It's slowly getting there. ha. Probably two or three more chapters before Season One is wrapped up. Then we hit the fun Season Two. Oh, that's going to be interesting to write.

Here, we get some more interaction with the transfer from America- DI Lockwood. I'm going to try integrating her a bit more often.

Also: Protective Older-Brother Sherlock in this chapter -heart-

Disclaimer: I don't own Sherlock, just Anna. And Blakely Lockwood.

Note: If you have previously read chapter 12, at the end Jim suggests 'Brigits Bakery on Chandos Place' well- i had to change that. I asked for advice on a group I'm a part of, and a Londoner answered. Turns out that's some sort of bus that travels around while you eat/drink tea and whatnot? Either way- she suggested a few other places and I decided upon the one mentioned in this chapter. ((I did go back onto chapter 12 and fixed that, so you wont see it if you go back and look))

Anna, Sherlock and John sat at the cafés table, two of them enjoying breakfast before the long day. As John ate his cooked breakfast, Anna eyed it- comparing it to her light breakfast of a bagel and cream cheese.

"You could've ordered this, you know?" John asked her, a small smile on his face as he caught her gaze.

"No, I'm good with this…" Anna shook her head, taking another bite- hoping against all odds that Sherlock hadn't figured out anything yet. He sat beside her, drumming his fingers impatiently on the table waiting for the pink phone- which lay on the table beside him- to ring.

"Feeling better?" Sherlock asked, causing Anna to pause- wondering whom he was talking to.

"Mmm. You realise we've hardly stopped for breath since this thing started?" John replied, causing Anna to nod before going back for another bite of her bagel as she glanced out the window briefly.

"Has it occurred to you…?"

"Probably."

"No – has it occurred to you that the bomber's playing a game with you? The envelope, breaking into the other flat, the dead kids shoes – it's all meant for you."

"Yes, I know," Sherlock answered, smiling slightly as Anna turned her attention back to them.

"Is it him, then?" John asked.

"Moriarty, you mean? You believe he's the one behind all this?" Anna questioned.

"Perhaps," Sherlock shrugged just as the pink phone beeped a message alert. Quickly, Sherlock flipped it open as it sounded two short pips followed by a longer tone, and a photograph of a middle-aged woman appeared on the screen.

"Who's she supposed to be?" Anna wondered, peering over Sherlock's shoulder at the screen.

"Could be anybody," Sherlock groaned, as John took the phone to look for himself.

"Well, it could be, yeah. Lucky for you though, I've been more than a little unemployed," John said, handing the phone back to Sherlock. He stood up from his seat and walked over to the counter, and with a smile to the woman behind the counter he picked up the remote and switched on the small television hung on the wall. John flipped the channels a couple of times before finding what he wanted. The woman from the photograph is on the screen, partway through her make-over show, gesturing to someone just off screen.

"Thank you, Tyra! Doesn't she look lovely, everybody, now?"

"Who's she supposed to be?" Anna questioned, still uncertain.

"That's Connie Prince—Makeover queen," John explained as he sat back down," Have you never watched her show?"

"Never," Anna shook her head," Been too busy with other stuff."

"Right. Busy work, forensics."

"I do have other hobbies outside of Forensics, John," laughed Anna, just as the pink phone began to ring.

"Hello?"

Anna and John looked on in anticipation, before Anna nudged Sherlock's arm- causing him to roll his eyes before he put it on speaker, just loud enough for the two of them to hear.

"… a bit… defective. Sorry. She's blind. This is… a funny one. I'll give you… twelve hours."

"Why are you doing this?" Sherlock asked.

"I like… to watch you… dance." The elderly voice on the phone gasped and sobbed in terror as she finished speaking. The phone went dead and Sherlock dropped it onto the table, before they turned their attention to the television screen.

"….continuing into the sudden death of the popular TV personality, Connie Prince. Miss Prince, famous for her make-over programmes, was found dead two days ago by her brother in the house they share in Hampstead…"

"Well, I guess I know where we're headed to next," John said, as he took a sip of his coffee.

"So be careful. Hampstead is a rich stretch, they wont like two random people stuffing their noses in things," Anna warned just as her phone beeped at her. Reading the message, she stood up and reached for her jacket.

"Looks like it's my turn. Got a case—" she said, reaching into her wallet- before Sherlock gave her a pointed look.

