Masked Phantom: I'm sorry for the long wait but I hope it was worth the wait as I have so much to write… I hope you guys would enjoy it. After some considerations, I had decided to bring down the ratings to PG as most of the contents are not as mature to the extent that it should be rated M. Well… If there is a need to do so, I'll just issue a warning just in case."

P.S: Thanks for the support Mysha, I really appreciate it.

Disclaimer: No difference from the first one. I own nothing but the plot.

Part 2: Sparks, Romance, Developments (I)

Watson was making his way from Holmes' ward to Lestrade when he was stopped by the Chief Inspector.

"Watson, this is preposterous! We have two detectives down and a criminal still on the run for I don't know how long! Explain yourself!" said Chief Inspector Grayson angrily.

"Well… Chief Inspector, I was told to call for back ups. Then Lestrade called to inform me about Holmes... but she was cut off. And by the time I got there I found the both of them unconscious and Moriarty was long gone…" explained the droid which was slightly frightened by the Chief Inspector's anger.

"I want a full report from you tomorrow! Or…"

"Sh… if you don't mind, sir. We're in a hospital." Interrupt a nurse who was agitated by the fact that some people do not consider the importance of letting the patients have their rest.

Feeling slightly embarrassed for making such a din at the hospital, Grayson just gave Watson an 'It's your fault' look before making his move back to New Scotland Yard.

The droid sighed disappointedly as from what he had learnt from human emotions, sighing would somehow help in relieving stress in certain situations. In fact it did help him in a strange but positive manner. However, this was not the only thing he had learnt from his exposure to Holmes methods of reading and deducing emotions. He had learnt that as rarely as the Chief Inspector had shown it, he had always been concerned for Lestrade in a fatherly manner. And quite recently, he had also noticed that there was something strange going on between the two detectives in which, he would soon find out when he enters her ward…

"I'm sorry that the arguing outside had woken you up, Lestrade." said Watson feeling slightly embarrassed for accidentally waking up his friend from her needed rest.

"It's okay, Watson I know it wasn't your fault… You'll never know when, but accidents do happen…" she comforted him.

"I'm sorry. If I had called for backups earlier, this would not have happened to you or Holmes."

Upon mentioning his name, she suddenly sat up and asked, "What happened to him?"

"He had suffered a few fractured ribs but the concussion to his head was serious." Watson said grimly as his eyes slowly wandered off to the floor.

"Take me to him, Watson."

"But the doctor said…"

"Never mind what the doctor said, just take me to him, Watson." She said determinedly.

Rather then seeing her getting agitated, Watson just obeyed and took her to see Holmes. As they passed the window of Holmes' ward, there he was laying in a coma with his head heavily bandaged and his arms wired to one of the machinery that was built into the walls of the ward. Lestrade took a deep breath of courage and entered the ward with Watson behind her.

Knowing that his friend would like to have a seat, Watson brought the nearest chair he could find and placed it next to Holmes' bed. Silently acknowledging the droid's kind act, Lestrade sat and looked deep into Holmes face. Although this was the second time she saw him unconscious, her feelings were far from different from the first time. Instead of feeling anxious and excited, she just felt an achy sensation forming within her.

Gently, Lestrade stroked his sandy blonde hairs that were sticking out of the bandages. She then picked up his cold hand she rubbed it against her warm hands and placed it on her face which was now streaming with a single trickle tear. She closed her eyes and spoke softly, "Remember, Sherlock. What have you promised me…"

It was then Watson realized what was going on between them, they were in love…

For one so small,
you seem so strong
My arms will hold you,
keep you safe and warm
This bond between us
Can't be broken
I will be here
Don't you cry

A few months ago…

Ever since the Nanobots and Musgrave case, Holmes had became even cautious of Lestrade's safety. And from last time he remembered, he was almost close to losing her to Moriarty. If it was not for the help from Watson or the irregulars, he might have just lost it on the spot. He shuddered at that thought as he stared out of the window of his apartment. The moon was in a lovely shade of cream and the night skies were dusted with stars and wisps of grayish clouds. It was a lovely night, and an unexpected thought swept across his mind.

"I wonder what Lestrade is up to now…" he blinked and just realized what was going on in his mind.

"It's impossible. It's mutual between the both of us and it's just not professional to do so…" he reasoned. However, this was the first time logic did not put his heart to ease.

'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more

The next day…

"Hmm… What is taking her so long?" Thought Holmes as he folded the half read newspapers and threw them aside.

He stood up and looked at the clock, eight-thirty. It was most unlikely for Lestrade to be late at this hour of the morning. There were lots of cases to file up and she would come here to get the necessary details from him to fill up the gaps in her report.

"Could something had happen to her?" he thought. Feeling a little uncomfortable, he stood up and went to grab his deerstalker and Inverness.

"Watson, I'll be going out." He said and left.

He drove to Lestrade's place and saw that her hovercraft was still parked outside. Worried he made his way to her apartment. He rang the doorbell and hoped that she will answer it. He waited a few minutes before there was an answer.

"Who is it?" a raspy voice spoke.

"It's Holmes. Lestrade are you alright?"

"Hold on a sec, I'll get the door." There was a few scrambling before she came to answer the door. She was in a white t-shirt and grey slacks.

"Sorry. I think I had caught a slight flu. I'm okay now." Lestrade said and showed the detective in.

"You were out in the rain last night, isn't it?" he said with a soft chuckle as he felt a little relief.

"You can say that again. If you don't mind, I have to go prepare myself." She told him and as she turned around, she stumbled. Thanks to Holmes quick reflexes, he grabbed her by her arm and held her up before she would fall. Gently, he led her to the couch and let her lie down. He placed his palms on her forehead and frowned. This was when he noticed her blushing and it made his heart skipped a beat.

He stood up and said, "You're running a fever. It's better if you could take a few days off. I'll take you to the doctor."

At the waiting room of the clinic, both sat in awkward silence as they waited for their turns to collect the prescribed medications from the doctor.

"Beth Lestrade." called the young pharmacist. The two approached the counter in response.

"Okay, the white pills are for the fever and headaches, the yellow ones are for the flu and nauseous symptoms and the red ones are antibiotics. To be taken after meals. Here are some lozenges for the sore throat." The pharmacist quoted as she wrote some of the instructions onto the label.

"Oh! And make sure that your girlfriend finishes her course of antibiotics. Here's the doctor's letter and that'll be 25 credits, please." She smiled as she handled the medicine to Holmes whose cheeks were now in a slight tinge of pink.

"Excuse me, he's not my… ahem…" said Lestrade meekly.

"Opps… sorry." She apologized.

You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart, always

Masked Phantom:"Okay… End of part one. Time for commercial break…" (Pulls out a video tape and plays it on VCR and it features a random breakfast cereal commercial)