AN: Here it is! The final chapter, thank you to all my reviewers!

Two of the Same

Claire POV

I awoke to the sound of the gulls and the strong salty air that penetrated every pore in my body. The cottage was quieter since Rodger had left and I missed seeing his thin frame in my doorway telling me to wake up and go on a stroll with him. My body seemed to protest the sudden movement but I grit my teeth and forced myself into a sitting position. The skirmish with the henchmen from the day before yesterday had taken a big toll on my shoulder. Rodger had been concerned enough to fetch a local doctor by the name of Perkins who injected me with morphine despite my protests. As much as my body craved the comforting numbness, the rest of me despised sleeping for so long. I dressed quickly in a green and tan striped dress and a round straw hat with a green ribbon around it. I looked at my reflection, surprised how normal I looked despite the fading bruise on my cheek.

I opened the front door and began to walk towards the beach, the loose gravel crunched beneath my tan shoes. The gulls continued to cry out as I heard a train whistle in the distance and for a moment my heart leapt in anticipation to see a familiar face. I wanted to hate him for dismissing me like some lovelorn character from a bad novel. But, deep down I hoped that he was doing it to protect me from Rathbone. I kicked the sand at the thought of Rathbone and was about to wander to the grocer for much needed food. When I looked up and saw a thin figure in the distance, walking towards me. My heart which had been slumbering was now thudding inside my chest like a caged beast trying to be freed. I shielded my eyes to get a better look at the figure, it was a man and I just hoped it was the one I was waiting for.

Sherlock P.O.V

I knew it was her when I first set foot on the sand, as much as I disliked the feeling of sand getting into my leather shoes. Even though all I could see of her was a large sunhat and a burst of green around it. My mind wanted me to turn around and go back to London, and leave her be in Brighton. I fought this impulse with the logic that after arresting Rathbone that is was essential I come tell a woman that she is free. As I got closer, my heart raged with anticipation and I felt my palms begin to sweat. This was a most foreign feeling for my mind to try to understand, but once I was toe to toe with her, I knew what I had to do. Miss. Watson lowered her hand and smiled slightly despite the healing bruise on her left cheek. I mirrored her smile, "I see that you've had some other visitors." I kept my tone as normal as I could so that she couldn't discern my nervousness.

Miss. Watson laughed lightly which made her blue eyes sparkle with amusement, "Yes, they were not told that I would put up a fight. I was fortunate enough that there were only two, I assume that Rathbone and his ilk are gone?" Her body became tense with want to have good news. I nodded and saw immediately the effect of joy etched into her face. "Thank god, you have no idea how happy this makes me, Mr. Holmes." For the first time I could feel the happiness burst from my former assistant. Her expression of happiness and freedom was infectious and I soon returned her zeal with a small smile.

"I am glad to see you are free of him, Miss. Watson. However, that is not the only reason I came to see you." I felt my heart thud again and I knew there wasn't a thing I could do to stop it. Her infectious smile faltered for a moment and I could see the wheels spinning in her mind as she pondered what I meant. Miss. Watson's brow was furrowed much like her cousin, Dr. Watson until she finally spoke.

"I can only think of two subjects on which you need to speak to me about. The first, of course is your unceremonious firing of me." Miss. Watson's glimmer of joy from my previous news had faded to be replaced with reproach.

I nodded, "Yes, I hope you understand I was firing you so that you would leave London. If I hadn't you would have gotten in the way of the plan to take down Rathbone. I apologize for being so callous, but it was for your own good." I tried my best to sound apologetic but I could tell from her expression that I had missed the mark.

Miss. Watson opened her mouth for a reproach but stopped herself for a moment before speaking with an expression of anger. "If you wanted me out of the way, why did not you just say that instead of stabbing my heart?" Her eyes scanned me for any indication of my reaction. I could tell she was hoping that I would strike down all the things I said. I was about to explain myself but, she was clearly angrier than I had deduced. She spoke again with venom in every word she uttered. "You told me that my feelings for you were misplaced and that you could not imagine being in love with me. How was that for my own good? I thought of all the men I've known in my life, you would be the one who understood me best. But, no you saw me and all you could see was all the trouble I would bring you!" Miss. Watson spat the final words at me and stormed off to her cottage.

