The next morning, I woke up to the smell of tea and biscuits. Just the smell was enough to make my mouth water and my stomach growl. That's another reason I'm glad I left the palace. The royal diet (UGH). I honestly think the dog got better food than me!

I got up and dressed myself in a high-waisted, dusty pink tutu skirt along with a short, cream sweater-like top. I then put on a plain gold necklace and some black flats to pull the outfit together. I quickly brushed my long black hair, silently thanking my hair for having a beautiful natural wave, before running down the stairs like a kid on Christmas (I was really hungry, okay? I didn't think to bring snacks when I ran away).

When I reached the bottom of the stairs, I found Mrs. Hudson holding the tray which held the tea and biscuits I longed for.

"Good morning Anne!" She smiled, "I was just about to bring these up." She lifted the tray a bit; my eyes following it hungrily. I quickly looked back to her once I realized what she was implying.

"They're for me?" I blinked a few times, honestly surprised by her hospitality. She nodded,

"Of course dear! But remember, this is a one time thing. I'm just your landlady." I smiled gratefully and nodded, taking the tray into my hands.

"Thank you," I politely curtsied, "but I couldn't possibly eat all these myself! Would you do me a favor and help me? I'd hate to waste such good biscuits!" Mrs. Hudson seemed a bit taken back by my offer.

"Why, sure!" She smiled, "We can eat in my kitchen since we're so close." I followed her, noting the interior of her flat. It was a bit old fashioned, but well kept, which is what most would expect upon first meeting Mrs. Hudson. As we sat down, she insisted on pouring the tea, so I happily allowed her seeing as I usually had other people pour my tea for me.

"You know, most young people these days never have time to sit down and have a chat. Always so consumed in those phones and laptops; never could figure out those things." She began to ramble, and I politely listened whilst adding an "indeed" when necessary. I honestly enjoyed her company, and thought that she may very well end up being one of my first true friends.

"Now, the rent for that flat is nothing to scoff at. Maybe you should consider getting a flat mate." I nervously sat down my tea. I wasn't sure I wanted Mrs. Hudson to know who I truly was. I was fortunate enough that the paparazzi ignored me, so I wouldn't be easily recognizable, but if I paid the whole rent myself, she might realize who I was. Having a roommate to help pay the rent would be a good alibi. I cleared my throat and smiled.

"Yes, I thought I'd start searching for one. I should be able to handle the rent until I find one." She smiled. Mission keep your landlady from knowing you're a princess is a success. Proceed to do inside happy dance.

We continued to make small talk until there was a knock on the door.

"Ooh, that must be Sherlock!" She got up, quickly wiping the crumbs from her mouth as she made her way to the door. I followed close behind, straightening my skirt and adjusting my posture in an attempt to look princess-y so that Sherlock might recognize me. I could feel a smile creep on my face as the door opened, revealing my savior in the same long wool coat and scarf.

"Sherlock, hello." Mrs Hudson greeted him, sharing a brief hug. Sherlock turned his body so that Mrs. Hudson could get a look at the man accompanying him.
"Mrs Hudson, Doctor John Watson." He introduced them, allowing them to share a brief hello. Mrs. Hudson invited them in, john giving a polite thank you. Anne noticed the mans cane; a great curiosity over coming her.

"What happened?" I inquired, stepping closer to the man. He almost jumped a bit, obviously just now realizing I had been standing there.

"What? Oh..." John looked down at his leg, "nice to meet you too..." He muttered under his breath with a cough. Sherlock, too, just noticed her presence and turned to face her, furrowing his brow.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, looking to Mrs. Hudson for an answer. Mrs. Hudson wasn't sure what he was even asking, so she just gave him a confused look as John explained he was in the war.

"I see..." I bent down to get a closer look and almost considered poking it, but managed to restrain myself. I straightened myself and looked at Sherlock with what probably looked like a maniacal smile. "Hello Sherlock."

"Yes, hello, what are you doing here?" He spoke quickly. I opened my mouth but no words came out. What was I doing here? I mean, I knew I wanted to leave the palace, but why I chose to come here, I wasn't entirely sure. I mean, I barely know Sherlock!

"Anne lives in 221A, the flat above yours." Mrs. Hudson explained for me. I nodded, bouncing a bit on my toes from excitement. Sherlock gave me a look before turning around and trotting up the stairs, waiting for John to hobble up after him. Sherlock opened the door ahead of him and walked in, revealing the living room of the flat. John followed him in and looked around the room, noting all the books and junk scattered all around the room. I followed behind, pouting a bit that Sherlock didn't have much to say about my being here.

"Well, this could be very nice. Very nice indeed." John said, still looking around.

"Yes. Yes, I think so. My thoughts precisely." Sherlock smiled.

"So I went straight ahead and moved in." "Soon as we get all this rubbish cleaned out ... Oh." They spoke simultaneously. I couldn't help but giggle a bit, earning a look from Sherlock.

"I don't remember inviting you in to our flat, princess." Sherlock revealed my cover to John, who looked honestly confused.

