Edit — Sept. 4, 2022: This chapter was written in 2014. Lou the Beagle was based off of my dog Lou, a wire-haired dachshund-beagle mix. He passed away yesterday morning at almost 14 years old.

I don't know exactly why I'm announcing this on a fanfic chapter I wrote when I was in seventh grade (I'll be turning 21 in less than two weeks), but all I have to say is this: love your pet now. Treat every day like it's going to be their last, because one day they'll be gone.

That's all. Thank you for reading.

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The next morning, they were in Dartmoor. Sherlock had rented a jeep and was driving them to the moor so they could get a lay of the land. John was sitting in the passenger's seat and Alex was sitting in the back. When they got to their destination, Sherlock climped up on one of the rocks, Alex beside him. She had her sketchbook and was sketching away furiously. She was sitting while Sherlock was standing. She had him included in the picture.

"There's Baskerville." John pointed to a large building. "And that's Grimpen Village so that must be Dewar's Hollow.

"What's that?" Sherlock pointed a fenced off portion of land.

"Maybe a minefield. Techinacally Baskerville's an army base, so I guess they've always been keen to keep people out." John said.

"Clearly." Sherlock said. He looked at Alex's sketchbook. "That's good."

"Thanks." She said.

They drove to the town where they would be staying after that. There was a large tour group. Sherlock ignored them and turned up his coat collar. Alex gave him a look and he shrugged at her.

"It's cold." He said.

"I'm in a T-shirt and I'm fine." Alex said.

Sherlock ignored her. They checked in to their hotel. Alex and Sherlock were sharing a room and John was on his own. As much as Alex loved her brother, she didn't like being woken up when he had nightmares. John had settled for the arrangment after Alex had told him they would be in two seperate beds. Sherlock was walking in and out of the small pub of the hotel lobby, almost like a cat. Alex followed him wherever he went. John was starting to wonder if either of them felt anything for each other.

"Sorry we couldn't do a double room for you boys." One of the men who worked there said, handing John his room key.

"That's fine, we're not-" John started. He then stopped and sighed, realizing he couldn't change people's minds. He handed the man the money needed to pay. "Here you go."

"I'll go get your change." The man smiled. He arrived a minute later. "There you go."

"I couldn't help noticing on the map of the moor, a skull and crossbones?" John said.

"Oh, that." The man said.

"Pirates?" John chuckled.

"Oh no, the Great Grimpen Minefield they call it." The man said.

"Oh, right?" John asked.

"It's not what you think." The man said. "It's the Baskerville testing site. It's been going for 80 odd years. I'm not sure anyone really knows what's there anymore.:

"Explosives?" John suggested.

"Not just explosives. Break into that place and if you're lucky, you just get blowed up, so they say. In case you were planning a nice, wee stroll." The man said.

"Ah, I'll remember." John chuckled.

"Aye, it buggers up tourism a bit. So thank God for the demon hound." The man laughed. "Did you see that show, the documentary?"

"Uh, quite recently, yeah." John nodded.

"God bless Henry Knight and his monster from hell." The man said. Sherlock looked up. He was at the door again, Alex on his heels.

"You ever seen it, the hound?" John asked.

"Me? No." The man shook his head. "Fletcher has. He runs the walks, the monster walks for the tourists, you know. He's seen it."

"That's handy. For trade." John said.

Sherlock followed Fletcher outside. Alex followed him. Fletcher sat down at a table outside and Sherlock walked up casually.

"Mind if we join you?" He asked, gesturing to himself and Alex. Fletcher shrugged.

Sherlock and Alex sat down. Sherlock turned to Fletcher after making sure no one else was around.

"It's not true is it? You haven't actually seen this hound thing?" Sherlock asked.

"You from the papers?" Fletcher asked.

"No, nothing like that. Just curious." Sherlock said.

"Have you seen it?" Alex asked.

"Maybe." Fletcher shrugged.

"Got any proof?" Sherlock asked.

"Why would I tell you two if I did?" Fletcher said. "Excuse me."

He started to get up to leave. Sherlock turned to Alex and sighed.

