Nothing is mine but the clothes on my back and those were hand-me-downs. Enjoy!

Also still no new reviews. This makes me sad. Please people? I'll even take one word reviews. Good. Bad. Anything?

It had been two months since Noelle Morgan moved into 221C Baker Street. Honestly John didn't think she'd stay around especially after Sherlock decided her fridge was as good as any to leave body parts in. Surprisingly she didn't make much of a fuss and next time I went down for tea Sherlock showed up to sneak things in the fridge he was met with a notice on the fridge.

Sherlock, Please use a plastic bag to cover body parts when leaving them in my fridge. No genitals. No heads. No hair. No internal organs. Use the bottom shelf I never use it anyways. If you eat my yogurt again I will kill you slowly and painfully!

-Noelle

P.S. and don't use my milk!

She had likewise taken quite well to the violin music. The first time it happened she showed up at their doorstep with an expandable file folder wearing pajama bottoms with a jacket pulled around her looking quietly disgruntled. Without a word and much to Sherlock's chagrin she started organizing his music into folders. When she was done she turned around to face a livid Sherlock and an amused John.

"It is three am! I don't mind you playing but honestly does it have to be so angry? This folder you can play at night. The other ones are daytime songs. I also left you a few sheets of my favorite songs if you ever feel inclined to be nice. If I have to come up here again woe to you Mr. Holmes!"

With that she turned on her heel and left. Sherlock of course continued to play a loud angry tune for several more minutes before looking at the folder and picking up a slower piece by Hagle.

Sherlock for his part also was adjusting quite well to the women. He had discovered that Noelle was a very physical person. Something which irritated him to no end. She slapped his arm when he was being rude, linked arms when walking down busy London streets, tapped him to get his attention, and would either greet or bid farewell with a hug or a kiss on the cheek. As almost every other day she was eating their takeout in the living room or else cooking for them at her table Sherlock grudgingly put up with the physical contact. John was quite excited to have someone who actually ate at the dinner table and when there was no case even Sherlock indulged in her cooking so it became more often to have an end of case meal at 221C than at the Chinese takeout. The one thing that made this bearable to Sherlock was her unique ability to shut up. On more than one occasion when John was out Sherlock barged into the C flat and flopped onto her couch. On these occasions she would continue with what she was doing until he would leave without a word or phrase a strange question like, "If you wanted to be invisible what would you wear?"

Today was one of those times. It was a late Friday night and Noelle was sitting crisscross on a chair at her desk when Sherlock came in. It was a full half hour with no noise other than the rustle of papers when he spoke.

"You're still working."

"Great deduction."

"Why? Shouldn't you be at some bar with the other average people?"

She laughed at that.

"Since when have I been average Sherlock? I have essays to grade and one to write for my own studies which I frankly think is ridiculous since I literally wrote the book. Although I am flattered that my professor uses it. What the case on tonight?"

"There is no case."

"No case?"

"Not a single murderer, thief, not even a cheating husband it's all dreadfully boring."

"You mean safe and serein."

"Like I said boring."

"If you don't have a case what were you thinking about just then?"

Sherlock fell back into thought fingers folded under his chin and a comfortable silence settled on the room as Noelle turned back to her work.

"What is your relationship with John?"

"What?"

"Well it is my experience that when men and women hang out with each other it is most likely because they wish to pursue a romantic relationship. Now I know that you have progressed to something more than a neighbor and-"

"Okay Sherlock I'm going to cut you off right there. It's sweet that you're looking out for John."

"I'm not looking out for John I just wish to avoid the inevitable fallout from the -"

"Pttthhhhh" the woman made a rude noise and stuck her tongue out at the man, "Whatever it's still sweet."

"It's not sweet."

"Ptttttthhhh! Anyways it's not like that between me and John. We are just friends. He reminds me of some of the acquaintances I made on my umm travels. So he's sorta like my brother in arms."

"And am I your brother in arms of sort?"

Noelle thought for a moment trying not to laugh at the childlike concern hidden on the man's face. She realized she was experiencing a rare moment of vulnerability for him but the obvious concern for what she thought was quite endearing.

"Less arms more just like my brother."

"We do not share genes."