"Princess?" I ducked my head, feeling a bit exposed.

"Yes. John, meet Her Royal Highness The Princess Anne." John looked at me with wide eyes.

"She's Princess Anne? The Princess Anne?!" He asked, obviously flustered that he had royalty in his soon to be flat. I gave a little smile and wave, unsure of what to say.

"You're perfectly fine to stay!" John said, earning a disapproving look from sherlock and a smirk from me, "Um, would you like tea? Anything at all?"

"No thank you. I just had tea with Mrs. Hudson." I sat down on one of the couches.

"So this is all ..." John got back to the matter at hand, but wasn't sure what to say.

"Well, obviously I can, um, straighten things up a bit." Sherlock attempted to straighten up, throwing a couple of folders into a box and then taking some apparently unopened envelopes across to the fireplace where he put them onto the mantelpiece and then stabbed them with a knife, securing them in place. Suddenly, John lifted his cane to point at a skull on the mantelpiece.

"That's a skull." He said, obviously wanting an explanation. I just looked at it with awe; questioning if it were real or not.

"Friend of mine." Sherlock started to explain, "When I say 'friend' ..."
Mrs Hudson came into the room as Sherlock shrugged off his coat.

"What do you think, then, Doctor Watson? There's another bedroom upstairs if you'll be needing two bedrooms." Johns face gave off a look that said: WTF? While I tried to hold back a giggle.

"Of course we'll be needing two."

"Oh, don't worry; there's all sorts round here. Mrs Turner next door's got married ones." John looked to Sherlock, who was to consumed in his own thoughts to object. I couldn't help but giggle that time.

"Oh, Sherlock! The mess you've made!" Mrs. Hudson called from the kitchen as she attempted to tidy up. John sat down across from me and looked to Sherlock who seemed to be brooding.

"I looked you up on the internet last night." John spoke up, catching my interest. Sherlock turned to him slightly.

"Anything interesting?"

"Found your website, The Science of Deduction." Sherlock had a smug smile on his face.

"What did you think?" Instead of praising him, John gave him a look, causing Sherlock to give a look of hurt and confusion.

"You said you could identify a software designer by his tie and an airline pilot by his left thumb."

"Yes; and I can read your military career in your face and your leg, and your brother's drinking habits in your mobile phone." Sherlock said, and I couldn't help but give a look of admiration.

"How?" But sherlock didn't reply. He only turned away with a smile.

"I wanna try!" I blurted suddenly.

"Try what exactly?" John asked as I stood up and walked over to Sherlock.

"Deduction. I've never deduced anything before." Sherlock looked at me with interest.

"All right. Try it then." Sherlock said straightening himself.

"Um, okay. I've never done this before so..."

"Just observe. Then take those observations and make a deduction." Sherlock instructed me; perhaps interested to see what I could do.

"Well...I'd say that you and John are recent acquaintances by the way you speak to each other. Ummmm... I can tell you're very intelligent, but can be a bit blunt sometimes by the fact that you told me that you aren't a people person. Maybe you have a thing where you believe everyone else is stupid? You take good care of yourself, which is more than an be said for your flat..." I tried to think of something else, but that was all I could think of.

"Good. For a beginner." Sherlock said, "You're obviously missing parts, but not bad." I smiled a this sort of compliment. Mrs. Hudson then came out of the kitchen wielding a newspaper.

"What about these suicides then, Sherlock? I thought that'd be right up your street. Three exactly the same." Sherlock walked over to the window and looked out.

"Four. There's been a fourth. And there's something different this time."

"A fourth?" Suddenly an man burst into the flat.

"Where?"

"Brixton, Lauriston Gardens."

"What's new about this one? You wouldn't have come to get me if there wasn't something different."

"You know how they never leave notes?"

"Yeah."

"This one did. Will you come?"

"Who's on forensics?"

"It's Anderson." Sherlock grimaced.

"Anderson won't work with me."

"Well, he won't be your assistant."

"I need an assistant."

"I'll be your assistant!" I raised my hand excitedly. Sherlock looked at me but didn't say anything.

"Will you come?" Lestrade continued.

"Not in a police car. I'll be right behind."

"Thank you." Lestrade nodded at John and I before rushing back down the stairs.

As soon as Lestrade exited, Sherlock leapt into the air with pure exhilaration on his face.

"Brilliant! Yes! Ah, four serial suicides, and now a note! Oh, it's Christmas!" I giggled at his enthusiasm, "Mrs Hudson, I'll be late. Might need some food."

"I'm your landlady, dear, not your housekeeper."

"Something cold will do. John, have a cup of tea, make yourself at home. Don't wait up! Anne, with me." My eyes went wide with a mix of happiness and excitement.

"You'll let me come with you?" I smiled.

"I said I needed an assistant and I meant it. Unless of course you don't want to-"

"No-No-No-No! Of course I want to go!" I retrieved my coat before heading down the stairs. I could feel the excitement radiating off of me, and even Sherlock picked up on it and smiled at me. I could tell that I was going to like Mr. Holmes.