The Masked Phantom steps into the stage before her long awaiting audiences.

Mp: "Hi everybody… from all my faithful readers to phantoms that haunt the stories… I'm back! I know it's been a really long time since I updated… and I just recently got over one of my writer's block, after burning the midnight oils and my muses pestering me to get it done ASAP…(Stretches and gives a yawn) Not to mention, my stupid computer crashed before I could get it updated... I give my most sincere apologies for the delay... (bows to audiences)"

A figure emerges from her shadow, even though they are identically alike but the only thing different was… the black mask she wears on her face.

D: "So… you have finally finished chapter 5…"

Mp: "Yes it's done and the computer is back online..."

D: "However you still have the next chapter to complete."

Mp: "Ok! On with Chapter 5... Brace yourselves it a long one" (runs away from Darkness)

The story continues…

Disclaimer: Always the same, been the way it is… Sandra belongs to me…

Distant Relative

Chapter 5: A not so pleasant encounter

It was Christmas morning and Holmes was feeling really light hearted when he got up, he bounced off his bed and made his way to the bathroom, and when he was all freshen up, he headed to the kitchen only to stop dead on his tracks to see Lestrade sipping on her cup of coffee and savoring on one of the biscuits baked by Watson.

Well… Lestrade was always the constant visitor at breakfast hour, however there was something different about her. Instead of her usual attire, she was dressed in a white body wrapping turtle necked sweater and a pair of black low waist jeans.

"What?" she asked when she noticed his sudden reaction towards her.

Holmes adjusted the tie on his collar and replied, "What brings you here today on Christmas morning, Lestrade. Shouldn't you be at the yard?"

"I managed to take a leave for today. After all it's Christmas and Watson going to be busy preparing for tonight's party. So… I'll be taking you to visit this relative of yours." Lestrade told him as innocently as she could.

"I thought that we had settled it last night that I'll be driving there myself?" Holmes asked while setting his hands in akimbo.

"Oh… that was yesterday, Holmes. But I have decided to take the leave for today… and I'm sort of curious…" she replied giving him a puppy eye look.

Before Sherlock Holmes could say anything to defend himself, Watson who couldn't help overhearing the conversation stepped in to say, "Since Lestrade had already taken her leave, there's no harm having her to join you in your visit to Sandra's place."

Holmes sighed and sat on the chair, he watched Watson poured him a cup of coffee. He knew that if he were to persist, it would probably leave the both of them scowling for the rest of the day. He reached for the biscuit on the plate as he observed Lestrade's triumph over him, then his next move began to formulate in his head as he hid his smirk behind his cup of coffee.

After breakfast, the two detectives were making their way to the door, when Holmes suddenly stopped to think, this surprised his companion.

"Oh! I almost forgot Lestrade, I have gotten a present for you and it's at the Christmas tree." He said and pulled her into the direction of the beautifully decorated tree. Lestrade on the other hand was beginning to feel bad for what she said during breakfast.

Holmes however was smiling to himself as he knew that the irregulars had a habit of hiding the presents in the tree and it would surely take some time for Lestrade to find what she was looking for.

"Hmm… it seems that the irregulars had hid them in the tree again my dear Lestrade. I guess we'll have to spend some time to seek it out."

While Lestrade was busy searching the tree for her present, Holmes on the other hand was sneaking off with the keys in his pocket when…

"There it is!" exclaimed Lestrade. She pulled her head away from the thick branches only to see Holmes running off towards the door.

"ZED!" said Lestrade as she gave one last glance at her present before she rushed off to catch Holmes.

By the time she got to the hovercraft, Holmes was already at the driver's seat, all buckled up and ready to drive.

"That's really nice of you Holmes."

"I'll take it as a compliment my dear Lestrade. Still coming are you?"

"Of course!" said Lestrade as she climbed into the seat next to Holmes and buckle up her seatbelts.

"Don't worry. I'm sure that my driving skills had improved from much practice, Lestrade."

"Yeah right." She said with a hint of sarcasm lingering over it.

"Well. Not to mention it you are no better yourself." Holmes countered as he piloted the hovercraft into the air.

After a few minutes of silence, Lestrade said, "since Sandra is you great grandniece… hmm… I was wondering…" she trailed off at the end of the sentence.

"Yes…" Holmes said hoping that she would continue.

"How am I going to put this? Alright. Here goes would you expect her to call you great granduncle Holmes or something… (Holmes' brow furrowed at her comment) well… don't you think it's strange because don't look old enough to be argh… you know what I mean."

Holmes pause to think and replied, "I haven't given it much of a thought yet, Lestarde. Perhaps it might be better if I were to leave it to her choice." With this the conversation ended as Holmes managed to land the hovercraft as carefully as he could.

The pair made their way to Sandra's apartment, Holmes rang the doorbell and waited. It took a few long minutes before a redhead with a pair of blazing green eyes came to answer the door. She was dressed in a black t-shirt and navy blue jeans. She glared at Lestrade and Holmes' attire of Inverness and deerstalker, she placed her hands on her hip and asked, "Who the zed are you guys and what do you want from me?"

"Er… Hi. I'm Sherlock Holmes, Sandra's relative and this is Beth Lestrade (points to Lestrade who is glaring back at her), we're here to look for her."

"Too bad she's not in. Went grocery shopping. Come back another day."

Before she could slam the door on their face, Lestrade stopped the door and said, "I notice you have a nice new ring you got there. Where did you get it?" (A/n: Let's just say rubies are really hard to find in the 22nd century)

"None of your business."

"It'll be our business if it's a stolen item."

"Even if you're a Yardie, why should I tell you or are you just jealous that your boyfriend here didn't give you a ring as lovely as mine."

Holmes placed his hands on her shoulders and gave her a look that says "Don't" and stepped forward to say, "Please excuse us for the intrusion, Miss…"

"Angela Mitchell." She said with her eyes still glaring at Lestrade.

"Miss Mitchell, since Sandra is away, you wouldn't mind letting us in to wait for her. After all she's just out for grocery shopping."

"Same answer Zedhead. Come back another day." With that she slammed the door on their faces.

Lestrade was going to knock on the door again but was only to be stopped by Holmes. She stared at the door and cursed silently under her breath and stomped off the stairs. Holmes narrowed his eyes in thought, gave the door one last look before making his way to the stairs, feeling slightly disappointed.

To be continued…

Mp: Oh! Before I forget... many thanks to Selene13 for yourreview. It's really nice to hearfrom a local. (bows to her in gratitude) Okay! Got toswing now before Darkness gets me.

With a swing of her whip Masked Phantom made her exit through a open window above the stage...

D: Hmm... I guess, I have to confront her tonite... (looks at the audiences) Yes... same rules apply with me... 'Review' if you want the story to move on...

The lights go out blinding the audiences for the moment and when it's back on... Darkness had disappeared.