"Bet's off, Alex, sorry." He said.

"What?" Alex asked. Sherlock gave her a look and caught on. "Oh, yeah, I forgot for a minute there."

"What bet?" Fletcher asked.

"Oh, I bet Alex here 50 quid you couldn't prove you'd seen the hound." Sherlock said.

"Yeah, the guys in the pub said you could." Alex said.

"Well, you're gonna lose your money, mate." Fletcher grinned.

"Yeah?" Sherlock said.

"Yeah." Fletcher nodded. "I seen it only about a month ago up at the hollow. It was foggy, mind, and I couldn't make much out."

"I see. No witnesses, I suppose." Sherlock said.

"No, but-" Fletcher started.

"Never are." Sherlock said.

"Wait, there." Fletcher said. He showed Sherlock a picture on his phone. "There."

"Is that it?" Sherlock scoffed. "Not exactly proof, is it? Sorry, Alex, I win."

"Wait, wait, that's not all." Fletcher said. "People don't like going up there, you know, to the hollow. Gives them a bad sort of feeling."

"Oh, is it haunted?" Sherlock said. "Is that supposed to convince me?"

"No, don't be stupid, nothing like that." Fletcher said. "But I rekon there is something out there. Something from Baskerville escaped."

"A clone? Super dog?" Sherlock suggested.

"Maybe. God knows what they've been spraying on us all these years or putting in the water." Fletcher said. "I wouldn't trust them as far as I could spit."

"Is that the best you've got?" Alex asked.

"I had a mate once who worked for the MOD. One weekend we were meant to go fishing but he never showed up, not till late. When he did, he was white as a sheet. I can see him now." Fletcher said. " 'I've seen things today, Fletcher,' he said. 'Nothing I ever want to see again, terrible things.' He'd been sent to some secret army place. Porton Down, maybe. Maybe Baskerville or somewhere else. In the labs there, really secret labs, he said he'd seen terrible things. Rats as big as dogs, he said. And dogs as big as horses."

He pulled out a fossiled paw print. It was huge. Almost as big as a lion's, but you could tell it was a dog's paw because of the claws. Alex smirked at Sherlock.

"Hand it over." She said.

Sherlock took out his wallet and handed over 50 quid to Alex. She put it in her pocket. Sherlock got up and left. Alex followed him. It was midafternoon, so they decided not to go to Baskerville till the next morning. Later that night, Alex was exhausted. She, Sherlock, and John had been exploring the moor for most of the day. John gave them both a warning look as he entered his room, which was right next to their's. Alex sighed and rolled her eyes at John. She and Sherlock entered their room.

"Goodnight, Sherlock." She said.

"What do you mean, goodnight?" Sherlock asked. "We've only just gotten into the room."

"I'm so tired." Alex said.

"Come on! Let's rent a movie!" Sherlock whined.

"I'm just gonna fall asleep in the middle of it." Alex said.

"Please?" Sherlock said.

"Fine." Alex sighed.

They settled on Old Yeller. Alex had her head resting on Sherlock's shoulder. As she predicted, Alex fell asleep in the middle of the movie. Sherlock noticed and turned the TV off. He put Alex in her bed. He pulled the blankets around her and turned off the lights. Alex woke up for a moment.

"Sherlock? You awake?" She whispered.

"Yeah." Sherlock whispered back. "Why are we whispering?"

"I don't know." Alex said. "How are we going to get into Baskerville?"

"I have Mycroft's I.D." Sherlock said. "John's going to be a captain and you're going to be the girl who always follows Mycroft around. I think her name is Anthea."

"Oh." Alex said.

"Go to sleep. We have a long day ahead of us and I want you to be well rested." Sherlock said. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight." Alex said.

When Alex woke up, it was dawn. Sherlock had been shaking her. Alex groaned and pulled the covers over her head. Sherlock lifted them up and chuckled.

"Come on, Alex. We have to go." He said.

"Sherlock, it's dawn." Alex groaned.

"Get dressed." Sherlock said.

