Author's note: My class last night was canceled so I was able to finish this chapter! I only own Cassandra, everyone else belongs to Doyle, expect for Ganimard and Arsene Lupin. They both belong to Maurice Leblanc. Reviews are great while flames are not.

"Loyalty is still the same, Whether it win or lose the game; True as a dial to the sun, Although it be not shined upon."

Samuel Butler

Chapter 11

It had been a year since Holmes and I begin working together as equals on cases. In that time we stopped the blackmailer Milverton, helped Headmistress Hunter during her last employment as a governess, and numerous other small cases. Together we were becoming the world's greatest partnership of consulting detectives. Nothing could stop us, not when we knew each other's thoughts with a single look and were able to act right away. However, not even all of the criminals in London could have prepared me for the French thief that stole more then jewels from me.

It was a warm evening where the windows were open to the weather that generally placed people in a good mood. Holmes, however was in one of his black moods. Despite the number of cases we were receiving, he was becoming less excited with them. He was not being challenged enough, and when that happened to Holmes, he felt there was only one solution. The dreaded needle.

Watson and I both noticed Holmes' glances to his desk drawer during the morning so we tried to distract him. As Watson was reading over the mail, he pointed out several interesting cases, but Holmes merely brushed them off. I showed Holmes the experiment I was attempting, hoping that he might like to help, but he corrected my mistakes and then sat in his chair. Any further chatter we tried to indulge him in, he gave us glares.

We were at wits ends with Holmes' mood when Inspector Lestrade walked. "Hello Inspector." I greeted him looking up from the bubbling chemicals.

"Miss Vernet." He said with an incline of his head. "Doctor Watson."

Watson smiled and gave his own greeting as he finished writing in his notebook. "Lestrade, nice to see you again."

"Lestrade, unless you have the good fortune of telling me a murder has happened I fail to see reason for your presence." Holmes said from his chair.

"Holmes!" Watson and I both scolded him.

Lestrade sighed. "No, there is no reason. I do however have a request to ask from Miss Vernet."

"What sort of request is it this time?" I asked turning down the burner and pushing back from my chair.

"An old friend of mine, Justin Ganimard has asked something of me, he is an inspector in Paris. He has been tracking a man who is becoming a very successful thief named Arsene Lupin."

"I've heard of him." Watson said.

I nodded my head. " Yes, so have I. He is becoming famous for going in disguise and tricking the police. Some of the things he has stolen is remarkable."

Lestrade nodded his head. "Yes. Ganimard has made his mind to be the one who brings him down."

"Wasn't he arrested a few months ago?" Holmes asked in a bored tone.

"He was, but he was able to fool the police guiding him." Lestrade said.

Holmes snorted. "Of course he did. But what does this do with Cassandra?"

"Lupin has finally proven that he is far much more then Ganimard and the other inspectors in France handle alone."

"What do you mean by more?" I asked.

He thought for a moment. "From the way Justin spoke of him, it feels as though it would be what you and Mister Holmes would sound like if you were the thieves."

"Then he knows how to observe. Do you anything else about Arsene Lupin, Lestrade? Anything at all would be helpful."

"I'm afraid that I don't. I do know that Ganimard would."

"However, that does not explain what Ganimard wants with Cassandra. You must at least know that." Holmes said.

"I am as much in the dark as all of you. I spoke about Miss Vernet a few times to him. He is here in London and he does want to meet with you. He said that if you would like to meet, go to the Hotel de Paris at noon tomorrow, there he will be waiting for you."

I raised my eyebrow. "If he wants to meet there then this must be serous."

"And why not in Baker Street?" Holmes wondered.

"I believe he wished to meet her alone."

Holmes shook his head. "No, I do not like the sound of that. If he wishes for Cassandra to help him I want to know what he wants with her exactly."

"Oh honesty, Holmes." I said.

"You are not that well known and you cannot go off somewhere."

"Are you saying that I am not capable of protecting myself?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Hopkins still has a bump on his head from the comment he made on it last week." Lestrade said.

"You see? Holmes, I can take care of myself."

"Nevertheless, Cassandra I will be joining you."

I sighed. It would be useless to fight with him on this. "If you must."

