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Back again with another mashup. This was has certainly taken some time to work out. Please read this Author's Note.
I was really intrigued by Dónal Finn playing both Moriarty and Hayward, and I wanted to work out the best way to pair them together. I thought about making Tom a criminal, maybe have twin brothers. I ultimately landed on the false identity/alter ego because it was my strongest idea. But it had some challenges, primarily Mary's morality. She didn't seem like a character who would willingly love a hardened criminal.
So for this to work, I'm sorry to say that you need to suspend your disbelief. Mary is a bit OOC. I think she is still as true as possible to the book/TV show, but a little bit more grey. More willing to not judge too harshly and take risks that I don't think she would have in the canon universe.
If that is not what you are looking for, I understand and no hard feelings. I felt I should just put it as a warning in a chapter vs notes so everyone has an opportunity to choose whether they want to read it.
Getting the Tom/James dynamic was also a challenge, and frankly why it has taken me over a month to post. I don't think I've nailed it but I've had some fun trying. And after all the time put into the story, it makes sense to post even if I'm not 100% satisfied with it.
So I hope you enjoy. There will be minor violence and sexual references MUCH later in the story. I'll make sure to adjust the rating when we get there.
Thanks for indulging me. I wish you all a marvelous day.