Apparently Kevin was making fantastic progress. That much was obvious to Penelope as she ventured downstairs to talk to him briefly. Only to be hit on the arm playfully by one of his assistant's - which by the way was totally uncalled for - then scolded and told to go back up stairs.

The current arm which had been hit was being held in her other. Almost in the way one would hold a newborn baby.

Surely it could have been seen as a threatening gesture but the boy was young, couldn't be older than 15. He was most likely just obeying Kevin's orders, an apprentice perhaps?

Plus the expression on his face was absolutely harmless, maybe even considerably cute. If Penelope cared about that sort of thing.

Which she didn't, it was never the looks of a person which attracted her.

It was the challenge.

Like a dog waiting for its owner to return from the shops, she waited patiently. Only realising how ridiculous being restricted from her flat was when Mrs Hudson came out from her own flashing her a bright smile.

"Hello dear, couldn't wait to see you again! How's the flat going then?"

"I would know and inform you if Kevin and his friends would let me in the place. For now all I can tell you is that it's not yet complete." Mrs Hudson characteristically tutted, muttering something most definitely unintelligible about men under her breath. Penelope was apparently familiar with such behaviour because her reaction was to smirk.

"Oh love you must be exhausted out here waiting, come and have some tea with me. We can have a right old gossip, I can tell you about all the sorts we have round here!" The woman was excited. Wait no she was practically ecstatic, it would be rude to say no wouldn't it?

It was like a miny time bomb had exploded in Penelopes head. There was no way she could kindly refuse the womans offer, but the thought of tea a-and GOSSIPING!

Brought too much into her mind, endless chains of possibilities flew around her head in little taunting ways. Some screamed words such as FAKE! LIES! TRAP! directly at her. Those were the ones she could handle but the others, the others were so bad that if an ordinary person were to hear them everyday they'd have gone mad.

Then again who's to say she hadn't.

"You know what, tea would be lovely Mrs Hudson." The woman smiled politely completely unaware of the torment happening behind the new girls brown eyes.

"I have some medication to take I hope you don't mind."

"Oh dear we all have medication we need to take, don't you worry!" The smell of cookies bombarded her the moment she stepped into the flat. A haze of warmth seeped through her skin and it made her tense, she had been so very wrong.

She couldn't do it, the whole place was too cosy, too personal. One might even say intimately intimidating.

For God sakes she hadn't even gotten past the passageway.

"Don't worry about shoes dear I'm not fussed."

"Well I certainly am." It was the honest truth but Mrs H had taken it as a humorous statement. Why had that been funny?

"What?" Her new landlady was all giggles now after the girl enquired just what was so funny.

"Dear, I'm sorry but you remind me of someone so very much, it's quite funny." reminded her of someone, when had she ever reminded anyone of anyone?

"A good someone I hope." the old lady had replied with an assuring 'of course' managing to get the girl to ease up slightly. Good, now if she could just get that coat off the girl, maybe they'd start to have a bit of fun.

"I suppose it is rather hot in here." Penelope had mumbled it under her breath and Mrs Hudson not even recalling saying it aloud beamed at her. The girl had started to take off the coat when she spotted a coat hanger in the corner. It was like she was used to listening to people, despite having hearing aids which was something that made Mrs H unusual happy about.

Finally someone who would listen to her!

?¿~ Mrs Hudson ~¿?

Mrs Hudson was brilliant.

Marvellously brilliant and she didn't even know it. How could one woman be cooped up in a flat all day when she was almost unbearably funny.

Yes, Penelope felt numb at the moment and half as concentrative but some of the things her elder was saying. Could only be described as pure gold.

"Mrs Hudson for the life of me I can't figure out why you don't have one of those um, one of those..." Trailing off brought Penny Into a small daze.

"Chatshows!"

"Yes! Yes chatshows, you'd be perfect for one. Who knows you could probably even call it something like keeping up with 221 baker Street!" This revelation caused both Women to chuckle uncontrollably.

"That's sounds bloody awful." a nodded agreement from Mrs Hudson caused the girl to smile.

"Your definitely a delight dear, here have a biscuit."

"Mm thank you," with unusual enthusiasm Penny took the first bite, prevented herself from moaning then took another.

She hadn't had a biscuit like this since her daddy...

Her daddy.

The glass wall of her control over her emotions had been scraped, it hit dead in the centre of her being, at her heart and hurt.

The chewing motions paused as did her smiles. Silently she pondered what was happening to her. Feelings, it wasnt good to be feeling feelings now!

Pills had been taken to control these pesky fuckers and yet here she was experiencing them.

"I-I-i um need to check a message Mrs Hudson excuse me but I believe someone's calling me. Thank you so much for the tea and the chat. I'll be back in a second." Faster than a bullet the coat was put on, the heavy breaths were restricted and she was gone.

