had been doing a lot lately.

"I apologize Dr. Watson," Mrs. Morstan rushed in quietly, her cheeks flushing. "My husband has a bit of trouble controlling his emotions."

"The only trouble I have," he elevated his voice with every note so he grew louder and louder, "is knowing that this man led my daughter for slaughter!"

Soon enough, everyone in the church was glancing over at the trio in concern and staring with questioning eyes. Whispers flew and gossip spread faster than wildfire and Watson resisted the urge to throw something; he had to control his emotions and stay strong. He made that vow to himself and to Mary.

"Mr. Morstan," he lowered his voice, hoping that Mary's father would get the hint. "I only wanted the best for Mary, you know that. You saw how happy she was at our wedding, I miss her too but excusing me of murder is something else entirely. Now if you have a problem with me, tell me to my face instead of making up ridiculous stories that make absolutely no sense."

Mary's father narrowed his eyes and looked like he was about to say something but Watson swept on, not bothering to let him get a word in.

"I can stand bullets and grenades and swords and daggers," pointed out the doctor truthfully. "But what I can't and won't understand is why people purposely spread rumors just to make themselves feel better. Words hurt more than any broken arm or deep cut Mr. Morstan and I won't stand here and take your vicious remarks quietly."

Both of Mary's parents were stunned into silence and Watson straightened up, feeling much better. Now that he had his say, he thought that they might change their mind on their opinions about him yet again. He sighed and turned away from them right as the grand organ started playing, signaling that the ceremony was about to begin. Right as he looked towards where the crowd was shutting the doors however, a young lady with wild dark hair slipped in and took a seat in the back. Watson did a double take but the woman didn't see him. It couldn't be… Could it? His mind full of his adventures from last year all of a sudden, he numbly took his seat and waited for the funeral to officially begin.

"Mary Morstan - Watson was a wonderful woman," came the booming voice of the surprisingly put-together Dr. John Watson. "Wife, daughter, friend, acquaintance, client. She was these things and more to everyone here, even for you who didn't know her that well, you knew me and that was enough. I loved her so very much and I -" His voice cracked for an instant before continuing stronger than ever. "She wouldn't want to see all of her friends and family crying over her dead body, she would want to have smiling faces remembering the events of when she was alive. She deserved a better life than this, she deserved to live longer and have a bigger family. Whoever did this to her, I promise you, will be punished and I will not rest until I have found out who would be so heartless and unemotional enough to murder someone without reason. She was the sweetest person alive and would have no grudges against anyone. If the murderer can hear this eulogy, I just want to say that I'm not looking for revenge, I just feel bad for you. Someday your Judgement Day will come and you'll see that you were wrong, may God rest your soul when it happens. I just can't understand why you would kill an innocent person who was only involved by love. Go after me instead, not her, but-"

He broke off for an instant, catching his breath and taking a glance around at the people.

"Please just believe me when I say that Mary's death will not be in vain," Watson continued. "She lived a happy life and I can only hope that her afterlife will be happy too. I promise you that she would have loved how many people turned up tonight, she would have smiled at all of you and thanked you to no end, she would have laughed and not wanted you to be crying over her but yet here we are. Strange things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people, that's the way life works. Or at least is supposed to work, karma I believe plays a big role. Soon enough, I hope more people realize that one fact that if you do something good, it will come back to you. If you do something horrible, it will also come back and bite you in the ass. I'm only telling you this because I've been there myself, I've done some good things and some other things that I'm not proud of but throughout it all, I've learned. And I can only hope that you all learn from today's lesson too."

A woman coughed, interrupting Watson for a moment but he swept on, not skipping a beat.

"I'm not trying to deny anything, I'm not trying to change what you believe in," he added. "I only want you to open your eyes and smell the roses. Some things just won't work out no matter how hard you try and some things will just happen if you let them. I've learned from previous events that you can't go on blaming yourself. When my good friend Sherlock Holmes died, may God rest his soul, I thought I wasn't going to be able to carry on. I thought I was going to kill myself, I thought that I was going to go insane, I thought that it was all of my fault. If only I had gotten out of that door sooner, I could have helped Holmes defeat Professor Moriarty and then we would have carried on together."

The doctor's voice cracked and he noticed that everyone had their eyes glued onto him. As soon as he had mentioned Holmes's name, everyone's attention zapped onto him like a rubber band.