"Family is thicker than blood Sherlock. Look I've always been very independent I never had a problem being on my own or travelling. But this is the first time I have lived out of the country and with-" she fingered the chain around her neck a tell that Sherlock knew meant she was thinking about her husband, "events that preceded my move I find myself a little homesick. You and Mrs. Hudson and John have been like a second family to me. So yes we don't share DNA but you're my brother no less."

Sherlock pushed his fingers and turned back to his thoughts. Meanwhile the woman finished her work and set about cleaning up her flat.

"I've never had a sister before."

"Well now you do. I officially adopt you as my brother."

"That's not possible."

"It is in my mind palace."

Sherlock pulled a face.

"You don't have a mind palace."

"Maybe I should make one."

Sherlock's phone dinged and he sent a text before jumping to his feet.

"See look the criminals are still out there. Just waiting until the reasonable hour of one in the morning to strike. Say hi to John for me."

Sherlock strode towards the door before turning back, "Okay."

"What?"

"Okay. You're my sister."

And with that he strode out the door.

11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 111111111111111111

Noelle looked into the mirror. She was tall but not as tall as she would have liked. Her brother still dwarfed her even with heels on. She had long dirty blond hair that fell in uneven waves down to the waist of her athletic body. She pulled on her favorite red sweater over her green shirt and blue jeans. The outfit was topped off by the sky blue trench coat that covered her to her knees. She giggled. Her brother used to tease her terribly about her sense of style and as she slipped on a casual pair of yellow heels she couldn't help but hear him commenting on how she looked like a child's drawing.

She laughed and headed out the door but it wasn't London she stepped into. It was sweltering hot in Florida and she was wearing a tee shirt and jeans. It was dark and she was out by herself for a little air. Suddenly a man walked out and grabbed her but she threw him on the ground and reached for her knife when another man came at her. She saw the black of a gun and a second later it was flying to her hand the man stumbling back. There were more she threw her knife at one of their shoulders and pulled the gun to fire aiming at the men.

"I don't want to but I will." She yelled. The men moved forward and a bang deafened her ears but they all stood. She couldn't have missed where had the bullet gone? She fired again with the same result then the men surrounding her started clapping. What the heck?

"The gun holds blanks Miss Morgan." One man said stepping forward.

"I don't understand. How do you know my name what's going on?"

"We know all about you Miss Morgan not just your name, everything."

"Wow. Way not to be creepy dude."

"You don't need to be afraid Miss Morgan. We're not going to hurt you."

"I'm not afraid."

"Yes, you are. I see it in your eyes and why wouldn't you be given the situation?"

"Who are you?"

"CIA"

"CIA? Do you think I'm stupid?"

"No quite the opposite in fact. You are quite brilliant and talented. Your country needs you."

"Say I do believe you. What the heck is this? What do you want? And why would I help in the first place! I'm a teacher for goodness sake or I will be soon."

"But you could be so much more. This-" he said motioning his hand to the men surrounding her, "you could call a test of sorts. You will be given details on what we want later but you will help us."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Like I said Miss Morgan we've been watching you. You want to help. You want to live in adventure. You want more than some schoolteacher life."

"I happen to love a schoolteacher life."

"Perhaps but if someone needs your help will you not lend it? We'll be in touch Miss Morgan. Next time do try not to stab any of my men." The man said with a glance over to the man pulling her dagger out of his shoulder with a grimace.

"Well then try not to attack me in the dark of night."

"Fair enough. The name's Ralph Ellison don't forget it."

"Liar that's the author of The Invisible Man"

"Yes but that's not the point."

She waited for the men to leave not quite believing their words not sure if she didn't. She turned to walk home but she wasn't on her street she was walking down the aisle.

She looked into her husband's eyes as she said her wedding vows. They were a brilliant green. She had a thing for green eyes. And his eyes full of happiness and love and … grief. No! She held him in her arms his blood soaking her dress and begged him to stay with her. The doctors stood by but they knew here was nothing to be done as he slipped away.

"Don't cry, love. "

"Don't leave me."

"I can't stay."

"You can't go."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"Don't forget. Don't ever wonder. I love you."

"What do I do?"

"Same thing you always do be strong." His voice faded into her mind and reality rushed to her. She must have been lost in thought but what was she thinking about? There was no time to wonder. She was in Mauritania wearing a nondescript burka. The man she walked with was severely dehydrated and would not last this slow chase. She glanced casually over her shoulder.

"Are they still behind us?" he asked.

