1Disclaimer: I own nothing.

A/N: I'm reposting these chapters now that they are betaed. Thanks to Haley for beta-ing.

Read and Review plz!

A/N2: Thanks to all who reviewed. To Terriah: I would like to know more about England, my email address is on my author page.

The Truth About Dr. Watson

Chapter Three

"Lily?"

Lilith's Watson's eyes widen in recognition and surprise as they met an all-too familiar pair of blue ones. Her voice caught in her throat, and it was several moments before she managed to speak.

"Michael?" she half-whispered, placing a slender hand on the door frame.

The young man from her past strode past her retreating form, half mad with rage and the other unbelieveably glad to see her again.

"What's going on? Why are you dressed like this?" he finally demanded in a measured volume.

"Michael, I ..." she began, but was cut off with a stern gesture from the other.

"Everyone thinks you're dead!" he half-snapped at her.

"Lilith Watson is," she said quietly.

There was a beat while Michael absorbed this.

"I'm Dr. John Watson now," she said, feeling her cheeks redden slightly.

Michael finally sighed and desperately wanted to throw himself into a chair. As it was, he ran a hand through his hair, and they wordlessly shut the sitting room door, which had opened somehow during their interview, and was quickly shut again.

"What happened Lily?" Michael asked, eying the woman he thought died 10 years ago.

"Let's sit down and I will let tell you," said Lilith patiently, gesturing to a comfortable space on the settee.

She told him everything--left nothing out.

"You managed to fool Sherlock Holmes!" he exclaimed when she was finished, delighted with the entire prospect of it all.

"Yes," she replied sadly, "but what happens when he finds out? I value his friendship. Besides, if he kicks me out, where would I go?"

Michael looked at her shrewdly, one eyebrow cocked. In that moment, Lilith knew that he wasn't buying it.

"Just his friendship? I noticed you seem to worry more about what he thinks than where you would live."

Sighing she admitted defeat and lowered her eyes.

"I care about him, even love him, but he doesn't care for love. He sees it as a useless emotion."

Michael wrapped his arms around her in comforting embrace, and she did not shy away.

A sudden click startled them, and they turned towards the door to see none other than the aforementioned Sherlock Holmes staring back at them.

I'm not sure who Michael is, but I'm going on the assumption he's a former lover or something. Hope you like!
Haley

The Truth about Dr. Watson

Chapter Four

Michael and Lilith, suddenly jumped apart and stared at Holmes rather guiltly. Both of them did not dare meet his eyes. Lilith felt the flush on her cheeks and almost heard Michael's frustration.

The silence seemed to grow louder until Lily cleared her throat and said, " Holmes, this is my friend, Michael Answorthe. We haven't seen each other for a while and were catching up."

Michael picked up wonderfully, putting on his most gracious character and genial persona.

"Yes, Mr. Holmes, I was originally sent here to engage you on behalf of my employer," Michael said as he stood up, " I haven't seen-- uh--John since before the war."

Holmes' sharp eyes seem to narrow slightly as he said, "Of course. Well, do sit down and tell us the facts."

As Michael told him of his employer, Mr. Chesterfied's failing health, and the hypothesis that he was slowly being poisoned, Holmes' mind raced on a different matter--one much more personal.

'Something's wrong with this picture,' Holmes thought, looking at Michael, 'something I can't place my finger on. I come home to see this man and my Watson hugging. Watson looked guilty and embrassed--Answorthe looks worried. What's missing from this puzzle?'

'No,' Holmes thought, an idea suddenly forming in his head, 'No that can't be right. It fits the clues--the fatcs--but it can't be! This man can't have been Watson's lover?'

'Wait,' that cold, calculating mind retorted, 'You yourself have always said it is a capitial mistake to form theories in advance on the facts.'

He was calmer now, but Holmes could feel a skin of ice forming around himself. It seeped into his voice as well.

"You may tell your Mr. Chesterfield that we shall be on the 8:15 for Manchester tomorrow morning, and that all his fears shall soon be laid to rest."

Michael stood, relieved for both his employer and himself.

"Thank you, Mr. Holmes. I'm sure he will be most grateful," Michael said, heading for the door.

" I'm sure. Good day, Mr. Answorthe," Holmes replied tersely, dismissing him with the wave of a long hand.

"Goodbye John,"Michael said, smiling at Watson, "I shall see you tomorrow."

"Goodbye Michael, and have a safe trip," Lilith replied, smiling faintly.

The hair on the back of her neck stood up and she turned to see Holmes looking at her, but she quickly adverted his eyes.

'Tomorrow is going to be a long day,' she thought grimly.

I am using the names Lilith and Lily interchangebly. Hope that's okay.

Haley

The Truth About Dr. Watson

Chapter Four

'This is going to be a long day,' Lily thought as she watched the scenery pass. Holmes stared straight ahead, expressionless.

'I wonder what he's thinking,' she thought anxiously, glancing at him. 'Normally, he is like a bloodhound on the scent during a case. I can read him well enough most of the time, but I can't read him at all now.'

She couldn't help but sigh a little, guilt battling with worry in her mind.

SHSHSHSHSHSHSHSH

Despite his expressionless face, Holmes' mind was whirling. Though his methods were against creating a thoery before having all the facts, his brain was grasping at straws.

'If they have been friends for a long time, why hasn't Watson mention him before?' he wondered, 'and if they are merely friends, why did Watson look so bloody guilty? Unless the relationship is more than it should be. It's considered illegal by English law and immoral by the Church. Is that why he never mentioned it? He thought I would condemn him? He should know I would never do that.'

Sighing, he stole a glance at Watson and thought, 'You should know better. I love you more than a brother.'

SHSHSHSHSHSHSHSH

They arrived in Manchester two hours later, and greeted by a jovial Michael at the station.

"Good morning," he said, "uh--John--Mr. Holmes. Lord Chesterfield sent me to fetch you."

As the carriage moved down the dirt road, Michael broke the silence by telling them about the history of the Chesterfields. Lily was only half listening, focused on Holmes' body langauge. He seemed to stiffen when he saw Michael at the train station. An almost happy thought crossed her mind but she quickly dismissed it as very unlikely.

'He couldn't be jealous...'

'Get the facts before creating a theory,' her own logical brain shot back. Lilith sighed. This mess was beginning to give her a headache.

After forever it seemed, the carriage pulled up to a large, stately British coutry house.

"Welcome to Chesterfield Manor," Michael said with a note of pride.