The next day Holmes and I made our way to the hotel to meet Ganimard. He was a shorter man with a mustache. From his body language, I could tell he was at his wit's ends and my help was one of the ends to the means. Holmes was thinking the same for he gave my hand a gentle squeeze.

"Remember, if you do not want to, you do not need to accept his offer for help." He whispered.

"I want to at least hear what he wants with me before I make any decision." I whispered.

"Yes, I am aware, but know that no matter what he says it is your choice to make."

I nodded my head and took a step forwards. "Monsieur Ganimard?" I asked.

The man stood up. "Mademoiselle Vernet, it was kind of you to meet with me in such a short notice. And this is?"

"Sherlock Holmes." Holmes replied dropping my arm and shaking Ganimard's hand. "Cassandra Vernet is not only my partner, but my ward as well. Whatever it is you wish to speak with her about, I am also to hear it."

Ganimard nodded. "But of course. Shall we dine in the restaurant?"

Once we had ordered lunch and the waiter had walked away Ganimard explained. "You see I have been trying to stop Arsene Lupin for three years now. Each time I believe I have him, he slips through my fingers. The latest occurrence was after I had finally arrested him, but he escaped by changing his appearance while he was in jail. He is a very cunning man and knows all sorts of trickily."

"But what will you need with Miss Vernet?" Holmes asked.

"It was only recently that I have found his weakness. Women, he falls for them and trusts them above anyone."

"You want her to seduce him."

"Holmes." I said.

"In a way that is what you will be trying to do, Miss Vernet." Ganimard admitted.

"Is he dangerous towards their...virtue?" Holmes asked.

I closed my eyes wearily. Of all of the times for Holmes to be this protective over my virtue of all things, this was one of them? Sometimes, I really did wish that I was a man. Virtue then indeed.

"No, he is a gentlemen through and through."

"Even if he was not, I can take care of myself if the need ever arose." I said. "I have been trained by Japanese master, can shoot better than any man, and also fence, Inspector Ganimard. I assure you that you will not find anyone with that sort of qualifications."

"Indeed." Holmes agreed with a satisfied nod.

The waiter returned with our meals and left us again. "And it is the reason that I came to you. Lestrade has told me about you. I thought a woman in Miss Vernet's area of experience of depiction would be able to earn the said trust and learn his next operation. I hope that if she learns of his operations then we will be there waiting for him." Ganimard said.

"You also want me to do this because I can observe and am able to protect myself."

"Yes, that came to my mind as well. I must ask, with such a wide knowledge, you will be able to act the part as well?"

"I will admit that I have never played such a role, but I am more than capable." I said. "And now I have answered your question, then you can answer one of mine. How am I to know such a man when we do not know what his not disguise is?"

"Arsene Lupin's characters are always those of wreath and will be at some sort of gathering. He also steals the identities." Ganimard explained. "If we were to put you under one as well as the niece of a duchess with a large inherence I am certain that will pull him in."

"And flock others with the same intention as well of graining inherences." Holmes said. "How are we to know if he is the right man?"

"I have photographs of him and I know him even under all of the stage make up in the world."

Holmes shook his head. "That may be so, but she can not have you look at each man she meets. In order for Lupin to believe her intentions are true, she cannot be seen with you, or alarms will be set off."

"What if we were to narrow him down by the identity?" I asked. "As you said he steals them, but it must be someone that has been away for some time or he could make one up altogether. He would not need to work so hard on his appearance. By doing that, I should be able to spot him out."

"You will do it? You will come to France with me?"

"Yes, but once we arrive we will go our separate ways as Mister Holmes said. He is correct when he said that Arsene Lupin will be very much aware of our plan if we are seen together."

He smiled, his face relaxing and the hard lines disappeared. "Thank you, Miss Vernet. Thank you."

Holmes did not share his thoughts on my decision until we had reached Baker Street. "I will not allow you to follow a man we know nothing about." He said as we walked upstairs.

"I will be fine, I have done such things before."

"Not like this you haven't. You have never been under the guise for no more then a week. This will be longer. Weeks, maybe months, even a year. You will have to not only find the man, but show him he can trust you with his secrets and more so have him fall for you."

I turned him. I was two steps higher then him, making us the same height for once. "You do not think I know how to make someone fall for me? Holmes, I have seen couples together, I know what to do."

