"Doctor! Dr. Watson!"

The terrified cries from outside our sitting room jolted me out of the half slumber I had allowed myself to fall into. Hurriedly thrusting my notebook aside, I yanked open the door to find a terrified Colin standing there.

Colin is a relatively new addition to the Baker Street Irregulars. Unlike the others, he was brought up in a good family, but after the death of his mother and father of influenza the landlord turned him out onto the streets, and directly under the care of the Irregulars.

He is normally a soft spoken lad and rarely shows any emotion and I was surprised to find him in such a state.

"Whatever's happened, Colin? Why are you so-"

"You've gotto come now, Doctor!" The lad didn't wait for me to finish. He looked desperate. "It's Alfie!"

A cold hand closed around my throat. I gripped the shaking boy by both his shoulders. "What happened?" I demanded. "Has he been injured? Is he ill?"

Colin shook his head violently. "We don't know, doctor!" he sobbed, "He's just lying there, weak as anything. He won't eat, and he keeps coughing all day and –and…"

"Alright. Calm down." I got to my feet and went to retrieve my medical bag. "With luck, it'll only be a fever." It was December; and from the conditions I have seen of the streets, it's a wonder that they hadn't fallen ill sooner.

I hurriedly scribbled out a note to Holmes, and stuck it into his Persian Slipper. He could hardly fail to find it there. He was on a case with Lestrade and was expected back today.

"Come along now, Colin. Let's go."



I had been to the Irregular's den only once; when Holmes had entrusted them with some important papers. Though dark and gloomy, that little bunch of boys kept it neat and tidy; you could hardly find a pin out of place. It stood out like a beacon in its sordid neighborhood.

With a little difficulty, I entered through the small door and descended down to their home. The moment I stepped in, a circle of anxious faces surrounded me.

"Dr. Watson! Dr. Watson is 'ere!"

"Doctor, Alfie is real sick!"

"'E won't eat, I'm scared!"

"Hush now," I bent and gently put a hand on their heads. They all looked terrified. "Alfie is going to be fine, don't you worry. It's probably just a fever." I looked around. "Where's Wiggins?"

A boy detached itself from the rest and came forward. Wiggins looked a bit better off. He stood absolutely straight; jaw jutted out and looked more like a military general then anything else. I suppressed a smile.

"Wiggins, I want you to take over everything else here." I looked at the children's pale faces and felt a pang. "Get them to eat as well; you don't want to kill yourself worrying about Alfie. He won't like that."

Wiggins nodded slowly. "Righ', Doctor." Turning with a snap, he barked a couple of orders and, with the precision rivaling even Scotland Yard's, the room was soon clear. The sudden quiet disturbed me and I heard, very faintly, a soft cough.

Everyone stiffened. I got to my feet. "I'll see to him." I looked at Wiggins and gave a quiet nod. He nodded back, lips compressed tightly together.

Alfie was lying, thoroughly wrapped up in a threadbare blanket and my first action was to cover him with my overcoat. The movement jolted him awake.

"Doc…Tor?"



"Yes, boy, its me."I checked his temperature and let a curse escape me. It was high. Very high.

"How long has he been like this?" I asked Wiggins, who was standing at my side.

" 'esterday. We reckoned 'e got a cold but it ain't that." He looked worriedly at Alfie's little form. "Is 'e goin' to be fine?"

"He will be, given time and rest." I pulled out my medical bag and rummaged inside for my thermometer. "Wiggins, I'm going to stay here. I've left Holmes a note but you go and inform him anyway that I could be here the whole night. He worries about Alfie too."

Wiggins gave a nod and dashed away. The rest of the irregulars watched me, their faces pale and grave, reminding me…

I shook my head. No point thinking about the past now. Crossing my legs, I settled down next to Alfie.

This was going to be a long night.

Well this was supposed to be an oneshot but didn't work out. I've borrowed Alfie with KCS's permission, don't worry. Don't be mad at me, ok, KCS? Alfie is gonna be ok.

Oh and I desperately need someone to help me out with my Sister dear fic(if anyone remembers it). I'm working on it…but getting kinda stuck.