Hello again! Sorry for the mega-delay in posting this part of the Q&A!

My weekend has been busier than expected, what with prepping for Christmas and whatnot - are you all excited? 😄

So, as for this Q&A, it's layout is in that of a script and the characters present are on a panel. If that sounds a lil confusing, then I promise it will make more sense as you read on! 😊

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(ELIZABETH, SHERLOCK, JOHN, GREG and MYCROFT take their seats on a small stage. The room is dark, possibly deceivingly more so when spotlights are aimed at each of them. No one is in the audience - C19 has rendered them unable to leave their homes, and only able to use technology to merely read this Q&A.)

(A tannoy announcement introduces the speakers and their questions.)

Questions from mixxagonal -

Q) For Elizabeth: Did your physical appearance look any different when you were younger than it does now?

ELIZABETH: I am unafraid to admit that I went through a 'Goth' phase when I was in my mid-teens. Dyed my hair black with temp dye, bought (totally didn't steal) a fake nose piercing and wore a LOT of black clothes. Thought I looked quite cool, personally, but Jim didn't let me live it down until I was twenty, said I always acted edgy the whole time.

(ELIZABETH smiles. SHERLOCK blinks, unsure of how to picture her like this. MYCROFT looks indifferent, GREG is intrigued and JOHN is shook.)

JOHN: Goth? Really?

(ELIZABETH nods, still smiling.)

ELIZABETH: Yep!

Q) For Sheryl: Do you truly, TRULY, believe in love with your whole (robotic) heart?

(SHERLOCK doesn't respond. EVERYONE ELSE looks at him expectantly. ELIZABETH nudges him.)

ELIZABETH (whispering): She's asking you.

SHERLOCK: She said 'Sheryl'.

ELIZABETH: Yes, and you are Sheryl, Sheryl.

(SHERLOCK frowns at this but proceeds to answer the question.)

SHERLOCK: It's not a matter of my own heart on whether I believe it exists or not. Science has proven that love is a natural chemical reaction and process. In fact the research behind it is incredibly fascinating. There are three stages, the first being lust, where your testosterone levels run high and you get that deep, deep feeling of desire or the overwhelming sensation of physically craving someone...

(ELIZABETH nods, kinda liking this description, getting a little lost in his voice. GREG and JOHN both look at each other, wondering if he really did go away and research this at some point. MYCROFT rolls his eyes, wondering how drawn out this will be.)

SHERLOCK (cont.): Only the second stage is attraction (in the romantic sense as opposed to the former) in which chemicals like dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin render you incapable of thinking about anything other than them. You begin to crave their presence. Finally -

(JOHN, noticing the time, clears his throat. SHERLOCK shuts his mouth and looks at JOHN, questioning the interruption.)

JOHN: Alright, Science Journal, we still have more questions to get through...

Q) For Myc: What's one thing you take for granted?

MYCROFT: Firstly, the name is Mycroft. If you could struggle all the way to the end, as my mother also fails to do so, then that would be highly preferable.

(MYCROFT straightens out his waistcoat.)

MYCROFT: Secondly, in answer to your question...well...to be quite frank, I believe I've taken my solitude for granted currently. When one let's their guard down, one finds themselves...hurt unfortunately quickly.

(Behind that wonderful, invisible fourth wall to the rest of the fanfic world, RITA gazes at MYCROFT apologetically.)

Q) For Geoff: After your divorce will you try to find love again or do you believe it will come to you in time?

GREG: Um, the name's Greg but uh...you know, I was with the missus for quite some time so, I don't feel ready to put myself back out there again just yet. I think I need some time to myself, to process the fact that this person, who I loved for a long time and thought loved me back, aren't together any more and probably won't be with ever again considering that whole...PE teacher debacle...

(As GREG mentions the PE teacher, he looks at SHERLOCK, out of pure contempt or bittersweet appreciation, we may never decipher.)

GREG: But yeah, I think playing the waiting game is best. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be.

Q) For Elizabeth: What is one of the few best memories you had growing up?

(ELIZABETH smiles as she recalls this memory.)

ELIZABETH: Carnegie Hall, New York, 1995, June 23rd. I was twelve and very into Dusty Springfield but she had no live performances going on at that time. Instead, Jim introduced me to another singer who he thought I would like - by taking me all the way to New York, no less. That night, I discovered Peggy Lee who I idolised next to Dusty after I saw her. Her voice was just so...velvety and smooth, hypnotic and I absolutely adored her. My favourite song from that night was Fever. Didn't really pay attention to the lyrics until I was older but it just had such a groovy beat to it, you couldn't help but bop along to it.

(SHERLOCK, JOHN and GREG notice that she is a little misty-eyed.)

ELIZABETH: I miss nights like that with Jim. He was kind, he loved to make me smile and he just took care of me and we had fun. Afterwards, we got dinner and he gave me a present - being one of Peggy's records...I miss the old Jim.