"What? I'm the only one with an income Sherlock. I'm paying my half," Anna frowned, putting down a few bills on the table before she shrugged her jacket on and reminded them," Be careful."

"You as well," John smiled.

"Especially on your…. Date."

Anna stopped short of the door, before her shoulders slumped and she turned around to see her brother smirking at her smugly.

"How?"

"More make-up than your usual- so obviously trying to impress a… boy."

"You are absolutely unbelievable," Anna shook her head.

"Anyone we know?" John asked, leaning forward on the table on his elbows.

"No offense John, but that's not really any of either one of your business. Good day," she said tersely, before stalking out of the café and hailing a cab. As Sherlock and John watched her leave, Sherlock narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Oh, don't worry too much Sherlock. I'm sure Anna can take care of herself," John shrugged, getting out his wallet to pay for his meal and collecting the money Anna left for hers- to pay them together.

"Perhaps so, but she normally tells me who it is she's going out with," Sherlock frowned.

"Normally? Wouldn't that just make you more involved?"

"No—the fact she didn't tell me his name, tells me that she doesn't want me involved."

"Which means…"

Sherlock turned his eyes to John, a serious expression on his face, as he said," Which means I definitely need to be involved."

"Oh, she'll love that," John sarcastically said, frowning as he stood up to pay, leaving Sherlock there with his thoughts.

Half an hour later, Anna walked over to Lestrade's office- knocking on the open door.

"Ah, good- Holmes, I want you to work Forensics for Lockwood's case. This way she can get… well…"

"Used to how a Holmes behaves? A better idea on what to expect when she crosses paths with Sherlock?" Anna guessed, pursing her lips as she sassed the Detective Inspector.

"Exactly," he frowned, rubbing a hand on the back of his neck, before turning to the other Inspector.

"Holmes is the best Forensics we have- she'll ensure we find what we need. Just make sure to get her what she needs—and if she should have an off the wall request, just go with it," Lestrade told her, reaching down to the file on his desk and handing it to her," Here is your case- do be careful out there, yeah?"

"Yes sir," Inspector Lockwood nodded, accepting the file and walking out of the office.

"Holmes?"

"Yes, Lestrade?"

"Try not to be too hard on her? We'd like to keep her around the yard as long as we can."

"I'm hurt, Lestrade. It's almost like you think I'll go into some Sherlock-like rant, deduce everything about her which causes her to second-guess transferring to London and decide to move back wherever she came from."

"Anna," Lestrade warned, exasperation in his voice.

"Oh, just come off it. I'm the well behaved one—remember that," Anna rolled her eyes, before walking out of the office towards the new Inspector.

"Ready?"

"If you are," Anna told her.

"Good- let's go. You can read the file on the drive to the scene."

"After you, Inspector."

0o0o

"Three victims… three separate weapons… how are we gonna narrow this down, exactly?" Detective Inspector Lockwood asked, crossing her arms infront of her.

"Easily," Anna murmured, as she looked over one of the victims—throwing in," And it's 'Going to' not 'gonna'."

"What?"

"…. Nothing. Sorry. Habit I picked up from my brothers," Anna shook her head," Once more tests are ran, and I get the medical examiners report, I'll be able to tell you more—but right now? I can tell you for certain that this one—" she pointed to one victim, who seemed more out of place than the other two, off near the side,"—Didn't kill either of these two. More than likely, he actually died first."

"How do you know?"

"Well—" Anna began, before taking a breath and stopping her explanation, looking up at Lockwood," No—actually. Grab a pair of gloves and come here."

DI Lockwood gave her a curious look, almost hesitant, but grabbed a pair of the latex gloves and walked over to the Forensic Specialist as she put them on," Okay?"

"Here—what do you feel?" Anna asked, as she motioned to the victims hand. Taking a deep breath, Lockwood reached out and carefully picked up the deceased hand. She used her fingers to almost massage into the skin, eyebrows furrowing slightly.

"Are those… broken bones?"

"Exactly," nodded Anna, as Lockwood set the hand back down onto the floor," Both of his hands are like that. No way he could have swung either weapon- or successfully used the firearm."

"So one of those two," Lockwood said, looking back at the other two victims," Killed him?"

"Or they both killed him and then turned on one another," Anna stated as the two of them stood up," I won't speculate though, not until I know more."

"Right," Lockwood nodded, before glancing down at her watch.

