Sophia Holmes and the Return of James Moriarty (Bond crossover) *Completed*

Chapter One

The following week, I find myself walking up the steps of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Whitehall dressed smartly to meet a man Mycroft has referred to only as 'M'.

I get stopped by the entrance and frisked before being led up through the building, then eventually get greeted by a dark-skinned woman in her late thirties who walks me the rest of the way.

"You must be Miss Holmes," she says with a smile and extends her hand. "I'm Moneypenny - M's secretary. It's lovely to have you here. It's been a while since we've had some fresh blood on our team."

I send her back a smile as we shake hands. "I don't plan on staying long. I'm following up on a lead I have for a case. Thought this would be the best place to find them."

"James Moriarty?" I nod. "We've had little intelligence suggesting his return. He's back then?"

"With eighty-one per cent certainty, yeah," I nod. "Whatever he's doing, he's been under deep cover for five years. Plenty of time to create a completely new identity."

"You'll love our merger with the Joint Intelligence Service then," she says thoughtfully. "They're currently hoping to pitch a new programme dubbed 'Nine Eyes' which is aiming for a hundred per cent surveillance over the next three years."

"Might be worth having a word, thank you." 

We approach a desk and a kind of waiting area, and Moneypenny waves me towards the door. "You can go on in, M's expecting you."

I nod my thanks as I approach the dark oak door and knock loudly.

"Come in," a voice says from inside, and I go through into an ornate office panelled in the same dark oak. 

Sat behind a large desk, hastily filling out what looks to be a long report, is a tall, slim man with defined features and a somewhat familiar appearance. He looks up as I approach and gestures me to the chair opposite the desk. 

"Miss Holmes, it's a pleasure to meet you at last. Your uncle has spoken to me on several occasions about your aptitude for field and intelligence work; I'm delighted you've decided to join us for a period.

"Thank you for agreeing to take me on, sir. I believe we serve a common purpose."

"We do indeed. James Moriarty back from the grave. I don't know how we didn't see this coming."

"With all due respect, sir, if my dad and I couldn't foresee it, there was very little chance of anyone else being able to."

"Well, I do hope you'll be able to help track him down. Over the next few weeks, you will spend some time in our three divisions: I branch, Q branch before finally shadowing one of our double-o agents assigned to the Moriarty case."

"I'm sure I'll find it immensely rewarding, sir."

"I'm sure you will. Moneypenny will take you across to Q branch for your initial physical so we can ensure you're fit to begin work, and then you will be free to take up your place. Do you have any questions?"

"Just one, sir. Moneypenny mentioned a merger with the Joint Intelligence Service and their work in surveillance. I wondered if it would be possible to spend a little time with them at some point?"

"I'm due to meet with the Director-General for the first time in a few days. We have a number of matters to discuss, but the Moriarty case is sure to arise. I'll be sure to put your name forward for people to join his team if all goes well over the next few weeks."

"Thank you, sir."

He presses a button on his desk and Moneypenny opens the door behind me. "If that's all, I'll leave you in Moneypenny's capable hands."

I rise and offer my hand and he stands and takes it before I follow Moneypenny out.