SHERLOCKED

Chapter 1:

As my taxi pulled on to Baker Street on a grey afternoon I prepared myself for the hugs, kisses, tea, and ultimately the matchmaking my grandmother will try to set up in the next year. I have just moved from a small town on Long Island, New York to spend a year taking care of my grandmother Eileen Hudson and working as assistant to a man that lives in her building, "What was his name, what was his name…" I muttered to myself trying to remember the name that is just out of reach, "Sherlock! That's it! Sherlock Holmes!"

The nice taxi driver looked back as I suddenly burst out the name. 'He must think I'm insane,' I thought to myself. But he just smiled, tipped his cap and informed me I was at my destination."221 Baker Street, Miss," He said "Thank you!" I said as I paid my fee and shuffled out of the car. I loaded my bags out of the trunk and started to walk towards my new home.

I heard a great shriek as my grandmother burst out of the door and ran to me at high speed (well as fast as a 65 year old woman could manage) and enveloped me in a huge bear hug. "Ugh! Good… to see you too Nana… but I really cant breath!" She let go and held me at arms length for inspection, smiling away. "Oh! It's so great to see you, love! Oh you look so much older! 20 years old I cant believe it! How are you? How's your mother? Are those your bags there? Gosh, darling, you have almost nothing! Well we'll have to fix that, I do love shopping! Where's John? I'll have him carry your things to your new apartment! John! John dear!"

'God I forgot how much she could prattle on when she is excited,' I sighed mentally to myself. "Nana! I will have to answer all your questions later, it's just about to rain." I said looking up at the gray sky. "Oh darling it's always like that, welcome to London!" she said with a laugh.

Just then, a man probably late-twenties, walked out of the apartment building. "John!" Nana exclaimed," John, could you be a dear and bring these bags in quick to apartment D, please?"

"Do I look like a bag boy to you?" He said with a smile as he picked up the bags and started walking toward the building.

"No, sir, I can get those!" I said walking up the path.

"Don't worry its fine, I've dealt with worse," he said looking behind, "And please, call me John."

"Alright John, thank you… wait, would your name be John Watson?"

"Yes, and you must be Katie, You're grandmother has been talking about your moving here for weeks, I've never seen her more excited."

"Oh, Nana talks about you all the time too, you and Mr. Holmes. I heard you're quite the celebrities in town. Mr. Holmes has been kind enough to give me a job as his assistant in the lab. I have to thank him for that later. And please, call me Sarah."

"Alright Sarah, how about you thank him in person and have dinner with us tonight, and Mrs. Hudson, of course? Or do you think you will need time to settle in?"

Man, this guy is charming, and cute too, a nice smile with dimples and a way a bout him that makes you like him instantly. I just then realized I was staring and moved my eyes to the wall behind him.

"I would love to have dinner with you guys tonight," I said hurrying up the staircase to my new apartment, "When should we come down?"

"How about seven? Does that work?" asked John. I looked at my watch, it was just about four, "Sounds great!"

Nana bustled around us and took out her keys. She pulled out one and opened the door, there was a creaking noise as it opened and I made a mental note to myself to get that fixed. John walked in and dropped my bags in the middle of the apartment. "This is just about the same layout as our apartment," said John looking around.

I looked around my new apartment in awe, Nana must have dusted before I arrived, and everything was so shiny! The wood flooring looked newly sanded and the fireplace was all swept up and nice, with wood sitting next to it waiting to be burned. It was a two bedroom, 1 1/2 baths with a nice living room and kitchen, already supplied with two couches, an armchair, and the kitchen was stocked with plates, cups, mugs and everything needed for cooking.

"Do you mind if my fiancé, Mary has dinner with us tonight?" John asked, pulling me out of my reverie. 'Damn it!' I sighed mentally to myself, 'The nice ones are always taken.'

"Of course!" I said, maybe a bit too high pitched, "I mean it's your apartment so you can invite whoever you want." I was blushing madly and babbling, and John noticed and smiled smugly.

"Great! Sherlock may or may not be there depending on a case or if he feels.. up to socializing. Do you need any help unpacking or lifting?" John asked as he was itching toward the door. "OK I'll finally get to meet the famous Sherlock," I said with a giggle. "And no I'm fine, thank you though. And thank you for lifting my bags!" I said but he was already out the door, obviously glad to be getting out of any more chores.

"No problem!" John said as he was walking down the hall to his apartment, "See you tonight!"

I looked over at Nana, who was already dragging my bag of clothes to my new bedroom, "Come on dear we need you unpacked so you can get ready for dinner!"