Chapter 1 Sherlock Holmes awoke from a rare and much needed sleep one morning in a dull sleepy town in Virginia utterly and completely bored. It had been eight months since his supposed "death" and in order to evade possible discovery, the world's only consulting detective had reasoned that America would prove to be a sufficient safe house for him until he was able to resurrect himself. The US managed to act as a suitable host due to the fact that his existence was as good as unheard of in North America and there was no language barrier, although he did find there accents a bit annoying. But despite all of it's pros, Sherlock had no way to entertain himself in his host country. Of course it had been fun to smuggle himself in on a fake ID and mock visa, but in order to keep his identity intact, he was unable to put his deduction skills to use, rendering the self proclaimed sociopath with a dangerous amount of spare time. Unknown to Sherlock however, despite the lies that Mycroft, and then John had tried to feed him, it was indeed true that Irene Adler had worked her way into America as well after Sherlock had rescued her from Karachi. Being the kind of person she was, she easily reasoned that Sherlock's death was staged and quickly tracked him down. A sharp rap on the door made Sherlock's piercing blue eyes fly open and he swiftly made to answer the door. On the other side, leaning playfully on the door frame, awaited Irene Adler, who seductively mused, "Good morning Mr. Holmes." Only slightly surprised, Sherlock responded coldly, "And to you Ms. Adler." While silently noting Irene's lack of sleep from her eyes. Still standing at the door, Irene carried on, "Well it seems that we're both back from the dead then, but unfortunately we have more pressing matters to discuss, do you remember when you rescued me from those terrorists?" Sherlock relapsed on that hot middle eastern night in Karachi, when a heat of the moment decision brought them to bed with each other. An action he did not fully regret despite his for once poor judgement, and foolish disregard to potential sentiment. "I find it hard to forget." He replied emotionlessly "Well it seems you may very well have forgotten a certain detail." Irene mused. "And what would that be?" he asked, slightly confused. "Something I usually strive to acquire..." she replied, while wheeling a stroller into view, containing, a small child. "Protection." Taken aback, Sherlock scanned the baby. It was female, approximately six months in age, with curly brown hair and piercing blue eyes, assuring him of his own genetics. But the child also possessed Irene's prominent facial features, although less defined in an infant's face. Not waiting for his full reaction, Irene continued quickly, "She's obviously yours, but in my current situation, it's much to dangerous for her well being to stay with me, and I was hoping to leave her with you." Sherlock swerved to face her, he noted in her voice that despite her strong demeanor, she truly cared for the girl and only came to him because she had to. He didn't know what made him do it, maybe it was leftover sentiment, or possibly it was the concealed desperation in her voice, or maybe it was just his boredom, but her carefully drained his voice of emotion and replied without looking Irene in the eye, "Caring for a child, although unexpected would prove to be a delightful experiment for me." Seeing past his hollow words, Irene looked at him and said, "Thank you so much Sherlock." Allowing a bit of warmth into her tone as she handed the baby to him. "Her things are in the tote." "Does she have a name? I do hope it isn't something stupid like Roxy or Ruby." Sherlock tightly inquired. "I gave her your last name for safety, it's Elsie Holmes." And she looked at the child and smiled sadly, "Goodbye dear." She whispered, and then swerved around and briskly walked away. Trying to hold back tears, Irene smiled to herself, "Well he took that differently than expected."then mused silently,"Well he IS Sherlock, you never really know with him." adding, "he is rather wonderful."