"But how far will you be willing to go?" He asked. "How much affection will you show him to prove you do care for him? Where is the line, Cassandra?"

"As much as I need in order for him to trust me."

"That can cost you."

I shook my head. "I cannot believe we are talking about this. Holmes, I am not some fragile woman who had just learned what will occur on her wedding night. I know what happens between a man and a woman. As Ganimard said, Lupin is a gentleman. It's probable that my intact will be safe." At his look I sighed. "However, if it does came to that, which I am certain it will not, I can handle it. I simply become scared and uncertain. Cry a bit, and then he will let it go."

"I see you have this well thought out." Holmes said.

"I have."

"When do you plan to leave exactly?" He asked.

"I am not certain." I admitted. "Ganimard said he was leaving tonight."

"Then we will also leave tonight."

"Isn't that too soon?" I asked.

"By the time we arrive the season will be in full bloom. By all means we are late." Holmes explained as he walked past me and into the sitting room.

I followed behind him and noticed he had an ABC in hand. "So when do we leave?"

"Two hours."

"Holmes, are you mad? I will not have enough time."

"Cass, you have enough time to speak to Jess about joining, and pack. I will have Watson join us as well."

"You seem to have thought this through." I commented.

"But of course." Holmes replied.

"Although you have forgotten on miner detail. I have nothing to wear for my role and I higher doubt any role you played will have the clothes of the latest fashion and also in my size. Jess will need a few things as well."

He flushed. "I seemed to have overlooked that small manner, but I am sure certain we will be all right."

I shook my head. "No, Holmes. I have the solution, instead of staying in a hotel we could-

"No."

"Grand-mere has a role in society, besides we would not doubt have a run in with her. I could be her great niece."

"The answer is still no." Holmes said as he walked to his room.

I sighed as I followed him. "But I do have some clothes over there from a year ago that will do until more can be made."

"No, no, we would be better off at the hotel." He said as he started to pack.

"Holmes-you have not talked to her have you?" I asked. "You have not talked to Grand-mere since you returned.

He winced and then sighed. "Correct as usual."

"No wonder you do not want to see her. She will have your head now that she is able to talk to you face to face." I said sitting on his bed. "Grand-mere may even try to poison your tea."

"Time to press on."

"We are still going, Holmes."

He stopped and looked at me. "And since when have you taken charge?"

"My case." I told him. "You are simply my collage on this one for once, Holmes. Besides, I will be going to Grand-mere's and if you want to join on the case you have no choice."

"Has anyone ever told you that you act far too much like me?" He asked.

I nodded. "Yes, though now I think I am acting more like Grand-mere."

"You act even more like Mycroft." He groaned.

I laughed as I stood up and petted his shoulder. "Your choice, Holmes. Come and face death, or stay here and face boredom after hearing about the case."

He sighed. "Go get, Jess. I know you will need her help. I will have a message sent to Grand-mere."

Soon I caught a cab and arrived in front of the home of Jess and Albert. The maid let me in and Jess walked into the sitting room a few minutes later.

"Tell me, Jess, what do you think of France?" I asked.

"It's not that far away." She said. "Never been there myself."

"Well the good news is that you will be joining me when I." I said.

"What?"

"I need your help with something."

"Cassandra-

I went on. "Do not worry about a thing. I need you to be a companion its simple really. And we will be staying with Grand-mere. You will adore her, Jess."

"Cassandra!" She exclaimed.

"What?" I asked.

"It is very unexpected." Jess said. "I have some things I have to do here."

"Oh." My face fell. "You are unable to join me."

She looked at me and then sighed. She rubbed her wrists. "No, Cassandra, its….its not exactly a good time, but it's nothing really. I will come with you."

"Are you certain?" I asked.

Jess smiled. "It will be fine. Why are we going to France?"

"I was asked to find the French thief Arsene Lupin and to learn of his where abouts. He is under a disguise and Inspect Ganimard wants me to discover what he is working on. He thinks that if I prose as a young heiress and catch his attention he will tell me." I explained quickly. "Oh and I need you to wear your best dresses, we will also be shopping there. How fast do you think you can be packed?"

"How much time do we have?"

"Forty minutes."

"Let me grab a few things and tell Albert."

