Can't Stay Away (BBC Sherlock) -2-

Epilogue

"You think we should catch a flight?" I asked Bayley as the plane disappeared.

"Oh, do you really want to leave?" Mary whimpered. "You're more than welcome to stay a few days."

"That's really sweet, but I think we need to go back." I leaned against Bayley. "I want to be in my own bed, that is," I looked up at Bay, "if you'll let me move back in with you."

He kissed my forehead. "Of course. I think Amanda will be pissed about it, though. She'll probably hold you hostage and never let you leave."

"If I explain it all to her, she will. Besides, she's got Taylor now. She'll probably be a little softened up when I tell her everything. She'll manage without me."

"Who's Taylor?"

"We've got some catching up to do."

From across the way, Mycroft got out of one of the cars. He looked to be on the phone, clearly tense. Dad and I exchanged a look.

Dad took action, breaking away from us. We three looked at each other before trailing after him.

"What's happened?" Dad insisted.

"It seems we've got a problem on our hands," Mycroft noted.

"Already? What perfect timing," I grumbled.

"Oh, you don't even know the best part about it." He glared at me.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I snapped.

"Wait," Bay interrupted. "What's that?" He leaned into the car. He pulled back out, pale as a sheet.

I touched his arm. "What?" Before he could answer me, I heard it.

It was a distorted voice, repeating the same thing over and over again: Did you miss me? Did you miss me? It was definitely not a part of any song.

Before anybody could hold me back, I peeked into the car. I saw the image on the screen. I stared at it, wide-eyed.

I thought I'd never see that face again. Though it wasn't really him, the image was enough to scare the hell out of me. It was his face, his mouth animated to move a little as the words Did you miss me? kept being repeated through the speakers of the car.

This was impossible. Jim Moriarty was dead. I quickly pulled myself out of the car—too fast. I hit my head on the top, snarling. I rubbed my sore head, filled with panic.

"That's not possible," I stammered as Bay held me close to him.

"What are you going on about?" Mary whined.

"Look in the car." I pointed.

Once Dad and Mary looked, they both had the same panicked and befuddled expression as me. I wasn't sure whether it was me or Bayley who was shaking. Either way, my body trembled. No, he's not alive. I saw his body. I heard the gunshot. Sherlock saw him shoot himself. He couldn't have faked his death too...

But sadly, if Sherlock Holmes could fake his death, there was always the chance that Jim Moriarty could as well.

"If you all will excuse me, I need to make another call," Mycroft said, climbing back in. He shut the door beside him. As he called whoever, we four stood in shock.

"I think I'm going to be sick," I moaned.

"But he's dead," Mary exclaimed. "I mean, you told me he was dead, Moriarty."

"Absolutely," Dad agreed. "He blew his own brains out."

"This has got to be some kind of trick," I insisted. "This sure as hell isn't funny."

"If it's not a trick, how can he be back?" Mary pressed.

"But it is a trick," I insisted. "It has to be..."

If this wasn't a trick, none of us were safe. Sherlock was perhaps the only person who could take on Moriarty. Without him around, we were going to have to fend for ourselves against whatever hell Moriarty would unleash on us. He'll come after me. He said he wasn't done with me.

This was all hypothetical of course, as Jim Moriarty wasn't alive. Unless I had tangible proof, I had to believe it was someone's idea of a cruel joke, or a copycat.

Out of the four of us, Mary was the only one who'd never met him. I hoped she never had to, I hoped she only heard stories about him.

Dad suddenly turned to his right, looking in the distance. "Well, if he is...he'd better wrap up warm." We all followed his gaze. "There's an East Wind coming."

My heart thudded in my chest. This is too weird of timing.

It looked like we weren't going to say goodbye to Sherlock Holmes just yet.