Chapter 10: Thinking Of You

The next morning Nancy and Watson sat in the carriage, Nancy stared at the young girl sleeping, resting her head on Nancy's shoulder, she looked so peaceful. Nancy couldn't help smiling at her, she had used the money Holmes had given Alice to get her out of the workhouse, Alice had been fine with it, saying she couldn't think of a better way to use the money. Nancy had considered letting Alice stay at Mrs Hudson's but Alice had begged to come with her to the countryside with her and Nancy couldn't refuse though she did explain that Alice would have to keep her distance from aunt Maggie for a while.

Nancy allowed her mind to wander as Watson read through some medical books and writing down other possible illnesses aunt Maggie could have and remedies to them, she had hoped that Holmes would be there to say goodbye to them that morning but the entire house was silent, bar the occasional sob from the kitchen which Mrs Hudson was trying to muffle unsuccessfully. She found herself thinking of him a lot, until thinking was not enough, Watson placed his book back in his case and rubbed his eyes, Nancy took the opportunity to get him talking,

' So how long have you and Mr Holmes worked together?'

' Too long' Watson said smiling,

' He's not that awful is he?' Nancy said smiling

' No, don't get me wrong he has his irritating faults, practicing the violin at all hours, upsetting the other tenants, his unpredictable behaviour but he is a genius and a good friend, he had a unique engagement ring made so I could propose to my fiancé Mary' Watson smiled at the mention of his fiancés name,

' You love her very much, don't you?' Nancy said smiling at Watson's expression,

' More than anything, she's amazing, and she's understanding enough to marry a man who works with Sherlock Holmes'

' How do you mean understanding?'

' Well once she marries me he'll be in her life too, I think she's finally managed to accept that aspect of our future, thanks to extensive counselling and shock treatment'

Nancy laughed then silenced herself not wanting to wake Alice, though it did feel nice to laugh considering the impending situation and once again her mind wandered back to Holmes.

They arrived at the house to find uncle Harry waiting for them in the doorway, Alice was awake now and enjoying the surroundings, Nancy introduced Styck and Alice, and Styck offered to take her for a walk and show her the countryside.

Nancy and Watson followed uncle Harry to the room aunt Maggie was in, Nancy threw herself at her aunts bedside clutching her hand, aunt Maggie smiled reassuringly at Nancy as her uncle led he rout of the room so Watson could examine her. They sat in the kitchen waiting for what felt like years, neither of them could speak, Watson entered the room, Nancy was shocked to see him smiling,

'What is it? What's wrong with her?' Nancy exclaimed,

' She'll be fine, it's not typhoid fever'

' It's not?' uncle Harry was shocked 'is it something worse?'

' No, it's a simple fever and a slight cough, she'll be fine plenty of water to drink and lots of broth or soup, bed rest, and when she starts feeling better take her outside so she can get some fresh air'

' Thank you so much Dr Watson, I don't know how I could ever thank you'

' No thanks necessary Mr Jones I'm glad I could help'

' You must stay for dinner Dr Watson'

' Thank you I'd love to'

Over dinner that night Nancy told her uncle everything that had happened in London, though she was aware Mrs Hudson had probably already written to them to tell them about Lenore and everything else, she explained about taking Alice away from the workhouse the night before and her uncle was enthralled with asking Watson question after question about the great Sherlock Holmes. Watson left the next day; he had patients to attend to back in London but he promised to stop at Mrs Hudson's and give her the good news about aunt Maggie. A few days later aunt Maggie was almost back to her old self she spent more time in the garden enjoying Alice's company and the fresh air, in fact everyone was enjoying having Alice in the house, Styck commented that it was nice to have someone young running riot again, Nancy seemed to spend her days constantly thinking of Holmes and wondering what he was doing, she hadn't told her uncle that she now knew it was him that had saved her life eight years ago, she was keeping it to herself for now. A week had gone by and Nancy was starting to suffer the nightmares again, she awoke early one morning and could hear laughing and talking downstairs, she dressed and left her hair in a ponytail that she swept round her neck so it fell down one side of her. She walked downstairs and couldn't believe the sight that met her eyes, sat at he table with her uncle was Sherlock Holmes; he was talking and laughing with her uncle.

'Good morning sweet pea' her uncle greeted her happily, she inwardly cringed at his use of her nickname in front of Sherlock Holmes, he however was smiling highly amused at hearing the nickname,

' Well I'll go and take your aunt some breakfast she should be awake by now'

As he left Nancy stared at Holmes,

'What are you doing here' she did a very bad job at masking the shock in her voice,

' I wanted to make sure you had someone to accompany you back to London, very unsafe to travel alone' he was still smiling at her,

' Thank you, I was planning on travelling back tomorrow, since my aunts quite well now'

' Wonderful, well if you'll excuse me I'd like to take a walk round the village' with that he got up and strolled out of the kitchen she watched out of the window until he was out of sight, Alice walked sleepily into the kitchen moments later,

' Good morning Nancy'

' Morning Alice, did you sleep well?'

'Better than ever, I love it here Nancy everyone's so kind, I never want to leave'

Nancy looked at the young girl, she was happier since she'd been here; it wouldn't be fair to pull her away. She walked upstairs to her uncle and aunts room and knocked on the door. She was back downstairs moments later;

'Alice I'm going back to London tomorrow' as she expected Alice's face fell slightly at the mention of returning there,

'You don't have to go back, uncle Harry and aunt Maggie would love it if you wanted to stay here'

' But I feel like I'd be abandoning you after what you did for me?' Alice said quietly,

'Alice as long as your happy I'm happy, and you're happy here I'm not going to be selfish and pull you away from the same safe and happy home I had, I want you to stay with them'

'Really Nancy, you wouldn't be angry or upset if I stay?'

'No of course not and I promise I'll keep in contact all the time, we'll write and I'll visit, but I have things I need to finish in London'. Nancy sat on her bed that night thinking of the prospect of sharing a carriage alone with Holmes tomorrow.

Authors note; just to let you know, I know I've been building this up a lot but I promise things will get more interesting in the next chapter ;) please review any critiques or opinions I like criticism good or bad x