Next chapter! Whoo : ) Please please please read and review. Just a little note to KCS Holmes and Watson are not under copyright anymore so you don't need a disclaimer but please keep writing them as they are sooo good to read!! Hehe, anyway…enjoy : )

Chapter seven. Fear.

I awoke early the next morning, Alice was sleeping soundly so I did not disturb her. I walked into the other room and opened the window, feeling the need for air. I looked out onto the city and again felt the pang of war. The soldiers walking down the river bank were smiling but their eyes were solemn, the battles taking place all over the French countryside were appalling and I could not think of them without thinking of my own war experience and regretting every single moment of this mess. I sighed and walked away from the sights below. I dressed quickly and sent for breakfast. Holmes appeared not long after it had been brought up and smiled briefly a the maid as they crossed at the door.

"Is it done?" I asked, pouring Holmes a cup of coffee as he stole a piece of toast from my plate.

"What? Oh, yes it is done. I'm afraid you won't much like it Watson but we are at war after all." He took a sip of his coffee and opened the paper he had brought in with him.

"Why, what are you going to do?"

"It's not what I'm going to do, it's where I'm going that I fear you will object to."

"Where are you going?"

Holmes smiled,

"America."

I nearly choked on my coffee, I did not have pleasant memories of America, the cases we had experienced there had never been easy. Besides I longed for England already, America was a world away from where I wanted to be.

"Why on earth are you going to that God-forsaken country!?"

"Watson, I'm shocked at you," Holmes was practically laughing at me, "America is a land of opportunity."

I made a rather ungallant noise as I replied,

"Refusing to join a war that the rest of the world is struggling with is callous and I'm sorry Holmes but I never warmed to the place, give me drizzly old England any day."

Holmes merely smiled,

"You must be getting old Watson, there used to be a time when you would have followed me anywhere, even America."

"I never said I wouldn't go with you, I just said I didn't like the place. Why are you going?"

"At the request of His majesty's government Watson, I can't tell you all and you shall not accompany me," He saw me attempt to protest but held up a hand, "No, Watson, I appreciate the gesture but this I will do this one alone, especially as I will not exactly be myself."

I raised an eyebrow but Alice interrupted my unspoken question. She appeared fully dressed and smiling, whatever effect Holmes' presence was having on her it was a welcome one. Holmes stood as he saw her,

"Good morning, sit down. Are you hungry?"

Alice shook her head as Holmes poured her a coffee, she wrapped her hands around it and sipped it gratefully. Suddenly her smile disappeared and she looked up at Holmes,

"What's going to happen to me when you go?"

Holmes looked at her without emotion,

"I am not going yet."

"When you do."

Holmes sighed and put down the cup he had been holding, glancing briefly at me before kneeling next to Alice's chair.

"You will return to England with Dr. Watson."

I cleared my throat and looked at the ceiling,

"He is not going with you."

"No I'm being banish…" I did not finish the sentence as Holmes hit my knee with his hand.

"No, I am returning to my practice, in times such as these all doctors are needed, I may even join my old regiment." The thought had only just occurred to me, but it seemed like rather a good idea. Holmes smiled at me, with just a hint of concern around his eyes, "in fact, my wife does some work for the hospital and she was complaining to me about the amount of work she has to do. How would like to come and live with me in Kensington and help Elaine at the hospital?"

Holmes had taken Alice's hand but still remained on his knees. Alice looked at him for approval. He smiled at her,

"Well Alice?" He said.

She turned to me,

"I would like that very much thank you Dr. Watson."

It sounded like a rehearsed answer, but I had to remind myself she was still recovering.

"That's settled then, when everything is sorted here you will return to England with Watson and I will go to America." Holmes rubbed the back of Alice's hand with his fingers, then stood up. He walked into the next room and I followed him.

"Thank you Watson, truth be told I had not thought about where she was to go after I left," He ran his hand across his eyes, "God I'm a fool."

"You are far from being that Holmes."

He looked at me out the corner of his eye.

"I may be able to solve crimes Watson, but I am still baffled by the human heart."

I laughed gently at his romantic statement,

"You do very well with Alice."

"I'm afraid I don't. you don't know what she's been through Watson. The men, the horrors she's seen."

"You can tell me."

Holmes turned to face me,

"I know that, I'm just not sure I want to, or if indeed it would be wise to."

"Holmes…"

He sighed loudly,

"Don't berate me Watson!" I sighed and sat down, used to his changes in temperament.

"Alice has been repeatedly raped and beaten during her short life," I looked up as he began to pace, a little shocked by his bluntness but more fearful for Alice's overhearing, "After the war began the family relocated to Paris, hoping to escape the conflict, cowards the lot of them, they ended up in a brothel, that much you know."

He glanced at me and I nodded,

"Yes, well at one point Alice escaped. She made it to the outskirts of Paris before she was caught by some soldiers on patrol. Already scared out of her mind, she did not speak, again she was raped and beaten by this men. She escaped again, and decided life was less horrific at the brothel, the brothel at which she began to work. Until I found her."

I remained silent, not sure what it was Holmes wanted me to say,

"Holmes I don't think…" Again he cut me off.

"I am not asking you to think Watson, I am simply telling you the truth so you can understand her a little better when you…when you take her away."

He stopped pacing and again looked out the window.

"How long will you be away?" I asked, sensing this conversation was not really about Alice but about Holmes' leaving.

"I do not know, as long as it takes. I'm sorry for doing this to you Watson." There seemed genuine concern in his voice, I waved a hand.

"War is a terrible thing Holmes, it requires much of all of us and brings out the best and the worst in us."

Holmes nodded,

"Yes."

"I will always be there Holmes, should you ever need me."

"Thank you Watson."

He walked over to me and held out his hand, I took it. We remained silent for a while, Holmes' stare was intense and I suddenly realised what it must be like to be on the receiving end of one of Holmes' glares. I coughed to break the silence.

"Holmes, my hand…"

Holmes looked down at our hands as if he hadn't heard me. He released it and turned away.

"You know when you're going don't you?" I whispered, the sunlight fading behind the blinds of our hotel room.

"Yes."

"And you need me to get Alice away as soon as possible, why?"

"Do you remember that boy who ran into me last night?"

"Yes."

"A spy for the Kendall clan. They want her back?"

"What on earth for? I thought you paid them for her." I paused, shocked at my own speech.

Holmes raised an eyebrow at me but said nothing,

"She was a good earner." He said simply, "Watson to do what I have to dp I need all my its about me, I cannot afford t worry about Alice - or you. Get away as soon as you can."

"What about you?" I asked watching his silhouette grow as the darkness grew.

"I will survive, I always survive."

"Yes, but will survive without you?"

Holmes was enclosed in darkness and I walked away, unable to bear the tears that were forming in my eyes.