Zelda wasn't so sure she was going to like her new job, but when the economy turned down and she needed something to pay the bills... being a live in caretaker sounded better than the alternative. As she sits down after shaking the woman's hand she forces a smile. "Well now Doctor Nohansen," the young woman starts as she reads over Zelda's resume, "you seem to be quite an accomplished doctor. Why don't you open up your own practice?"

"I have been asked that since I graduated," Zelda says with a small laugh, "and honestly I don't know. I suppose it was never really my thing."

"You do know that this job will not be easy correct?" the woman says carefully, eyes searching her face for any signs of misgivings.

"I wouldn't expect it to be. From what you've told me-"

"My brother is a drug addict Doctor Nohansen," the woman talks over her as she tucks some brownish red hair behind her ear, "he overdosed a month ago and since he's come back from the hospital he's had five people move in to be his caretaker. None of them have lasted more than a night," she says her words with scorn, whether that's directed at the brother in question or the failings of the hirees, Zelda can't tell.

"I'm used to working with difficult cases," Zelda says firmly. She needs this job, not only for the money but also for the roof over her head it provides.

"One woman left crying after five minutes," she says with a cold smile.

"It takes a lot to make me cry," Zelda responds, hiding her wavering resolve.

"Then let's go over and meet my... charming brother shall we?"

XxX

A ten minute car ride later and they pull up to a very nice town home. The bricks are a muddy red, the white painted decorative shutters contrast beautifully, and the yard work is spotless. "Seems very nice," Zelda remarks and the woman sighs heavily as they climb out of her car.

"Looks are deceiving Miss Nohansen," she says firmly as her high dollar heels click up the sidewalk to the steps leading to the front door. "I called him this morning to remind him I might be bringing someone by... let's hope he remembers..." the last part is mumbled as she puts a key into the lock and turns it.

The house is silent, eerily so as they make their way through the small front entrance into a living room area turned into a makeshift library. Books line the shelves, some are stuffed haphazardly on top and others litter the floor. A worn couch and two chairs that look like ancient antiques sit alone in the room, a thin layer of dust on their leather surfaces. "Are you home?" the woman calls out loudly and is answered with a thump somewhere above their heads. Zelda looks up, curious as to what could have made such a noise, when she hears steps on the stairs by the front entrance.

"Mist I swear I-" a man comes into view, wearing nothing but a pair of red, black, and gray plaid sleep pants. Zelda puts a friendly smile on her face as he looks at her. He tilts his head, his dark blue locks catching the light beautifully as he scowls at her. "What's this?" he asks and Mist snorts.

"Ike we went over this dear brother," she chides in a false loving tone. "This is Zelda Nohansen she-"

"Doctor," he corrects and Zelda's brow twitches in surprise.

"How'd you know?" she asks and he blinks like a bored cat.

"You dress smartly, but not in a business way. You have a slight tear on the left sleeve of your jacket which you've stitched up with dark thread to hide, but it is a vertical mattress suture, commonly used by doctors."

"That's impressive," Zelda remarks and he nods.

"I know. Why must you insist on this Mist?" he asks as he turns his dark blue eyes back to his sister, giving Zelda a chance to stare at his track-marked arms and odd tattoos that litter the surface of his skin.

"Because Mother finds you untrustworthy," she replies with a sickly sweet smile and Zelda watches Ike's fingers twitch at his sides.

"I do not need a babysitter, I am a grown man-"

"You overdosed you idiot," Mist snaps. "You can't handle yourself, that much is clear, so now you're going to have Doctor Nohansen looking out for you." Ike turns his attention back to her and Zelda fights the urge to cringe from that piercing gaze.

"Are you squeamish Doctor?" he asks and she shakes her head. "Good, because I have a body to examine down at the morgue in thirty minutes. If you insist on being my babysitter, please be ready by then."

"You're a mortician?" Zelda asks, wondering why she wasn't told his occupation.

"No, I consult with the police on cases that are to complex for their simple minds," he says and turns around to go back up the stairs. "Be ready Doctor, it's a gruesome scene." Zelda looks to Mist who seems to be swallowing back the urge to snap at him.

"He's eccentric," Mist says after a moment and gives Zelda a tight smile. "So, interested?" Zelda looks up at the ceiling where she can hear Ike moving above her.

"Very," she responds and Mist claps her hands together.

"I will set it up to help you get moved in... Good luck," she adds after a moment and starts toward the front door. "You'll need it," she mumbles the words, obviously not meant for Zelda's ears. The door clicks behind her retreating form and Zelda steps over to the bookshelf, curious as to what a man such as this would read.

Her eyes skim the spines, noting the wide array of novels and texts with an impressed nod of her head.

"I hope you are ready to..." Ike's voice makes her whirl like a guilty criminal and she watches his eyes narrow almost imperceptibly. "Why are you still here?"

"Because I'm-"

"You're curious," he says it like a fact and Zelda resists the urge to shudder and instead turns her attention to his clothing. He's wearing a black suit, accented with a light blue button down that's buttoned up to the top. "You really want to know, yet you're terrified of what awaits you... also of me," he adds as he turns to a coat rack containing one lone black trench coat.

"I'm not afraid of you," she states boldly and he turns to her as he slides his coat on.

"I did not say afraid," he says as he walks up to her. Zelda can't help her reflexive step back, and when her back hits the bookshelf a gasp escapes her lips. He stops before her, leaning his face close to hers. His breath is warm as it ghosts across her face, a stark contrast to his cold blue eyes and unsmiling lips. "I said terrified." Her mouth opens but no words come out. His eyes run over her face, flicker down to her lips, and back to her eyes before he takes a half step back. "Come along now Doctor," he calls as he goes to the door, "we have a body waiting."

XXX

Me? Self control issues?! Never! I'm offended you say such rude things about me! Anyway, new idea from yours truly. Let me know what you think of my Elementary and Sherlock fusion hybrid with the ever amazing Ike and Zelda!