"Here's our new home, Annie."

John carried her luggage as they arrived at the flat. She stared up at the building and smiled. "Well, it's...clean."

He laughed and shook his head. "Trust me, it looks better on the inside."

He led the way in and was surprised that Mrs. Hudson wasn't there to greet them. Out shopping, he predicted. He led the way upstairs and Annie followed, excitedly. When they reached the flat, he frowned. Sherlock sat on a chair, reading a book, with the flat a mess. Papers on the floor, wrappers everywhere and the kettle from last night was not on the stove where he put it earlier.

"Sherlock," John said.

Sherlock didn't look at him. "Mmm?"

"The flat is a mess. I told you to tidy up a bit before I got here!"

"It is tidied up."

"There is trash everywhere."

Annie caught up and gasped at the flat. "What a place! Is this it?"

"Uh, no, no! This is where we like to..."

Sherlock looked up from his book with a raised eyebrow.

"...hang out."

Annie looked at Sherlock and back at John. "Who's he?"

Sherlock grimaced. "You don't know who I am?"

"Should I? Oh! Do I have to fathers?"

John went pale. "No, no, no! No, he's my flatmate. A friend. Annie, this is Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock, this is Annie. Annie, dear, why don't you head upstairs with your luggage? Get comfortable."

Annie obeyed and John was left with Sherlock. "Very nice. This is exactly what I was hoping wouldn't happen, Sherlock. Brilliant!"

"You really can pick a child, John. How old is she? Fourteen?"

John narrowed his eyes. "She's seventeen, and she can cook and clean. That should be enough to impress you, shouldn't it? For God's sake, Sherlock, she's my daughter now!"

Sherlock grimaced and put his book on his lap. "I warned you that a child is going to take up most of your time, John. We have several cases this week, and-"

"No, you know what? I'm done. Cases, work, all of that. I'm done with it, Sherlock."

He blinked. "Sorry?"

"Annie is...she's...the moment I read her profile, I knew she was the one. The one who would...bring light into my mixed up world, and I intend to be the best father in the world. She's more important to me right now, and I don't have time to deal with cases."

Sherlock rolled his eyes. "Did you tell her that? Very poetic, it almost sounds rehearsed."

John looked down and nodded. "Right. Is that your job? To just ruin my hope for happiness?"

"I'm merely trying to save you and that girl the pain that you will both face when she finds out what you do for a living."

John shook his head. "No. No, she won't ever be apart of that life because I won't be solving cases anymore. I'm a father now. It's what I planned to do when Mary got pregnant. I knew this would all end someday."

Annie came downstairs and smiled. "Sorry, if I'm bothering you, but-"

John groaned. "Oh, blast. You must be hungry. Don't fret. We'll get something to eat right now. Just let me..."

He reached into his pocket and took out his wallet. Across the room, Sherlock smirked and waited as John shut his eyes. "Blasted card, I forgot. Still isn't working."

Annie lowered her eyes. "Oh, well, that's fine. I can make something out of whatever we have in the fridge."

John's eyes shot at her and he held her hand. "Uh, no! Don't open the fridge! We'll just, uh, think of-"

"You can use my card."

They both looked at Sherlock who was smiling his face off. John narrowed his eyes at him and gripped Annie's hand.

Annie smiled. "Sounds good to me. Can we, Dad?"

John felt his heart stop when she said that. He looked at her and felt warm as she smiled at him. Sherlock raised both eyebrows and approached them, holding his card. He put his arm around Annie and made a pleading face.

"Can we, Daddy Watson?"

Frowning, John sighed. "Alright. Annie, try and get a taxi."

She hurried down as John grabbed Sherlock's arm. "I swear, if you mess this up-"

"John, you need to relax-"

"I am relaxed! Are you relaxed? I'm just dandy!" John yelled as soon as the front door closed.

"Do this for her, John. I think she's beginning to grow on me," Sherlock smirked as he followed after her.

John rubbed his temples and sighed. "God, help us."