(ELIZABETH pauses as she looks across at everyone.)

ELIZABETH: But I guess we all have to grow up sometime soon.

Q) For Sheryl: What's one (or a few) thing/s that completely overwhelms you?

(SHERLOCK frowns at the nickname but absorbs the question nevertheless.)

SHERLOCK: Elizabeth.

(ELIZABETH blushes. MYCROFT rolls his eyes, internally retching at their romance.)

MYCROFT: I believe she meant in a negative way.

GREG: Well, hang on now, we don't really know - 

(All the same, out of spite towards his brother, SHERLOCK answers.)

SHERLOCK: What negatively overwhelms me is when my brother is an incessant irritating presence that won't cease irking me.

(MYCROFT give his forced smile in reply.)

MYCROFT: All in the intonation, brother mine.

(SHERLOCK looks about ready to attack MYCROFT. Both JOHN and ELIZABETH are ready to jump up and hold him back if that does happen.)

Q) For Myc: When did you come to the realisation that 'love' was never meant to be handled?

MYCROFT: Mycroft. Us humans are dear little creatures, ninety-nine percent of which believe they require a significant other to depend on and thrive with. Without the ninety-nine percent, there would be very little human race after all. But the one percent is where I prosper and where I have always prospered ever since I was of an age to potentially care about the prospect of partners. In my life, I simply see little point in love. I mean, what use is it to me really? Why should I care to handle it?

(Behind that depressing, transparent fourth wall, RITA looks at MYCROFT, longingly, forlorn.)

SHERLOCK (quietly): Because you're lonely...

(MYCROFT glares at SHERLOCK as he finishes responding:)

MYCROFT: All love does is leave you broken in the end, no? 

Q) For Gavin: How many times have you had to defend Sheryl from the Superintendent because he was doing your job?

GREG: It's Greg. Too - and pardon my French - 'effin' many to count! Honestly, I'm surprised they haven't had my badge by now. Can't deny his intelligence though. Pity he's not on the force officially - crimes would be solved in three-quarters of the time if he were. And don't let that go to your head, Sherlock! 

(But SHERLOCK is already sat there with a subtle, smug smile on his face. Yep, that one's definitely already gone to his head.)

GREG: But, you know, may also be a saving grace that he ain't because I'm not sure how long it would be until someone wanted to punch his bloody lights out.

JOHN: Already covered that, Greg. Before we met Irene Adler, in fact.

Questions from MESparks -

Q) For Sherlock and Elizabeth: What is your favourite Christmas song?

ELIZABETH: I've always been fond of Santa Baby - it's sexy and Christmas-y and hilarious to sing-along to for Christmas karaoke.

(ELIZABETH looks at SHERLOCK.)

ELIZABETH: What about you?

SHERLOCK: Don't have a favourite. I don't indulge -

ELIZABETH: Don't be a Grinch.

(SHERLOCK sighs.)

SHERLOCK: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas sounds exquisite on the violin.

ELIZABETH (smiling curiously): I'm sure it does.

Q) For Sherlock and Elizabeth: What is your favourite Christmas desert?

SHERLOCK: Gingerbread men.

(ELIZABETH smiles, shaking her head.)

ELIZABETH: Should have guessed. Um, I quite like Yule Log if I'm in the mood for something chocolate-y or Trifle if I'm in more of a fruity mood.

(GREG grimaces.)

GREG: Trifle's vile.

ELIZABETH: No offence, Inspector, but no one asked you... 

Questions from frets20 -

Q) For Elizabeth: Do you want a child? Or children?

(ELIZABETH laughs nervously.)

ELIZABETH: I don't know. I don't know if I would make a good mum. I don't know if I come from the right background to successfully raise another human...

(JOHN and GREG look at ELIZABETH sympathetically. MYCROFT remains indifferent although mildly concerned that he could be an Uncle whereas SHERLOCK is notably unsure of what to make of this.) 

Q) For Elizabeth: What was the worst thing in your life?

ELIZABETH: Besides the first few years of my life with an abusive step-dad?

(ELIZABETH pauses, contemplating this.)

ELIZABETH: Besides that, three things. One - turning on the man who raised me with kindness and gave me freedom because I finally saw the truth. Two - losing Shaun and three - 

(ELIZABETH looks at SHERLOCK woefully.)

ELIZABETH: Almost losing Sherlock.

SHERLOCK: You didn't though.

ELIZABETH: I almost did though...idiot.

(SHERLOCK offers ELIZABETH a small, apologetic smile.)

Q) For Elizabeth: Are you insecure of your body?

ELIZABETH: Well, I'm not as confident as The Woman, but I wouldn't say that I'm insecure. I'm quite happy with the way I look.

