*happy sigh of being in fic receipt* Oh, thank you, mate, 's wonderful.

Love the characterisation of Mr Chatterjee and the beginnings of his ill-fated romance with Mrs Hudson. The not-at-all meaning to hurt, but never stopping to think of the consequences. Love all the casual mentions of previous ill-fated romances. No malice and no sense. And equally like Mrs Hudson's ramblings on the subject of Sherlock - and giggled for the Shylock, incidentally. Could hear every word, especially the cryptic "You should see what I have to put up with in the refrigerator"

And the conversation between Mycroft and Sherlock is, as always, a joy. Don't think that the conversation with the Home Secretary was one that Mycroft particularly minded being interrupted. In fact, wonder if he timed it for when he could expect his brother to storm in deliberately. Citizens rights does not strike me as topic that Mycroft has any interest in. Oh, and have to wonder, if Sherlock spotted the bug in the wreath so easily, where else might Mycroft have hidden bugs he hasn't noticed? Since that one may well have been decoy.

And really love the "I don't want to have to explain to our parents the circumstances of your death" and the "Especially if I have to lie about details. You know lying brings me out in a rash." Both lines are incredibly Mycroft, and have generally suspected that they both tell a lot of lies to their parents.

And am smiling for the suggestion of flatmate. (There was a word I wanted there. Means something like foreshadowing. Can't find it. Have been thinking and can't find it. Am therefore cross.) Hobby or flatmate...which does John actually count as?

Anyway, this is wonderful fic and enjoyed it very much. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Much joy for this fic being updated. You are now over a quarter of the way through the alphabet. Have you figured out what you're doing with 'X' yet? Because 'X-ray' 'Xenomorph'? 'Xenophilia'? They all seem unlikely.

Sigh for the implication that John's nightmares are quite so frequent. Imagine they were even more so before Sherlock came back. And sigh too for the fact that Mary has learned to be so still and silent in the face of her nightmares. All too controlled.

Like the way that John is determined to protect her. And of course, we know that that doesn't stop once he knows that she's perfectly able to defend herself. It's got nothing to do with Mary being a woman or - as far as he knows - a civilian, and everything to do with who John is. He's a protector by nature.

And like the flashback of John being taught to shoot. And always wondered about that, because think that by taking part in combat he loses his protected status under the Geneva convention, doesn't he? Though suppose with who John *is* that wouldn't really bother him. Might just bother the other doctors and medics around him though.

And Mary's point of view, and wonder if she knows about John's gun. Well, imagine she does, but I wonder if he told her about it? I think he probably did but he probably never told her how easy he found using it.

Like the fact that John wants to protect Mary from danger, but Mary just wants to protect John from pain. She's already aware who he is, and that he thrives in danger. And you know, makes perfect sense that she would have assumed when John went missing that it might be to do with her. But I never thought of it.

And love the echo at the end with the barely pened eyes and the acknowledgment that it's early. Just another similarity between the way they think, like the drive to protect and the lack of guilt at doing what's necessary.. I like the fact that they're clearly even better suited together than they realise.

Thank you for sharing, mate, I enjoyed this. And what is 'H'...?

oooh! lemon cookie... no wait, oatmeal-cherry-walnut, or midnight-mint! or... another-story!

:) thanks and best, as always, LO

Thank you for my present, mate. I adore it, as you already know. Do like Mrs Hudson and think you've captured her just perfectly there. And love the idea of the meeting story and explaining the "I ensured it." And right from the beginning can see the nervousness and apprehension, and really, don't think she's that confident even before she sees him. Oh, and love the fact that it is Ida from the first chapter here who you've already established as Mrs Hudson's friend. Logical and interconnected and just *clever*.

Like all the clues that are laid to explain his deductions. The mistake with the maiden name to explain why he knows she's an old school friend, the playing with the wedding ring, the stepping back and just the exhaustion and the nervousness for the rest. And like her reaction to it all. Because after initial surprise she just accepts it and thinks of it as 'cleverness' which is very her. Because really, she seems to accept all sorts of weirdness as normal, doesn't she? Imagine - like you suggest - that she's seen much worse and since she's always convinced that there's no malice in Sherlock and that he's in the right, everything else can just be fondly overlooked.

