Chapter Three; Tricks and Childhood Memories

It had been her first day at a new school. Maria had just moved up to London from the country-side and everything was new to her. The buildings, the cabs, even the people were strange. She was scared, though, she would never admit it. She'd always been very brave and noble too. These were just a few of the few things he'd noticed about her, the moment she walked through the school gates.

Of course, she stuck out. That fiery red hair tumbling down around her face and shoulders, her backpack, swinging off one shoulder and her eyes, the brightest blue he'd ever seen. He had to look away though. It wouldn't take her very long to walk straight past him, sitting under the giant tree right near the gates. His brother had always told him, friends were never any good to you.

"Um, hello?" A soft melodic voice spoke from next to him and he looked up to see the girl with fiery hair standing over him. She was talking to HIM? He stumbled for words for a moment before his natural Holmes ability kicked in and he began deducing everything about her, the state of her parents' marriage, where she was from, even down to the shampoo she had used last night.

"They've spotted you with me now; you'll be branded a freak for coming and talking with me first." He finished with, turning his head away from her. What she did next, would forever leave him in shock. She laughed and sat down next to him.

"Well, I guess I'm screwed then," She said with a cheery laugh. "My name's Maria, by the way. But how did you do that? It was incredible!" She praised. He blinked slowly and turned to look at her.

"You…you really think so?" He asked and she nodded.

"Tell me your name."

"Sherlock. Sherlock Holmes."

"Sherlock?" Maria asked tapping him on the shoulder. Sherlock blinked and realised he'd gone off into a daydream. He shook his head a little then smiled slightly.

"Pardon, I was just thinking about the day we met." He admitted. Maria laughed softly.

"The one thing you couldn't deduce about me was my name," She teased elbowing him lightly and he smirked slightly.

"It was the ONLY thing. Everything else was correct was it not?" He challenged. Maria couldn't deny that, he'd always been right about everything. They fell silent, Maria looking out the window, Sherlock looking at her. Finally, he seemed to find the courage to ask.

"Maria….your leg…it's from the war right….where they shot you…" He asked cautiously, watching for her reaction. Maria's expression hardened slightly, her eyes becoming like stone, but she kept her gaze out the window.

"Y-Yes," She stuttered out, cursing her habit of stuttering when she panicked. She clenched her teeth together, to stop herself from saying more. She knew all too well his mind would be reeling now trying to cover all the possibilities of what she was thinking. But what he actually did surprised her.

One long fingered hand reached over the space between them to gently take her hand. Sherlock couldn't possibly fathom the idea of anyone drawing a gun on her, an army medic just simply doing her job. He formed a fist with his other hand. Feeling pressure on her hand, she turned to look at him, to see his dark expression, the anger in his eyes.

"Sherlock, there is no reason to be angry…"
"And there was no reason for them to gun down a medic trying to do her job." He shot back, casting his eyes to the floor to avoid her gaze.

"You knew when I left for the army, that I was taking a risk. You knew, Sherlock, you knew there always was a chance I would never make it back and if I did I would be different." Maria said firmly, finding herself clutching his hand. Sherlock looked up at her only to see one perfect tear rolling down her cheek.

Maria never cried.

Instantly, like a flood wall had been removed, he felt remorse for his words. He reached over with his free hand and removed the evidence of her moment of weakness from her face. She'd always been the brave one, the strong one. People had beaten him down, tormented him, ridiculed him for all of his life, but Maria, Maria was his rock. She was the wall between them and him. She's always stood beside him, never fearing what might come.

"I shouldn't have brought this up so soon….this was supposed to be a more joyous occasion. I apologise."

Maria sighed gently then reached over and ruffled his hair gently, just like she'd done when they were younger.

"If I hadn't been shot Sherlock, I'd still be there. You should be happy, I'm back and I'm alive and well." She said, the corner of her mouth twitching up into a smile that only he would know. Sherlock noted the smile, which lifted his spirits slightly.

