Thanks to all who have been reviewing! Ya'll know the drill, no stories on Sundays, so hopefully this one will hold you over until Monday! I think it' s adorable.

The sound of footsteps came quickly closer and I tensed. Hardly daring to breathe as I closed my eyes and tried moving back farther into the already too small space. Discovery meant defeat and there was no way I would give in that easily. The noisy footsteps came to a halt and I froze. Holding my breath and praying that my cover would not be blown. There seemed to be pause, as if the hunter was enjoying my final few moments of fearful suspense.

Seconds ticked by, I had long given up trying to hold my breath and was now trying to pant quietly. My word, it was hot in here. Maybe I should call a truce, I was nearly suffocating. It wouldn't be good to suffer heatstroke in one's own closet…. Perhaps…

"Surprise, Doctor Watson!" The door was flung open and I was met with a blast of refreshingly cool air and several proudly beaming faces.

I gasped and stumbled out of the closet, collapsing on my bed, oblivious to the few snickers and worried faces that crowded around me.

"Are you alright, Doctor?" One of the grubby faced boys asked me. "Mr. 'Olmes said we had to play all quiet like."

"I'm fine," I said, gulping down precious swallows of air. "But it is much too hot inside that closet; I don't want any of you hiding in there, understood? I don't feel up to treating patients this afternoon."

This was met with several solemn nods and a few, "Yes, sirs"

"Very well, whose turn is it to count now?"

The group fidgeted. "We haven't found Mr. 'Olmes yet." One brave member spoke up.

This didn't come as much of a surprise. "Well, I will help you find him."

This was met with cheers all around and I was enthusiastically pulled to my feet to join in the hunt.

This was harder than I had anticipated and after several minutes of thorough searching, I was just as discouraged as the rest of the group.

"Alright, men." I circled up the group of ragtag boys and gave them all a stern face. "It appears our fugitive is still in hiding. What do you suggest we do about it?"

I got a few blank faces and a moan.

I sighed. "What would Mr. 'Olmes- Holmes do?"

"He would deduce it!" The youngest and in that case, most enthusiastic of the group cried.

"That's right! So, I want you all to think like Holmes and search all over looking for clues. Perhaps we'll find something."

They gave a poor hearted attempt at rising from their places on the floor.

"First person to find a clue gets to use Holmes's magnifying glass!"

Perhaps I should have checked with Holmes first for the sudden flurry of activity promised to have several hands waiting to hold the precious instrument.

"Doctor Watson! Doctor Watson!" I was eagerly beckoned to observe a scrap of paper on the carpet. Nothing more than a stray piece of trash to be thrown in the fire.

"Um, very good. Now what can you deduce from this-

I was interrupted by the sound of footsteps crashing down the stairs and Holmes, breathlessly appearing in the sitting room. "Olly, olly oxen free!" he shouted before collapsing into a chair. As the Irregulars celebrated, surprisingly cheerful in their losing the game, Holmes turned to me. "Let's not hide in closets anymore."

I grinned.