Leaving in her wake a very stunned Mrs Hudson. Boy that girl sure reminded her of a certain someone.

So much in fact that it worried her for a second.

?¿~ John Watson ~¿?

It was a lie.

A little white lie.

It couldn't hurt a fly.

Oh her little white lie.

A poem she was very fond of ran through her mind as she ran. Far away from the problems within her mind. Close to home was where she needed to be if she were to feel.

If the feelings were going to come now.

"Penelope what the hell are you doing here it's Sunday!" Penelope was about ready to explode, all over the place, she was scattered needed to focus.

"Give me twenty minutes Luna, please."

"I can't Pen, I can't I have a class at 2!" Luna, the woman who owned the acrobatic studio which Penelope frequently visited for the sheer thrill of it. Was always so easy to persuade. Even though she wasn't in the mood for games Penelope realised she'd have to turn on the charm.

"Is that a new leotard." swiftly the subject changed not only it's mood but it's topic as well. It had switched to a harmless sexual nature as Penelope dragged her eyes down the woman's body. Taking in her slightly tanned legs and pink lips. Luna couldn't help but blush at the attention she was getting.

"Uh-huh yes it is, g-got it two days ago." the admirer made a sound of acknowledgement continuing her unmodest stare.

"I like it," this surprised Luna, her Pen never gave compliments unless she really needed something. Plus all this attention she was giving her was certainly out of character. Considering Luna had been trying to get Pen to notice her for months. It was quite hot really to see the way Penelope got right into her personal bubble, so close she could smell the cookie scent which clung to her. Feel her worrying shallow breaths against her chin as the girls eyes peered up from the step beneath her, under those long lashes. "It suits you."

The last of her resolve cracked with those quite husky words.

"Oh for God sakes what do you want?"
Penelope kissed her gently on the cheek, much to her surprise. Oh well she'll blame it on the pills later.

"Twenty minutes I swear, just twenty on your silks then I'll leave. Its not even two yet; it's half past one, I'll be gone before then!" the whole begging thing was so unlike Penny it made Luna crumble completely.

"Fine but you gotta promise."

"Promising is such a demeaning act," after receiving a soft glare she altered her train of though. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good." This option was preferable and although it earned her a harder glare it also was enough to surfice Luna's flare for the dramatics.

Penny had never promised anyone anything before, she wasn't gonna start now. Despite her being desperate.

All the near begging was worth it when she saw the silks hanging from the ceiling.

"Twenty minutes!" Luna reminded her from behind her shoulder but she wouldn't reply. Her sight was set on freedom.

Her coat, boots, socks, leggings, jumper and necklace were all hurriedly taken off her body and left on the floor in a pile. Leaving the girl completely in her pink lace bra and grey lace boxers.

This was followed by a quick stretch of the necessary muscles, so she would be nice and limber for her chosen speciality.

Aerial silk was a passion of hers. The task of transforming dangling from a ceiling into an art form in her eyes was poetic.

So with a slight smile, she relished feeling the rich silk beneath her fingertips and in her hand. Ringing it round her favoured hand and slowly began to ease into her beloved craft.

Watching silently from the other side of the room was a very captured Luna. It was rare she got to see Pen in such a intimate situation, mostly because Penelope disliked doing Aerial when people were watching her.

Seeing her now though with her clothes abandoned and body on display while she was twisting and sculpting her body into different positions to best compliment the turquoise silk. Luna was enraptured, completely with her beauty.

Could you blame her for strolling over to the music speaker, and pausing to turn on her play list which just so happened to be handy in times like this.

Adam lamberts song If I had you blurted out from the system. The girl swore she saw a small smile on her Pen's face.

At least she's not yelling at me. Luna thought but then dropped it as soon as Pen did a move which involved her body being completely supported by her thighs. Her hands extended outwards and she was a sight to behold.

"Keep staring at me." Penelope ordered her like a child.

That girl and her audiences.

"You. Just. Might. Learn. Something." Oh of course. Luna gave her the finger, and muttered an insult under her breath.

"Yeah well if your so great then you should be the teacher not me."

"Don't be ridiculous, I haven't got the patience for such a task."

"Speaking of my task, it's almost 2. If you're done I'm pretty sure I'd like to avoid my students coming in to see you in such a state." Fate would have other plans it seemed as the door to the studio opened and Luna's 'students' began to file in. One after the other.

All froze and watched the almost naked woman, dangling gracefully.

"Too late for that don't you think?" awkwardly Penelope opted for a simple wave; Luna facepalmed.

"Come down and leave." Luna's hissed words made Penelope only slightly nervous, she'd have to make it up to her.

"Alright darling." While Luna tried to figure out what had brought on the pet name Penelope swiftly untangled herself from the silks and fixed her hair on the floor.

