Hi everybody. Just so everybody knows I don't have anything against redheads, it was that I had 3 redheads already. And I'm sorry it took so long to update, I had to rewrite this chapter over and over again until I was finally happy enough with it.
Topazowl: I'm updating. Sorry that it took so long
SilverSen: LOL when am I not scheming something?
Mariana: I'm really glad you like it
Hermione Holmes: Thank you very much
Anozira: Hmmm a prequel only if you'll be my beta for that story (I'll still do it anyways). One more thing what exactly are the monkey microchip minions? And more importantly will they be able to stand up to the Dental floss of doom?
Once in the attic I sat down in an old armchair, after I had ripped off the plastic covering that was over it, sneezed several times, and started to ball my eyes out.
'How dare he! Of all the things to say he decided to degrade the entire female population and me! He may be older then me, but my better! HA! Yeah right, and if that is what he truly thinks then I shall just have to prove myself to be his equal!' I curled up and managed to cry myself into a fitful sleep, dreaming of fires among the forgotten ancients.
John"What the hell is he playing at?" I muttered out loud to myself while pacing the length of my room. "Not telling Serena anything." I sighed. It was bad enough that Holmes wouldn't talk, but not letting me talk about it that was worse. Suddenly I hit upon the perfect solution. I grinned and picked up phone and dialed Rowen's number.
"Hello, Rowen speaking."
"Hi Rowen It's Watson."
"John! Oh my god! It's been forever! So what have you and Holmes been up to? Lets see it's been about a month since we last talked, right? Anyways that gives you guys plenty of time to get into some sort of trouble." I grinned some things never change and I was glad that Rowen would always be upbeat and humorous.
"We had a small case with Dr. Phil, but I'm sure you read about it in the papers." I heard her laughing on the other end.
"Yes I did read about it, but who is the mysterious Serena Longe who seems to be staying at Holmes' house?"
"She's the foreign exchange student from America."
"Poor girl. I have a hard time dealing with wonderful William and I'm thankful that God has heard my prayers and that I don't have to deal with him longer then a week or two. I don't know how you do it John." She chuckled.
"Get back to me in a month or so and I might have an answer for you. Anyways I need to get down to business. Holmes is calling the irregulars together for a meeting on Thursday around eleven he said not to worry about lunch and that it would be provided."
"Hopefully he's not going to cook it. John would this have anything to do with the fires and kidnappings?"
"Yes. Joel was assigned to them and Serena spotted Hunter across the street." I sighed.
"Does she have any idea what is going on?" Rowen sounded annoyed and worried.
"No. Holmes is being Holmes…"
"Which means that he's got a stick shoved up his ass." She interrupted.
"Basically yes." I answered amused.
"Let me take a wild guess, He won't tell her a thing, when her life might be in danger, and he made you promise not to tell her right?"
"Right."
"John the irregulars are going to show up an hour early to "help" Holmes cook lunch and if things get a little chaotic and if one of the irregulars seems to disappear during the ensuing chaos…well I'm innocent k?"
"Rowen you are a miracle worker!"
"I know John. I know. And I shall see you tomorrow."
"Yep I'll see you and your chaos causing crew tomorrow." I hung up the phone and gave a large sigh of relief. The two of the major problems were hopefully taking care of and that left only incredibly large problem to deal with. Exhausted I headed up to my room and fell into a troubled sleep.
Serena"Serena! Where are you?"
"Mommy, mommy I'm right here!" the flames rose higher as if feeding off of my fear.
"Serena!"
"Mommy! I'm here!" she couldn't hear me. The flames leaped forward towards the closet.
"Serena! There you are. Imagine that. Sleeping in the attic all night long."
"Huh?" was my wonderfully articulate reply. I opened my eyes and saw Mrs. Holmes standing over me. However what really grabbed my attention was the plate of eggs and bacon she was holding. My stomach decided to voice it's approval and let out a loud growl.
