/*/*/ Alex's POV /*/*/

The suffocating darkness of night filled 221B Baker street, all of the residents lost in the sweet dreams that come with sleep- all except two. Sherlock Holmes sat on the floor with his pipe in his mouth, puzzling over the latest resident to arrive and planning out how he could use this to his advantage. Miss Vargas was interesting in herself- presenting answers to his questions that went against the norm. But there was also Watson to take into account- he had always been a gentleman, helping out those in need. Perhaps there was a way to influence his feelings to her, make them turn to romance- that way he could no doubt prevent his future engagement to Miss Mary Morstan, although then that would present the problem of him losing Watson to Miss Vargas. Although she seemed to be the type who would love to have adventures, so perhaps he could somehow influence her into helping out in investigations. That would mean Watson would see more of her and he could also make him jealous by making him believe that he was being replaced by the young woman.

Yes, that was a good plan- she did already seem like the type of person who would love to get involved, after all she hadn't protested to saying with two men. Getting her to stay should be easy, whilst making it so Watson couldn't tell that it had been his idea would be slightly harder- still trivial though. He would then have to allow Miss Morstan and Miss Vargas to meet- which would mean Watson would have to initiate that. Easily done, seeing as he had been trying to get Holmes to meet her- he could use that as a chance to invite her along and then the rest should go well.

A noise alerted Holmes to my presence, and immediately all thoughts of plots and schemes left him as he turned to face me.

"What are you doing up, Miss Vargas?" he asked, no suspicion apparent in his voice- only curiosity. "If your ankle is giving you too much pain I'm sure I could help you out- no need to bother Watson."

I shook my head gently,

"I could ask you the same question, Mr Holmes," she replied. "I just had too much to think about, so at the moment sleep evades me."

"I am in a similar predicament," he replied. "But why are you in my room?"

"It's your room? I thought it was a bombsite," I replied, trying not to grin at his look of indignity. "I just heard this weird noise and came to investigate."

"Well I can assure you that I neither heard nor made any noise at all," he stated, raising an eyebrow. "What was this 'weird noise' of yours?"

"Footsteps," I replied, sitting down opposite him. "Someone was standing outside my room, for about five minutes or so before I heard them head away and I assumed that it was you- although I had no idea this was your room."

"Why would you assume it was me?"

"Well, they were definitely men shoes- which would mean either you or Dr Watson, and considering there was a lack of cane noise- there was no distinguishing difference between the footsteps so I concluded that it was you."

He raised an eyebrow; obviously impressed by the fact I seemed to show some observational skills above average levels.

"Wrong, but may I enquire as to how you gained this skill?"

I blushed slightly, tilting my head towards the floor and brushing a strand of hair out of my face.

"I usually stayed in my room, and I made a habit of paying attention to who was coming up the stairs so I would know if I should attempt to look like I was doing what I was supposed to."

A small grin slipped onto his face.

"Is that right?" Then he became more serious. "You are absolutely positive you heard someone walking around the hallways?"

I nodded, suddenly becoming aware that I had my back to the door- which I had left open. Paranoia telling me that there could be someone there, but obviously there wasn't because Holmes didn't appear bothered by anything. In fact, he had jumped up and was pacing up and down with that grin back on his face- as though he had just received a great gift.

"Let's go get Watson!" He suddenly declared. "Then we can all look for this intruder together!"

"Joy," I exclaimed, slowly getting up as Holmes waited impatiently for me. "But why? Surely you could handle one guy by yourself."

"Best not to take risks," he replied cheerfully, though I suspected he had ulterior motives as he led me into Watsons room. "Wake up! We might have an intruder at hand!"

Watson was obviously not very happy at being woken up, but the mention of an intruder had him up.

"Are you sure?"

"Young Miss Vargas claimed she heard a man walking through the halls who waited outside her room- she deduced it was me, but it wasn't so we have an intruder!"

Watson looked at me quickly before joining us as we went on our night time excursion. Although to be fairly obvious we didn't really do much, just stand around nervously whilst Holmes stared at the floor as though it were a piece of art. He made multiple noises as he marched up and down the hallways, the flickering light casting ominous shadows on the walls.

"It appears that there was someone here- male, as suspected and most likely to be in his fourties, prefers to travel by foot and works on the Thames, and because I didn't detect him then it must be that we are dealing with a professional here- no doubt hired by a man of considerable wealth," deduced Holmes. "It also appears that our friend does not know we've detected him and will no doubt make another appearance."

"What makes you say that?" asked Watson, alarm written on his face.

"He was heard to stand outside Miss Vargas room for approximately five minutes, but not any others- therefore it shows that our friend was looking for her specifically, seeing as the room was previously unoccupied and a professional would have made sure to know the layout of the building before attempting such an excursion."

"He'll be back?" I asked, anxiety clear in my tone. "So you're saying that someone is after me."

"It appears so," replied Holmes, walking back over us. "Do you per chance have any enemies?"

"I haven't been out long enough to offend anyone that much," I replied, and he grinned in reply.

"What about the men in the alley, the man we killed may have been working for someone else," pointed out Watson.

