Note: Episode Transcript Provided By Ariane DeVere/ Callie Sullivan

***

The door at the deep end of the pool opened once more, allowing Moriarty to reenter. "Sorry boys, and girl, I'm sooooo changeable!" He cheerfully sang as more red dots began to dance over John and Sherlock's bodies. "It is a weakness with me. But to be fair to myself, it is my only weakness. You can't be allowed to continue; you just can't. I would try to convince you but everything I have to say has already crossed your mind,"

"Probably my answer has crossed yours," Sherlock responded, lowering his pistol at the bomb. Before he could pull the trigger, 'Stayin' Alive' began to play. The trio looked around the room, confused,

"The Bee Gees?" Alice whispered to herself.

Jim closed his eyes and sighed, irritated. "D'you mind if I get that?"

"Go ahead, please. You've got the rest of your life," Sherlock replied, gesturing with his gun.

Jim pulled out his phone from his pocket and answered it."Hello?... Yes, of course, it is. What do you want?" Suddenly he spun around. "SAY THAT AGAIN!" He yelled into the phone, his voice resonating throughout the room. "Say that again, and know that if you are lying to me; I will find you and I will skin you," Jim hissed before turning around to face the trio. "Sorry, wrong day to die,"

"Did you get a better offer?" Sherlock casually asked.

"You'll be hearing from me, Sherlock," Moriarty turned back around and walked towards the door at the deep end of the pool, continuing his conversation. Reaching for the door handle, he snapped his fingers. Instantly, the red dots disappeared from John and Sherlock. The three all let out a breath of relief. Alice stood up, looking at the upper floor for any signs of the snipers.

"What happened there?" John asked.

"Someone changed his mind," Sherlock responded.

"The question is: who?" Alice added.

*****

The next few weeks went by normal. The boys were solving smaller cases; occasionally consulting Alice if they needed a third opinion. She had met with Mycroft a couple of weeks after the incident at the pool to describe what had transpired and to deliver freshly baked goods.

*

"I want to apologize, Alice," Mycroft said, pouring Alice a cup of tea. "I highly doubt that this is what you expected when you decided to holiday here,"

"I knew what I was getting into when I joined them. But I appreciate the sentiment, Mycroft." Alice stated, taking the saran wrap off the plate of macarons and brownies. "Sherlock handled the case well enough,"

"It seems my brother might harbor some romantic feelings for you,"

"No," Alice stated, looking straight into Mycroft's eyes. "Sherlock merely respects me. Well, he respects my intelligence. It's just friendship between us, nothing more," She handed him a plate with a brownie and a cucumber sandwich to along with the tea they were sharing. "Besides, a relationship with anyone here wouldn't work out. I'll have to go to my old life at some point,"

"If you chose to stay for longer, for whatever reason, I am sure that some sort of agreement can be arranged,"

"Are you asking for me to stay, Mycroft?" Alice asked, taking a sip of her tea. Mycroft had a look of insecurity. Alice smirked and placed her cup back in its saucer. "Don't worry Mycroft, I'm taking this vacation one day at a time." She placed the cup and saucer on the table in front of her "But to the other reason why I came: Moriarty received a call right before he was going to blow us all up, could you do your best to find out who it was,"

"I can try to look into it,"

"Thank you," Alice stood up from her chair, preparing to leave.

"Alice," Mycroft said, getting up from his chair as well, "Thank you for letting me know; this case involving the three of you,"

"You would have found out sooner or later, I know about the cameras in the boys' flat. Not to mention the ample resources you have at your disposal to follow the three of us,"

"I must admit, you catch on quite quickly,"

Alice shrugged. "It's what I do, and I do it well. Until next time, Mycroft," Alice smiled and left the room,"

*****

Sherlock sat in the living room in his thinking position. "John,"

"hmm?" John said, looking up from his phone.

"I've been thinking. Moriarty mentioned that Alice was important,"

"Maybe he was just trying to get to you,"

"No," Sherlock said, thinking.

"No?"

"She caught Mycroft's attention. Not only that, she knew he was my brother. You were there when she solved the Connie Prince murder."

"It was rather impressive,"

"Even her first case, when we saved you and Sarah. I told you, there was no hesitation in helping."

"Are you suggesting that she know's something?"

"Only one way to find out,"

**

Alice walked into her flat to find Sherlock and John sitting in her living room. "John, I'm disappointed in you, entering my apartment without permission? I would expect that from Sherlock, but you?" She sighed after seeing their faces; full of intrigue. "You two have questions," She placed her handbag on the table next to the door and sat on her sofa. "What do you want to know?"