Alex rolled out of her bed. Literally. She crashed onto the floor and started rolling around and complaining.

"Ugh! Uuuuggghhhh! This is the worst, you're the worst!" She said, pointing at Sherlock.

"Just put your clothes on." Sherlock said, throwing a pile of clothes at Alex.

Alex trudged into the bathroom and got dressed. She came out of the room and saw Sherlock laying on his bed, reading a book. She flopped down on top of him. Sherlock pushed her off.

"Alex, stop it." He said firmly.

"So...tired..." Alex said.

"I know, I know." Sherlock sighed. "Come on. We're going to get John."

"Carry me." Alex said.

"Seriously?" Sherlock raised his eyebrows.

"Mmhm." Alex nodded.

Sherlock sighed and rolled his eyes, picking Alex up. He walked next door to John's room. John gaped at Sherlock when he saw him carrying Alex.

"John, it isn't what it looks like." Alex said. "I'm just really tired so I'm forcing Sherlock to carry me."

"Let's just go." John said.

Sherlock had a little harder time getting down the stairs since he was carrying Alex. He managed, though. When they got to the jeep they had rented, Alex squirmed out of his arms.

"I call shotgun!" She yelled.

"Dangit!" John said.

Alex climbed into the front seat next to Sherlock. They drove for about 30 minutes before arriving at Baskerville. There were gaurds everywhere. They were dressed from head to toe in camo outfits. There were even gaurd dogs. There were also a lot of keep out signs and all the gaurds were carrying guns. Sherlock parked at the gates.

"Pass, please." One of the gaurds said. Sherlock handed him Mycroft's I.D. "Thank you."

"Oh, you got an I.D. for Baskerville? How?" John asked, leaning forward.

"Not specific to this place. It's my brother's." Sherlock said. "Access to all areas. I, um...aquired it ages ago, just in case."

"Brilliant." John said.

"What's the matter?" Sherlock asked.

"We'll get caught." John said.

"No, we won't." Sherlock said. "Well, just not yet."

"Caught in five minutes." John said.

"Oh, hi, we're just going to have a wander around your top secret weapon's base. Really? Great, come in! Kettle's just boiling." Alex said sarcastically.

"That's if we don't get shot." John said.

"Thanks very much." The gaurd said, handing Sherlock's I.D. back to him.

"Thank you." Sherlock said, smiling.

"Straight through, sir." The gaurd said.

"Mycrof't's name literally opens doors." John said.

"I told you, he practically is the British Government." Sherlock said. "I rekon we've got about 20 more minutes before they realize something's wrong."

Sherlock parked the jeep outside of a compound. They all got out of the car. A guard nodded at them and escorted them. He walked them to a large building.

"What is it? Are we in trouble?" A young man asked, getting out a car.

"Are we in trouble, sir." Sherlock corrected.

"Yes, sir, sorry, sir." The man said, saluting.

"You were expecting us? Sherlock questioned.

"Your I.D. showed up straight away, Mr. Holmes. Corpral Lyons, security." The man said. "Is there something wrong sir?"

"Well, I hope not, Corpral, I hope not." Sherlock said.

"It's just, we don't get inspected sir, it just doesn't happen." Lyons said.

"Ever heard of a spot check?" John asked. Lyons looked him over. John showed him his I.D. "Captian John Watson, Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers."

"Sir." Lyons saluted and John saluted back. Lyons looked to Alex. "Sorry to inquire, miss, but what's your name?"

"Anthea Dells." Alex lied. She had managed to get a fake I.D. online that morning. She took it out and showed it to Lyons. "I'm a body gaurd."

"Major Barrymore won't be pleased, sir. He'll want to see you all." Lyons said to Sherlock.

"I'm afraid we won't have time for that. We'll need a full tour, right away." Alex said. Lyons gave her a look.

"That's an order, Corpral." John stepped forward.

"Yes, sir." Lyons said.

He showed them inside the building. John and Alex walked on both of Sherlock's sides. He looked to Alex.

"Nice touch." He whispered. "You too, John."

"I haven't pulled that rank in awhile." John said.

