Chapter 1: The Unexpected Introduction

I stood outside 221b Baker Street on that cold wintry day. It had started snowing ever so lightly on my face. It was helping me to have the strength, or will, to walk through that door and up to those steps to see him.

I had planned this for a year, two months, and three days. Although, I had planned every tiny detail starting from the bus fair to actually speaking to him, I felt unprepared. Once I found out about the man, Sherlock Holmes of 221b Baker street, I had a mixture of emotions that were unnatural. I had always known that I was a mixture of both my mother, and my father who I had only heard about.

Now, within the next few minutes, I was finally going to understand exactly what that meant. I finally got the gall to reach out my slightly shaken hand, and turned the knob. When the door opened, all I saw was black floral prints, stairs, and a door on the right-hand side. My the faint smell or perfume and yeast, it is obvious that an elderly woman must live down in that room, and must own the bakery connected to this building. I could not help, but to walk towards the door and snoop around. The door was unlocked, giving me the idea that the woman was starting to become senile, making an estimated age of 85 or 86.

" Ello' there," I jumped and turned around. Just as I deducted, it was an elderly woman. She had mostly grayed hair, with light brown highlights. " Are you looking for Mr. Sherlock Holmes lass?" I could only respond with a head nod. " Well, his office is upstairs. I could show you if you'd like?" I looked down at the floor, and nodded again. " Ah, seems like we have a shy one. Well, don't let Sherlock scare ye, or else it might be difficult with whatever you need him for."

" Is he really all that much of a jackass? Or, from what I have heard of Mr. Holmes."

She looked at me, taken aback," Well, apparently you can talk." She smiled at me. Most might find this pleasant, I found it slightly appalling. " I wouldn't say he is exactly that, more of a tint of ass. But you get used to it. He really is a wonderful man, once he opens up to you." I nodded. We finally arrived to another door similar to hers, only, it was wide open.

"Is he here?"

" Oh no, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson are out on a case. He always leaves it open. Really is unsafe ya know. However, you are welcome to stay inside and wait until they get back if ya liked."

" Yes madam."

She chuckled," Please, call me Mrs. Hudson, everyone does. Would you like a cup of tea Miss?"

"I would be delighted." She smiled, and left to her part of the building. I just stared at the room. From the hall, you could tell it was a slightly messy living-space. The furniture was out of date, and you could tell by the dust which pieces were used the most. Also, stating by the cluster of books and notes that this room was both a bachelor pad and office space.

I also happened to notice piles of music composition paper, along with a violin that had not been put away from activities from, based on the lack of dust, some point this morning. I had taken that up about two years ago, and could not control the temptation to pick it up.

It was possibly handcrafted with ivory in 1990 or 1991. It was almost time to change the strings before there is no possible way to tune it to perfection. I grabbed the violin and the bow, a piece that was composed, and placed it on the music stand. It had no title yet, but it had really intricate rhythms. I started playing the musical composition. It was beautifully composed; it had a mixture of emotions that only few could comprehend. Sadness, anger, pain, fear, and insecurity.

" Well well well," I stopped abruptly. " You're lucky I caught you, or else Sherlock might have a fit." I slowly placed the instrument down, and I couldn't turn around. " Are you going to turn around, or stay there facing the wall."

I slowly turned around and saw a man. He wasn't tall, or incredibly short. He had short gray hair, wore a checkered shirt, patch jacket, jeans and boots. He stood up straight, looked at me directly, fighting stance if something were to attack at any moment. Giving me the idea that he use to be in the military. He was eyeing me, not exactly suspiciously, but in confusion. It was like he saw a familiar face, but did not recognize who it was" I'm sorry sir, I just could not help myself."

He continued to study me," I am sorry to be so abrupt, but have we met before?"

I looked down," I am sure we have not come across each others parts before Mr. Watson."

He eyed me again," How do you know who I am if we have never met before."

