Maddy lay in the children's room with her arm covering her eyes. Her high-heeled shoes have been discarded beside the fireplace, and her bare feet stick out over the arm of the couch. This night has certainly not gone as she had planned. How had it degenerated so completely? It seems ridiculous and yet inevitable that she should fail.

There's a knock at the door. It opens slowly, and Mycroft enters the room. He walks forward, standing beside the couch so that she can just see his dangling watch chain through the space under her arm. She frowns.

"My apologies," he says. "You were quite correct. It was I who instigated virtually every act in our relationship. I was not tricked or coerced. I had no illusions about your background, nor did I make any demands for exclusivity between us. My… jealousy was uncalled for. Forgive me."

Maddy drops her arm and looks up at him. From below, she can see his stiff lips jutting out beyond his chin, his Adam's apple bobbing nervously. He bows his head looking down at her, then he takes something from his pocket and drapes it around her neck. Maddy reaches up and touches the necklace. It feels cold against her skin. She sits up, and he leans forward fastening it for her. Rising, she walks over to the mirror and examines it. The necklace is beautiful. It holds seven emeralds surrounded by diamonds. The middle one is bigger than her thumb and has a center that sparkles blue. She's heard that blue emeralds are the most expensive.

"I never had a chance to give you my gift," Mycroft says. "I wanted to see how it looked with this dress, and I see that they go together very well. I know how much you like jewelry, and I hoped that perhaps, you would find some value in something that I had given you."

Maddy covers her mouth with her palm as she stares at her reflection in the mirror. "Wow! Exactly which museum did you have to rob to get this?" she says. "Did they count all of the crown jewels when they were returned, or did you sneak this out while they weren't looking?"

"Do you like it?"

Maddy lifts her hair, pooling it on top as she turns her head from side to side. "This is amazing, but Mycroft, this is much too fine, too expensive. Where would I wear it? "

"You can wear it around the house. It's yours. Do with it what you will."

Maddy releases her hair and turns toward him, arms out to the side. "But, besides this dress... I have nothing in the closet that is good enough to wear with it."

"Then I suppose you should wear nothing at all." Maddy blushes. Mycroft takes a step toward her and bows his head. "Madeline, you never told me. Do you forgive me?"

Maddy says nothing. She simply pulls her arms through the straps, and drops her dress to the floor.

Maddy looks quite different from her normal self with her hair swept up and fastened by a gold pin shaped like a feather. Her pale pink tailored suit is quite smart and complements Mycroft's grey one. They lean their heads together so that Mycroft can whisper to her. "That man there is the foreign minister," he says. "The man next to him is Subramanian, head of a multinational corporation based in Dubai. He wants to import pharmaceuticals from South-East Asia."

"Pharmaceuticals?"

"Prescription drugs is what he claims to sell, but he actually runs one of the world's largest opium rings. He knows that I oppose him, so he will try to get to me through you."

"I'm not sure of the etiquette, Mycroft, if he makes a pass at me, am I permitted to spit in his face?"

Mycroft raises the side of one lip slightly. "No dear, I am afraid not. And here is someone that I need to talk to, can you find something of interest at the tea table for a few minutes?"

"Certainly my love," Maddy says walking gracefully across the room. Maddy is proud of her walk. Mrs. Winslow has spent countless hours working on it with her. They finally found one for her that is unhurried and yet purposeful. She tacks a noncommittal smile onto her face and picks up a plate.

As she looks at a selections of sweets, a woman in blue turns toward her. "Hello, I don't think that we've met. I am Frances Simpson-Stuart head of the North London Ladies Botanical Society. And you are … ?"

"Madeline St. Martin," she says. "Pleasure to meet you."

"Ah, you're American! So very pleased to make your acquaintance. I had heard that Mr. Holmes was engaged, but frankly I did not believe it. He has been one of our most resolute bachelors." She gives a small laugh. "I was wondering if you'd like to attend one of our meetings, we meet on the first Thursday of each month."

