A/N: I do not own Sherlock Holmes or any characters related to the books written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, I am simply a fan and I receive no money for this story.

("Elizabeth's thoughts")

Chapter 2

At his own Game

Holmes paced the foyer of the Baker Street apartment impatiently,

"Women, I must admit will always remain an enigma to me," Holmes said to Watson as he stopped in his pacing, "Why for instance must they waste time by changing their attire twenty times a day!"

Watson laughed at his companion, "That is quite an exaggeration don't you agree Lestrade?"

To which the constable grinned and commented, "Obviously Holmes you have never lived with a woman, be that a sister or otherwise."

Holmes raised an eyebrow at the Constable and said indignantly, "A fact for which I am grateful for."

As the minutes continued to pass by however, both Lestrade and Watson began to wonder what was keeping their new friend. That was until they heard the sounds of footsteps descending the stairs, but they were disappointed however, to discover that it was none other than Mrs. Hudson and a young man helping her down the narrow stairwell.

"Honestly!" Holmes said irritably as he began to make his way up the stairs with a look as if to say he would knock down Miss Elizabeth's door if necessary, but he had not even taken one step on the stairs before the young gentlemen, who had aided Mrs. Hudson just a moment ago, grabbed Holmes by the arm to stop him.

"I am sorry to keep you all waiting," the voice of Miss Liz spoke from the mouth of the young man. They were all surprised to discover that underneath the top hat and clean black suit was none other than Elizabeth smiling back at them. She had somehow managed to pin her hair so that when she wore the top hat her amber locks of hair were hidden. While, Lestrade and Watson sputtered their dismay, Holmes meanwhile stood by the door with his arms folded, looking rather unimpressed. After all, had not he too shown his great talent with disguises?

"Well enough time has been wasted don't you think?" Holmes said as he held the front door open for the others to walk through, and out onto the London street where their carriage was waiting. But Elizabeth did not walk out after the others but instead said coldly, "After you, Detective."

Holmes made no reply, as he followed the others into their carriage. He had no idea why their new acquaintance disliked him so much but he wasn't going to bother befriending anyone so uncivil.

As they rattled along the cobbled streets, Watson was the first to break the silence, "Forgive me Miss Elizabeth, but why on earth are you dressed like…like a, "

"Like a man?" Elizabeth finished for him. To which Watson nodded in agreement, she simply smiled in return and said, "Well, you could hardly expect me to fight criminals in a dress,"

"Fight! What in blazers are you talking about!" Lestrade exclaimed nervously.

Elizabeth looked at each of the men, "I only meant that…I would have to defend myself, after all isn't Scotland Yard home to the most dangerous criminals in England?"

"Oh…well, I doubt that we would be visiting the prison cells tonight," Lestrade began, "No, tonight I only require the assistance of Mr. Sherlock Holmes in a case he helped bring to light a few months ago, "

"Ah yes, the case which Watson sensationally called 'The Adventure of the Norwood Builder'," Holmes smirked.

"Yes, yes that's the one," Lestrade said quickly as he gave Elizabeth a silencing glance, to which neither Holmes or Watson missed.

But the young lady simply leaned back in her seat with her arms folded and continued gazing out the carriage window, at the people on the street.

"By the way Holmes…" Lestrade and Holmes discussion faded away as Watson, who was sitting opposite to Miss Elizabeth practiced the skill of observation that his companion was so famous for.

("What an interesting place London is, though the people are excessively polite. That dress is awfully tight isn't it? How on earth does she breathe?

Has that carriage been following us?

Why does Lestrade keep giving me those looks as though I might bite Sherlock Holmes head off?...This mission is too important for me to get my personal emotions in the way…and yet)

Elizabeth turned her gaze to rest on Holmes face and Watson noticed a slight quiver in her lip as she watched Holmes every movement. 'What a strange young lady,' Watson thought to himself, 'What I wouldn't give to know what she was thinking just now?' But as though conscious of his observation of her, Elizabeth's venerable appearance disappeared and was replaced with the icy stare from before as she said,

"This is Scotland Yard now is it not?"

