The Scarlet Aria (BBC Sherlock and OC Fanfic)

9

  "I'm back John!" Sherlock called out, box in hand.

He made it up the stairs to see John typing away at his computer,"Back already? It's only been... an hour."

"I know, I went to go visit my brother and then Scarlett,"He sighed, putting his coat up.

John looked back,"Speaking of Scarlett, how does A sound as an alias?"

"Referencing the book The Scarlet Letter? Really John, do keep up,"Sherlock thought for a moment,"Lotus."

"Lotus?" He questioned as the box was placed in front of him,"What's that?"

"A gift from Scarlett, she said only you know how to open it,"Sherlock sat in his chair,"Open it."

John held it in his hand before starting to move pieces and fiddle with parts,"Let me guess, her father made this?" He continued to move pieces,"the code is the winning strategy we'd use in combat, it's difficult to explain, but it makes more sense if I can just-" He struggled with a part because it was rusted,"Finish it,"There were a few more clacks until it made a loud popping noise,"There we are!" John held it up to Sherlock, it read,'Slow preparation, Light movements, Winning side' He turned it to the side and it opened to reveal a pen, key, lighter, paper, and a cassette.

Sherlock was still confused on how John solved it so fast,"How did you- nevermind."

"I'm smarter than I look,"He chuckled to himself,"Why Lotus?"

"Scarlett's middle name and in some religions it stands for divine beauty and once it opens it can expand a person's soul,"he stated, not letting a single word pause,"Work for you?"

John nodded and continued to type. Not even acknowledging what he just did. Sherlock picked the items up and examined them,"Are you going to play the tape?"

He went over to the recorder he kept on him, inserted the tape and pressed play."John, this is Louis. I'm having a daughter soon and I want you to do something for me. Keep her safe please. Her mother and I trust you and frankly you're the closest thing to family that either of us have, so John, when and if you meet Scarlett, she'll give this to you. I hope you do meet, because both of us fear for the worst. Remember, we're both just A.R.A.Bs and we stick together. Goodbye John, I look forward to seeing you again."

"They knew they were going to die? But that was over fourteen years ago,"Sherlock asked himself,"Someone was after them, but who was it? Someone powerful enough to get blackmail on the simplest of people, yet they must've had a dark past... Did Mr.Harrison-Martin have any enemies?"

"Not that I know of."

"Who would og out of their way just to kill them years later,"He stood and paced the floor,"They must have an alternative motive... who could it be?"

John's phone rang,"Hello?"

"John, this is Scarlett."

"How'd you get my number?"

"I looked it up, anyways, I got this suspicious looking letter at my door. Dark-red wax seal to be precise, cream-colored envelope. Mean anything to you?"

"Moriarty."

"It couldn't be, I-I know it's not him!" She sounded more worried than she should've.

When John said his name Sherlock was practically out the door,"Listen Scarlett, we'll be at your house soon. Don't open the letter."

"O-Okay,"She hung up and John rushed out to join Sherlock in the cab.

At Scarlett's house...

They knocked on the door, but it was unlocked and open. There was no sign of struggle or even a fight, she must've known the person. They attacked the moment she opened the door, she was not alone.

"Sherlock, want me to call the police?"

He put his hand up,"No, I know who's in here. Mycroft!"

Sherlock's brother came around the corner with Scarlett in tow,"Brother dear, I told you to watch her."

"It was Moriarty, he left me this letter. I didn't know what to do, so I called my friends,"She hid on the wall,"I'm sorry."

"No need to be Letta,"Mycroft said,"Sherlock would've found you one way or another."

She took the item out of her pocket,"Take it."

Sherlock came up to her and grabbed the letter,"I'm sorry about this Scarlett, I really am. Moriarty is a monster and a mad-man who needs to be stopped." He opened the letter and read,"Hello Scarlett dear, this is James Moriarty. If you haven't found out already, I was the one who scheduled the killing of your parents. I got my assistant to do it, Zila Moneri, or Zi as you call her. When she attacked you, she was wearing a disguise to make sure that you didn't recognise her, so sad. Sherlock will be with you by now, and I'm sorry to say that he will be no help. Signed, the Brat Tsar."

"St. Barts,"Mycroft, Sherlock and Scarlett said that the same time.

John was confused but didn't question it. He took the letter from Sherlock and looked on the back at the illustration of a key, lock, and the letter A,"What do you suppose that means?"

"Unlock the Scarlett letter..."Sherlock sighed,"Scarlett, care to share a file with John?"

Her eyes widened as she picked a file up from the coffee table,"John, I wanted to give this to you in person."

She handed it to him. As he opened the folder, he smiled,"I forgot about this. He made me sign this the moment they knew you were a girl. Does that make me your-"

"Yes John, from now on my last name is Watson, and I am your daughter,"She calmly replied as they hugged,"But I'm still calling you John."

"I wouldn't expect you to, your father was a great man, I could never take his place,"He said letting go of the girl.

"This is all very touching, but I would like to get my hands on James Moriarty,"Mycroft interrupted.

OOOOOOOOO! Moriarty! Yay, someone's gonna die! Anyways, I hope you enjoyed and that you vote, comment and do whatever with this story!

BAI

(P.S. this is Crystal--Wayne if you were wondering)