I started a job and an online course this week but I still found time to work on this, yay! Totally meant to post it on Friday though so sorry about that.

I also just wanted to sincerely thank you for the reviews. After the last chapter, I received 2 reviews that both seemed so excited about the story and it made me excited. I've actually had a lot of this written already and so I finally started looking through all my plot points and what I needed to work on and I'm excited guys! …Then I realize I have to write it… but that's okay haha. :P So I hope you're enjoying this and thank you for the encouragement!

"But Sherlock, certainly you can find better arrangements?"

"Better arrangements? Than the ones in this castle? I think not."

"Our son just wants to help the girl. Let him."

"But Siger, we know nothing about this woman. She could be lying for all we know. A ploy to get to the royal family or into the castle."

"There has been someone with her constantly-" the king started to say.

"Mother! She is not lying; I know it! She truly has fallen on hard times. Let her stay, for two nights at least. Then we will send her on her way."

The queen looked unhappy, but consented. She spoke slowly. "Very well, Sherlock. If something ill becomes of it, then it is on your head."

He straightened. "I will take the responsibility in full."

Queen Violet sighed and took a bite of her meal.

Meanwhile, John Watson had been watching and listening to the royals with interest. For once, he had decided to stay for supper, if only to see the chaos that would ensue from Sherlock's bizarre choice in guest.

Mycroft and Anthea also sat at the table in silence. The princess had decided to stay after all and though quiet and reserved, the two seemed to be getting on.

The creak of a door sounded and the diners all looked to the right of the room. "Lady Molly," the guardsman pronounced.

Molly walked in with an obvious shyness about her. She held her hands together in front of her and her head was down. She looked through her eyelashes at the royal family. She knew there must be some kind of human royal etiquette so she tried to repeat the curtsy Mary had done when they first met. She hoped she was at least somewhat successful.

The men had stood for her, and John was trying to hold back a smile as he watched Sherlock's chair nearly topple over in his haste to stand. Princess Anthea hid a smile behind her napkin.

"Molly!" Sherlock exclaimed and took three long strides to get to her. He led her to the empty chair on his right, holding it for her. She stood there for an awkward second before realizing she was meant to sit like the rest of the company.

Something in that moment changed Queen Violet's demeanor toward the girl. "Molly," she said sounding kinder once everyone had sat back down. "Sherlock says you have been through an ordeal-no need to talk about it now-but I do hope you are feeling well."

"Oh, yes, thank you. Everyone has been quite kind." She was quick, thinking of how guests would treat her family at home. Be polite; be gracious. Do not slouch, she reminded herself as a plate was set before her.

"Well I would hope so. Sherlock has insisted that you stay for a couple of days. Of course, that decision is up to you."

Molly glanced at Sherlock who seemed to be trying to ignore the conversation by eating his meal. She blushed; he had insisted she stay? "I would greatly appreciate it, your majesty. You have been a very wonderful and generous host."

"You are most welcome, dear, and as I said, Sherlock insisted."

As the queen continued making small talk with their new guest, the rest of the dinner party watched and listened with interest. Despite being a smart woman, Queen Violet was not very subtle, and everyone could see through her comments.

Sherlock was trying with some difficulty to fight the heat on his neck. Why must his mother embarrass him at every opportunity? But should he really be so embarrassed, he thought. He was doing a kind deed, and his mother was being her usual self. He didn't usually have a problem with embarrassment. He thought back on his reaction when Molly had walked in. He barely knew the woman, but his heartbeat had picked up, seeing her in that dress. She was… he tried to be objective, but came to the same conclusion. She was beautiful. He had wanted to be the one to offer her a seat. He did want to get to know the girl, but he wondered if it was only because she reminded him of the girl who had saved him, or if the interest was genuine.

After the dinner, Molly went up to her room, relieved. She had worried that that would be a very difficult meeting to get through, but she had spoken and answered questions with ease. She supposed sometimes she forgot that she was a princess, that she had been trained somewhat in social situations, despite her tendency to keep to herself.

Mary helped her undress and she slid into her bed with a sigh. Her feet hurt. Did humans' feet always hurt? Or did they get used to walking around on them so much that they thought nothing of it? She almost asked the maid before she left, but decided better of it. Instead, she sank deeper into the mattress and closed her eyes.

They hadn't been closed long however, when she heard a noise, like someone clearing their throat. Her eyes popped open. There was no one there…

"Over here!"

She jumped and looked to her left. No one was in the room. Her heart beating fast, she peered at the glass of water on the night stand. She hoped to see a reflection of anything behind her in the moonlight. Instead, she thought she saw something in the water. She leaned closer. "Meena?"

"Yes!" A miniature version of her dark skinned and orange tailed friend swam in the liquid.

"How…?"

"Prince James!" Her voice sounded quieter in her smaller form and she had to shout. "He's such a creep, Molly. I don't know how you held out for three weeks being engaged to him. He gave me this rock so I could communicate with you. Apparently, it takes my image and shows it in the nearest body of water to you. I'm not actually in your glass."

"Meena!" Molly reprimanded. "What did you have to do for that?"

"Nothing. He just said something about making my tail into a pair of shoes for you if I didn't return it in three days. He practically threw it at me, Molly."

"I wouldn't trust him if he let it go that easily. He has some other motive behind it, I'm sure."