Twenty minutes later had Jess and I arriving at Baker Street. We rushed inside and I was able to throw a few things in my bag before we had to leave. Soon, Holmes, Jess, Watson, and I were on the ship and in our rooms. Jess and I were wearing our usual attire of man's clothing. Of course once we had reached Paris, Jess and I would have to begin our new roles as women of society.

As I was unpacking Holmes knocked on my door. "Cassandra, Watson and I are on our way to met with Ganimard."

"Let me get Jess and we'll met you in the lounge." I said.

"Very well. Don't be long."

I knocked on the door to the adjoining room. "Jess?" I asked.

Jess opened the door. "What is it?"

"We have to meet Ganimard."

As we walked to the lounge, Jess and I talked. Soon we were laughing over something when we arrived. Holmes sent us a small glare and we quickly sobered. "Inspector Ganimard, I would like to introduce my friend Jessica Lipton. Jess will be join in on this class as I think my character would take a friend with her on this new joinery."

"I have learned from a source right before we left that Lupin has already a name for himself." Ganimard informed us as I sat down next to Watson. "His new name is Francis Beaumont. He is the son of a Duke."

"How can you be sure this is even him?" I asked.

From his bag, Inspector Ganimard produced a large thick file and handed it to me. "This file contains everything that deals with Arsene Lupin. Bank notes, his birth papers and some of his parents files, cheques, anything I could find and then of course the police reports of his crimes. There are also several photographs of Lupin in there as well."

"So you want us to use photographs to find this bloke?" Jess asked. "May as well ask her to look through all of Paris."

"That does not explain why you think why he may be under that name." Holmes said.

"Due to his recent success of fooling me, he is arrogant. He has done this numerous times before. He has made himself a new name and history. He knows that I know, but there is nothing I can do until I prove that it is in fact him."

"That is quite a bit of information you have." Watson said.

"Lupin was my first case when I reached the position I am in now. I have been working on him from the beginning. I have made it my life work to see him behind bars." Ganimard said with an intent look in his eyes. "I hope you understand that your assistance is very important, Miss Vernet."

I nodded my head. "Of course."

"I will be contract with you throughout the rest of the way and once we reach France we will communicate through small meetings as well."

"But it will be on our terms." Holmes said.

Ganimard's eyes narrowed. "Perhaps."

"No, it will be on our terms. We must not let Lupin suspect anything. Having you seen over our shoulders will only call out to him that this is a set up. Unless you want Cassandra convince him otherwise, you will not contact us."

"Very well." Though the inspector had a very sour face about the whole idea.

After we returned back to the rooms, Holmes picked up his pipe. "I believe this whole trip has been wasted."

"Wasted, whatever for?" Watson asked.

"Inspector Ganimard is far too involved in this. He is even at the point of obsession over Lupin."

"Seems to me he ain't right in the head. Something is off about him." Jess added. "Sorry, Cassie. I got to agree with Mr. Holmes on this."

"Holmes, why are you making this difficult?" I asked him.

"Me?" He asked outraged. "You are the one who jumped into this case headfirst without thinking, Cassandra. You heard the way he talked of Lupin."

"Your point being what exactly?"

Holmes shook his head at me annoyed. "Think, child! Don't tell me you have already wasted away into your new role."

"Holmes!" Watson scolded him.

Holmes ignored Watson. "You heard him yourself. The man only wants Lupin behind bars and he does not care how you mange it. He cares nothing for your safety. This man is not Lestrade or the others at Scotland Yard, the one thing they are sufficient at is the safety of the civilians of London."

"You don't think we can trust him?" I asked.

He leaned back and touched his fingertips together. "To put it quite simply, child, think of it as a choice. If he had the choice between helping you or actually having a very close chance at arresting Lupin, he would pick the latter not the former."

"Then it's a good thing I can hold out on my own."

"It is not a matter if you can protect yourself." Holmes said. "It is a matter if he will do anything to stop Lupin. If he does, he will not allow you to get in his way."

The rest of the trip passed uneventful. Holmes and I spent that time memorizing Lupin's files. I learned that his father was a thief himself and that his mother died when he was twelve. I studied his pictures for hours, trying to take in as much detail as I could. Finally, the ship docked and we were in Paris.

