Chapter 1

I hadn't known him. I hadn't even talked to him, until now. My brother, John Watson, had always talked about him and the cases he would drag him into, but no, I'd never talked to Mr. Sherlock Holmes. I heard he was a player, quick thinker, but a trouble- maker indeed. Mother and Father thought it would be good for me to go visit John before he married and had children. I didn't understand why John even wanted to get married. I mean, Mary was a sweet girl, but I really didn't believe in marriage. Maybe that was the problem with me. The fact that I just didn't believe.

I arrived on John's doorstep one morning, in my boots and overalls. Many men looked at me with discouraged faces, but I walked on, not saying a word. I rang the doorbells twice before a maid answered. "You must be Ms. Watson. Mr. Holmes is waiting for you in his chambers." I nodded as she tried to take my bags. "It's quite alright, madam. I'm alright." She nodded and walked into the kitchen.

I walked up the stairs as I examined the newspaper clippings on the walls, framed. I saw my brother in most, and next to him, a scruffy-looking man. He was handsome, I had to admit, but homeless looking to say the least.

My shoes clacked against the hardwood floors quite loudly, so I wasn't all surprised when a door swung open. He was a little taller than me, his top hat made him seem a little taller, though. His brown eyes were dark and mysteriously beautiful. I stopped a moment, then put my bags down and stretched out my hand.

"Hello, Mr. Holmes. Phynix Watson, John's sister." He smiled and took my hand.

"Nice to meet you, Ms. Watson." I blinked my grey eyes for a moment, and then looked back down at my bags.

"Well, I hope my brother has arranged a room for me?"

He blinked, then looked over. "Yes, Ms. Watson." He extended his hand over to a door on his left. I shook my head. "Call me Phynix." He smiled. "Sherlock." We both stood for a moment, trying to swim through this lake of awkwardness without my brother. I walked over to the door Sherlock had pointed me to.

The dark walls were overwhelming, until I opened the curtains and windows. I turned and saw Holmes standing in the doorway.

"I usually don't the light in."

"I like light." I said taking off my coat. "It takes away from all the darkness."

I heard a creek come from the stairs and saw my brother. He turned and saw me, smiling as he walked through the doorway past Holmes.

"Phynix!" I greeted his friendly face with a warm embrace.

"John. How's Mary?" He smiled at the thought of her name.

"Amazing. How's that fellow… Leonardo?"

I waved my hand. "Let's not talk about that natural disaster."

He laughed and looked over at Holmes.

"I see you met Mr. Holmes?"

I nodded. "Yes. He was very welcoming, though he could use a shave."

Holmes rolled his eyes and walked over. "Well she could use…"

He looked me up and down. "Some lip color." I shook my head.

"And ruin the beautiful naturalness of me?"

He smiled and John laughed.

"Well, then I guess we should go about and see about some clothes for you?" John said pointing his cane at my overalls. I looked down and squinted my eyes at him.

"What's wrong with these Johnathan?"

He shrugged. "Nothing. Just the fact that you look more like a homeless person then Holmes." John said pointing to his friend.

I rolled my eyes and pushed John playfully. "Oh just be quiet, John."

He grabbed his hat and smiled. "How 'bout we go, then?"

I held up my hands in surrender and said, "Fine, but I get to pick them out!"

I passed Holmes in the doorway and looked back.

"Coming?"

He smiled and extended his hand toward the stairs.