"Merci Luna, I appreciate it." Discreetly Penelope made a gesture to the women and men in the room watching their interaction with interest.

"Your welcome, but can you put your clothes on?"

"You sure you want me to?"

Luna swallowed. "Yes!" the blush in her cheeks indicated something else entirely but Penny would let it slide.

Just this once.

Without dropping the fake smile on her face she wriggled back into her clothes.

"See you." Luna closed her eyes as Penelope kissed her on the cheek for the second time that day.

"Bye."

Luna would never truly understand that girl. And she wouldn't have it any other way.

?¿~ Mycroft Holmes ~¿?

The way back to the flat was occupied with thoughts of what Penelope was going to do for a job. Sure she had her money from Nanny but it wasn't going to last forever.

She had to start working but the question was what was she gonna do?

Painting was a craft of hers she was passionate about, but in all truth it was something she only did when she found it enjoyable.

To turn that into a job would blow out the flame for sure.

"What's wrong with the door now!" it was Kevin's voice for sure, no doubt shouting at one of his delinquents.

"Sorry mate, nothing it's fine just had to loosen up the hinges with a little oil. Can't have the squeezing annoying her hearing aids now can we?" Penny nodded approvingly to herself then came into view of her old colleuge.

"Penelope there you are, I was starting to worry about you!" Begrudgingly the addressed girl opened her arms to receive the hug Kevin wanted. (only because it was socially expected) He squeezed the living hell out of her and laughed when Penny huffed at the attention.

"Alright I get it,"

"I know but hugging you is so rare, I just want to treasure the moment." Penelope wasn't going to argue, let alone in front of a curious Mrs Hudson. So she simply waited for the man to stop while doing nothing to attempt to at least act thrilled.

"Ok, I'm done now why didn't you get here earlier?"

"I was here earlier I wanted to check up on things but your new pet wouldn't let me."

"I swear that kid is really grinding my gears today!" His tone was one of annoyance but it was clear he was rather fond of his new intern.

"What's his name?" Penelope asked curious to see Kevin's reaction more than anything else.

"Douglas Matthews." She saw the slight smile on his face and saved it to memory. She'd tease him about it later.

"How far are you on the place? "

"Well my team of 23 have made good progress. We got the door out the walls replastered and painted white for you. Except for the passage which you said this morning you wanted painted black." Penelope nodded signaling she was listening and for him to continue.

"Done the floors, cleaned the fireplace and replaced the frame, I know you didn't ask for it but it's nicer now. The bathroom has been redone it didn't take long, kitchens remodeled we just gotta reconnect the water supply. Your rooms been fitted out with a light which connects directly to the buzzer like you asked, door to the flats been cleaned and repainted. Overall everything's looking sharp." Penelope gave Kevin an appreciative upturn of her lips, then let it fall once more.

"When's the furniture arriving?" She questioned the man.

"After five, Gives a couple hours for the paint to dry, plaster to set and you to get your belongings." Penelope hummed and drew her attention to Mrs Hudson.

"Sorry for the noise, Mrs H." The old lady shook it off with a hand gesture.

"It's fine dear, no harm done. Plus some of these lads are quite flirty." They giggled at the woman's comment and Penelope found herself relaxing finally.

Medication must be settling in.

"Well then, anyone for tea."

After Mrs Hudson had given the crew and Penelope tea, the young artist had decided to go to a hardware store to buy paints she would need for her murals.

She wanted vibrant yet enchanting colours and she went all out to get exactly what she needed.

She had no idea that when she'd eventually get back, the flat would be completed. Her furniture was placed inside and exactly how Penny had envisioned it to look.

There was a note on the new coffee table.

Stuff arrived, saw your blueprint sketch about the layout of the furniture.

Nice ideas by the way, anyway had another job to do so decided to put your stuff in without you. Call me when you get a chance yeah, love to talk to you more.

It's been a while.

-Kev

Penny was very appreciative and as she gave the place a look over she found herself feeling proud.

This was a new start in her life.

She was gonna live it as much as she could.

Despite what her disabilities did to her.

Later on, when she had unpacked her bags full of clothing and gotten herself Into her old pair of dungarees. The night was spent starting the mural in the main room.

Her face was relaxed into a gentle smile as she mapped out the lines with a pencil. Flowers were sketched effortlessly and tulips were drawn with pride.

It was all pleasant until she messed a tulip up and drew it a little different from the others.

Then she had switched and broken down into tears at the thought of not getting it right. She felt as if she had disappointed her father in some strange way.

That night was one of no sleep, when she set her mind to something she was stubbornly invested.

Who knew what the morning would hold.

The story's been getting a few follows and has 2 likes which is amazing for its first few days of being up, thank you sooo much. Comment what you think might happen next or what you'd like to see in the story, it's not yet completed so i'd love suggestions. xx