My tongue was tied and for the first time I could not say anything in return. I felt shattered by her rebuke and frozen. I watched her go to her home and felt my legs slowly began to make a move to follow her. My mind now began to take apart her attack on my actions and realized that she was right. It rung in my head like a bell, I was wrong about Claire Watson she had been there through thick and thin. She had been like another Dr. Watson in our times with the gang; she kept my zeal for the job up and helped me take down a gang that rivaled Rathbone in terms of power. She had come to me for help and what little I gave to her she accepted with pride. Now, that Miss. Watson decided to give me her heart in hopes of reciprocation, instead I gave her more pain than I realized. My footsteps were quicker as I climbed the steps to the main road and began to follow the trail of the woman in the striped dress. Hope began to bloom in my chest, that she would be there and she could forgive my thoughtlessness.

Third- Person P.O.V

Claire slammed her fist against the counter in her kitchen, angry at herself for allowing hope to live in her heart again. The tears rolled easily off of her face onto the marble surface with a muffled sound compared to her shallow breathing. The woman had no time to herself for there was a knock on the door. She ignored it at first but the pounding on the door would not cease and with her heart echoing the door she opened the door. In her doorway was the unwelcome sight of Mr. Sherlock Holmes. "Why did you follow me home? You have nothing else to say as far as I am concerned." Claire made no move to close the door, she hoped he would leave rather than pain her.

Sherlock Holmes did not leave and closed the door behind him, "You are wrong about that Miss. Watson. There are also a few observations that you failed to notice about my conduct with you." His tone was still as calm and measured as ever. Claire raised an eyebrow at this which was odd paired with her tear streaked face. Sherlock wanted to speak and explain it all but he knew words were of no more use and that if he didn't act soon he would lose her forever. With a deep breath he closed his eyes and kissed Claire tenderly on the lips. He felt his heart soar with the energy and warmth of her lips. There was a moment of stillness before he felt the return kiss from Claire. Holmes no longer cared for the warnings his mind had prepared, instead he let himself go and abandon himself to kissing the woman he loved.

Claire could barely keep herself upright as Sherlock kissed her and it took her no time at all to return the kiss with equal fervor. There was no longer any doubt of his feelings towards her and the woman felt her blood begin to warm. Claire felt Sherlock's tongue snake into her mouth and she suppressed a sigh of pleasure. She wanted him to devour her and she wanted to do the same. Her tongue began to wrestle with his and she heard the distinct sound of Sherlock moan. Claire had to breathe and finally separated from her new love. Her eyes were bright and the tears on her face were from happiness. "I hoped you were lying to me when you fired me. I hoped that you might have an inkling of the same feelings as I did."

Sherlock returned her sentiment by kissing her neck delicately, "I do not know how you can forgive me for doing that to you, Claire. I was blind to anything but the case." His grey eyes softened to showcase his sincerity. In return Claire smirked before she placed her hands on either side of Sherlock's face and kissed him passionately.

When they broke apart with blushed cheeks, Claire spoke again, "I can think of a few ways for you to earn that forgiveness." She added with a demur look that would have shocked anyone else. Sherlock seized her lips again and they wrestled each others lips until Claire moved her lips down to his neck and began to undo his tie. Sherlock felt exhilarated to feel the warm touch of her lips on the nape of his neck. His blood was singing and his heart had successfully overcome his mind. He slowly let his thin hands explore Claire's soft chocolate brown hair as he felt his coat removed. Then his eyes opened to focus on the lady standing in front of him, her eyes shined. "You are a hard man to fall in love with, I hope you realize that." Her tone was playful and slightly husky from her desire.

