Hey all! So, I'm nervous- and excited- for this fanfiction. I've never wrote for Sherlock, nor have I ever wrote for Criminal Minds. However, this has been running around in my head the past couple weeks and I just can't wait anymore.

Please note: I have absolutely no clue behind the Foster-Adoptive services or how life in England works- but I have done a good amount research to try and keep it on par. I apologize in advance if anything is terribly incorrect, and I mean no disrespect in any way shape or form.

Disclaimer: I dont own either show- Sherlock or Criminal Minds. Just a mega fan of both. I do, however, own Catherine (shown in this chapter- and if I remember, will appear in a chapter much, much later) - and Annalise, my beloved main character.

2nd August 1996
London, England
- -

"Holmes?"

Two aging adults stood up from their chairs, leaving a younger adult sitting- one leg crossed over the other.

"It's a pleasure to meet the both of you. My name is Catherine Winters- I am one of the Family Service administrators," the blonde lady said, shaking both of their hands.

"Siger Holmes, and this is my wife- Madeline," the male introduced, then gestured to the other male still sitting," Our eldest son- Mycroft."

"Pleasure," Catherine nodded to their son, before turning her brown eyes back to the parents," Now- I've had communication with Samantha- the administrator you've had contact with the past month. She tells me that the two of you have interest in one of our foster children- is that correct?"

"Yes- a young girl. Annalise," Madeline nodded.

"If you don't mind my asking- how did you come across her profile? It states here you didn't have any previous interest in fostering or adopting?"

"A neighbor lady of ours- one we've known for several years now," Madeline explained," She—and her husband—have been trying to have children, but no luck. They thought to adopt one instead- Louise found Annalise's profile and brought it to our attention."

"Why would she bring it to you- instead of adopting the child herself?"

"Some of the points made in Annalise's profile- the intellectual level she is- mirrors that of our boys. Mycroft and Sherlock are quite the brilliant minds," Siger justified, as Catherine nodded.

"How old is your youngest?"

"Sherlock- he's fifteen years of age."

"Why do you feel you should foster Annalise?" Catherine questioned," She's been fostered by several families over the years- why would yours be any better than the previous?"

"We- Siger and I- as well as our boys, can keep up with her intellect. We can keep her mind sharp without having her feel out of place. We can give her a loving home- a place she will be safe- where she will feel safe."

They watched, as Catherine noted a few things on her clipboard. The blonde's brow furrowed slightly, as though contemplating something. Madeline felt her breath catch in her throat, as the thought that they might not get Annalise arose. Siger sensed his wife's unease and sent a look behind them to their son- a silent plea.

"She means more to you than some ordinary child you're accustomed to. She's special to you."

Catherine peered towards the Holmes' and looked at Mycroft- whom until now had not spoken a word nor had he moved an inch. He now stood beside his mother- hands tucked into the front pockets of his pants.

"Come again?"

"Annalise," Mycroft explained," Normally Family Service Administrators try to keep an emotional distance from the many children than come and go through their offices. Why get… overly attached… to any of the children? They'll be leaving with a new family, probably- a wish from all administrators- never to be seen in these walls again. Finally finding a forever home- a family to stay with. I know for a fact; my parents are more than capable of caring for any child- especially one such as Annalise. Samantha has expressed much enthusiasm towards my parents' profile- seemingly such enthusiasm that one would showcase if it was a given that my parents would be awarded the child in question. Yet you keep stalling- debating."

"How-?"

"The past ten minutes that you've stood there, you've shown not one- but two- behaviors of anxiety. Your left leg seems to have a tick- uncontrollable, presumably. Every time my parents would answer one of your questions, you would also chew on the bottom of your lip. So, I reiterate. Annalise is special to you. Why?"

"I…" Catherine seemed a loss for words, but soon composed herself- holding the clipboard close to her body.

"No need to be defensive," Mycroft mused," Merely a simple deduction based on the facts." Catherine looked to the floor beneath them, before softly sighing- and sitting down on a nearby chair. Placing the clipboard in her lap, she looked up at the family before her- and came clean with some information.

"I've known Annalise for much longer than most Administrators know a child. She… she was the first case I had when I joined the Foster and Adoptive program, ten years ago. I watch- every time- as she goes to a new family—and I ache every time she comes back. Each time, she's a bit more broken inside than the last. Her… problems are not her fault- but the families she is sent to seem to always believe that the problem lies with her. She's a child. An innocent child- that was thrown into this… unforgiving system… without a chance."

"You care about her," Madeline surmised, sitting down in a chair directly opposite of Catherine.

"More than I should have ever allowed myself to be. I was young—new to all of this… And Annalise… she's such a joyful child- if one gets to properly know her. The only problem is- no one really tries. They treat her like all other children—but…"

"She's not like other children."

"Exactly," Catherine nodded," I just want to protect her as long as I can. I told myself, the last time she came back to the system- two months ago- that if I could just find the perfect family for her. I wouldn't need to worry anymore. I'll be honest with you, Mr. and Mrs. Holmes. When your profile came to my desk- I was… excited. Hopeful. I volunteered to fly alongside Annalise, from our office in Boston- over here to London. Your answers- they lift my hope even higher. It worries me though- I don't want to choose the wrong family- you understand?"

