Chapter Two.

Sherlock shoved the door open to the living room, flinging the box he was carrying across the room sending it crashing into a pile of papers that John had only just finished filing. He dumped his coat on the arm chair and was about to sit down until his eyes flicked to the sofa.

"John" he roared. John came running into the room jumper half on, expecting there to be a killer standing in the room. When he saw nothing but Sherlock standing in the middle of the living room eyes boring into the figure on the sofa he tentatively raised his finger to his lips and shushed his housemate.

"No I will not shhh what is SHE doing on OUR sofa" he was like a child about to have a tantrum. John could see it rising up inside of him.

"She was waiting on the doorstep in the pouring rain when I got home. I wasn't going to leave her on the step so I invited her in, went off to make us tea when I came back she was fast asleep" he explained.

"Well wake her up and get her out and you can't just be inviting people in for tea" he hissed his arm movements getting more agitated with every statement.

"Sherlock she's your daughter you can't just turf her out. Can't you at least have one ounce of humanity just for once for your own flesh and blood" John tried to keep his voice hushed, sometimes Sherlock could infuriate him.

"I was eighteen, she's not my responsibility. I don't want to have to feed her, clean up after her and make sure she doesn't get sick" they were almost nose to nose the taller of the two staring down, his eyes on fire.

"Sherlock she is a human not a pet. Stop being such a bloody idiot. You don't even know why she's here yet" John moved away from Sherlock. His brain telling him it was best not to get into an argument, especially with the girl asleep on the sofa. He turned his back considering what to say next. The doorbell rang.

"Sherlock…" he started but stopped as his eyes went to the sofa where Sherlock was knelt, examining the sleeping body like a corpse on a crime scene.

Sherlock slowly and gently pulled the sleeping figure so she laid on her back so he could get a proper look at her. She had less make up on before revealing dark circles under her eyes. He examined her nails, painted but chipped stained yellow and hair dyed regularly every 6 weeks at a salon . Looked at what she wore. Dark jeans used to fit but where baggy on the waistband, loose fitting black t-shirt and ugg boots which were scuffed within an inch of there life. His eyes flicked to the grey leather jacket which lay next to her. The cigarette packet that stuck out of the half zipped pocket, opened but full, for a second he was tempted. The doorbell rang again.

"Client" both men said in unison. Without even thinking Sherlock picked the sleeping girl up in his arms. Noting her weight and storing it in his memory and transferred her to his room. Slipping her under the covers before leaving. He closed the door softly behind him straightened his jacket and returned to the living room. Moved her leather jacket and waited for the client to arrive.

An hour later and the client left, in tears after Sherlock had explained every detail of the affair her husband was mostly definitely having and telling her when she got back to her house he would probably have packed his suitcase and left. He was incredibly agitated, his foot tapping the floor like someone on caffeine overdose.

"So what did you find out" John asked anything to stop the foot tapping.

"On her christmas holidays, kicked out of home which is why she is here, stressed which is leading to lack of sleep, takes her coffee black, fell over two days ago most probably whilst drunk and has a bruised back and elbow. Had her hair dyed yesterday. Is a cocaine addict and used to be a smoker" he reeled off the facts as if naming all the farm animals he knew and John as always was impressed until a voice chimed in.

"Wrong again" Kate stood in the doorway, her hair slightly messy from her sleep and her eyes squinting as they adjusted to the light.

"I used to be a cocaine user and I am a smoker, but close enough" she smirked again, John noted how like Sherlock's' it was.

"John if you wouldn't mind I'd like a word with my daughter. Alone" Sherlock said keeping his voice level. John nodded.

"Give me a shout if you need me" he aimed this mainly at Kate, as for a split second he had the image of one of them wringing the others neck before the conversation had started. As the living room door shut Sherlock turned to his daughter.

"Sit"