" Well, based on the fact that Dr. John Watson was in the military, and happens to be the famed partner to Sherlock Holmes, and by the fact that you continue to stand in a fighting stance, and along with you eyeing me a a way one might look at their prey, it would suggest you have a background in the military. So, based on this, it is painfully obvious that you sir, are Dr. John Watson." He looked slightly shocked, but not surprised. " I also saw your picture on your blog. I can put two and two together."

" Well, since you are here, you most likely need help with a case?"

I looked down at the floor again," No, I actually have other business involving Mr. Holmes."

He eyed me again, " Alright, since you know so much about me, may I ask who you might be?"

I took a deep breath," The name is Scarlet."

He waited for me to continue," No last name then?"

" That is to be determined." He continued to study me. I could feel his eyes trying to form a logical understanding on why I was so familiar, and why I was so cold and nervous.

" Are you sure we have never met before? Are you possibly, I dunno, related to someone I might know?"

I chuckled, and gave him direct eye-contact. I knew that some sort of weird epiphany formed into his mind. " You could say something like that. The only difference is that it's more than just one."

" John! I think I figured out the..."

...

A few minutes before, in another part of a building.

Mrs. Hudson had just left Sherlock's apartment with the young girl waiting in there by herself. Curious, she looks and acts so familiar. I wonder why, thought Mrs. Hudson as she traveled down the stairs, and headed into her kitchen to heat up her tea. While she waited for the tea to continue to boil, she couldn't help but trail her mind back to the girl. She continued to attempt to put the pieces together once she heard the door and two familiar voices echoing her ears. " John, the fact that Lucy found him in the tub, completely dry, without a trace a blood or poisoning, there is another way that Mr. Webster had been murdered. Most suicides are sloppy, and leave a gigantic mess. So why would he be clean and be the his own killer?"

Mr. Watson sighed, " Sherlock, he may have just died peacefully, has that not crossed your mind?"

" Oh of course it has John," Sherlock practically belted," but if he did have a stroke or heart attack, why on Earth would his tie still be up to his neck? It is painfully obvious that he would have attempted to undo the tie, and unbutton his shirt due to the shock, and the idea it will be easier for him to breath."

" Boys," both men turned around and looked at Mrs. Hudson ", there is another client upstairs. She's a shy one, so Sherlock, don't give her too much of a fright."

John Watson chuckled," Yes Mrs. Hudson, I will make sure he won't send this one crying like the last one."

" Yes yes, be polite, and all that other junk. Come Watson, let's get this taken care of before this current case is solved."

" Sherlock," the detective groaned in annoyance," I need your help with something down here."

He groaned, and rolled his eyes," Oh Mrs. Hudson, why can't John do it?"

" Because I asked you. Now get down here and help me!"

Sherlock rolled his eyes and muttered," Bloody chores."

" I heard that," muttered Watson back. " I will take care of the client for now while you help Mrs. Hudson."

Bloody woman, Sherlock thought. Watson just chuckled, while Sherlock watched him walk up the stairs. " Mrs. Hudson, what is it you need that takes time away from working on my case."

Mrs. Hudson chuckled," Come here love, I need your help with tea."

" Tea? The case that I need to use all my brain power, is interrupted because he cannot pour a simple cup of tea? My my, how lazy the world has become."

" Sherlock? What is it that we talked about with people?"

He groaned and rolled his eyes, again," I need to take the time to help a neighbor, and not be a pompous-ass about it. Happy?"

She smirked," Yes." She led him to her kitchen where she had tea bags sitting there, and four cups of tea," Can you please take the tray up there for you, Watson, and you client?"

He groaned,"... yes Mrs. Hudson." He acted like he was watching Mrs. Hudson as a way to go and think back to the case. A man who is perfectly clean and perfectly dressed, dies in the bath without so little as evidence of suicide or murder. What am I missing?

" Sherlock, about this client, she seems awfully shy, so do not scare the poor girl." She was unaware that he was not paying any attention to her, or their conversation. The pot started to boil, and she poured the hot water in the cups, watching the chemical reaction." Funny, but she seemed awfully familiar. She sort of remind me of that sweet girl you use to work with... oh what was her name? Is' on the tip of me tongue. Strange thing is, she had a hard time showing her face. Wouldn't look me in the face. Very peculiar. Must be what young people do."