And her story is very ow, even with the slight smile for the "artiste" that the memory of the dancing videos gives. Glad that she is out of it and that Sherlock can help her. And amusement for her leaving while he's still on the phone because I think that's what makes him really decide to take the case and give it his full attention. The fact that she obviously doesn't think he can do it. Certain amount of pride and proving her wrong, maybe? Plus a bet with Mycroft which is always going to be a factor.

Further amusement for the herbal soother. Oh, all the little references are so *clever*. And like him coming back with cookies which we know *he* thinks highly of, even if Mrs Hudson is less impressed, and like even more the flat upstairs with the occupant she wants rid of and already the possibility is there. And when she decides to trust him and he delivers, it's almost a certainty. (And wondering just how much he *does* get off the rent?)

Smiling for it all being sorted. Can picture the quiet relief. And amusement for Mycroft, who never seems to quite know what to do with Mrs Hudson, being in the kitchen and giggling for the alligator. Am thinking the alligators may have started off as loose ends - because if you're running a murderous drug cartel in Florida, alligators are excellent for disposing of bodies - and then just turned into a sort of hobby.

Thank you again for fic. And what *is* g?

And I like this one too. Just in case there was any doubt. Is nice to see characters don't expect to see, and I smiled so much when I realised who they were and what was going on. And title is very apt. Like the whole Victor Hugo thing. And can't help but wonder if when Mycroft took them to Les Mis he also had to deal with them complaining about all bits that were cut out in the adaptation.

Like the picture of William we get here. Quiet and observational (is that even a word? Observy? Observing? Ugh.) and can imagine him as the calm centre no matter what goes on in his household. And like the people watching and the way it isn't as intense as Sherlock would, and it's also extremely non judgemental, which is nice. And like the way both the light bulb moment that can't be explained, and the bluntness are passed on to the children, of course.

Also like Margaret/Esmerelda brandishing the celery at the PR girls. Makes me giggle. And amusement for the honestly and the straightforwardness, and it is a refreshing trait. Can see the reason for the intrigue. And of course, on the otherside, she is intrigued when he realises immediately that she is the one who likes Victor Hugo, as well as the way he just goes along with her. Something different for both of them.

Smiling for the sincerely impressed at the sight of the books, and sigh for the shoulder slumping and the assumption that he's not going to be interested. And can't help but think that there's probably reasons why she uses her initials instead of her name. But do like the fact that he calls her Esmerelda, and like them leaving early early. Hope they have fun.

Looking back at this review, basically, I like fic. And what *is* f?

Happy sigh of fic. Do like this one, cos like Molly. And like the idea of her being a surgeon, though does kind of lead you to wonder just how long she's taking on her doctorate. Not as much as I'm wondering just what happened on her one night as a barmaid, btw. And like the backstory with her Dad. Can see the drive to succeed and do the right thing and do right by people. All very much what we see in the series and perfectly believable.

Like the fact she met him on her first day, because it automatically puts him as just part of her world, and she's more vulnerable to being so impressed. And like all the first day nerves and introductions and confusion. And can see Pilkington and Bellamy very clearly. Have spoken to similar doctors at work many times. And can easily imagine the disappointment in how it's going. Not at all what she'd probably been imagining. And like I said, like that it's Mike Stamford. Ties everything together, and it's very apt that he makes introductions. His role in life.

Amusement for the lack of healthy stuff in the hospital vending machine btw. Yes...there never is.

Sigh for the bolt from the blue and the most handsome man she's ever seen. (And no offence to Mr Cumberbatch, but *do* feel she should get out more.) And much amusement for the abrupt "Eyeballs" and even more for the "They don't have to match." Well, not all six of them. That would probably be tricky... And of course first names aren't important, and sigh because can easily imagine how much she makes of the fact that he uses hers. Oh, Molly.

And is very her to be so easily pressed into giving body parts to someone with the stamp of authority. Is good thing that Sherlock really did have some sort of permission to take them.

And really, Mike has unfortunate timing in some regards. Because if she had done something stupid like asking him out, despite the monumental embarrassment, she would have got a definitive and unambiguous answer - like John did - and maybe she wouldn't have been left pining for so long. But as it is, she has the fascination, and the exotic revelation of his job, and of course she wants to know more.