"I'm afraid this is official police business," Lestrade said as he left Elizabeth waiting outside his office, "Now Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I just need you to review this statement confirming the truthfulness of the evidence that was given to us in relation to the case."

As the door shut behind Lestrade, Elizabeth seated herself on one of the seats and took out a book from her breast pocket and began writing oblivious to the conversation going on behind the closed doors.

One advantage to those inside was that Lestrade had a glass pane on one side of his wall, allowing those within to see all that was occurring in the Scotland Yard Foyer, including their new friend.

"Interesting woman, wouldn't you say Holmes?" Watson said as he took a seat beside Holmes.

"Yes, interesting company you keep Lestrade," Holmes replied, then turning to Watson said, "I noticed you were observing her before, what do you make of her?"

"Well I believe that this is her first time to London because she was staring out the window of the carriage for most of the trip," Watson stated,

"Perhaps, or she may simply have been uninterested in our conversation," Holmes countered,

"Humph, well…she must be a medical woman of some sort, she gave me this oil mixture for my leg," Watson replied more confidently showing the group the tin box.

Holmes picked up the box and studied it for a moment, opening the box and smelling the contents within, before taking some of it and rubbing it between his fingers.

"Hmm…"

"I was right then, well of course I would be, being a Doctor myself," Watson said triumphantly.

Holmes shut the box before handing it back to Watson, "Have you looked at the contents of the box Watson?" To which Watson answered in a negative before Holmes continued, "If you look you will notice that it does not appear to be oil at all but some sort of translucent cream,"

Lestrade and Watson moved closer to Holmes in interest, "However, if you rub the substance into your skin it then becomes oil,"

"Yes, it does doesn't it," Watson exclaimed as he tested the mysterious substance on his hand.

"Also, the intricate engravings on the lid, similar to Miss Elizabeth's jade hairclip are only seen in Asia."

"Asia!" Lestrade laughed as he moved behind his desk again.

Holmes gave Lestrade a penetrating look before continuing, "Also Watson, you say that she is a medical woman, but can you name a University in all of Europe who would allow a woman to study there?"

"But if she is from Asia, than she could have studied there," Watson attempted to explain,

"I doubt that, you see, although the container is from Asia, the substance within has properties that can only be collected and produced here in England," Holmes finished.

Rather annoyed at Holmes, Watson said after a moments pause as he nodded towards the window showing Elizabeth gazing in on them, "Well one thing I know for sure is that she is interested in you a great deal."

"Ridiculous!" Lestrade said as he walked over to the window to pull the curtains close.

"For once I agree with Lestrade," Holmes said as he stood up to leave, "Now if that is all that is required of me than we should be getting back before our supper goes cold."

Elizabeth turned just as Lestrade closed the curtains, preventing her from seeing the group inside his office.

"Hello Gregson," Elizabeth said as he was just about to pass her,

"Oh, Hullo," then after a pause, "Do I know you?"

"It's me," Elizabeth said as she stood up from her seat,

("Honestly, these Scotland Yard officers seem less and less intelligent each time I meet them,")

"Oh, yes the Special Agent," Gregson said as he leaned in to take a closer look,

"Please, try to remember my name," Elizabeth whispered getting up from her seat to shake his hand.

"Oh sorry, yes Miss Eliz…"

But Elizabeth cut him off quickly whispering in his ear, "Act like we just met," before straightening herself just as Holmes and the others left Lestrade's office.

"Gregson! Any problems?" Lestrade said as he approached them.

"Well I believe that there has been a break in, in fact very near your home Mr. Holmes,"

"Well since you are going back now Holmes, I should escort you and the doctor," Lestrade suggested.

"Yes, and the young lady here too," Gregson added.

("Idiot!")

"I see her disguise didn't fool you, even Holmes didn't recognize her at first," Watson said surprised.

Elizabeth returned the book she had been writing in, back into her pocket before saying calmly, "Not at all Doctor, had I not asked him directions to the ladies lavatory he would be none the wiser."

"Well shouldn't we be on our way?" she questioned the others.