"Well it looks like I was on time." Mrs. Holmes smiled at me and handed me the plate.
"Thank you." I said as I followed her downstairs into the kitchen.
"Now I'm going to warn you William is going to be having friends over. They are a little on the wild side, but over all very nice people. Buddy especially, but you'll be meeting them soon enough." She opened the door to the kitchen and I was relieved to see that William was nowhere to be found. I sat down after grabbing a fork and began to eat.
"Mrs. Holmes what happened to us being grounded?" Was William's mom that easy to manipulate?
"William decided to argue with us last night and he pointed out that it wasn't his or your fault that the doctor decided to break into the house, and the only thing that you two did wrong was to not call the cops in a timely fashion and that both of you learned you lesson." Apparently she was that easy to manipulate.
"So does that mean I can go to the library sometime this week?" I asked hopeful.
"You could go today if you wanted to. Do you know where it is?"
"I saw it when you asked me to deliver some papers to William." I said planning on going there as soon as I finished eating."
"So you know it opens at ten."
"Thank you Mrs. Holmes you're the best." On impulse I gave her a hug.
"Make sure you tell William." She said as she hugged me back.
"Where is he?"
"Up in his room. If I didn't know better I would say that he's sulking." Mrs. Holmes winked at me and started to clean the kitchen.
I headed upstairs and glanced at my watch.
"Only eight?" I murmured to myself as I knocked on William's door
"Yes?" came the surly reply.
"Just letting you know that I'm going to the library and that I'll probably be there all day long."
"Have fun."
"Will do." I turned and headed for my room. Once in my room I looked at the mirror and decided that I looked awful. My hair was all over the place, my face was puffy and streaked with dust, and my eyes were defiantly red from my crying. I glared at my reflection and decided that I needed a long bath.
I sighed with bliss as I sunk myself into the hot water. Time to think and wash away problems. I chuckled to myself remembering how Nike taught me how to use bath time to relax and think.
"Serena what in the world are you doing?" Nike had just come into the dorm room.
"What does it look like?" I asked slightly annoyed.
"It looks like you're trying to tear apart your essay for History class."
"We have a winner."
"Ummmmmm can I ask why?"
"You already did." I sighed, "I asked the teacher to look at it before I had to hand it in Monday. He pointed out that most of the thoughts were scattered. Nike it took me a week to write this. Also Robert broke up with me."
"Ouch. Ok girl you need to take a bath." She said as she casually picked up a picture that I had of him and threw it into the trash. Nike then grabbed me by the arm and started to drag me to the bathroom.
"A bath how will that help?"
"Trust me. All you have to do is think about what you're going to do about your problems and then decide what you're going to do about them. Take as long as you need and don't rush k?"
"Well it can't hurt. Might as well."
"That's the sprit!" Nike said as she pushed me into the bathroom.
Settling into the water I asked myself what was bothering me. The little voice in my head answered me.
'First William/Joel and the date for Friday. Simple solution, say that you're not going to go on the date with "Joel" and if Will decided to push the issue I would say that I'm not interesting in a date with a guy who likes to live two lives.'
"Serena are you in there?" Mrs. Holmes called.
"Yes."
"Just letting you know that I'm off for work and I'll be back at 5."
"Thanks."
'Now where were you. What to do about William's little secret that he refuses to tell? I could snoop a little and hopefully find out something. I could pester him until he caves. Best course of action I'll have to snoop around.'
When I finally got out of the bathtub it was nine-thirty two. Perfect timing I would make it to the library just as it was opening.
WilliamAround nine-forty I heard Serena whistle as she headed out the door. Damn her for interfering with my life and making things so much more complicated then they should have been. And Damn her for making me second-guess myself.
After a while I stood up and walk downstairs muttering under my breath about evil American collage students that decide to spend a year in a foreign country.
"Hey Holmes you going to stand there daydreaming or are you going to let me in?" My head snapped towards the door and there was Watson surrounded by the irregulars.