"We do," Siger nodded, before continuing," About seven years ago, we lost our daughter. House fire. Ruined our home. Took our daughter from us. Eurus was only a child- barely seven years old herself. My wife and I… we never even thought of bringing another child into the family- biologically or not."

"We had some… hesitations," Madeline admitted," All of this- was it the correct thing to do? Almost took a week- thinking and over thinking the situation. I tried to focus on my novel- but all I could think of was Annalise. By the end of the sixth day- I had my answer. We had to try. We have to. It's the correct step. I know it."

Catherine listened to their words, nodding slightly- mostly to herself- before she stood up," If you'll excuse me a moment." Exiting the room, Catherine left the Holmes there alone. Madeline looked to Siger- almost a bit uncertain, a bit lost. Did they not get the child?

"It's alright dear," Siger soothed, wrapping a loving arm around his wife's shoulders.

"I wouldn't get your hopes up just yet, Mummy," Mycroft told her, as he took a seat once more. His left arm rested on the small square table that was beside his chair, and together the family waited in silence. After a few moments, footsteps sounded- and when Madeline looked to the door- a soft gasp left her throat. There stood Catherine and in front of her, stood a young girl; her brown hair pulled into a ponytail over her left shoulder and her brown eyes looking around the entire room, before landing on each of the Holmes, one by one. First Siger, then Madeline- and finally Mycroft.

"Annalise, why don't you play some, while I have a chat with Mr. and Mrs. Holmes?"

"Okay," Annalise nodded, her voice soft yet confident. She walked over to the table beside Mycroft and set her backpack down on the floor. As she opened it and reached in, Mycroft tutted to himself.

"Dolls."

Annalise stood up straight and looked into his eyes, before cocking her head to the side in a questioning manner," Why would you automatically assume- just because I am a girl- that I would play with dolls?" Behind them, all three adults gave soft chuckles at the young child's remark; they watch as she reaches back into her backpack and pulls out a board and a bag with wood pieces within.

"Chess. Do you know how to play?"

"Do I—of course I know how to play chess," Mycroft frowned in slight annoyance.

"Prove it. I bet I win." Mycroft watched this young child closely, doing a cold read of her- silently deducing to himself.

"You win- I'll gift you twenty pounds."

"Deal." Annalise stuck her hand out, expecting a handshake to seal it. Mycroft eyed her warily- and secretly surprised- before giving her hand a small shake. Across the room, Mr. and Mrs. Holmes sat with Catherine, watching the event unfold before them.

"My boys… they aren't the most… social," Madeline gave a small chuckle," Sherlock even seems slightly at odds with Mycroft more often than not. I love them just the same."

"You love your family, it's a good thing. Something all of us administrators strive to see, but unfortunately do not see as often as we would like," Catherine noted, before giving the parents most of her attention," Now, there are a few things that I must tell you about Annalise- before you give a definite answer."

"Yes- I recall you mentioning problems?"

"As I said before- the problems are no fault of Annalise's," Catherine restated, causing both Holmes' parents to nod- and she continued," Annalise has… something akin to night terrors- best I can describe it. On occasion, as she sleeps- she'll start screaming, crying- tossing and turning. These instances causes other children near her to become frightened- and even sometimes the adults become frustrated or panicked."

"What causes her nightmares?"

"I couldn't begin to say. We've suggested to several of the families to get her into a Psychologist- but none of them ever do- and unfortunately, the Center doesn't have the funds to send our children to Specialists every time. So, this will be something to bear in mind- should she leave here today with you."

"Very well- anything else? Anything you can tell us about her—her as an individual?"

"As I mentioned, Annalise is unique. Currently, at her age, she has an IQ of 132—most kids her age only have an IQ between 80-100. Her reading skill is unparalleled- I think the last time we tested her she was reading 3200 words per minute. Every time I see her, she's somehow taught herself something new- be it bits of a language, history facts, statistics. Since she was 6 I have noticed more and more Obsessive Compulsive traits, mostly just arranging things in a particular order- nothing too serious."

"What of her schooling?" Siger questioned.

"That's the slightly tricky part- seeing as to how American schooling is different than your own. To the American system- she should be in third grade, with the others her age. This past June she graduated from the eighth grade- where her peers were around fifteen. If I am figuring this correctly- it would be similar to her being in your Secondary School Year 9? Somewhere around there—again, only guessing."

"She's very intelligent then," Madeline smiled," Almost reminds me of our boys… and our Eurus. Is there anything you can tell us about her birth situation?"

"Unfortunately, no- her birth records were sealed. So, short of a court order- there is no obtaining those."

"That's fine- what-"

"Check mate."

The three of them looked across the room and couldn't help but chuckle once more. Mycroft sat there, almost gawking at the chess board between him and this child—the child in question had her hand held out, waiting patiently for her 'gift'. The smile on her face was enough to brighten anyone's day- and Madeline Holmes couldn't help but start smiling herself. She knew.

"We'll take her."

"That's wonderful," Catherine smiled, at ease with knowing Annalise would be going home with the Holmes; she stood up, preparing to leave the room," I'll be back with the foster paperwork—"

"No," Madeline shook her head, gazing to Siger—who nodded, understanding what his wife wanted," We don't want to foster her. We want to adopt her."