First chapter up! Thanks to Starcrier for the encouragement, bring on the reviews! I only own the OC, so… yeah. On with the show!

Sherlock Holmes was taking one of his night walks, as John was on the phone with his latest girlfriend and for some reason he couldn't think right. John could talk to a woman and date her, easy. Sherlock—not so easy. He'd already deduced she was a gold digger who had heard of their somewhat rising fame and figured him rich. But he would let his friend figure that out for himself.

No, he couldn't be jealous of the fact that John didn't scare women off like he did. Irene Adler texted him everyday—but then again she was different. Like him, she almost wasn't human, although she could get a date, easy. But Sherlock—not so easy. She loved him and he probably loved her, but something kept them apart (the chemistry, I mean, not the fact she was on the run from all sorts of criminals and terrorists).

Having been engulfed in his thinking he realized he'd stopped walking and felt a warm sensation on his chest. Now he was staring into a pair of beautiful brown eyes, on a fair-skinned face framed by long wavy brown hair, completely stunned but again realized something was wrong.

"I'm so sorry!" she was shouting, wiping something on his shirt. Judging by the empty coffee cup on the ground, the hot sensation, and fact she was dabbing at his coat with napkins, he'd knocked into her and she spilled her coffee on him. "I'm very sorry, I didn't see you!"

"No, it was my fault." Wait a minute. What did I just say?

She heaved a sigh and stepped back, looking at the wet stain on his jacket. "I-I can pay for dry cleaning."

"No, it's fine. I needed to send it out soon, anyway."

She half-smiled and then crouched down to pick up her books that were scattered on the pavement. For some reason he joined her, helping to gather the things, which was really not his own doing. "I was reading and walking at the same time. I guess that's not my strong point."

"No, it was my doing, really. Thinking and walking is actually quite more dangerous than I thought." Sherlock was shocked to hear that she was laughing; he made a joke. He made a joke and somebody laughed. He picked up a red book and read the title. "The Complete Biography of Bach?"

"Oh yeah. I'm on the second volume; please don't think me odd."

"No, no, I'm also a huge fan of Bach. I've read every volume cover to cover."

"Oh really? Isn't he just fascinating?"

"Yes, very much." Again he was looking into her eyes, lost in what he deduced was an intelligence that attracted him.

"Uh, I'm going to get another coffee. Would you like to join me?"

"Yes, I'd like that." They stood, and he helped her carry the stack. "So you're quite the reader."

"Yeah, I'm studying for my finals, too, on the side. I attend the London School of Economics for one more week."

"You're majoring in science?"

"Yes, and literature."

Music, science, and literature. Where have you been all my life? "How very intelligent."

They started for the café down the block. "Oh, I'm Madison, by the way. Madison Levitt."

"Sherlock Holmes." Idiot, you should've used a different name. She probably thinks you're a freak.

"That's a brilliant name, Sherlock."

On his walk home around midnight he hadn't really realized what they were talking about. School, childhood, job occupation, she was fascinated by everything, and he was the same. But he deduced something.

She claimed to be single, but had a ring imprint on her finger. It had obvious been worn frequently, and was fake because her finger was very lightly tinted green. She spoke of living with her parents, but had a certain throb in her voice that made him suspect they were dead. There was also a mention of a brother, who was a little overprotective. But the contempt in her eyes when she spoke of him led all suspicion to a boyfriend, who paid for her schooling and possibly abused her. So when she went out, she removed the ring he made her wear.

He returned home to find John had just got off the phone, and was closing up his blog for the night. The doctor looked a little confused to see Sherlock come in, but was even more surprised at something else.

"You look happy."

"Me? Happy? Oh please, when am I ever happy?"

"You were gone too long for your normal walks."

"Well, I was deep in thought, and oh yes. Call Lestrade in the morning. In reference to his 'baffling' case, the maid is responsible for both the kidnapping and murder." He removed his scarf and coat.

"You got coffee and didn't get any for me?"

"What?"

"The stain."

Sure enough, there was a stain on his shirt, which soaked throught the coat. "Excellent observation. Yes, I went out for coffee. Very sorry, good night." But his phone chimed, and he checked it.

Madison: Sorry to bother you so quickly, but how about another walk in the park tomorrow? I'd like to discuss with you the last chapter of Bach's bio, vol. 2.

He texted back, Does 8 suit you?

Madison: That sounds fine.

Sherlock: I'll keep the coffee hot.

Madison: LOL that's cute :) see you tomorrow.

"Who's that?"

"John, you shouldn't be so inquisitive."

"That's not Irene Adler, is it? It's a little late for her."

"No, it's a friend."

"A fr—huh? Who?"

"If you must know, her name is Madison Levitt. I was walking, consumed in thought, and bumped into her. She spilled coffee on me, and we started talking."

"You're texting her now after insulting her intellect?"

"I never insulted her intellect. On the contrary, she's very beaut—intelligent."

After a few seconds of gaping silence, John grinned and nodded. "You're into this Madison Levitt, aren't you?"

"Good night, John." He went to his room.

Yes? No? Maybe so? Let me know, thank you very much!

-SBA