"Enjoy it?" Sherlock asked.

"Oh, yeah." John nodded.

They got inside an elevator that would take them to level -1, which Sherlock found a bit odd. Level -1 was a testing lab for animals. A monkey leapt at Sherlock. Alex and Sherlock jumped.

"Holy freaking crap!" Alex shouted.

"How many animals do you keep down here?" Sherlock asked.

"Lots, sir." Lyons said.

"Any ever escape?" Sherlock asked.

"They'd have to know how to use that lift, sir." Lyons joked. "We're not breeding them that clever."

"Unless they have help." Sherlock said.

Alex bent down to pet a beagle that had passed her. It licked her hand. This broke her heart. Alex notice another cage that was unlocked. There was another beagle in there. This one was younger, a puppy. Alex made sure no one saw her as she slipped the puppy into her coat. She caught up to Sherlock and John. They were talking to a doctor.

"And you are?" He asked.

"Sorry, Dr. Frankland." Lyons said. "I'm just showing these gentlemen around."

"Ah, new faces, how nice." Dr. Frankland said. "Careful you don't get stuck here, though, I only came to fix the tap."

"How far down does that lift go?" John asked.

"Quite a ways, sir." Lyons said.

"And what's down there?" John asked. The puppy whimpered and Alex caughed to cover it up.

"Well, we have to keep the bins somewhere, sir." Lyons said. "This way, gentlemen and miss."

Sherlock paused to take everything in. Alex was already following John.

"So, what exactly is it that you do here?" She asked.

"I thought you'd know, ma'am, this being an inspection." Lyons said.

"Well, I'm not an expert am I?" Alex asked.

"Everything from stem research to trying to cure the common cold, ma'am." Lyons said.

"But mostly weaponry?" John asked.

"Or one sort or another, but yes." Lyons nodded.

"Biological, chemical?" Alex said.

"One war ends, another begins, ma'am." Lyons said. "New enemies to fight. We have to be prepared. Dr. Stapleton!"

"Stapleton?" Sherlock said.

"Yes, who's this?" Dr. Stapleton asked.

"Priority ultra, ma'am. Orders from on high." Lyons said. "An inspection."

"Really?" Dr. Stapleton said.

The puppy was starting to squirm in Alex's jacket. She held it to her chest tightly, looking like she was just crossing her arms.

"We're to be accorded every courtersy, Dr. Stapleton." Sherlock said. "What's your role at Baskerville?"

"I'm not really free to say." Dr. Stapleton said. "Official secrets."

"You most certainly are free." Sherlock smiled. "And I suggest you remain that way."

"I have a lot of fingers in a lot of pies. I like to mix things up." Dr. Stapleton said. "Genes, mostly. Now and again, actual fingers."

"Stapleton, I knew I knew your name." Sherlock said.

"Doubt it." Dr. Stapleton said.

"People say there's a such thing as a coincidence, what dull lives they must lead." Sherlock said. He held up a pad that read, 'Bluebell.'

"Have you been talking to my daughter?" Dr. Stapleston breathed.

"Why did Bluebell have to die, Dr. Stapleton?" Sherlock asked.

"The rabbit?" Alex asked.

"Disappeared from inside a locked hutch which is always suggestive." Sherlock said.

"The rabbit?" John asked, just picking up on the fact.

"Clearly an inside job." Sherlock said.

"Oh, you rekon?" Dr. Stapleton said.

"Why? Because it glowed in the dark." Sherlock said.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Dr. Stapleton said. "Who are you?"

"Well, I think we've seen enought now, Corpral. That's enough." Sherlock said, checking his watch.

"That's it?" Lyons asked.

"That's it. It's this way, isn't it?" Sherlock said, walking out. Alex and John followed.

"Did we just break into a military base to investigate a rabbit?" Alex asked.

As they walked out, Sherlock got a text from Mycroft. Alex was fighting a grin. She was so close to rescuing the puppy. The elevator door opened. Dr. Frankland was inside of it.

"Oh, hello. Again!" He said.