Sherlock suddenly burst from his thoughts. " That's it! That's how it was done!" He quickly grabbed the tray, without so much as a thank you to Mrs. Hudson, and practically raced up the stairs to tell Watson his recent deduction.

" John! I think I figured out the..." But Sherlock slowly stopped once he saw the woman in the room. She had short black curly hair, light blue green eyes, and a pale complexion. She wore a black overcoat, white blouse, jeans, and tall combat boots that were slightly loose at the top. She also wore fingerless gloves. It was apparent that Mr. Holmes was studying her, but had a hard time known her motives for being here. She had only shown slight emotion in her eyes, but her body was very well-guarded. " John, who is this?"

Watson had broken from his current state," OH, um... Sherlock, this is Miss Scarlet, I am sorry, I must've forgotten your last name."

The girl smirked," I never gave it."

Sherlock continued to eye her, She is obviously nervous, but not because of a case. Why then? " Miss Scarlet, it is painfully obvious that you are not here for a case, so I must ask you to either leave this building and go about your business, or state your full name and the reason why you are here."

She chuckled nervously," So it is true, you are quiet an observant fellow there Mr. Holmes. It certainly contrasts the nature of your partner."

" Yes, but that doesn't answer my question Miss Scarlet. Now, tell me your full name and reason for being here, or you shall be escorted out immediately."

She did not respond yet. She just slowly walked over towards the tea tray, and took a sip. " Before I answer that question Mr. Holmes, how old do you think I am?"

He eyed her curiously, Why on Earth does she want me to answer this question? Is this a possible clue, or a trick? " Well, based upon the way you are standing and based on your outfit choice, it would appear that you are around 25 to 30 years old."

She sighed, Maybe he is not that grand as Mum said ," However it is painfully obvious that is not the case. You don't show any signs of aging the way most do when hitting thirty; instead, you are truly 19 or 20 years old. Based upon your dialect, and the fact that you have arrived at 10:00, when most are working "

She smiled, " I turn 20 in two weeks Mr. Holmes. I guess it isn't a lie, you are a genius. I guess it is also means you are a giant asshole."

Watson could suppress a laugh, which earned a glare from Sherlock, " Alright, since I have amused your childish antics, answer my question before I call the police."

She smiled," Certainly." She walked over, and grabbed the skull that sat upon the shelf above the fireplace." Since you guessed what age I really am, I might as well say this. Who left around 20 years ago from your life?"

He thought back, and his eyes became unnaturally alert, even for him:" Molly Hooper. What does she have to do with you?"

She scoffed," Apparently you haven't caught on yet, so Mr. Holmes, I will give you one more clue before I give up on your mediocre deductive skills."

" Mediocre? Your just a child, you do not even know what your fully doing."

" If so, then how come you have not figured out my true identity?" He didn't respond, " SO , as your last clue, let's think about why Miss Molly Hooper left, and the last time you saw her. If you haven't seen her in about twenty or so years, how might my age correlate with that?"

He thought, until he it struck him," She is your mother, correct?"

" Yes. My name is Scarlet H. The H could stand for two possible answers: Hooper..." she said slowly as a way to impress Sherlock Holmes, along with giving him a moment to process the new information. "... and Holmes."

Both men stopped in their very spots. " Wait, " said John," you and Molly...? And your their daughter?"

She did not look towards their direction," Yes. That's why I came; thought I might actually take a look at the famed Sherlock Holmes." She had finished her tea, and walked towards the tray. " Thank you both for your time and tea. Tell Mrs. Hudson I appreciate the bland tea, for I will let myself out. Good day." She fixed her coat, and walked out the door without looking back at the men.

They both stood in silence for a few minutes. " Well... that was... unexpected."

Sherlock looked back at his partner and scoffed, " Tell me about it."

A.N.

Hello! So, I had posted this originally yesterday, but it did not seem to show up on my phone, so I am just reposting this. I hope you enjoy!