(JOHN chuckles at remembering the first time they met Irene Adler.)

JOHN: Is anyone as confident as The Woman? 

ELIZABETH: There are a lot of Irene's out there actually, John.

(JOHN nods, fair enough.)

Q) For Elizabeth: What is your favourite animal?

ELIZABETH: Cats! All the cats, big cats, small cats, house cats, wild cats - any and every cat! They're adorable, low-maintenance balls of fluffy melodrama and I love them. All of them.

(ELIZABETH looks at SHERLOCK and JOHN with a wide smile on her face.)

JOHN/SHERLOCK: We're not getting a cat!

(ELIZABETH huffs, sliding down in her seat.)

Q) For Elizabeth: What are some things you like or love in other people?

ELIZABETH: Oh, lots of things! Um, how should I answer this, erm...I'll go by person! In Sherlock, I love his intelligence. Irene did say brainy was the new sexy after all.

(ELIZABETH shares a coquettish smile with SHERLOCK who noticeably looks away with a blush. JOHN, GREG and MYCROFT are unsure of what to make of this.)

ELIZABETH: In John, I love that he's a great adviser, kinda like an Agony Aunt - he always knows the right thing to say.

(JOHN looks proud of himself, appreciative of her comment.)

ELIZABETH: In Mycroft, I love how dramatic he can be.

(ELIZABETH and MYCROFT share forced, sarcastic smiles with each other.)

ELIZABETH: Greg is just a hard-worker and that's admirable.

(GREG smiles, warmed by her compliment despite knowing SHERLOCK does most of his hard work, much to his dismay and adamant amazement.)

ELIZABETH: Jim was hilarious, Irene was also clever, Rita was level-headed in stressful situations and Molly is just a lovely person. I hope that answers your question!

Q) For Elizabeth: What helps you fall asleep faster?

ELIZABETH: Cosy warmth, be it from a radiator, fluffy blanket or from a certain person next me.

(ELIZABETH smiles warmly at SHERLOCK.)

Q) For Elizabeth: Do you have a type?

ELIZABETH: I mean, I didn't think so, but looking back at the men that have surrounded me in my life, all have been somewhat...arrogant. Jim's arrogant, Shaun was arrogant, a few of the others were arrogant, Sherlock is...arrogant.

SHERLOCK: Me? Arrogant?

(GREG and JOHN laugh in disbelief. MYCROFT gives his Forced Smile™.)

MYCROFT: So blissfully unaware are the arrogant.

SHERLOCK: Says you! You're the most arrogant of the lot!

(MYCROFT opens his mouth to respond. GREG can see he needs to move the conversation along otherwise there will be a sibling argument.)

GREG (clearing his throat): So why arrogant people, Elizabeth?

ELIZABETH: I don't know. Maybe I make them less so by giving them something else to think about and appreciate.

(ELIZABETH gives SHERLOCK a modest smile. SHERLOCK'S eyebrow quirks thoughtfully. JOHN nods, agreeing.)

Q) For Elizabeth: Who was your first crush?

ELIZABETH: When I was eighteen, Jim introduced me to this other thief, his name was...

(Noticing all the boys' curious gazes, ELIZABETH refrains from saying a name for the purposes of confidentiality.)

ELIZABETH: You know what, his name was none of your business. Long story short, he was five years older than me and already had a partner but he was tall, cute, ginger and a badass.

(SHERLOCK is visibly a little jealous of this.)

ELIZABETH: Don't stress, Sherly, I'm into curls now.

(ELIZABETH winks at SHERLOCK, then grins.)

Q) For Elizabeth: What do you like most in Sherlock?

ELIZABETH (cheekily): That he likes me.

(ELIZABETH laughs.)

ELIZABETH: Kidding. No, I'd say his intelligence like I did before but what I love most is his secret loving, gentler persona that is only presented when there are no strangers in 221B.  

Q) For Elizabeth: What would your perfect life look like?

ELIZABETH: This might be a bit of a boring answer but just...where I am at the moment, the people I'm with. The family I have now feels perfect.

(JOHN smiles warmly at ELIZABETH. SHERLOCK takes ELIZABETH'S hand, squeezing it lovingly.)

JOHN: And you are a perfect addition to our makeshift family.

SHERLOCK: I would be mad not to agree.

Q) For Sherlock: What was the worst thing in your life?

SHERLOCK: When Elizabeth and I broke up because I was too focused on winning and solving Irene's case to see the damage that I had caused. I thought I wouldn't get her back and I thought I had lost the only other person that could see past my machine-like exterior. 

(ELIZABETH just takes SHERLOCK'S hand in hers and smiles softly at him. What matters most is that they are back together again.)

Q) For Sherlock: What do you like most in Elizabeth?