Maddy feels a hand on her shoulder, and turns to see Subramanian standing beside her. "I was hoping to have a talk with you Miss St. Martin."

"Excuse me," Mrs. Simpson-Stuart replies a bit ruffled at the interruption, "Mr… ?"

"Subramanian," he replies. "I wouldn't think that you'd have time to play at garden parties, Mrs. Simpson-Stuart. Didn't you just lose a fortune in a failed Russian pyramid scheme?"

"Why, I..." she begins before falling silent.

"If I were you, I'd hurry home. Your husband is currently sleeping with his mistress on Bond street, but he's been secretly replacing your jewelry with paste. I'd put them away before he arrived home if I were you."

Mrs Simpson-Stuart gasps, then she hurriedly turns and leaves. Maddy looks at the browned man with a face like a barracuda. He apparently has a personality to match. She pointedly says nothing.

"Ah, Miss St. Martin, I have so wished to meet you. The woman who tamed Mycroft Holmes must be formidable indeed," he says, his fingers exploring her shoulder.

"Good afternoon," Maddy says stepping out of his grasp and extending a hand to shake. He reaches out to touch her hand caressing the palm before shaking it. She pulls her hand out of his grasp resisting the urge to wipe it on her skirt. "How may I help you today, Mr. Submaranian? Can I get you a cup of tea?"

"Yes, thank you," he says and Maddy turns away from him picking up a tea cup. She glances at him out of the corner of her eye afraid to let him out of her sight. He's smiling, the tips of his pointed teeth jutting past his lip. "I find you fascinating," he says. "We were all certain that Mycroft Holmes had no heart, and then someone comes out of nowhere to steal it. What are you, exactly?"

"Milk and sugar?" Maddy asks.

"Cream, no sugar."

"Lemon?"

"No thank you."

"Here you go, and if you will please excuse me…." Maddy turns away from the table hoping to escape his company, but his hand darts out clasping her forearm firmly.

"I was hoping that you would take a message to Mr. Holmes."

Maddy reaches over and pries his fingers off of her arm before pointing in the direction of the crowd. "He's right over there, or if you like, his secretary can make you an appointment."

"Tell him that if he opposes me, then he will regret it," Subramanian hisses.

Maddy laughs. "Are we in grade school, passing threats back and forth like silly children? I'm sorry, Mr. Subramanian, but I don't feel like playing games today. Enjoy your tea." Maddy turns her back on the man as she walks off in search of Mycroft. Maddy doesn't like bullies. Not at all.

That evening as she dangles her feet out of the tub in Mycroft's bathroom, she tells him what she'd said. Mycroft pauses in the motion of tying his tie. "Did you really say that to him?" He smiles smuggly. "I don't suppose that he is used to anyone talking to him that way, however..." The corner of his mouth turns down again. "You should be careful. Mr. Subramanian is a very dangerous man."

"Dangerous or not, he's a bully. And he's rude."

"It is true, there is no excuse for being rude, even in matters of international trade."

"Oh and Mycroft, I'll be visiting John tomorrow."

"Oh?"

"I just wanted to tell you so that you have time to schedule someone to follow me. Will it be Briant this time? You used Walter last time and he made a mess of it. I was tempted to wave."

"Very funny dear. I don't have you followed everywhere."

"Liar. You think that I don't know the registration numbers of all of your cars by now?"

"Maddy, I have enemies, Subramanian being one. I don't want you to be endangered again."

"Alright, I see your point with Subramanian, but someday this will have to stop."

"Of course, dear."

"Mycroft, you know that I can tell when you are lying."

He smiles. "I'll be going to the club tonight. I have things to think about. Don't wait up for me."

"Alright dear," Maddy says. "Tell your chair 'hello' for me, and don't eat too many of those exotic sweets. You are getting a little pudgy around the middle."

