Author's Note: Well, a short oneshot that I managed to get out just in a few minutes. I'm going to leave my multichaptered stories aside to focus on the few oneshots I will write in whatever span of free time I have; this one just came out on its own. This little oneshot- no, forgive me, TWO-shot, is dedicated to the lovely Brinatello, who is an amazing person and a fellow GMD-lover like myself xD

Like you so kindly requested, there is some suspense in this one that will lead up to a full-length fic, to come by 2011. I hope you like it, Brina, and a merry Christmas to you all!^^

Disclaimer: I do not own Basil of Baker Street (The Great Mouse Detective when Disney-wise); copyright goes to Eve Titus/Disney. (I suppose I do own my version of Irene Relda xD).

December 24th…

It's such a peculiar day, one I've never cared to celebrate. Mrs. Judson has always tried to convince me to do something to make the day memorable, but my answer has never changed: I always say 'What is there to celebrate?'. As such, I have been marked as a pessimist or quite the stoic, but I prefer to mark myself as somebody else. I'm somewhat of a utilitarian, which is why I don't see any purpose behind the celebration. It has always brought back memories I had thought long forgotten; the first time I gave it its importance was the last time I did. Since then, I've liked to consider the twenty-fourth a normal day in my life.

That was, until a certain year.

I was smoking my afternoon pipe when my friend Dawson stepped inside the parlour with an envelope in his hand. I didn't pay much attention to him, since I was busy skimming through the Times, until he waved the envelope in front of my face. When I noticed him, I saw the usual glint of curiousness was there, in his wide eyes.

"What am I supposed to be looking at?" I asked as I set down the newspaper and took the envelope. It was quite small, about the size of a business card, with my name and address written in fine letters. I did recognise that hand-writing, but I was wary. It was dated the same day. I turned the envelope to look at the sender's name; when I did, I was baffled.

"That, I suppose," Dawson said when I glanced up at him again. Almost scowling –and I wasn't mad at him-, I quickly took the card out of its place and read it. 'Christmas Eve Ball, the Royal Albert Hall at 8 pm. Do take this with you, just in case.' I was genuinely mad at her.

"Why the bloody hell does she have to force me out of my home on such a day?" I exclaimed, jumping to my feet and throwing the card in the air. I couldn't stand the sight of it, but I had to calm down. It was just an invitation that could be simply turned down… if the case were different, that was.

"Basil, what's wrong?" I heard Dawson ask. Though I wasn't in the mood to explain, he did deserve my reply and explanation for my outburst. As I turned to face him, I calmed my agitated breathing.

"I'd say you haven't heard of Miss Relda, have you?"

"I'm afraid not, Basil."

"Well…" I hesitated; it was simply odd to share both the information I held about her and my… let's say opinion, but I couldn't keep my secrets to myself with such a curious friend by my side. "Irene Mouseline Relda, the best contralto I've heard and may ever hear in my life. Leaving that aside, I will say that she has my admiration but also my dislike."

I could see Dawson holding back a smirk, and I fell into the temptation of chuckling. He knew how much I could come to dislike women. But as I thought about her, I could no longer sense that pang of aversion that tended to strike my chest. Perhaps she had changed over the years, perhaps not; what I was certain of was of my capability to face her this time. Some time ago, I had been naïve when dealing with my feelings and others'; now, that naivety had been replaced with mistrust.

"She's an extraordinary woman, truth be told, but she has the most despicable habit of… toying with me, if that's the most appropriate term." As the words rolled off my tongue, I could feel it going dry. It was difficult to talk about my relationship with Relda, especially when I had never had the chance to. Still, I knew Dawson would not inquire any further if I put enough emphasis on obvious hints, hence why I was at ease.

"I'm most sorry to hear that, Basil," Dawson said, spreading his palms. I had to smile: he was as supportive as ever. I picked up the card from the rug, read it once more. "I wouldn't like to think you're not one to give more than two chances."

"I can be lenient, doctor," I told him, "but not when it's happened so many times." I turned my gaze to the fire, keeping my composure. If just for the sake of seeing her again… But I had to be sensible: her presence would anger me further; that much was clear. Then, something clicked inside my mind and I asked, "Would you agree to accompany me if I decided to go? There is still time."

For some reason, the pang of shock that visibly struck my friend gave me some peace of mind. Dawson hadn't seen my answer coming, not by a long shot. I was loyal to my decisions and after what I had just told him, he had perhaps deduced I wouldn't change my mind. On the contrary, I had. I had an old self to face.

After that fleeting moment of shock, Dawson said, "I wouldn't mind, of course! But the decision is up to you, Basil."

"Most certainly," I replied, unable to fight off a smirk. Without any other word, I headed towards the door to the kitchen; from there, I'd head up to my room to pick my best clothes. Oh, not just for the sake of such an important (and unnerving) person, but also for mine. At the Royal Albert Hall and on a day like that one was, it was more than obvious educated people and more high-ranking others would be there. How could I, Arthur William Basil, turn down an invitation such as that one? It could prove interesting.

For once, my pride would have to wait.

"Let's go, Dawson; there's not a moment to lose!"

A/N: Right, here it goes. A few things to point out, though:

The idea of getting Irene Adler inside came as a last moment addition. I suddenly remembered the relationship there was between Holmes and Adler and, with my own twist and having Basil's character in mind, I decided to make Basil play along to it, so to speak. As such, I have also written Adler as who she hits me to be and how she indeed is: a smart and cunning woman who had the, shall we say, bravery to attempt and outdo Holmes (of course, not many would dare, in my honest opinion). Oh, and about her name: I have made a small pun on Madeleine and wrote Mouseline (I KNOW she has no canon second name, but I wanted to do something like that).

Next: about Basil's name... Dammit, that was hard. I wanted to make a reference to ACD, and I did with the first name. The name "William" as a click, since I didn't want to get Ignatius (it would be a literal copy and besides, I don't see that name as Basil's xDD).

On the rest, I did my homework as best as possible. Any inconsistencies, let me know.

Reviews are appreciated!^^