"But then things started happening and I realized something, perhaps a little too late," he put in, "That there was someone who stuck by my side no matter what happened. Mary was always there for me and I'm extremely grateful for that. If she wasn't there, I don't know what I would have done. Honestly, I truly don't. I regret that I didn't realize it sooner however, I should have had the courage and time to thank her and tell her how much it meant to me. I regret that I only realized this fact after she died. I realized after I found her body lying on the floor of my house that some things can't be avoided and some things can't be changed. I cannot change the past no matter how much I want to, I simply cannot do it. But I realized that this wasn't my fault. I realized that Holmes's death wasn't my fault either. The only thing I was guilty of was not realizing this simple fact sooner. It would have saved me a lot of grief and time if I had just come to qualms with this statement. I regret my decisions but my actions were my own and no one elses. I feel like if I had known that, I would have done many things differently but now I know. I just wanted to tell you of that and I hope that you have the same revelation someday as I did. You all deserve happiness but how you achieve it is all your own. Make it count."

And with that statement, Watson stepped away from the alter, bowed and went to take his seat in the first pew.

While Watson was talking, none of the other guests knew of what was really going on except for the doctor himself, the alter server and the lady in navy blue…

As the doctor's speech was just beginning, a woman slipped in through the back doors of the church and stood in the back by the pillar and placed her delicate hands on her hips. She sighed, knowing that it was a risk coming here but she knew she had to. She knew that it was all part of her plan, she knew that there was a real reason why she was here but she didn't want to admit it to anyone. Oh she knew that there was a risk but what would be a life without risks? She lived for risks, she was a criminal, she was certainly something alright.

While she noticed the other women had removed their hoods from their cloaks, her navy blue cloaked hood stayed on her head perfectly. She smoothened out her matching dress with her slightly sweaty hands and took a deep breath. Everything was going to be fine, she tried to convince herself, everything was going to be just fine. She looked around at the audience and narrowed her eyes when she only recognized a few people. What was happening to her? She knew everyone and she thought she stroke fears into their hearts but apparently she was wrong if she couldn't even recognize a few people. She closed her eyes for a moment and placed her eyes on Watson standing in front of the crowd of people. He looked stronger today, she decided. Why wasn't he more upset about the love of his life dying? She frowned, feeling left out and leaned against the pillar, tuning out whatever the doctor was saying.

A tapping on her shoulder made her jump and she turned around stiffly and suddenly, not sure what or whom to expect. Was her cover blown? Had they found her that she was here? Her breath quickened and she flung open her eyes as she spun around. She sighed and placed her hand over her racing heart as she saw that it was only an alter server approaching her. She put on her sweetest smile and cocked her head to one side.

"Can I help you?" the woman purred, blinking slowly to get all of her senses working again.

"Miss, I'm going to have to ask you to remove your hood," the young alter server said with a stern tone to his voice. "This is a church you know and there needs to be nothing on your head."

The woman raised an eyebrow, this was news to her. She looked over her shoulder to see Watson peering at her with narrowed eyes and she hoped that he couldn't see who it was under that hood. She turned back around where the alter server was getting annoyed. Well she'd have to take matters into her own hands if he wanted to play that card. She reached into her dress pocket and felt her fingers curl around the cool object that she was looking for. She smiled again and quickly pulled out her knife, flipping it open and placing it to the alter server's neck.

"What were you saying?" she asked sweetly, batting her eyes.

"Nothing ma'am," he replied swiftly, knowing a threat when he saw one. "Nothing at all."

"Thank you," the woman smirked, dropping the blade back in her pocket and turning back to the service. She leaned her head against the pillar once more, knowing that she wouldn't be bothered anymore, and lowered her hood. She couldn't be too careful you know… No one could find out who she was, no one.

The alter server backed away from the maniac woman and raised one hand, catching Watson's attention. He angled his head towards where the lady in navy blue was watching the service seemingly intently and hoped that the doctor would understand. He did. Watson nodded once slowly, so it didn't seem like anything was wrong and continued with his speech.

Little did they know just how wrong they were.

After the funeral was over, Watson excused himself from where he was being pounded with questions and condolences and edged to the edge of the church. He flung open the back doors and hurried out into the snow, letting the wind blow snowflakes into his face. He shielded his eyes and looked around, looking for one person in particular. He saw a flash of dark blue in the corner of his eye and swiveled around on his heel. He peered into the distance and saw the back of a woman in a navy blue dress walking away from him.