When we arrived at the house, Grand-mere was there waiting in the front hall. She smiled as she hugged me. "It's good to see you, Cassandra."

"And you, Grand-mere." I said.

"And this must be Doctor Watson. I am sorry that we never had a chance to met until now." She said looking at Watson.

"The introduction has been long overdo." Watson agreed.

"So this is Jess, I have heard so much about you from Cassandra about the trouble you both have gotten into."

Jess smile. "I hope it's not all that bad."

Grand-mere laughed. "Nonsense, girl. You know you remind me so much of myself. Well, here am I just talking away. You all must be tired. Alice will show you to your rooms. Cassandra, you can have your old room."

Watson and Jess followed Alice out of the room. I lingered for a moment before I slowly walked upstairs. Grand-mere and Holmes went off to the library, no doubt Grand-mere wanted some words. I walked back down and stood near the door to the library. I was only able to catch a few things and it was mainly from Grand-mere.

"No idea how upset… Reports on her? Sherlock, that girl was broken no words can describe what she was on the verge of becoming...Nothing we said could change it…Do not give me that look, Sherlock. You are very fortunate that she is even speaking to you…"

A male voice coughed behind me. "Ahem…" I turned around and saw Wilson, Grand-mere's butler, though most of the time I believe he was once one of Mycroft's agents. "Having the urge to read a book, Miss Cassandra?" he asked, his hands folded behind his back.

"I was thinking of it." I said.

"With your ear pressed to the door?"

"A new form of reading."

"It seems to me as if you were trying to listen in on private conversation." He said.

"If that is what you want to call it."

He rolled his eyes and grabbed my shoulder gently. "Come along, Miss Cassandra. I believe you have unpacking to do."

"Wilson, have you ever worked for the government? I think they would be impressed with your skills. You would be the perfect spy." I said dryly.

"And you should join the entertainment, I believe the jokes are lacking, but your wit would do."

"I was hardly doing anything wrong."

"Eavesdropping does nothing for you." Wilson said as we entered the main hall. "Nor will it please your grandmother."

I glared at him. "I do not need to be looked after."

"You get into too much trouble."

Later that afternoon, Jess, Holmes, and I were in the parlor. Grand-mere was showing Watson the house. I was reading a romanic novel, in hope of trying understand the mind of a normal woman. I was failing, I really wanted to threw the book out the window. I mean really? Falling in love right away with a man the woman had met only days ago? Jess was staring out the window and Holmes was reading the paper.

"I will never understand the mind of those women." I admitted.

Jess smiled. "I can't disagree with you."

I closed the book. "This will be a long ball. Think of all of the people we will be forced to dance with."

"Dance? Cassie, I can't dance."

Holme set his paper down. "And you waited until now to say something?"

"I didn't know what a ball was!" Jess exclaimed.

"What did you think it was?" I asked curious.

"Fancy word for cricket." She said.

A moment later Jess and I burst out laughing. We leaned against each other as we lost your breath. Holmes, however was not so amused. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Jessica Mary Wiggins," he started in a dark tone.

"Actually it's Lipton." Jess said.

"He even knows your middle name." I giggled.

"Cassandra." Holmes snapped.

My laughter died off and Jess' smile fell as Holme stood in front of us. "While you both find this to be amusing, it is in fact not. Since you girls have forgotten the reason you are here let me remind you. Arsene Lupin is a man who is able to trick others and knows when the cards are against him. If you continue in this manner than within five minutes of your presence he will know your depcition. Have I made it clear?"

"Yes, Holmes." We chorused.

"Jess, you will see my grandmother. She will tutor you so you know what you need to know. Cassandra needs more work on her character." He said.

"Nothing is wrong with my character." I said when Jess left the room. "She just found out she has a rather large sum of money."

"Her family were hardly in a low position to begin with. She has had the proper education of a young woman."

"Holmes, I fail to see where I need more work."

He bent down and picked up my discard book. "Though her parents loved her, it did not mean that she is completely happy with the idea of a husband. The tasteless foolishness, as you called it, is all that she has to hope for."

I sighed and took the book. "I will try."

"Sometimes I forget how much you have improved." Holmes said.

Holmes, I will be ready for the dinner in two days, you have nothing to worry about."

"I have no doubt that will be."