Pride and Deduce

Miss Hooper

Moriarty let the gun fall slightly so it was pointing at Alexandra's leg. he glared at Holmes, who glared back.

"Well, spit it out then, Holmes. I haven't got all night. I've got someone to kill." He nodded to Alexandra.

"Well, Professor, I would like to say that I do applaud you." He said. "You're very clever, leading everyone on to believe that you are a man of business. Your business, you ask? Killings."

"Brilliant deduction, Holmes." Moriarty rolled his eyes.

"I do happen to have them quite often." Holmes shrugged. "But the game is up, Professor. You've made one fatal mistake."

"And what is that, Holmes?" Moriarty sneered.

"If you kill Miss Watson, right here, right now, everyone will hear the shot. They will find out that it is you who has murdered all those innocent people. Both you and Moran will be arrested." Holmes said. "And I will have won our little game."

"If I am just as clever as you, Holmes, do you think any jail will be able to hold me?" Moriarty scoffed. "But you are right. We shall meet again, Mr. Holmes. And next time, I shan't spare Miss Watson. Evening."

He tipped his hat at them and left. Alexandra watched him put the gun back in his pocket as he left. Holmes ran to her and started to check her over.

"That was a stupid move, Miss Watson." He said. "You could have died and I would not have been there to save you."

"Then why were you here, Mr. Holmes?" Alexandra asked.

"Because I need you, Miss Watson." Holmes said. "You are of use to me on this case."

"Well, I have to say, that is the closest thing to a compliment you've given me, Mr. Holmes." Alexandra said. "Shall we leave?"

"Yes, I think we shall, Miss Watson." Holmes said.

Neither felt obliged to say goodnight to Moran. They went out to the carriage. Their driver thought it was a very short time to be at a ball, but said nothing so as not to offend. Holmes sat across from Alexandra. She didn't realize how tired she was until she had sat down. She looked at Holmes and, after a moment's thought, decided that his shoulder would be a much better option for a resting place than the side of the carriage.

"Mr. Holmes, could you move to sit next to me?" She asked.

Holmes, though surprised, did so. He stiffened as Alexandra rested her head against his shoulder.

"Miss Watson, what are doing?" He asked.

"I am not trying to flirt or be forward, if that is what you think, Mr. Holmes." Alexandra said. "I am simply tired and your shoulder seemed much more comfortable than the side of the carriage."

"Well, rest then." Holmes sighed. "We will be home soon enough."

Holmes began to hum the tune to the waltz he and Alexandra had danced to. Alexandra, in spite of herself, smiled. She wished to procure that music so it could be played at her wedding (if there ever was another) and every ball she held once she had gotten her respect back. She had meant to ask Moran about it before almost being murdered by Moriarty. When they got home, Holmes walked Alexandra into the flat. Watson was still up.

"You two are back early." He said. "How did it go?"

"Well, your sister was almost murdered by Moriarty." Holmes said. "I was able to deduce quite a bit about him, though."

"I apologize, Mr. Holmes." Alexandra sighed. "I was a fool. I should not have gone out alone with him."

"The fault is mine, Miss Watson." Holmes said. "I put too much pressure on you. You were so eager to please that you were willing to do anything to prove yourself to me."