Hey guys! I know I have another series I'm working on but this one is a one off story that has nothing to do with my Foot Falls Series. I'm really hoping you all like this one. Lyssa is an OC, I'm hoping she doesn't come off as a Mary Sue. Please review and let me know what you think!

"You're hiding a gambling addiction and owe rather a lot of money to a low level mob enforcer who has recently informed you of his intentions to collect his money or he'll collect a kidney from you. You choose to deal with the stress and anxiety by drinking which is unfortunate seeing as you drove yourself here and I'm afraid we cannot allow you to drive away in your present state. There's a lovely policeman downstairs who will escort you to a comfortable cell and help you deal with your mob problem. Good Day." Sherlock waved the latest Nanny Candidate away and she went tears in her eyes mumbling about bathtubs and ice.

John sighed and scratched the last name off the list. "We've seen dozens Sherlock and not one of them has passed."

Sherlock gave him a mildly sympathetic look then glanced at Rosie who was scooting a toy car along the floor of her playpen and making nonsensical babbling noises. John scrubbed a hand across his face then they both looked around as Mrs Hudson came in and made a happy cooing noise towards Rosie. "Mrs Hudson we have established that making nonverbal noises at her does not help her cognitive development." Sherlock sounded bored.

"Oh shush you. It's not all about cognitive whatevers. Sometimes just hearing a happy noise can do wonders." It was an argument they had frequently ever since John had moved back into 221B Baker Street with Rosie in tow.

Mrs Hudson had been incredibly accommodating and had renovated the flat and opening it into the one next door which had been vacated after the incident with Eurus and her Patient Grenade. John had asked that the kitchens in the newly expanded flat remain as they were. He had explained it to Mrs. Hudson and Sherlock as containment procedure. One kitchen was strictly for Sherlocks experiments and bodyparts. The other was only for the preparation and eating of meals and nair the twain were to meet. He had enforced the rule when one of Sherlock's severed heads had made its way into the food fridge by the simple expedient of destroying the head and the experiment taking place in it. Sherlock had since then kept his toys in his kitchen.

Sherlock rolled his eyes and sighed. "Be that as it may, what ha you up here before John is scheduled to go to the Clinic for the afternoon?"

"Hmm? She had crouched down and was playing patty cake with Rosie. "Oh yes! There's a perfectly lovely lady downstairs here to interview for the position."

"I thought we'd run through all the candidates." John mused looking down at his list.

"We had." Sherlock replied sitting up.

"Shall I send her on?" Mrs Hudson asked standing up.

"No, no, send her up. We'll get to the bottom of why she's here." Sherlock replied.

Mrs Hudson left and a moment later the door opened again and a woman of average height walked in. She was pretty in a sort of average way, dark hair streaked with threads of silver cut in a short sort of messy hairstyle, dark eyes, snub nose and mouth a little too wide. Everything about her screamed average. She was average height, average weight, average looks, she was even dressed average in dark blue jeans, a dark plum cowl necked top and a pair of black trainers. What wasn't average were the tattoos on her arms and the intelligence that sparkled in her dark eyes as she sat in the chair that John motioned to.

She handed John her resume. "Lyssa Jones, 31 years old, American… what are you doing in London?" He asked reading it over quickly then handing it to Sherlock who was watching her.

She gave a little smile. "I got tired of the US." She replied.

"You came here on a work visa as a seamstress but the production company you worked for closed down, financial troubles, rather than go back to the US however you're trying to find work that will allow you to stay." Sherlock said calmly.

She nodded. "Yeah."

"Why?"

She frowned a little. "I told you, I got tired of the US. I wanted to live somewhere else for a while. Try something different."

He nodded and stared at her for several minutes while John ran through the usual interview questions. He opened his mouth to speak up when she interjected her own question. "How old is she?"

"Almost 18 months." John replied a little surprised, none of the other candidates had bothered asking any questions, they just answered what was asked.

"She's in the top 20th percentile for her age isn't she?" Lyssa asked getting up and crouching next to the playpen a smile on her face.

"Yes, yes she is. How can you tell?" John asked moving closer.

"She's tall for 18 months, long arms and legs." Lyssa looked up at John.

"How did you find out about this position?" Sherlock asked.

"Oh, my old roommate had the advertisement from the service you guys were using. She didn't want to apply but told me to knock myself out." Lyssa was playing peekaboo with Rosie and John looked over at Sherlock who had a slight smile on his face.

"Would you excuse us for just a moment?" Sherlock asked standing up and motioning for John to follow him into the hall.

He partially closed the door and John gave him an expectant look. "Is she the one?" He asked.

"She's the least objectionable and she's taken by far the most interest in Rosie. The others didn't even bother asking questions about her." Sherlock replied.

"What about the tattoos? Does she smoke? What's she hiding?" John asked.

"She's American John, Tattoos are a normality over there, so far the only thing she's hiding is how much she needs the job and how much she doesn't want to go back to the states but she isn't running from anything." Sherlock replied glancing in at Lyssa who was still playing peekaboo with Rosie.

John chewed his lower lip for a second then nodded. "A trial run then."

"The usual 30 days." Sherlock agreed.

They walked back in and John handed Lyssa a file folder. "Just fill these out so we can make sure the taxes get paid and there's a background check but can you start tomorrow? It's a trial run, but if things are still working out in 30 days we'll make it a more permanent arrangement."

She flipped the file open and read over the agreements and her schedule before pulling a pen out of her pocket and started to fill out the forms. "I can start anytime." She replied.

"Good because Lestrade is coming up the stairs and I think you'll need to start now." Sherlock interjected just as the door opened and Lestrade strode in.

"Sherlock it's a 7 at least." He started then stopped seeing Lyssa.

"Detective Inspector Lestrade meet the new Nanny, Lyssa Jones." Sherlock stood up and snagged the file from Lestrade and flipped it open. John shook his head and took the forms when Lyssa had finished them. "Looks like you start today then. I have to be at the clinic in an hour and he's going to be gone until heaven knows when. Let me show you around."

He picked Rosie up out of the playpen and started showing Lyssa where the food, toys and other essentials were kept. "Once the background check comes back we'll get you a key." He finished and started to set Rosie down in the playpen so he could get ready for work.

Lyssa held her arms out and he transferred his daughter to her with only a slight hesitation, she smiled reassuringly as she propped Rosie on a hip. "She's in good hands Mr Watson."

"Call me John." He said and kissed Rosies head while he dragged his coat on and hurried to the door. "Bye bye Rosie! Be good for Ms Lyssa."

Rosie made a anxious noise but Lyssa smiled and did a little dance. "There there sweetie. Daddy will be back in no time. But for now Ms Lyssa is going to get to know you."

Sherlock watched her while Lestrade rambled on, he'd never admit it aloud but having a complete stranger watching Rosie made him anxious. But Molly couldn't keep juggling work and babysitting and a life and Mrs. Hudson was slowing down a lot as well. John had flatly refused to let Sherlock take the child on cases which meant they needed someone full time. Lyssa was totally fixated on Rosie singing softly and dancing to occupy the child during the separation anxiety phase of her father leaving. "Sherlock." Lestrade brought his attention back to the cae. "Are you coming or not?"

"Yes. Let me apprise the Nanny." He muttered and turned to his desk picking up a three ring binder.

"Lyssa, I have to be going out. John and I compiled Rosies routine and what she is and isn't permitted for you so there is minimal guessing. Please read it thoroughly." He wrapped his scarf around his neck and kissed Rosie on the head before sweeping out ahead of Lestrade.

"Good Luck." Lestrade said as he closed the door.

Lyssa smiled and tickled Rosie before sitting down on the floor and opening the binder.