SHERLOCK: What I admire most about Elizabeth is her bravery -

ELIZABETH (interrupting): Brave and stupid are divided by a very fine line -

SHERLOCK: No. I mean it. Some would call what you did, turning your back on the people who raised you and your criminal lifestyle, the only lifestyle you've known, fickle.

(ELIZABETH'S bites her lip as her eyes shine with the painful memory of SHAUN'S last conversation with her.)

SHERLOCK: I acknowledge that your choice was brave. Possibly braver than anything I have ever known anyone to have ever done. You turned your back on the people you once called family - that's not easy - turned your back on them knowing that it could mean certain death or a brutal, unspeakable consequence, turned your back without knowing if it really would give you a clean slate or still end you up in prison but you did it anyway. You did it because you care about others more so than yourself. What you did was brave and selfless and that is admirable. I understand the choice was one of the hardest choices you've had to make and I'm sorry if I've never told you that before.

(ELIZABETH doesn't reply, just smiles appreciatively at SHERLOCK.)

Q) For Sherlock: Are you insecure of your body or anything else?

SHERLOCK: I see no reason to be insecure of my body. Nor can I see any reason to be insecure about anything else.

JOHN: You're insecure about your emotions. Don't like to show them, let alone let them happen to you a lot.

SHERLOCK (protesting): I -

ELIZABETH: Sherlock, John is right. You're getting better but still...there's a lot of room for improvement and it won't happen over night.

(GREG nods.)

GREG: But we do acknowledge that you're...progressing!

MYCROFT: Not that it helps you keep a clear head.

(ELIZABETH, JOHN and GREG all send daggers to MYCROFT for his insensitive statement - they don't want him regressing into his Series 1 machine-like self.)

Q) For Sherlock: What makes your day better (besides murder, obviously)?

SHERLOCK: Elizabeth and John, mainly. If there are no murders, I can always rely on one of them to come up with some form of entertainment - speaking of, when are we -

ELIZABETH/JOHN: NO CLUEDO!

JOHN: Never again.

ELIZABETH: Ever.

SHERLOCK: But -

ELIZABETH/JOHN: THE VICTIM. CANNOT BE. THE MURDERER.

SHERLOCK: It's the only possible solution.

GREG: But that's not in the rules, is it?

MYCROFT (bored): No, it isn't.

(JOHN and ELIZABETH both point at GREG and MYCROFT who have said the correct thing.)

ELIZABETH: There. Even Mycroft knows.

JOHN: It's just not in the rules, Sherlock.

SHERLOCK: Then the rules are wrong.

(EVERYONE despairs.)

Q) For Sherlock: What do you hate most about yourself?

SHERLOCK: Honestly?

JOHN: Of course, honestly, Sherlock. Not a great Q&A if every answer is a lie, is it?

(SHERLOCK shifts in his seat.)

SHERLOCK: I strongly dislike knowing that I am...the most irksome, impolite, ignorant and all around repulsive arsehole that anybody could possibly have the misfortune of knowing.

(ELIZABETH, JOHN, GREG and MYCROFT all look at him with varying degrees of sympathy.)

SHERLOCK: It's a miracle that I haven't pushed more people away and permanently. You all deserve a medal for dealing with a...man-child such as myself. The only thing that redeems me is the warmth and constancy of all of your friendships and relationships to me.

ELIZABETH: None of us will deny that you can be...greatly maddening but a lot of the time, your vices are also the reasons we love you and the reasons we all work so well together. Where you feel you lack in quality, we make up for it by balancing you out. I hope you know that.

(SHERLOCK shares a look with ELIZABETH who smiles softly at him. GREG, JOHN and MYCROFT all nod in agreement.)

Q) For Sherlock: What is the biggest nightmare that could happen to you in real life?

(SHERLOCK looks unsure about answering this question and looks at ELIZABETH, JOHN, MYCROFT and GREG all in turn, other people coming to mind as he does.)

SHERLOCK: Losing those I'm...close to...by fault of my own or...by other means...

(ELIZABETH takes SHERLOCK'S hand in hers, gently, lovingly.)

SHERLOCK: I wouldn't like to lose anyone.

MYCROFT: Would anyone?

(JOHN and GREG glare at MYCROFT for ruining the moment. ELIZABETH and SHERLOCK ignore MYCROFT.)

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Woo! And that's it!

Thank you so much to mixxagonal, MESparks and frets20 for all the diverse and intriguing character questions (John is a lil sad he didn't get any but I'm sure we love his input all the same lol)!

If you do have more questions for for the characters, I'm sure I can organise another character Q&A soon but for now, I won't be taking any more questions as this Q&A was biggie!

I (the characters) loved answering these questions and can't wait to see what you'll come up with in future and I hope you found their answers interesting! ❤

There should be a new chapter coming tomorrow btw 😄

Until then, all da best from Mickedy-Mick-Mick-Mickey 😉❤👋