"Not meaning to be rude, dear, but you've been looking a little rounder since you've started cooking those rich sauces."

"But it's my homework!" she says frowning.

He bends over and kisses her frown away. She puts a dollop of soap bubbles on his nose and smiles back at him.

.

At John's the next day, Maddy looks through her bag which he brought back from the police. "I threw out the food." John says. "It was pretty dried up, I hope that you don't mind."

"No I don't mind. Thank you," Maddy says unfurling the black scarf and examining it.

"And I also have something else that you might like," John says handing her a note card. It reads Suzanna Miles and has an address and phone number.

Maddy screams clapping her hands together. "You found her?"

"Yes, she's attending Uni in Manchester."

"Is this really her number?" Maddy asks. "I can just call her, and she'll be there?"

"As far as I know."

Maddy pulls out her phone. It's glossy and expensive. She stares at it for a moment and then puts it back into her bag. "Can I borrow your phone?" she asks John.

He starts and then says, "Yeah," and passes his phone to her.

Maddy dials. On the third ring she picks up.

"Hello." A woman's voice says.

"Hello, is this Suzanna Miles?"

"Yes, who is this?"

"It's Maddy, Maddy St. Martin."

"Maddy who?"

"We used to play together at Maman Mildred's when we were little."

"Maddy...Maddy? Oh my God Maddy! Where are you?"

"I'm in London."

"Well I'm in Manchester, but you must know that, you called me. Oh Maddy, how are you doing? When did you arrive in the country?"

"Actually I've been in the UK for quite some time, but I only just now tracked down your number."

"Maddy, I really can't believe it. Just yesterday I was thinking of Maman. I'm sorry I didn't send you a funeral notice, but I didn't know your address. I'm in school now, but if you can get up to Manchester you're welcome to bed down in my flat."

"Well, I'm a bit tied up in things now, but I'll certainly do that soon."

"Great! I hate to rush off, but I have a class. Call me later?"

"Definitely."

"Super! Maddy, I can't believe it's really you. Well, I'll talk to you later. Cheerio!"

"Goodbye Suzanna, talk to you soon." Maddy cuts the connection. She's breathing rapidly a huge grin on her face. "She remembered me," Maddy says smiling.

"Of course she remembered you. You are very memorable, Maddy."

Maddy looks askance at him pursing her lips to keep herself from telling him of the dozens of times that he had walked past her on the street without seeing her when she was homeless. "Thank you, John," she says instead.

"So Maddy, how does it feel to be the future Mrs. Mycroft Holmes? Every time I think of it, it still amazes me."

"It amazes me too to tell the truth. I don't really know what to think of it."

"And did you really meet his mother?"

"Yes, she's actually very nice. I thought that she'd be really mean with me trying to steal away her eldest and all, but I think she thought that he was a lost cause. She's just overjoyed to see him thinking about marriage at all. Carrying on the family name and all that."

"I can see how that would be a concern with Mycroft and Sherlock as sons," John says with a grin. Maddy glances over at John. He'd let the name Sherlock slip by without his usual expression of alarm. Maddy walks over and pats him on the shoulder.

"He's taking me to some society to do. I don't understand any of it. I'm just going to try not to make a fool of myself."

"Just do what I used to do with Sherlock," John says. "Stand close to him, smile, and try not to let him say too much."

"I don't think it's quite the same with Mycroft, but staying close and smiling sounds like a plan. Well, I'd better go before Mycroft's security comes knocking," she says hugging John before leaving. She sneaks around the corner and climbs into the passenger seat of the car surprising Briant who was supposed to be following her secretly. He drives her home.

.

A week later Maddy sits in a the same black car next to Mycroft. She pulls the fur shawl over the thin straps of her evening dress. "Do I really have to do this?" Maddy asks. "I thought you said that you never went to these sort of functions."

"I don't usually, but it will be useful to be seen there nonetheless."

"Why?"