"Yes, well, too late now. How's it going up there?"

Molly smiled, that far off look coming into her eyes. "It's wonderful! Everyone is very nice, and Sherlock is letting me stay in the castle with him and his family. He insisted."

Meena grinned. "So he's already started to fall for you!"

"Well… I'm not sure. He keeps his guard up a lot. But he has been fairly kind, and everyone seems a little surprised by it."

"Well, keep it up! You only have two more days."

"I know, Meena," she sighed, and started to drift asleep. "I know…"

Mermen soldiers floated in rows in front of their king. Their gold breastplates reflected the last ounces of daylight that filtered through the water. Their fingers curled around the hilts of their swords restlessly on high alert. The king had told them about Princess Molly missing, and there was no knowing where they would find her, or how.

"She is your princess! She is my heir! She will be found!" King Trident shouted over them. "Go!" They all swam to the far corners of the kingdom, searching.

Molly mumbled a response to the knock on her door the next morning. Mary took it as positive, and slipped into the room.

"I went and got some more clothes, my lady. Let's say you pick one out for the day. I have a feeling you will be compelled to go sightseeing with His Highness, Prince Sherlock; better dress for the occasion."

Molly fully rolled over. Sightseeing with the prince? Possibly a whole day with just the two of them? It was perfect. She looked at the dresses and outfits Mary was putting at the end of the bed.

"I think I'll wear this one," she told Mary, indicating a bright yellow dress with a floral pattern.

Molly ventured out onto a patio after eating some breakfast. One of the servants had said the two princes were out here. Their parents were nowhere to be seen, nor Princess Anthea.

"Morning," greeted Mycroft as she came closer. They were seated at a table, empty plates were set to the side and it looked like they were focusing on some kind of object between them. She thought it might be a game, but what caught her attention was the black pipe in Sherlock's hand. A bubble blower!

"Morning." She responded, and watched Sherlock curiously as he started to pull it to his lips.

"Yes, I smoke a pipe," he said as if slightly annoyed at her staring. When he finally turned to look at her, he blinked rapidly before taking on his usual scrutinizing expression.

She stared blankly back at him. She had no idea what he was talking about and his gaze made her a little uncomfortable.

"Have you… ever smoked a pipe?" he asked awkwardly, unsure what to do with the way she was looking at him. She shook her head. He had deduced that she was anxious when she came in; the sound of her footsteps alone told him that. Now she seemed…excited…about the pipe? With an inquisitive look on his face, he asked slowly, "Would you… like to?" He questioned his own judgement on this. Molly nodded vigorously.

Taking the pipe in her hands, she fingered it slowly, bringing it to her lips. Mycroft moved a piece on the checkered board, and finally looked up at their guest.

"I wouldn't-" he started to say, but Molly had taken a deep breath and blew into the pipe. She had assumed bubbles would come out, just like they had under the sea, but instead black smoke exploded from the end. Right into Mycroft's face.

"Oh! I am so sorry!" she tried to apologize, but couldn't be heard over Sherlock's laughter. The elder prince didn't look nearly as amused.

He frowned and stood up, trying to keep some dignity. It was hard though when his brother was laughing at him. The only thing to make it worse was that Princess Anthea had just stepped out onto the patio in time to see the ridiculousness.

"It's quite alright, my lady. If you'll excuse me."

"Oh, Mycroft," Anthea giggled. She held a hand over her mouth to try and cover it. "I'll come help you wash that off."

The two went inside the castle, leaving Molly and Sherlock alone.

"I'm truly sorry! I didn't realize-" Sherlock's laugh made Molly want to smile, but she felt bad.

"Don't worry about it, Molly," he chuckled. "I don't think I've laughed like that in a long time."

She smiled shyly and gave him back the pipe as he stood. "I would- I would like to join you in your plans today. If that would be appropriate?"

Sherlock looked at her for a long moment. He seemed to be searching for something. "Appropriate, well… I assume John did tell you a little about my uh…work?"

"About working with the police? He did."

"It's more than that. I solve crimes. I'm a consulting detective. The world's only." Molly raised an eyebrow in interest. Sherlock leaned closer. He wasn't sure why he was revealing all this to her; there wasn't any indication that she was trustworthy. Yet he felt the urge to tell her everything, but he also felt concerned for her safety. "I see things every day that would scar most people, things my parents would never allow me to see as prince. You see why the word 'appropriate' doesn't very well fit with what I do?"

Molly nodded her head, her heart pounding at his new proximity. She honestly was interested. Call it 'morbid fascination'or whatever you will, but Princess Molly of Atlantica was curious about these things that would 'scar most people'. "I won't tell anyone. I just wanted to know if I could come along," she said almost in a whisper.

"They're horrific sights, Molly."

"Sounds like it. Where do we start?"

He blinked at her. Where had such a girl come from? "It's not going to be unicorns and rainbows. It's gruesome, it's bloody. It's the darkest part of society. You still want to come along?"

"Yes." Now she was sounding annoyed.

He gave her a once over. "You'll have to change into something less conspicuous. You have tobacco on your dress anyway."

They chuckled at the recent memory. Molly looked down at her bright yellow dress, then frowned at him. "Fine."

We'll have a case next week! I hope I can do it justice. ^_^ Thanks for reading! 3