"What- got a hot date after we wrap up here?" Anna joked, as the DI looked up at her.

"Huh? Oh… no. No, I just… When do you think the tests will be finished?"

"Depends on how many I need to run and if someone's ruined any of the machines. Shouldn't take but a few hours though, if we're lucky. I'll get back to the lab and start, get the samples running," Anna told her, as they walked out of the building and towards their vehicle. As she was loading up her pack, Anna briefly looked down at her own watch.

"Now who's got a date after?" Lockwood stated, causing Anna to give a small chuckle.

"Touche' Lockwood." With a returning smile, the two got in their car and drove back towards New Scotland Yard. The closer to one-thirty that it got, the more butterflies Anna seemed to get.

"It's just a lunch-date… why am I so nervous?" she thought, looking out the window.

0o0o

After turning off Garrick Street, Anna rushed down Floral Street towards where she was supposed to have met with Jim almost five minutes ago.

"He's probably already left," she frowned, weaving through the crowd,"One of these days I really am going to murder Anderson. That good-for-nothing—" Putting her thoughts to the back of her mind as she arrived near the outdoor tables, Anna scanned the area for Jim. Her heart began to sink when she didn't see him- before she nearly jumped in her skin.

"I was beginning to think you weren't coming."

She turned towards her right and saw him leaning against the brick wall to one of the adjacent companies.

"No, no—I must apologize. My- coworker—" Anna said, biting out the word with evident frustration," kept me. He botched a simple test and then knocked over some very delicate liquids, which of course I had to clean up."

"Not to worry," Jim gave a small smile," I can understand the… frustrations, with people."

"I'm sure being in IT you deal with people that are very oblivious."

"You've no idea," he smirked, before gesturing a hand towards the door," Shall we?" With a nod, Anna walked into the building and was instantly hit by the strong aroma's off coffee beans.

"Oh, that takes me back," she murmured, closing her eyes as she relished in the memory.

"Hmm?"

"Oh—back when I was younger, I briefly worked in a café. The aroma never gets old," Anna explained.

"That must've been fun," Jim said as they approached the counter.

"Can I help you?"

"Do you know what you'd like to order?" Jim asked Anna, completely ignoring the waitress behind the glass showcase.

"Oh, uh…" Anna hesitated, scanning the chalkboard quickly. Normally she'd order a strong expresso or mocha, but— "A chai latte and a… blueberry muffin, please."

"What, no cocktail?" Jim joked, a playful smile on his face.

"I'm on my lunch break at work," Anna reminded him," Besides, I uh… I don't drink alcohol- of any kind… Long story."

"Hot Chocolate with a Blueberry muffin and a Long Black with a Cherry bakewell tart," Jim ordered, briefly turning his attention to the barista.

"Be right out with it. Feel free to take a seat anywhere," she said, after Jim paid for their order.

The two of them walked over to a table near the window, and Jim drew out a chair for Anna before taking his own seat.

"Quite the gentleman," Anna smiled, a soft blush on her cheeks," Molly's lucky to have you."

She noticed his slight frown—just there for a split second—before he gave an off-handed shrug," Molly… she's not quite my type. She's nice…"

"But?"

"But—and don't get me wrong," Jim said, leaning in slightly," Naïve… and her heart is set somewhere else. Even I can sense it."

"Sherlock."

"You know it too."

"Who doesn't? She makes it so painfully obvious," Anna rolled her eyes," And for as brilliant as my brother is—he's terribly oblivious to most emotional connections. Especially those directed towards him."

"Long Black with a Cherry Bakewell Tart and a Hot Chocolate with a Blueberry muffin?"

"Thank you," Anna said, as the waitress put the items on the table between them.

"If you need anything, just wave me."

"No coffee?" Jim asked, watching as Anna took a tentative sip of the hot chocolate," It's all Molly ever seems to drink."

"Unfortunately, I—well, I can't drink caffeine. Found out—back when I worked at that café? Caffeine and I do not mix well together."

"Oh? Sounds like quite the story."

"Not really," Anna shook her head," When I worked the café I drank a good amount of the coffee, perks of working there right? Well, after a while, things just… seemed odd. It's hard to explain, actually. Almost… hallucinogenic, in a way? I felt weird, my mind was foggy—I hated it. So my eldest brother and I decided that I should just stay away from consuming any caffeine."

"I see—Molly has mentioned this elder brother of Sherlocks once… he's government, yeah?"

