spoilers for reichenbach ; voicetesting

[inspectoring]

[Lestrade is unusually somber, but trying not to show it. Judge him all you like.]

It's hard to believe that there isn't some amount of chance when you've seen him take nothing but a footprint and save two kids' lives. Surely he can cheat his way out of a damn --

[Pause.]

-- I'll personally invite Anderson and Donovan to the 'I told you so' party when it's unveiled that these ridiculous gossip rags are wrong. Along with serving them their transfer papers.

[And then a slight clearing of his throat.]

I only work with the best.

Comments

[lostwithoutmyblogger]

Well done, Inspector.

[Murmuring.]

Not completely oblivious, for once.

[inspectoring]

Shut up.

[Automatically.]

You've lost a bit of the right to take a jab at me after I attended your funeral.

[Your fake funeral, might he add. When he finds you, he's going to punch you.]

[lostwithoutmyblogger]

[Take momentarily aback.]

It was a compliment.

[...sort of.]

[inspectoring]

Take your compliment and beat yourself with it, will you?

[But his shoulders slump slightly, the bite now gone, and he sighs, looking remarkably tired.]

Jumping off a building wasn't necessary.

We had to identify the bloody body.

[lostwithoutmyblogger]

I wish it hadn't been necessary, Lestrade, but you must trust me once more.

[bigbrotheriswatching]

I'm afraid you won't get the chance.

There will be a few absolutely necessary personnel transfers between now and then. Perhaps a cutback or two.

[inspectoring]

I had thought of filing a complaint with Parliament about a few inquiries myself.

[Even stare.]

Regarding keeping one's mouth shut when necessary.

[bigbrotheriswatching]

Regardless of what you or I may think in retrospect, Parliament has made their stance on my decisions clear. They believe the interrogation tactics were justified, regardless of the collateral.

I wish I could agree with them.

[inspectoring]

You wouldn't want to know what I actually think in retrospect, Mister Holmes, because I'm certain I would have to leave the country.

[Flatly.]

We've lost the only man who can keep this city safe from people like him and the only people in the world who know it are the ones who helped caused it.

There's a special spot reserved in Hell for men like that.

[bigbrotheriswatching]

Speak candidly, Detective, there will be no retaliation. Not from me.

[He couldn't agree more. He'll listen to every word.]

[highfunctioning_sociopath]

[And perhaps it was the reception of an anonymous text that caused the good inspector to pause.]

There's always a chance.

[inspectoring]

[Ugh, Sherlock, you and your fucking texting.]

Go straight to Hell.

Do not pass Go.

Do not collect 200 dollars.

[highfunctioning_sociopath]

[Sherlock is dead, right? So, there's only one reply.]

Already am.

[But he means it in so. many. ways.]

[inspectoring]

Hilarious. Really.

Go back to never making jokes, Sherlock.

[highfunctioning_sociopath]

Saving lives is never a joke.

[He doesn't sign the note. But shortly after another text follows.]

You know where to find me.

[Protip: not 221B Baker Street. But Lestrade should know the alleyway anyway.]

[322434]

Funny. [No, it isn't.]

If he were anyone else, I'd say you were in denial, Detective Inspector.

[inspectoring]

[Hrgh, Irene.]

Denial's for the normal people.

[Sherlock Holmes is the most intelligent man he has ever met. And definitely the most extraordinary. There is always a chance.]

voice testing as well

[somereliance]

He always thought the same of you. Well, maybe not in those exact words, but you do know what I mean. I hope.

[John's shoulders are a bit stiff and square. But the stoney expression is only due to the mention of Donovan and Anderson. He has little grudge against Greg.]

<333

[inspectoring]

[ ... oh, Watson.]

-- if there's anything I can do.

[He means it in every single aspect of the word.]

:)

[somereliance]

[John debates having an answer to that, but honestly, he's not sure that anyone can make this easier.]

Thank you, Greg. Actually there's... well you know that they took some of his things.

[inspectoring]

Consider them yours.

[There is no question, no hesitation. He'll get it done.]

[somereliance]

[John blinks, he hadn't expected that to happen so quickly.]

...thank you.

[He seems to loose a little steam, not that the predicted arguments aren't forthcoming. John's shoulders relax a little.]

[wealldosillythings]

You're a good man, Detective Inspector.

[inspectoring]

[Blink.]

... I only do what I need to do, miss, nothing more, nothing less.

[wealldosillythings]

[She smiles softly and shakes her head] I'm not quite sure that's it, but if you say so.

And, erm, you can call me Molly, if you want.