Holmes nodded in concession, "I have been told that before, believe it or not. I hope you realize that this is not an easy thing to realize. It took me the better part of four years to see you not as a woman but as a lover." He felt the heat rise to his cheeks but he kept the blush away. He cemented this sentiment by kissing Claire's neck to be egged on by her gasp of pleasure. Holmes bit into the soft skin to release a low moan. He smirked at his conquest and began to unbutton the top buttons of Claire's dress. As they began to unbutton each other's clothes, Claire began to walk backwards towards her room, making sure to lead Sherlock with her. She managed to remove his shirt as they crossed the threshold into her room. Claire marveled at his pale, thin frame that stood out against the dark nipples. Holmes felt her begin to explore this new canvas by tracing his stomach with her fingertips. His skin tingled to each touch and he wanted more. Claire seemed to read his mind and began to suck and pinch his dark nipples which sent Holmes into a garbled moan.

Sherlock took this as a time to be the dominant one and began to finish unbuttoning Claire's dress. He cursed the many layers of women's clothing which made Claire laugh as she stepped out of her outer-petticoat and began to undo her corset and with it the last petticoat. The sea air gave her Goosebumps as nothing remained but Sherlock's trousers. Claire was not shy by any means and with a wicked grin she began to kiss his stomach and then to the line of his trousers. She dealt with the button and could hear Sherlock's sigh of pleasure when she let the pants drop to the floor. Claire brought her eyes level to his and kissed him tenderly on the lips.

Sherlock took an extra look at Claire's tall frame and in particular an old scar that arched over her right nipple. He knew better than to ask about an old wound and began to lick and prod the scar with his tongue. Claire gasped again, which made him stop for a moment before she spoke in a heated whisper. "Please, keep going..." Her eyes were pleading for pleasure and Sherlock took the nipple into his mouth again with greater fervor. Claire abandoned herself to the continued rise of heat to the lower part of her body. She moaned and gasped until she thought she would burst. Claire put her head against Sherlock's upper torso and began to slowly nip and lick his left nipple. Sherlock hummed deep in his throat as he felt the new sensation pulse within him. He felt Claire fall backwards onto the bed and let himself fall with her.

Holmes had been with women before has part of a coming of age ritual that still left a bad taste in his mouth. This woman was an entirely different sort as far as he was concerned and lowered his face onto hers and kissed her chastely. "You are so lovely, Claire." He murmured against her neck.

Claire blushed which made her face look even younger, "I hope you have deduced that this is not the first time I've done this." Her eyes were growing dark with lust.

Sherlock merely smirked as he pushed away a stray strand of Claire's hair, "You are correct in that assumption, as you remember I was in the pub along with the whole gang to hear that accomplishment." His grey eyes danced in remembrance. Claire began to laugh loudly at the memory and would have rolled off the bed if Sherlock wasn't on top of her. They shared the laughter for a moment before the kissing resumed with new vigor. Lips touched skin and heated whispers of filthy encouragement were exchanged as the sun set in Brighton. The waves of pleasure seemed to be unending as they thrashed well into the night. Claire felt her world come crashing down with a loud cry into the night and for a long moment everything was bathed in white. Sherlock traced his beloved's neck with his lips as they lay together, covered with sweat and bruises to celebrate the culmination of so much longing. Claire smiled as she turned to face Sherlock.

Her blue eyes glistened with contentment as smiled at him, "I underestimated your stamina, Mr. Holmes. I promise you it won't happen again." Claire's tone was playful and droll as she brushed her nose against the detective's famous nose.

Sherlock chuckled as he brushed his hand against Claire's arm. "I should hope not, Miss. Watson. I will admit that you surprised me with the extent of your carnal knowledge." His tone matched hers with wit that caused the pair of them to share more laughter. There would be discussions about when they first fell for each other but all that mattered was that they had finally come to be one. Claire was never so pleased as she was in that moment, with her arm draped over Sherlock's as she slept.