"You keep mentioning Molly," Anna noted, ignoring his question," Perhaps, I can give her a ring, have her meet you here for lunch instead?"

"I don't mean to insult you," Jim replied, seemingly enjoying the jab," I just don't know you that much…. Her, on the other hand…"

"Well- what do you want to know?"

"You mentioned earlier not drinking—long story? Tell me more about it."

"I… well," Anna started, uncertain. She didn't tell many people about it. Aside from her brothers, John and Lestrade- no one knew she didn't consume alcohol. It couldn't hurt to tell Jim, right?

"I guess… It's not that long of a story. I take some medicines—and with my medical knowledge, I know it wouldn't be beneficial to mix alcoholic intake with the prescriptions. So, my brother and I agreed to just—stay away from alcohol."

"No caffeine… no alcohol. Your life must be so… boring," Jim frowned distastefully.

"On the contrary. Between work and Sherlock, I've got enough excitement to last a lifetime."

"What is it you do, again?"

"Forensic Specialist for Scotland Yard."

That seemed to really get Jim's attention, as he leaned his elbows on the table and placed his chin on his palms, looking at her intensely.

"Oh wow, now that's quite the job. Help catch all the bad guys. Dangerous, I presume?"

"Not really. Just go around crime scenes collecting stuff, go to the lab and run tests. Give the answers to the Detectives running the case. Rinse repeat," Anna shrugged as she tore a piece of the muffin off and placed it in her mouth.

"Interesting."

"Most days, yeah. Some of the cases… they stick with you though… some make you second guess yourself—if you're actually doing any good," Anna frowned, but then with a small smile she remembered baby Natalia," But sometimes… sometimes there's a light, something so innocent and beautiful that makes you realize that the work you do—it matters."

"How quaint," Anna heard Jim say, as she realized she had briefly zoned out," What are—"

Just as he was asking another question, Anna's mobile began to ring. She closed her eyes in moderate annoyance as she looked at the ID, before silencing it and placing it back in her pocket.

"Ignore that. What were you saying?"

"I was just going to ask what some of your hobbies were. Certainly you have fun somehow outside of Forensics?"

"Oh—yeah. I've always loved to cook and bake. Learned by helping mummy back home, growing up. Taught myself the piano when I was eight—used the piano from the music program at the school I went to. Took up ice skating when I was in Uni- just something to keep my mind going while relaxing at the same time. Sometimes when I'm bored I attempt new languages."

"Very impressive," Jim smiled," Which—"

Again, Anna's mobile began to ring- and with a roll of her eyes she apologized," I'm sorry, I guess I need to take this."

"Be my guest," Jim gestured, leaning back in his seat.

"What do you want, Anderson?"

"Your Psychopath brother is doing it again."

"Socio- you know what, I'm not even wasting my breath. He at the Yard?"

"Yes. Now hurry and deal with him. He's more annoying than-"

Anna hung up before Anderson had a chance to finish his sentence, pinching the bridge of her nose as she attempted to control her irritation.

"Time's up already, huh?"

"Yeah—I'm sorry. I've got to head back—"

"No worries. I'm sure you're a busy woman," Jim smiled to her," Perhaps we can meet up again some other time?"

"Oh, uh… Yeah. I'd like that," Anna nodded, finishing off her hot chocolate.

"Wonderful. How about The Greenhouse?"

"Hmm, can't say I've heard of it before."

"No? Hmm.. Bills of Covent Garden?"

"Sorry, still not familiar," Anna sheepishly smiled, rubbing the back of her neck," I don't exactly get out much."

"That's alright," Jim smirked back, tweaking his head to the side briefly—rather cutely, in Anna's opinion," I'll pick you up? Say… Six tomorrow night?"

"That's a bit soon, don't you think?" Anna asked, slightly surprised.

"What can I say? I quite enjoyed my company today."

"Well, now, how can I turn that down?" Anna blushed, ducking her head slightly," Six tomorrow night it is. I'll be sure to even turn my mobile off."

"How considerate," Jim joked, smiling as Anna reached for her jacket.

"I'll text you my address?"

"I'll look forward to it."

"You and me both," Anna thought, as she walked out onto the street once more and headed back towards Scotland Yard," Now, to strangle a Sociopath and an Idiot."

END
So, what do you think of this... budding relationship between Anna and Jim? I like hearing your thoughts, so let me know!