They got in the lift with him. When the doors opened, a tall man with a short sleeved camo shirt was standing outside it. Alex and Sherlock gave each other a look.

"Ah, Major." Lyons said.

"This is bloody outrageous!" Major Barrymore said. "Why wasn't I told?"

"Major Barrymore, is it? Good, very good." John nodded. "We're very impressed, aren't we Mr. Holmes?"

"Deeply, hugely." Alex nodded, following Sherlock.

"The whole point of Baskerville was to eliminate this kind of bureaucratic nonsense-" Barrymore started.

"I'm so sorry, Major." Sherlock said.

"Inspections?" Barrymore said.

"New policy, can't remain unmonitored forever. Goodness knows what you'd get up to." Sherlock said. "Keep walking."

"Sir!" Lyons said. He pressed the alarm. It started blaring. Alex managed to keep the puppy quiet. "I.D. unauthorized, sir."

"What?" John said.

"I've just had the call." Lyons said.

"Is that right?" Barrymore said. "Who are you?"

"Look, there's obviously been some kind of mistake." Alex said. Sherlock handed Barrymore his I.D.

"You're clearly not Mycroft Holmes." He said, looking at the picture.

"Computer error, Major." John said. "It will have to go on the report."

"What the hell's going on?" Barrymore asked.

"It's alright, Major, I know exactly who these gentlemen are." Dr. Franklan said.

"You do?" Barrymore asked.

"Yeah, I'm getting a little slow on faces, but Mr. Holmes here isn't someone I expected to show up in these parts." Dr. Frankland said. "Good to see you, Mycroft! I had the honor of meeting Mr. Holmes at the W.H.O. conference in Brussles, was it?"

"Vienna." Sherlock said.

"Vienna, that's it!" Frankland said. "This is Mr. Mycroft Holmes, Major, there's obviously been a mistake!"

"On your head be it, Dr. Frankland." Barrymore said. He nodded at Lyons, who switched the alarm off.

Dr. Frankland showed them out. Alex still couldn't risk taking the puppy out of her coat until they got back to the jeep. Sherlock turned to Dr. Frankland.

"Thank you." He said.

"This is about Henry Knight, isn't it?" Dr. Frankland said. "I thought so! I knew he wanted help, but who realized he was going to contact Sherlock Holmes? Don't worry, I know who you really are, I'm never off your website! I love the blog too, Dr. Watson."

"Oh, cheers!" John said.

"You know Henry Knight?" Sherlock asked.

"I knew his dad better. He had all sorts of mad theories about this place." Dr. Frankland said. "Still, he was a good friend."

"I never asked, Dr. Frankland, what is it exactly that you do here?" Sherlock asked.

"Mr. Holmes, I would love to tell you, but then I'd have to kill you." Dr. Frankand said. He walked away after that.

The trio walked back to the jeep. Sherlock turned his coat collar up. Alex rolled her eyes and sighed at him.

"Can we please not do this this time?" She asked.

"Do what?" Sherlock asked.

"You, being all mysterious with your cheekbones and turning up your coat collar so you look cool." Alex said.

"I don't do that!" Sherlock said.

"Yeah ya do!" Alex said.

They got back to their hotel and Alex rushed up to the room. She let the puppy out of her coat. It ran around the room, happy to be out of Alex's coat. Alex laughed. Sherlock entered the room. He gaped at the puppy running around the hotel room.

"Where'd you get him?" He asked.

"I took him from Baskerville." Alex said. Sherlock gave her a look. "Sherlock, he's a puppy! I couldn't just leave him there to suffer!"

"They're going to notice he's gone." Sherlock said.

"I don't care." Alex said. "What should we call him?"

"We?" Sherlock said.

"He's your dog now too." Alex said.

"He is kind of cute." Sherlock said, getting down on his knees. "How about...Lou?"

"Lou. That's cute." Alex said. "Alright. Lou it is."

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Benedict Cumberbatch got engaged, guys! I'm so happy for him! *forced smile* No, seriously, I'm happy for him and Sophie! I know I've said this before, but I wish them a very long and happy marraige!