Holmes led the finally beaten Professor out of the train station and looked around for Hugh.

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Hugh waited by the closest exit to the underground he could found. Shivering he held the wheel book close. Waiting for Lestrade and Watson as Holmes had asked.

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Lestrade jumped from her cruiser, not bothering to heed Watson's warning of danger.

"Holmes said he would meet us here...where the zed is he?"

Watson joined her in scanning the area.

"Look there!" He said pointing to what looked like a child standing partly in the shadows of the dilapidated train station.

Hugh looked back into the shadows of the under ground, worried for Holmes. He didn't even notice Lestrade and Watson. He feared the worst. He fidgeted, barely able to stand waiting for him.

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"Come on." The Inspector strode forward, her metallic companion close behind.

"Hey! Hey you there!" She called to the boy.

Hugh looked up, seeing her he had a looked of fear and sadness.

"Mr. Holmes is still down there. He told me to wait for you here."

Holmes stepped around the corner with his fuming companion.

"Ah, just in time as always, Inspector!"

Hugh turned to Holmes and Moriarty. He smiled to Holmes. Hugh was glad to see Holmes was all right.

"Moriarty!" Shouted Lestrade. "How did he get into all this?!?"

Holmes laughed. "That, my dear Lestrade, is a rather long story. Too long to be related here and now. If you would be so kind as to take this criminal mastermind off my hands?"

Watson stepped forward, placing his highest security cuffs on the still glaring Professor.

"Good then." Holmes turned to Hugh.

"I don't know about you, my friend, but a hot meal and a long nights' rest sounds positively glorious...shall we?"

Hugh nodded silently, smiling to him warmly.

"Capital! Lestrade would you mind terribly dropping my young colleague and I off at Baker Street?"

Lestrade frowned. "But Holmes how am I supposed to explain all of this to Grayson? How did you get Moriarty? How did you get here? Why are you here? What the zed is going on?"

Holmes gave a patient sigh. "My dear Inspector, we have endured a rather trying two days, and while we are more than willing to provide you with the answers to your numerous questions...can't it wait?"

"Oh all right. Bu you owe me for this! Graysons' gonna throw a fit!"

Holmes laughed. "It won't be the first time."

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Three days had passed since Holmes brought him back with him to Baker St. Hugh had been to Scotland Yard and the doctors off and on over the last few days. Moriarty escaped, and the same scientist who sold the information was caught after selling information to a reporter.

Hugh sat in large chair in the sitting room at Baker St. at three am in the morning. He slept fitfully for the last few days. He was very tired and was worn thin.

Holmes was awakened by a noise coming from the sitting room. Treading carefully, so as not to disturb Watson, he went to check on the newest occupant of his rooms.
The boy didn't look to be sleeping.

"Hugh? Are you awake?"

"Yes, I'm sorry."

The comment was followed by a yawn.

Holmes sat across from him and began searching his dressing gown pockets for his pipe, then remembered he didn't have one...some things were so easy to forget.

"Sorry? Whatever for?"

Hugh looked up at Holmes quizzically.

"For disturbing you."

"Oh nonsense, I was about to get up anyway...are you feeling quite well?"

"No... I've had trouble sleeping the last few days. I'm adjusting. That's all, it's to be expected."

Holmes smiled wistfully.

"Yes, it is. When I awoke to this century it was a full week before I was able to sleep at all."

"I guess I finally sleep when I faint in a few days for exhaustion."

"Yes, I believe you will adjust beautifully...though I do hope it isn't for long."

"Don't worry, if they don't find away to get me home I'll probably be placed with a family."

Holmes stiffened suddenly, staring intently at his companion.

"Is that what you want?"

"No. I never said I wanted that. I never meant it that way. It's just... You've been alone a lot of your life. Some would say you have chosen to isolate yourself. The idea that the current situation was temporary is implied by that very fact in itself."

Holmes stood abruptly and faced the window. When he did speak, it was so quietly Hugh could hardly hear him.

"Just because I am alone does not automatically mean that I enjoy it. It is necessary in my line of work. But I feel that you would not be a hindrance, and...and I would be honored to have you stay here...if you wished...or perhaps it is the idea of being forced to deal with my oddities on a day to day basis..."

"I was already facing 'oddities on a daily basis' in my own reality. I just.. I just... I felt like you might not want me here."

Hugh looked away ashamed, rolling an unknown object in his hands idly.

"It's nothing you said. I may have lost my family and friends forever. You had the advantage of age when you came to this world. I'm much younger and my emotional control is barely even developed. I'm scared even though I have no reason to be. I feel doubt where there should be none. I... I am just adjusting."

Holmes crossed the room and stood beside Hughs' chair. It was several minutes before he spoke.

"I...I am sorry, Hugh. I know I can be somewhat...insensitive, at times. I do apologize. I can understand how it would be difficult for you, and I want you to know that when you've 'adjusted', no matter what you wish to do or where you wish to go, subsequently, I will support you fully...as I am sure you have plenty on your mind, I shall not disturb you further tonight."

He turned back toward his bedroom.

"Good Night, Mr. Holmes."

"Rather good morning, my friend."

Hugh was still where Holmes had found him, in the sitting room. Hugh couldn't quiet his mind.

Mr. Holmes is a good person and he would take me in with little concern for himself. Is right though to impose upon him? Especially since I will be detective like him some day? I don't know. He closest to a blood relative in this reality, if take into account Moriarty being a clone and a criminal. Moriarty... He could be good reason as well for staying or leaving. Either way I afraid and unsure of which path to take.

Hugh went on like this for sometime before he could no longer stay awake. Fear and doubt tugging at him in his dreams.

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Holmes emerged from his room fully dressed just as the sun rays began to cast shadows across the sitting room. He found his charge still in the chair, but now very much asleep. Holmes smiled sadly. The poor child had endured much more than anyone at his age ever should. He impulsively took a blanket from the couch and laid it over the boy.

"What if they can't get him back?"

The question pounded over and over in the detectives' tired brain. He sighed. His main reason for fearing such an outcome was Hughs' safety. Moriarty had escaped. What if he tried again? Would Holmes be able to get him out if it again? He wasn't sure, he wasn't sure at all...and that scared him.

Hugh rolled over, hugging the blanket; he spoke softly in his sleep.

"Moriarty can get stuffed."

Holmes jumped slightly at the sudden response to his thoughts. He leaned somewhat over the chair, as if to ascertain whether or not its' occupant truly was sleeping.

Hugh was sleeping soundly, his arms around the blanket, a rather ugly ring dangling from his finger.

Holmes leaned in closer to examine it; surprised that he had not noticed it before. Glancing back to the sleeping wearer, he reached out to remove the odd ring.

Hugh twisted to the side so that now the ring went from dangling of the tip of his finger to falling off, rolling down the blanket, across the floor and into the wall. Hugh suddenly woke and looked at Holmes surprised.

Holmes jumped back, his alarm equaling that of Hugh's'. Regaining his composure he asked,

"Where did you get that ring, Hugh?"

"Oh, that ring. When I was disguised as a girl I wore that. I thought that despite being ugly it would leave a nasty mark on anyone who dares to attack me."

"Ah, I see." Holmes laughed. "It is rather lacking in alluring qualities, is it not?"

"I would rath..."

Hugh was cut off the by the beeping of the vidphone.