"Yes."

"We need to lose them."

"You need a distraction."

They stopped at a street vendor and she asked about prices in a heavily accented Arabic. The man picked up her intentions and looked at her horrified. He pulled her to the side roughly.

"This is a bad idea. We can't just expect them to think we're tourist."

"No we about this. Wait for the noise then slip down that ally there I know you know the way to the safe house."

"I'm not leaving you here."

"Yes you are."

"No I'm -"

"Fine then pass out of exhaustion and get us both caught and let my effort go I vain as we both get locked away in the forsaken place! This is the only way with a chance."

"Not much of one."

"Too bad. Go!" She raised her voice, "Hey! That's not the exchange rate!" she yelled in Arabic at the vendor as if she was haggling and the men who had been following them quickly stepped forward and grabbed her arms.

"You need to come with us." One said in broken English. "Get your hands off me. I am an American citizen and- off" She saw her companion slip off to the side before the world went black.

She woke up cold and alone. She was caught. She was in Mauritania or Romania or was it Russia she couldn't remember. But she hurt blood ran off her back and her head ached and the cold. Oh! The cold killed. Footsteps were headed her way she knew she had to go now. She pulled off her tattered restraints and left them on the chair she had occupied in the middle of the room. She hid in the corner letting the darkness conceal her. The adrenaline propelled her forward knocking out the guard moved her past the doors outside praying no one came. They had underestimated her the small American woman but she was cleverer than them, stronger than she looked. Then to her horror a door opened and it was him, that man. And she reacted first knocking him out and grabbing the gun now running not caring who heard her footsteps she was almost there she reached towards the door and opened it stepping through to freedom.

No this wasn't freedom this was torture. She didn't deserve this. She was bleeding, lying on the floor. She was dead she knew she was. She would never make it to college never see her family again. She was hopeless. "No!" she screamed. "I'm not weak." She struggled to her feet and looked the man in the eye. He hit her again sending her to a heap on the floor. She couldn't get up. Couldn't breathe. Couldn't survive this. "Perhaps not" she thought, "But I won't give up" She grabbed the knife at her ankle and faced the man.

"Oh!" he cackled, "Are you going to defend yourself? Do you think you will live? Do you even know how to use that girl?"

"Yes." She said simply as the knife left her hand and she fled to the neighbor's house stumbling as she ran. She was falling, falling. The world spun and darkened and she knew she was going to die. Then all of a sudden she felt it. All the pain from everything from childhood injuries to the most gruesome wound and she couldn't escape couldn't even die. All she could do was scream into the darkness.

Then all of a sudden two hands grabbed her arms roughly and she threw them on their back drawing a knife from her side and pressing it into their neck. The neck with two frightened blue eyes staring at her. The neck that belonged to John Watson. Noelle realized she was still screaming and shut her mouth breathing heavily and letting pressure up of the knife although it took her a moment to remove it completely and let him up. She looked at her watch 0347.

"Sorry I must have woken you up."

"Don't be." John said sitting on the side of her bed rubbing his neck that bled only a little from a slight nick.

"And for well-" she added gesturing to his neck.

"Don't worry about it. Are you okay?"

"She obviously isn't okay John" a presence said from the door making Noelle jump, "She just woke up screaming bloody murder and you ask her if she is okay. I know she isn't okay. To think you tell me I need to work on people skills."

"I'm fine" Noelle said to John ignoring a scathing look from Sherlock, "Honestly I'm fine."

"Alright" john relented getting up to leave, "If you need anything you know where we are."

"Thanks" she muttered her voice betraying her

"Noelle, it was just a dream."

Noelle looked at the doctor who was giving her a steady gaze but she just shook her head.

"No it wasn't" she replied then turned to face the wall but she didn't close her eyes and couldn't stop shaking.

And it was allll a dreeaaam. Anyways I hope you enjoyed the little peak into Noelle's past you will see more developed stories of her past emerge later in the story but for now just a tease. So what do you think? Please review. I figured Sherlock wouldn't mind being adopted as Noelle's "other brother". His sociopathic tendencies would urge him towards possessive terms such as my sister and now everything is categorized in his mind palace. Anyways he does tend to make himself a family outside of Mycroft. Next chapter we jump back slightly to see what the boys have been up to while Noelle was sleeping. Stay tuned!