It was Sunday afternoon, and Ana and Hamish were at Sherlock's flat. John had dropped them off there on his way to work, so that Mary would not overstress herself with three children and because Sherlock was not currently working on a case. It seemed like a compromise that would work for both parties. John just hoped that Sherlock wouldn't take his boredom out on the children. He had a tendency to do strange things when bored.

At the moment, Sherlock was sitting at the window.

"Anabiel, do you want to deduce people with me?"

"No."

"Why not?" asked Sherlock surprisedly. Anabiel was normally overenthusiastic about everything.

"I want to play cars with Ham." This surprised Sherlock even more. He realised that something was very wrong. He then resolved to talk to Anabiel.

In around thirty minutes, Sherlock declared naptime. He began to read an old textbook. Both children got the hint, Sherlock wanted to talk to Anabiel and only Anabiel. Hamish realised that this might have to do with why she lied to John, and resolved to stay awake. He closed his eyes and lay down like he was sleeping, but tried desperately to stay awake. But why did Uncle Sherlock's voice have to be so soothing? Within five minutes Hamish was fast asleep.

"Sherlock, people got scared of me when I deduced!" She started to cry a little.

Now Sherlock had absolutely no idea what to do. What was one supposed to do when people were crying? He decided on giving Anabiel a hug. Why did people even like hugs? They seemed very awkward. Ana cried a little into Sherlock's shoulder.

"I'm assuming you didn't tell your friends."

"No, I didn't want them to be scared of me like James was. What should I do?!" Sherlock pondered this for a moment.

"Well, as an uncle I'm morally obligated to tell you to do whatever makes you happy. But I think that you should at least tell your friends, because if they're your friends they'll like you anyways. Just remember, even if people act scared, they are always a little bit impressed."

Sherlock held the little girl for a few more minutes before he realised that she had fallen asleep. He put her down awkwardly and lay on the couch to think.

I wonder what my life would have turned out like if I had thought of that. Would I be happier? Unlike me, the child is not a sociopath, and I have no right to make her into one. She's just an ordinary person with a peculiar gift. Damn, for a little bit I thought I wasn't alone. I probably should have learned by now, I'm always alone. The only consulting detective in the world.

The twins awoke to melancholy violin music.