"Hey!" Watson yelled, waving his arms in the air.

There was no response.

"Hey you!" he tried again, raising his voice even louder.

Still nothing.

He started to run towards the woman and she finally looked over her shoulder and saw the doctor running towards him. She panicked, the snow still guarding her face so Watson couldn't tell who it was although he had a feeling. The woman started running faster and faster until she was lost in the blizzard of snow. Watson came to a stop and swore under his breath, he couldn't believe he lost his only lead! He sighed, cursed once more and headed back to the church.

Victoria Moriarty was pissed. She was not happy whatsoever with the way that the funeral had turned out. She shook her head as she stepped into the abandoned warehouse, her hideout, and headed up the rickety old stairs. She needed to get out of these clothes before someone recognized her. She sighed as she clenched her teeth together. Why hadn't her plan worked? Why had no one responded to her signal? When she had finished changing, she headed up to the third floor of the warehouse and took a seat on the only table in the room. She pulled out a dusty chair and put up her feet, relaxing while she waited for her so-called assistants to show up. They were good for nothing! She put her head on the table and banged it frustratedly a few times.

A loud slamming noise made her jump again and she lifted up her head reluctantly. Footsteps on the stairs came upon her ears and she closed her eyes, picturing who was heading up here to talk to her. She figured it was one of her minions and not some one to kill her. She tossed her dagger and gun onto the table while waiting and she tapped her foot. When the door to the room flung open, she knew exactly who it was… and she was not happy.

Victoria threw her hands up in the air and leapt to her feet as soon as she saw who the man entering the room was. Her face contorted into a mask of anger and she resisted the urge to put a bullet through Moran's head.

"What the hell was that?" Moran shouted before Victoria could get out any words.

"I could ask you the same question," Victoria snarled, not even bothering to act nice anymore.

"I was waiting for a signal!" he protested.

"I gave you one!" she retorted, her eyes flaring up with pools of annoyance.

"I was staring at you the entire time," Moran said, lowering his voice just a bit so the neighbors wouldn't think that there was someone living in the old abandoned house.

Victoria raised an eyebrow, "If you honestly were, you would have caught my signal. So you obviously weren't."

Moran clenched his jaw and reached into his back pocket, ready to pull out a revolver and blow this woman's mind to bits. He didn't care if it was his best friend's daughter anymore, he didn't care if it was his so-called boss anymore, he didn't care just who Victoria Moriarty thought she was, he had had it with her and he was done. Victoria sensed this coming and tensed up, backing up towards the table where she had left her pistol. But before either one of them could do anything, the door creaked open again. This time, the person entering was a lot less furious than before. The tall, stout man entered the room, being only a shadow in the doorway. Victoria and Moran stepped away from each other and sighed, obviously still angry with each other.

"Now now children," the man teased with an airy tone to his voice. "We mustn't fight over something so childish."

Victoria sneered towards the man, "Thank you for all of your help on this but now's really not the time."

"I just thought you'd might like my input on the situation," the man drawled.

"Yes well, you thought wrong," she hissed, obviously meaning for the stranger to leave.

"But as long as I'm here, I must side with Sebastian on this one," the man had no intentions on leaving clearly.

"Excuse me?" Victoria took a step backwards and snapped while reaching for her pistol on the table.

"There'll be no need for that," the man nodded towards where she had just wrapped her fingers around the barrel of the gun. "I'm simply stating the obvious."

"And what evidence do you have?" Moran put in, speaking for the first time in minutes.

"Yes, feel free to enlighten us," Victoria retorted, still not happy with either of her workers.

"I was also keeping a close eye on you m'dear," the man addressed Victoria with a slight hint of agitation to his voice. "There was no signal of any kind coming from you."

"Really?" Victoria's voice rose an octave. "Are you sure you guys aren't blind? Because I am positive I gave the signal."

"You were hard to miss in the back though," pointed out Moran.

"What?" Victoria's voice dropped and her eyes grew slightly wider.

"Yes, you were in the back with the navy blue cloak on," Moran repeated himself, looking slightly confused.

"No I wasn't Sebastian," Victoria said slowly as if working things out in her head.

"Yes actually you were," the stranger added, still taking Moran's side.

"I wasn't!" Victoria protested. "I was sitting in the pews towards the left side in a black cloak, not navy blue."

"So what are you trying to say?" Moran questioned.

"That wasn't me."