Disclaimer: The characters do not belong to me, I do not own any characters! (well at least in this reality)

A/N: How could Sherlock Holmes make such a grave mistake into believing that our fair Miss Mary Russell is a man? After seeing her once at the library, and having a blinking contest (fine! Battle of the wits! What you want to call it). Kind of preposterous, I know, but this is my fanfiction!

Chapter Four:

His mouth was actually agape! Like this old fish I used to own that died of um... old age…

"But you're that pesky librarian, who was hidi-…," Ahem , " who was particularly…charming."

Right. "Yes," as I nod my head, I am beginning to wonder when he would give me his name. "And you?"

"And I was particularly charming as well."

"No. No, 'good' sir, I meant your name." What kind of man was this? Granted, he was older than me a bit, but that does not mean that I would be mocked by this, this highly arrogant man!

"Oh! My name is Holmes, Sherlock Holmes. Happy to make your acquaintance."

"Well yes, happy. You see, I have a bit tight of a schedule right now, so I must be leaving…"

He seemed disappointed about something. I don't know what, but it also made his eyes glow in, if I'm not mistaken, joy?

But it seems as if I can't get away from this irritating, yet amusing man, simply because he is holding on to my shirt collar.

"Excuse me, but I believe you are holding on-to-my-shirt-collar!"

"Oh. Do excuse me, but I can't let people who follow me around all day walk off without telling me the reason. And I expect nothing but a reason. Excuses," he continued, "are not reasons. So carry on."

I thought that I had followed him quite well, dodging into the shadows before he could even spot a hair on me. I had always thought that I could never be caught 'snooping' as some of my 'friends' might say, but apparently not.

"Unhand me I say!" Of course, he wouldn't so I am going to let him have it. A slap, nothing more, just so he would release me and let me try to get him off my tail!

So I did. However, he didn't even flinch. So I stepped on his toe. Very damsel-in-distress-like, nevertheless, it worked and he let go.

Although I was disappointed for a split second, I ran towards the street as fast as I could. After a series of alleyways and buildings, I finally stopped at this oak tree in a small, isolated park. It's no wonder no one's here, with the inviting smell of rat urine.

He wasn't behind me. So he didn't follow me. That's fine, it's not like it matters. It doesn't matter at all. I just needed to say it out loud. It doesn't matter at all.

"What 'doesn't matter at all' Miss Russell?" A deep, familiar voice said behind the tree.

End Of Chapter

A/N: Mary Russell doesn't know who Sherlock Holmes is! She does love to read, but she has never heard of the great sleuth? Amazing! Or maybe she is just pretending? No actually, her library does not like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 'stories' so they don't let their staff read it! She might have a very vague memory of hearing the name somewhere before, but since she was so busy trying not to be caught, she didn't really pay attention.

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Next Chapter: The plot is actually going to move forward!