"I have been told that some people have been considering giving me a title."

"What? Like 'Sir Mycroft'? And you want to get it?"

"No, I mean to dissuade them. I can't remain unobtrusive with my name on the Roll of the Peerage. It would be a disaster."

"Won't going to this function that you don't usually attend look like you're jockeying for the job?"

"Interesting mental image, Madeline," Mycroft says. "It may appear so, but it is the quickest way to talk to each of those involved, in private."

"So why do you need me?"

"My dear, an engaged man can hardly go to such a function alone. Besides, it is a chance for me to show you off."

"And an excuse for me to finally wear my necklace," Maddy says stroking the side of the center emerald carefully.

Unused to shows of affection when not in the house, Maddy is surprised when Mycroft uncharacteristically puts and arm around her and pulls her in close. He lowers his head so that his nose strokes her cheek and in a husky voice he whispers, "You never need an excuse to wear it, Madeline. You can wear it whenever you like."

"Or whenever you like," Maddy says with a rueful grin. They kiss, and kiss again. By the time they part, they've arrived.

There are photographers. Mycroft's security keeps them back, but there are interested glances from all around them. Maddy guesses that this must be how a microbe feels to be examined under a microscope.

The hall is very large. There is a stage, and tables, and lots and lots of people. Maddy panics. It's only Mycroft's hand on her forearm that keeps her from bolting. She does what John suggested. She stays close to Mycroft and smiles trying not to look too visibly terrified.

After a half-hour she has calmed down enough to sit by herself while Mycroft does his rounds. She sits in the corner of the room, in the place farthest from everyone else waiting for Mycroft to return, and hoping that no one tries to talk to her. Unfortunately, a man in a tuxedo with an old fashioned white ruffled collar walks over and sits in the seat right beside her.

"Miss St. Martin is it?" he says. "Maddy St. Martin?"

"Yes, hello," Maddy says trying her best to sound polite.

"Quite a coup for you isn't it to land a big fish such as Mycroft Holmes. Quite an accomplishment for someone who was so recently living on the streets."

"Excuse me?" Maddy says turning to stare directly at the man who now wears a sneering smile above his ruffled collar.

"I met a friend of yours, Mrs. Catherine Woese. She told me that some of the most prestigious families donate to her shelter, and she mentioned your name. I wonder what the committee will think when they find out that Mycroft Holmes' fiancée was once Maddy Mohammad, the unwed harlot of a common gangster."

Maddy opens her mouth in shock. She had expected many things to happen at this ball, but being called a harlot was not one of them. She rises to her feet to find that Mycroft has materialized at her side.

"Bridges," he says. "What have you been saying to my fiancée?"

He looks up into Mycroft's hostile face. "Nothing that isn't true," he says.

"He says that he will tell the committee my background. He wishes to bully you into stepping down."

"Bridges," Mycroft says sternly. "Feel free to tell whomever you wish whatever you like as long as you do it far away from us."

The man stands up bristling. "I may just do that," he says. "There's a man who has been asking about you and your woman. I bet that Mr. Subramanian would be pleased to hear more about her past."

"Good night," Mycroft says. Bridges sneers, and then walks away. When he's gone, Mycroft turns back to Maddy to find her hyperventilating.

"But Mycroft, if he knows about me... can't he use it against you? And Subramanian. You told me he's dangerous. What will we do?" Mycroft motions for her to be quiet.

"You mustn't let them fluster you darling," he said. "Bridges is petty. He sees only tiny things such as position and title. He doesn't have a clue who someone like Subramanian really is."

"But Mycroft!" Maddy's eyes are starting to water. Mycroft grabs her hand and leads her out of the room, and down the hallway into an empty cloakroom. He closes the door, and then turns to face her, hands on her shoulders.

