Like Brother, Like Sister

Hello, all! This is my first Sherlock Fan-Fic, so any criticism is greatly appreciated. Don't forget to read and review!

Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to Sherlock Holmes, that would be awesome if I did though.

It was early when she woke up, or at least when she rose out of her bed. Ever since the disappearance of her brother, Sherlock, it was difficult for her to fall asleep. It was not only difficult, it was impossible for Adeline to lie her head down and try to forget everything that happened. That's what the police kept telling her. "Just forget about it. It's been a year. He's gone." The problem was that she couldn't forget about it; the whole situation was too odd. Adeline knew her brother well and Sherlock Holmes would never run off without giving a clue to where he was going. In this case, there were no clues. Sherlock just left and that was that.

She rose out of bed and strode to her small dresser. She picked out a pair of dark jeans and a white blouse. She looked in the mirror to brush her dark curly hair, however she was only thinking of her brother. Although Adeline had not heard from Sherlock as much as she'd like to, he would try to keep in touch with his sister. Usually, he would send her texts or e-mails describing how infuriating Anderson could be, his boredom, latest experiment, and the details from the latest case he and Watson solved. She smiled, remembering her last encounter with her brother, one month before he vanished.

Adeline sat at a table in a small tavern as she waited for her brother to show up. She was seated behind her cup of tea trying not to look at the clock for a third time. Suddenly, Sherlock walked through the door, scarf, coat and all, and seated himself across from his sister. He looked disgruntled and his bright green eyes showed a hint of anger, but mostly confusion. He was paler than usual and his mouth was quite dry. Adeline knew something was wrong from the start.

"You're late."

"Wonderful to see you again, dear sister." He then ordered himself a glass of sherry.

"Where have you been for the past hour?"

"Out."

"Well, that's descriptive."

He rolled his eyes in annoyance. "I was working on a case, and to be honest this meeting of ours is tying me up at the moment."

"Well, if you would rather do this another time-"

"I would."

"You know, dear bother, you could have at least told me that this would have been inconvenient for you. That way, you would not have been 'tied up' and I could be doing more with my time."

The server came around and dropped the sherry off. Sherlock smiled at the small glass.

"If I had told you about the inconvenience, you would have dragged me here anyway." Sherlock scoffed. "Adeline, as we both know, this meeting is the highlight of your day." He sipped at his sherry with a discontented face.

Adeline rolled her eyes, "Let's not get cocky, dear."

Sherlock peered around the restaurant. "Wasn't Mycroft supposed to meet us, I ask with no interest whatsoever."

"Yes, he was." She looked at the clock again then back to her displeased brother. "There is no reason to be sarcastic Sherlock, he's your brother too."

"You don't have to remind me. So, why are we meeting here?"

"Well, you've been so busy lately with your work and you barely have the time to send me a text or e-mail, so I just wanted to see how you are. You look incredibly tired-"

Sherlock smirked at his sister and leaned back in his chair, "I am fine and I'm not tired. Goodbye." He began to rise, until he was stopped by Adeline.

"Sherlock, sit down." As he did, Adeline envisioned her brother. She took in every detail of her brother's condition. "You are tired. The dark rings around your eyes means you have not been sleeping for about a week now. By the look of your rustled hair and the amount of grease, you haven't showered in the past two weeks. Your nervous about something, from your sweaty palms. I can see the nicotine under your chewed up fingernails. Your shaking hands also tells me that you are in shock. I can also see the slight bloodshot in your eyes, that you tried to cover up with those eyedrops of yours. " She looked down by his feet. "Sherlock, you can stop tapping your foot, I know that you hate when I analyze you." Adeline leaned back in her chair and sipped her tea.

"Fine. So, I haven't been sleeping or washing. I am currently on a case that requires all of my attention. This, in turn, has required me to lose sleep and to spend my quality time on solving than on the art of bathing." Sherlock huffed and ordered another sherry. "Sometimes, I must take a few...influences to get the creative juices flowing." He rested in his chair again, still looking annoyed. "So, what is this about again?"

"This is exactly what I'm talking about! You're ruining yourself, Sherlock! You have got to stop doing this work or else-"

"Can do, but won't. Next."

"Does Watson know what you're doing?"

That was a particular point that Sherlock did not want to talk about.

"Dr. Watson is currently visiting his drunken sister, wherever she may be. Not that I care. So, I doubt it."

"What is this case about then and why are you so hooked?"

Sherlock looked around the deserted pub and then leaned to his sister, insisting she do the same.

"I am currently looking to find-" The clock chimed five and a look of terror flashed in his eyes.

"We'll have to continue this conversation next time sister," he said as he finished his drink and ran to the door. "Only next time, I will have solved it." He smiled and ran out.

Adeline came back to reality. That was the last time she ever saw her brother alive. She put on her ballet flats and opened the door to her apartment. She turned and took a small umbrella with her. In London, you never really knew when it would start pouring rain. She locked the door behind her and descended the stairs from her flat. Just as she was about to leave, she was stopped by her landlady.

"Oh dear, Adeline! I have a letter for you. The postman just dropped it off. Odd, there is no return address."

Adeline took the letter and studied it. It was a brown envelope with her name and address written in black ink. Like her landlady said, there was no return address and no seal. Adeline almost forgot that the elderly woman was in the room.

"Thank you, Mrs. Walker, I will be in soon." Adeline smiled and left the flat. As soon as she approached the busy street in downtown London, she immediately opened the letter. What she found inside, she did not expect.

Adeline, I am unable to give you my current position or my current condition. However, know that I am getting closer to solving the case. Best wishes.

-Sherlock

P.S. Friends are often hard to find. Rather than keep looking for them, you should let them find you. Another thing you must remember is to never let anyone tell you who you should become. Next, you are a unique person. Considering these facts, you should look in the Bible to consider all these lessons. Everything will eventually come together for you, dear sister.

P.S.S. Don't tell this to Watson, or Mycroft for that matter.

Adeline had to read the words over and over. She couldn't get past the first word. The words did sound like her brother and the handwriting was her brother's. She was so relieved to hear from her brother, but she was filled with anger. Why had she not heard from him before? Why was he hiding?

No matter his reason, Adeline Holmes would find her brother. Whether he liked it or not.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to rate and review! Next chapter should be up soon!