Is fantastic character piece. Thank you, mate.

Like this one as well. It's interesting to see Mary's pov of things. And I particularly like the explanation for her having her past on USB, which let's face it, was a little odd and possibly more of a security risk than Magnussen.

Do like the idea of the little cinema playing old films, and the date night. Very nice and like the idea that they both enjoy playing normal. And sigh for all the films with significance. So many things to avoid watching. Can't imagine that John does well with war films, or suicide either. Also, leather catsuit is impractical to the extreme...though think it might just be what John is thinking of when he says she'd make a good Black Widow. And he would be Bruce Banner. Could see that.

Sigh for the fact that she immediately understands what the fond little sad smile means. Knows him so well, they really are perfect together. And yes, of course he'd be Tony Stark, except with less motor oil in his hair...and different facial hair.

Also sigh for how much John misses Sherlock at this point. Even with Mary in his life, the world is all a little less bright.

So happy to see this updated...now, what's 'D'?

Lovely.

And liked this one too. Like Billy, actually. Hope they bring him back in next series. Not as regular feature, maybe, but would certainly like a cameo.

Actually, I'm impressed that Billy accepted this on the second telling. I think something that out there would probably need explained to me at least four times. But then I'm not as laid-back as Billy. Possibly no one is. :)

Wouldn't imagine it would bother him normally. In fact, I can't imagine it's the first time he's administered powerful chemicals to his family. Imagine he did it the first time he wanted to get out of helping with dinner.

Still amused for the "Mycroft-exerciseChristmas food" equation. Makes me giggle every time.

And on the otherside, the sing song Moriarty voice makes me shudder everytime. Oh, can *hear* it. And of course he already has a good idea of how this is going to end up.

Like Billy asking if this is a reward. Ridiculous thing to be a reward, but imagine being trusted and given responsibility is largely a new and positive experience for him. And of course Sherlock doesn't really understand the question because those aren't the terms he thinks in. He's asking Billy to do this because Billy can and would do this, and that's the only factor that has to be considered.

And do love the Billy perspective at the end. So laid-back, and like the fact that he just stands and makes a cup of tea. Imagine there's going to be a *lot* of shouting. Also smiling for the pride at Sherlock saying "Well done, Billy." Sherlock does have odd way of inspiring loyalty, doesn't he?

Is fantastic fic, mate. And you've managed to keep in alphabetical order for two chapters...how long can you keep it up? Do you already have Q planned out? Or V? But first...what *is* C?

Much joy for fic and new fandom. Oh, this is *wonderful*, mate. Was so happy when you shared this. You've caught Sherlock's voice brilliantly.

Was immediately intrigued by the armadillo. And remain intrigued by the armadillo. Mostly because why is it there? And somehow I very much doubt armadillo was the original plan of distraction. Imagine that they got to the hotel, saw the armadillo and got giddy.

Also, much joy for the inner John voice, and the differing opinion on acceptable radius. Have to think, if he already plays the arguments in his head before John gets there, no wonder he's always bored.

And love the casual easy deductions. Also, feel he should warn measles guy. Measles is Serious Business.

Sigh for the description of Danny. Charismatic, confident, successful, empathic, people person. Him to a T. And much, much sigh for the deep joy "expressed only in the way the man's eyes shone brighter and the slight crook to his lips." Oh, can *see* it. You can really set a scene.

And further smiling for the "friendsloversbrothers" question that's never quite answered and isn't so important *anyway* Quite right too. (Sidenote, I wonder if they noticed him noticing them. Surely they would.)

Also smiling for Sherlocksulk at the cookies being shared. Think Rusty is probably a special customer everywhere.

Of course he gets it in the end. And amused for him knowing of Roman. He would, I suppose. And suddenly imagine the armadillo makes more sense as a distraction.

Much, much joy for the ending with the...joy. *giggling* Love the echo back to the description of Danny. Same kind of love. *happy sigh*

Also, I identified them. And would prefer peanut butter chocolate chip virtual cookies. *nods vigorously*

I NEARLY SHOUTED WITH JOY when I realised who they were - and the pink milkshake strikes again! - and the last line mirroring Danny's reaction to Rusty - OH! so perfect! Any chance of my favourite duo showing up again at some point in this story?