Author's Note: Hey, guys! It's Marie. I recently saw Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, and fell in love with it all over again! So, as I watched the movie, something happened: I got a plot bunny. Those things never give me a break! Haha. Well, enough of my rambling; here's part one of the prologue of my new story! Enjoy! By the way, our poll will be on our profile only until January 1st, so vote quickly!

Part One: A Grand Entrance is Always Remembered

The case seemed to weigh more than normal as I lugged it along with me down the streets of London. I hated walking alone-most of the time-but today I needed to think. Today was very important; everything needed to be perfect.

Which is why the scuffle in the alley I had just passed irritated me. I tried to ignore the numerous sounds of people being punched/groaning in pain, but finally I gave up. Taking a few steps down the alley, I set my precious burden down in a shadow. It was far enough from the fight to prevent it from getting damaged, yet near enough that I could scoop it up as I ran away (if I did).

Thus lightened, I rolled up my coat sleeves and trudged over to the action.

"Oi! What's a lass doin' here?" asked on of the thugs, giving his victim a pretty decent punch to the stomach. The man groaned and attempted a kick.

"Ah, could you please stop injuring this good sir? I need him for an appointment."

The man grunted in reply. "But, perhaps…you can…earn him." His mouth was curved in a sleazy sneer, his hand outstretched. I revealed my concealed weapon-my umbrella-and gave him two pretty decent whaps on the head. This freed the man, and he punched two of the others with ease.

I smirked at the first attacker's pained form crumpled beneath me. "I don't think so." A man grabbed at my head from behind, but I swerved, catching his arm on my umbrella handle and giving it a sharp twist, most likely breaking his ulna and radius. He cried out and withered away. I gave him another tap, just for good measure. Ducking just in time, I swatted another man, then used my umbrella as a bar and slammed him against the wall.

"How many more?" I asked my fighting partner. I never heard the answer because I was thrown to the ground. Grunting, I fumbled for my umbrella, but it was kicked away, and I received two pretty decent punches, one to the right jaw, the other to the abdomen. I tried to stifle a gasp as the assailant punched my ribs again.

"Oh! Excuse me," a voice said above me.

"Take your time!" I gasped. My attacker was lifted away by a foot then punched in the faces. The fracas thus resolved, the last man standing kneeled beside me.

"Are you all right?" He had dark, liquid brown eyes that I almost got lost in.

"Oh, I-I'm all right. I think…I may have a fractured rib or two, and a pretty bad bruise on my jaw. Otherwise, I'm unscathed. What about yourself?"

"Quite fine-" he cut off with a grimace and clutched his side. "I think we could both use a patch job. I know someone perfect for the job, as a token of my gratitude."

I smiled. "Thank you. Just let me get my case." The man smiled and helped me up, favoring his left side. I walked to the shadow from earlier and pulled my case out of hiding. I gave a small snort of frustration at its weight, but I was ready to go.

"Oh, allow me." The man gently lifted the case from me and carried it. "Gracious, my dear! What's in this thing?"

I giggled, "It's my instrument, sir. One of the four I play."

"Ah, a musician! What all do you play-in alphabetical order."

I smiled. "Bassoon, cello, piano, and violin." I gestured to the case. "That is the cello."

"Interesting. And I forgot introductions in the heat of…that." He jerked his head in the alley's direction. "Name?"

"Jane," I replied. "And you are?"

"Strange."

"Your name is Strange…?"

"Oh, no. Your instrument tag does not say 'Jane', it says 'Amelia.' Explanation?"

I sighed. "My first name is Amelia, my middle name is Jane. The orchestra I perform with thought 'Amelia' was more proper, so that's what they put on my instrument tags. I prefer Jane, though."

"Ah. Pleasure to meet you, Miss Jane. I am Sherlock Holmes."

I raised my eyebrows. "Really?"

"The one and only. Ah, here we are." He approached the door, and gave it a rap. "Watson?" he called. The door swung open, revealing the man I'd been needing to see all along.

"Hello, John," I said coolly.

"J-Jane?"

Mr. Holmes looked confused. "You two know each other?"

John nodded. "Of course. She's my sister."

A/N: Dun Dun DUN! Surprise! I just love cliff-hangers!