Elementary

                                    

                                          
Note: This is a Christmas present for my good friend Ashlynn. 
                          


                          
"Elementary, my dear Watson. Elementary," she spoke clearly into the headset attached to her ear. The curtain closed over her and she could hear the audience's thunderous applause as the other actors took the stage and bowed with her.

                          
	In the aftermath, she strained her head, craning around the corners to catch sight of him. When she found him and their eyes met, she shied away. "Hey, you did pretty well tonight," he smiled at her. Peering back at him, she gave a small hint of a smile in return before ducking her head. "You make an excellent female Sherlock."
                          
	"Thank you," she murmured.
                          
	She felt small. Ever so small, and she shrunk back in her suit. She was a mouse, timid and tiny, and she scurried off, scampering away. But he called her back.
                          
	"Grace," he breathed. "Wait... I know that you like me. I just want to say that."
                          
	"What?" she turned around, her voice louder. "No I don't! Who said that?"
                          
	"It's not important. But... I wish I'd known," he dropped to a whisper now. She crept closer to him, eyebrows narrowed, staring. He dropped his gaze, but then looked back at her. "Truth be told, I have a list."
                          
	"A list?"
                          
	"Of girls who I'd go on a date with. Backups of sorts."
                          
	A pang of pain stabbed her. "Uh-huh?"
                          
	"And you're not on it."
                          
	Anger swept through her. "Why are you telling me this? I have to go."
                          
	"No, wait!" he grabbed her hand, and she stopped in her tracks. "You're not on the list because you're more than all of the girls on there. I like you, Grace. More than you know. You're not on the list because you're not a backup. You're the one I care for."
                          
	"Keep going."
                          
	He chuckled. "Grace, I think you're beautiful and talented. I want to be with you. And if you want to be with me, then who's holding us apart?"
                          
	"Nobody, I suppose."
                          
	"Then it's elementary, my dear Watson. Elementary."
                          
	And they kissed beneath the dim lights of the stage, and it was that indeed- elementary.