Hey everyone, this is a short little unchecked oneshot I wrote for a friend of my new head cannon. No I have not died, yes there will be updates soon. When? When I manage to get college applications done and actually have time in between 6 AP classes. Before new chapters there will most likely be some revision of old stuff so fear not and expect to see more from me soon.

The tiny three, almost four, year old stood dressed in black before the large imposing manor house of the relative that he had been left with. A man whose face was irrelevant and faceless was leading him up the walkway and to the enormous door. His red hair was hanging miserably around him as he sniffled and walked along numbly. He looked up at the pudgy man in front of him and found himself overwhelmed with everything that had happened to him. He was led to a couch and the moment he sat down he had fallen asleep.

While the child slept Mycroft Holmes studied the child; gangly, thin, obviously exhausted. He had been through a lot and his ordeal still wasn't over yet. As he was the British government in all intents and purposes he had neither the time or knowledge to care for a child. With no other relatives willing to take in the child that was his cousin so many times removed or something of that relation he had only one option. Even as he dialed the number he mentally cringed and wondered if the roof, food, and clothing was worth putting the child in the care of the owner of the ringing phone. But as the voice of the ex-army doctor answered his little brother's phone he smiled and knew that right or wrong he didn't have a choice.

"So that's him is it?"

"Yes Sherlock and be nice. He's been through a lot. What's his name?"

Mycroft looked on with them and spoke in a low voice.

"His name is Martin Crieff. His parents were distant relatives. I can't care for him and he has nowhere else to go."

While they talked quietly Sherlock knelt down in front of the slumbering child and began to examine every inch of him.

"It's amazing how similar they look isn't it. Are you sure they were distant and not a little closer to home?"

"Quite. Now if you would, there is much to be done. Sherlock, you must remember that is a child and a very fragile one. I know very well that you can take care of his physical needs but do not break him."

The addressed had yet to speak and was still staring at the child, seeing things only he could. At that moment the child stirred and wiped at his puffy red eyes, his freckles standing out against his white skin.

"Wha..." John knelt before him next to Sherlock.

"My name is John Watson and this is Sherlock Holms. We're going to be taking care of you from now on. Would you like to go home?"

The child blinked, trying to process everything. He clearly didn't had high stress situations well.

"Home, mister Watson?"

"Call me John and yes Martin, home."

He was about to take the child's hand when the consulting detective swiftly scooped the still drowsy child up into his arms and for but a brief second something John had rarely seen flashed across his face. Smiling a secretive smile of his own the doctor too stood up and followed his flatmate to the door. The elder of the two Holms appeared to have returned to his work but the reflection in the window of the glass showed a warm smile on his lips.

When the two returned to their flat they immediately put Martin in John's old room and tucked him into bed. He slept soundly for a few hours until he cried out quietly and whimpered in his sleep. As John had run out to get some groceries Sherlock was left alone. At the child's cries he rushed in and sat next to him. Hushing him gently he placed an arm around the small body humming quietly. The thrashing and whimpering calmed but the tiny Martin curled tight against him in his sleep and clutched tightly to the fabric of the clothing in his reach. When John came back five minutes later it was to find Sherlock smiling softly down at the clearly frightened child as he stroked the red locks.

All right people, you know the drill. Thoughts? Likes? Dislikes? Any of the above? Other? R & R

Signing out,

Master Anime Archer