"I missed you."

"I know."

The cab finally pulled up into front of an apartment building. She immediately noted the well thought-out placement of the building. There was a café nearby, and the library and court rooms were not far. However, night was already beginning to fall and the lights were on in the houses around.

"Welcome to 221b, Bakers Street," Sherlock said with a grin that caused tiny creases in the corner of his eyes, a smile Maria had missed. They stepped out and Sherlock proceeded over to the door.

"Now I must warn you about the land-lady-" He began opening the door only to be cut off by a woman yelling his name.

"Sherlock! Where on earth have you been? I just saw the news!" The small Scottish-accented woman cried, seeing them walk in.

"Hello Mrs Hudson." He greeted slowly, pulling off his scarf as the small woman babbled on. "Mrs Hudson, I would like you to meet Maria Maron, she's interested sharing the flat I'm in." He explained over the woman's noise. She stopped suddenly and looked at Maria.

"Of course, of course!" Mrs Hudson said before ushering them upstairs. She began babbling on about the flat, other tenants and of course Sherlock.

"Maybe with a lady in his life, he'll stop all those experiments at 4am." She said with a side glance at Sherlock, who hid the faint tinge that reached his cheeks. Maria blinked.

"We're honestly just old friends," Maria explained, however she felt like the woman was assuming just a bit too much about their relationship.

"Its fine Dear, you don't have to say anymore," She said with a friendly smile before she opened the door to the apartment. Sherlock instantly realised he should have cleaned up before inviting Maria over. There were stacks of paper everywhere, books lying open, a chemistry set laid out on the table.

"Well. The place could use a little cleaning…" Maria joked, elbowing Sherlock gently who turned a darker shade of pink.

"I-I should tidy it I guess…" He mumbled before moving over to a pile of papers and straightening them out a bit, moving them off the furniture so she could sit. Maria moved further into the room looking around, taking it in.

"What do you think?" Sherlock asked, offering her the chair.

"I think it's a lovely place." She replied moving over and sitting down in the offered chair. Mrs Hudson proceeded to babble on about papers and the like before Sherlock interrupted her.

"We are both very tired Mrs Hudson, can it wait until tomorrow?"

"Oh right! Of course Sherlock. Rest well!" She said with a farewell wave to Maria before Sherlock shut the door. He sighed then collapsed onto the red velvet couch.

"She sure is a chatty one." Maria said with a shaky laugh, rubbing the back of her head. Sherlock nodded.

"You don't mind if I stay here for the night, do you? It would be somewhat of a hassle for me to go home right now." Maria asked and Sherlock turned his head to look at her.

"Of course not. I'll show you your room." He said, picking himself up off the couch before removing his coat and throwing it down on the couch. "This way milady." He said with a soft chuckle. Maria rolled her eyes and stood, slowly limping after him. Sherlock cast his eyes back on her. He decided then and there, he would make her forget about the war and all her troubles.

She'd fought enough out on the battle field and he didn't deem it fair for her to continue her fight after returning home. She was battling against her mind and her own body and if he could, he would take away all her pain. Sherlock stopped in front of the door, pushing it open for her.

It was a spacious room, with a window overlooking the street, a wardrobe, a cabinet and a double bed pushed up against the wall. She would be able to look at the sky out the window when she lay in bed. Maria smiled and slowly limped into the room.

"It's perfect Sherlock." She said turning to him with an honest smile.

"You may want to get some sleep; we have work to do tomorrow, moving all your stuff for one thing, and sorting out paperwork and the likes." He said and she nodded.

"Thanks. Goodnight Sherlock." Maria said and he closed the door with a smile. Maria turned back to the bed and sat down on it. She hadn't told Sherlock about the nightmares yet, but she prayed for one night they would leave her alone; let her sleep in peace for once. Sighing, she laid back and closed her eyes.

Out in the living room, Sherlock had picked up his violin and started to play a soft, sweet tune.