"You cannot do this, Madeline," he says. "If they see you upset, then you lose. Caring is not an advantage. You need to take a breath, get yourself together and act as if you are far above them, because you are! Not one of those people out in that room could have survived half of the things that you have lived through. You not only survived, you thrived, you rose above your circumstances because you're strong. You are an amazing woman, Madeline, and I admire you. So go out there and show Bridges that what he says means nothing at all to you. Show them the brilliant person you are. Dazzle them as you dazzle me every day."

Maddy's eyes water now for a completely different reason than they did before. Her heart is light. No one has ever said anything of the sort to her. To have Mycroft Holmes, the great Mycroft Holmes, say that he admires her... Maddy is walking on clouds. She smiles, dries her tears, and walks out into the crowd. She introduces herself to people and shakes hands. In fact, she does so well that it takes all of Mycroft's considerable influence to keep them from adding his name to the honors list anyway. That night she sleeps clutching Mycroft's side, his necklace still hanging around her neck.

.

Despite Mrs Woese's annoying talkativeness, Maddy can't find the words to refuse when she asks her to come to the dedication of the new homeless shelter the next week.

"It was your fiancee's money that helped us build it, besides you used to live here and work here," she says. "Maddy you have to come! Don't you realize how they think of you on the streets? People who thought that they had no chance in life have hope now because of your example: A girl from the streets who marries a rich man. It's a real life Cinderella story. Everyone here is buzzing with it. Please, it will make it that much more special if you can come."

Maddy sits in the car fidgeting. She doesn't want to be a celebrity. She doesn't know what to do around admirers. She imagines how she would feel if she were still on the streets and she heard a story like the ones that they were telling about her. She would want to see the woman. She would want to touch her for luck.

Maddy had asked Ann to go to the bank and get her three dozen two pound coins to pass out, lucky coins. Her purse jingles when she shakes it. Then her phone rings, and she answers.

"Hello, Madeline."

Maddy can't help but smile at the sound of his voice. "Hello Mycroft," she says. "I'm going to the homeless shelter dedication."

"I know. I just finished work, and I think that I will go with you, if you don't mind."

"Really? That would be wonderful, but... I'll be late."

"Don't worry. It is customary to be fashionably late to such an event. I'll direct the driver to come pick me up, shall I?"

"Please. I can't wait to see you."

When the two finally arrive at the new homeless shelter, a modern place of blond wood and brushed metal railings, Mycroft climbs out of the car, and Maddy comes after him. She turns back to get her purse which she's left in the car. Suddenly light flares off of the windows and a boom deafens her. She turns back to see the homeless shelter wrapped in flames. Great beams of broken wood jut up into the sky. The metal railings have been bent by the explosion, and the roof has collapsed. A fire glows yellow stretching up to the sky in spires interwoven with columns of thick black smoke.

Maddy stands open-mouthed staring at it. Then Mycroft pushes her back into the car, and they drive away. His phone is in his hand almost before he touches the seat. "This is Mycroft Holmes. We have a condition five at the New Riverside Homeless Shelter. Mobilize a team immediately copy all of the surveillance tapes for this area. I'm traveling to my house, but I'll meet you at headquarters. Contact me as soon as you have news."

Maddy can hear the sounds of sirens. She's still in shock. "Why?" she says. "Why would anyone blow up a homeless shelter? It makes no sense."

"It was Subramanian," Mycroft says his brows knitting in an expression of anger. "This was an assassination attempt."

"But Mycroft? How did he know that you were coming? You didn't decide to come until just a few minutes ago."

"Not for me," Mycroft says surprised that she doesn't understand at once. "This was an attempt on you. Subramanian blew up the homeless shelter to kill you."

Maddy falls back in her seat, her mouth open. In the distance, she can see smoke. She closes her eyes, but she can still see the fire behind her closed eyelids. She sees huge wooden beams and twisted metal, and the faces of young girls buried in the burning ruins, all because they'd hoped to catch a glimpse of her and find a bit of luck. Maddy starts to cry.