When I left 221B it was 11:30 on Christmas Eve. I couldn't bare staying in. I limped aimlessly for so long, I didn't care where I was or what time it was or where I was going.

A young child was walking down the street towards me. A boy, no older than 10, head down, hands in pockets, collar up against the cold. He shouldn't be out alone at a time like this. When he was only a few yards in front of me, he tripped and stumbled forward. I ran and caught him before his frail young body hit concrete.

"Are you okay?" I stood him up, kneeling on the cold, damp ground.

"Y- yeah" he looked shocked and slightly afraid.

"It's okay - I work for the police" I told him.

He nodded, still wary, but more comfortable now. "What are you doing out here by yourself so late?" I asked cautiously, know that I should probably take him to Scotland Yard.

He shook his head, "You first. What's your name and what are you doing out?"

I considered the child, so bold for his age. "Okay" I answered slowly, "my name's Charlie. I didn't want to stay in alone on Christmas Eve so I went a walk"
He stared at me, considering my answer with the utmost scrutiny.

"Fair enough. I'm Mark - my step Mum's high and my Dad's out so I left for a bit; they won't notice that I'm gone anyway"

I blinked, surprised by his blunt answer. Nodding, I said, "Okay Mark"

Mark looked at me again, "Why didn't you want to stay in? How come you're alone?"

I glanced away, trying to think how to phrase my next sentence. I wanted him to know the truth - Hell, i wanted everyone to know that!

"Um, I used to live with my best friend. But there was this guy who… He told a lot of lies about my friend then got my friend killed, so now I'm alone."

Mark looked at me completely entranced. "Go on"

I paused, searching for words "I miss my friend. I want him back. Without him… I'm lost, I don't know what I'm doing, what I'm living for… There's nothing to go home to any more" I was rambling. Half of that I wouldn't have even said to Molly or Lestrade, I doubt I would have let any of it out to John, but for some reason I confided in the kid.

There was silence for a while before Mark nodded. "You're gonna take me to the police now, aren't you?"

I considered the boy, his situation, "No - not unless you want me to"

"Then what?"

I sucked in a breath of cold air, thinking "Pick a hotel Mark, any hotel in London"

His eyes widen, "Really?"

"Yeah - where do you want to go?" He thought for a while before giving me the name of a 3 star hotel his Gran had taken him to last year. "Come on then" I hailed a taxi and we got in; we got there quickly and I paid the driver - luckily having just enough money to do so.

I organised a pent suite room for him, paying it to Mycroft's account (I'd probably repay him later somehow). I paid for the first night and told Mark that he'd to phone me every day about noon until he wanted to go home - every day I would pay for the room again (or convince Mycroft to take my side and do so himself). I bought him presents the next day and had them sent up to him. I put him under police protection, meaning that only he could let people know where he was if he wanted. I felt the need to protect this boy so strongly.

I took Mark up to his room, walking him along to the door. Just before he went inside, he stopped and looked up at me, "Charlie,"

"Yeah?"

He looked at me with sad eyes that reminded me so much of my brothers, "Find something to live for this Christmas"