The Question of Faith in Baskerville

Epilogue

John slipped a different sort of medallion on the ninja teddy bear. He smiled. It had taken a couple weeks to find the perfect jewel. Now, he just had to wait for the proper time and place.

"There is a story behind that toy," Sherlock said, apparently taking a break from teaching Nemo basic commands on the floor.

"A story that I intend to keep between Kayla and myself," John answered.

Curiosity raged through Sherlock before it was wrestled back. "But you don't mind showing that it's going to play another role in a future story."

John smiled, taking in the diamond and pearl ring that now rested on the bear's chest. Diamonds were traditional, while the pearl was for the month they first met. "Have to make it special somehow," he said.

"You do realize the probability of proposing in a fine restaurant are significantly lowered with a stuffed animal?" Sherlock noted.

"Just means I'll have to be more creative," John said. "Or just keep an open mind as to when I may propose." He sent a warning look Sherlock's way. "Whenever it happens, do not interrupt unless it is a dire emergency."
"What makes you think I would interrupt otherwise?" Sherlock asked.

"Oh, maybe the fact that you sometimes don't even realize I have left the flat and you still think we have conversations," John answered. "Your tendency to be completely oblivious to all else when caught up in The Work."

"Fine," Sherlock said. "I won't interrupt any of your planned excursions unless it is a 'dire' emergency."

"Thank you," John said. "Have you found a ring yet?"

"Still doing my research," Sherlock said.

Nemo chose that moment to go after the ball in Sherlock's hand. Sherlock immediately turned to the pup with a playful growl, instigating a game of keep away mixed with tug-of-war.

John chuckled with a shake of his head. He slipped the bear into a bag before taking it to his room. He was just heading back down to the living room when his mobile rang. He raised an eyebrow when he saw that it was Stephen. "Hey, Stephen," he greeted. "I'm almost surprised that you called so soon, especially considering last time."

"I really had no control over that," Stephen said. "But, unfortunately, this isn't merely an update call."

"What do you mean?" John asked, causing Sherlock to perk up. "What's happened?"

"Nothing yet," Stephen answered.

"John, what is Stephen calling us about?" Sherlock asked getting to his feet and scooping Nemo up.

"Let me put you on speaker," John said. "So, what do you mean by 'nothing yet'?"

"I'm thinking that I had a prophetic dream," Stephen answered. "It woke me in the middle of the night, and Wong and I have spent the rest of last night, actually the past eighteen hours or so, researching everything from dream theory to mystic interpretations."

"And the conclusion of your research?" Sherlock asked.

"I think that something is coming," Stephen answered. "Nothing as devastating or dangerous as Dormammu, thank God. But, I think we might have forgotten a little detail since the heartless invasion dwindled."

John's stomach dropped. Of course. They had all forgotten—

"Moriarty's Nobody," Sherlock groaned. He cursed. "How could we have forgotten?"

"Well, it would seem that we are looking at a high level Nobody, aka Organization member prospect," Stephen said, "and he hasn't forgotten about us, based on these dreams."

"What should we do?" John asked.

"Unfortunately," Stephen answered, "it appears that we have to wait for him to make the first move. The nightmare only showed his intentions, nothing really helpful."

"It's official then," John said. "Sherlock, you are training your skill set."

"What?" Sherlock cried.

"I'm officially taking driving lessons, now you need to start working on your skill set. It would have definitely come in handy with Dr. Frankland, and you can't deny it."

"Alright, fine," Sherlock snapped. "We should also make sure to get to the gym at least once a week to practice with our keyblades."

"Make sure Molly is there," Stephen said, "and Kayla. They both need self-defense and weapons training."

"Oh, Kayla is already way ahead of you," John said rubbing his right shoulder. Who would have thought that his girlfriend was capable of actually pinning him?

"Then make sure that they both stay in practice," Stephen said. "Moriarty's Nobody is coming. I don't know how, when, or where, but he is definitely coming."

The End

no, wait . . .

The Pause ;-)