"How?" John asked, not knowing what to say. "How are you able to deduce Sherlock? How were you able to solve those cases so easily? How-"

"Let me get us some coffee and desserts," Alice said, standing up. "It's a long story," After five minutes Alice had returned with a tray baked goods in one hand and a pot of tea in the other.

"I grew up in Washington D.C. When I was five, I got my I.Q. tested, a month later I was accepted into MENSA. I skipped a couple of grades and ended up graduating high school when I was 14. Once I was accepted at college, my life changed. I attended a local private university, originally majoring in medicine before changing to criminalistics and chemistry. I graduated early, and at the top of my class. I interned at the Capital and Department of Justice for a couple of years. I assisted multiple senators, congressmen, and supreme court justices. When I graduated, I was recruited by the Department of Defense."

John raised his eyebrows in surprise. She was more dangerous than she looked.

"I was trained to be a potential field agent for the FBI and CIA." Alice continued "I can hack into other country's computer data in under five minutes, shoot a gun with a 99% accuracy, and make some pretty good desserts, among other things. Deductions and observations come naturally to me. I must admit, it is a skill I learned as a young girl from my grandmother. College and the DoD simply helped me find ways to utilize it. However, I prefer to keep most of my deductions to myself. I find it easier to go through life that way."

"So that is why Moriarty said you were special," John said. "If you wanted to, you could destroy everything,"

"Exactly, I'm amazed that Mycroft even talks to me, considering the damage I can do. Granted he knows where my morals are, and that I have no interest in causing trouble," Alice said, giving John a look of comradery. " My employment at the DoD is something that I'd like to forget. I left the DoD after a few years. I went back to school, got a few more degrees. After that, I did some freelance jobs for a few years. I finally found a job in a small bookshop a few months ago. It's nice and quiet,"

"When you say enhanced..."

"I had begun to learn to code in high school and was pretty advanced by the time I was hired by the DoD," Alice explained. "According to one of the higher-ups, they had never seen a recruit so prepared for the job, especially one who had no interest in working as an agent when hired,"

"Why?" Sherlock asked, speaking out for the first time since Alice arrived home. "You have so much potential, why bother working in a book shop?"

"Because no one ever bothers to pay attention to a girl in a shop. I have the freedom to go by unnoticed by everyone and go about my business." Alice said, pouring herself another cup of tea. "It's a gift,"

"What's with the baking?" John asked, grabbing another cookie.

"It helps me think and it calms me down. Baking is just another form of chemistry; the only difference is that you can eat the results,"

"Is there anything you can't do?" John asked, "Genius, amazing baker, and can even amaze Sherlock and Mycroft,"

Alice let out a slight laugh at John's comment. "Look, I love solving crimes with you two. I like the thrill. Though, I don't use it as an alternative to getting high," Alice gave Sherlock a look at her last statement.

"I don't know how I'm going to survive Sherlock without you," John said.

"You'll manage; you did it before," Alice said, letting out a laugh.

"John, could you please leave us alone for a few minutes?" Sherlock asked his flatmate, his attention was still on the woman who sat in front of them.

"Uh, sure," John said, getting up from his seat. "Thank you, Alice, for trusting us enough to tell us this,"

Once John left, Sherlock took a seat next to Alice on her sofa. "Mycroft knows, in case you were wondering," Alice said, looking up to meet Sherlock's gaze. "He read my file after our initial meeting. I think I surprised him,"

"Alice, I want to say that I am sorry that you were put in that position. Moriarty is a rat who-"

"Sherlock, you have no reason to apologize. I knew every time I joined you two on a case that my life could be at risk. I told your brother the same thing earlier,"

"Did he say anything else?"

"He's under the impression that you have feelings for me." Sherlock froze at that statement, unsure of what to say. "No worries, I shut down that rumour immediately. You're married to your job andI have baggage that i don't feel like unpacking anytime soon,"

"Alice, I want to let you know, I will protect you from Moriarty," Sherlock said sincerely. His hands grasped her shoulders and he stared deep into her dark brown eyes.

"Thank you, Sherlock," Alice said, slightly smiling. She wanted to believe him, but she knew better. James Moriarty had eyes and ears all over London. If Moriarty was able to dig up dirt on her life in the U.S., there was no doubt he had allies all over the world who knew of her,"

Sherlock stood up and headed for the door, nodding his head in respect. "Though, you should be thanking me," Alice said, walking him out.

"Whatever for?" Sherlock asked, stepping into the hallway.

"For my help on your cases. I don't want my name on the blogs but a simple 'thank you' would suffice,"

Sherlock let out a nervous cough before expressing his gratitude.

"You're welcome," Alice let out a light chuckle before closing her door and locking it.

Unknown to her, Sherlock was suppressing a smile and a blush as he walked up to his flat.