"Highly unlikely," replied Holmes. "They were just your average thugs- which is what made that case so dull, besides- his two companions were picked up by Lestrade earlier and even if they hadn't they weren't smart enough to do something like this."

"Whatever it is I have no intention of letting this man anywhere near me," I replied defiantly. "No matter how professional he may be."

"Indeed!" exclaimed Holmes, turning around to look over the banister. "But, under no circumstances, can we leave a lady to defend herself- no matter how feisty she may be. So Watson and I will be joining you in your room, readily armed for the return of our friend."

We both stared at him in shock- Watson about the inappropriateness of the whole thing no doubt, and myself just at the suggestion in general. I mean this was my first night with them and already my life is in danger- that was twice in one day, twice more than in the rest of my life.

"Holmes," began Watson. "I understand that this a serious situation- but surely there is something else we can do. Perhaps contact Lestrade and let him handle this, or at least set out to find him instead of allowing the danger to actually reach into this building. Mrs Hudson and all others in this place could be placed in the way of danger because of this."

"No they won't," replied Holmes with certainty.

"Pray tell me how you know that?"

"Because it's just me they want," I replied, as it dawned on me.

"Exactly," agreed Holmes. "They came to get you, but we can also agree that it's not only you they're after."

"And what is that supposed to mean?" enquired Watson.

"Well, they came immediately after Miss Vargas upon her arrival here- and as stated they must be a professional or at least have extensive knowledge of the house and it's occupants to find her room without hesistation. That would most likely mean that they have been watching the house for several days in order to grasp the layout and habits of it occupants. Now, seeing as that would be before the young ladies arrival that would mean the target was someone else," explained Holmes. "This would most likely be either Watson or myself."

"So what does that have to with me?" I asked.

"It's because she's so much like you," commented Watson. "That or they saw how interested you were in her."

"Precisely, which means the proper target is me and they are after me because they believe she is someone of importance to me."

"What do you mean I'm like him?" I asked Watson, all else not important at that moment.

"Well from within the first few moments of knowing you, it was hard not to notice the eccentricity in your personality which I have only ever observed in Holmes- that plus a few other factors such as your sarcasm and backwards approach to matters."

"And here I thought I was just being rude," I remarked, and the two men chuckled.

/*/*/ Watson's POV /*/*/

None of us slept any more that night, the thoughts of our visitor weighing heavily on our minds and preventing even the merest speck of sleep from approaching us. A single candle flickering weakly in the middle of the floor, Miss Vargas sitting on her bed with her head in her hands, Holmes smoking his pipe while watching the door through half-closed eyes and I leaning against the wall whilst my mind made comparisons between the two.

"I have a feeling that he's not coming back," stated she, her voice quiet. "He obviously knows that we know about him."

"Indeed," agreed Holmes, also quietly. "No doubt he must have other people watching the house, and if he knows us well then he may guess that we know that he'll come back."

"So he won't come back?" I asked, knowing that it was highly unlikely and it was confirmed when Miss Vargas shook her head whilst Holmes spoke his confirmation.

"No," he replied. "If he were not under the employment of someone else there would be a chance, but there is no doubt he will come back again- be it tomorrow or in several days."

"Then we must set about finding him."

"I'd rather find some time to sleep," was Miss Vargas' reply. "Which won't happen until I am alone- that or someone drugs me."

Holmes glanced in her direction momentarily before returning his gaze to the door and shutting his eyes completely. For a moment I believed he was actually planning to do the deed himself.

"We will indeed search for this fellow- what kind of detective would I be if I could solve everyone's problems except my own?"

"Probably a dead one," replied Miss Vargas, a mischievous look in her eye. "Or a bad one- I can't quite decide."

"That was a rhetorical question," he replied in annoyance.

"Really? I must have been mistaken then- I thought it was a stupid question."

"There are no stupid questions, only stupid people."

I shook my head at his mistake, watching Miss Vargas' eyes narrow.

"Are you calling me stupid, Mr Holmes?" she asked coldly.

"Well seeing as you answered a rhetorical question that would inevitably be the conclusion to arrive to." His eyes were now wide open and he was watching the annoyed woman with amusement.

"Obviously you've never heard of a joke then," she replied. "Perhaps you aren't as intelligent as everyone thinks."

"Are you doubting my skills?" His voice became annoyed. "I think it's obviously you who can't take a joke."

"Calling someone stupid isn't a joke-"

"I was merely stating a saying."

I rubbed my temple as the continued- they'd only known each other a day and were already acting like an old married couple.

"Here's another saying- hell have no fury like a woman's wrath."

"Enough," I interrupted. "We've got bigger problems than yours two petty argument."

Holmes and Miss Vargas shared once last glare before turning to me.

"Indeed, we must set about finding this man as soon as we can- and it would be best to keep Miss Vargas with us in case he makes a daytime visit," agreed Holmes. "Highly unlikely- but not impossible for an expert. We should head out now in case he is still around."

"He's not going to hang around if he knows that we know about him," I pointed out.

"He may have a deadline," said she. "We don't know anything about his employer yet."

"But seeing as sitting around here chatting won't help- let's go!"

With that Holmes got up and left the room, Miss Vargas following shortly afterwards with a sigh and me behind her.

I think that it was that night which should of warned us.