Macey trudged up the Brownstone steps tiredly, Gregson still parked at the curb after he dropped her off in order to make sure she made it inside safely. She opened the door, waved Gregson off, and took a deep breath. She could nearly feel the anticipation in the air; she knew Joan would be bombarding her with questions regarding her first day, too bad she'd have to explain that she'd made some enemies –some still mad at her for what she did to Raine-, how she had called out a teacher on how bad he was on the subject of crime investigation, made herself a prime target for jealous girls to beat down, and insulted the principal. What a great day.

Joan appeared at the top of the steps with her hand out to the side, clearly telling Sherlock to stay out of view to spare her feelings. "So? How'd it go?"

"It was great…" Macey faked a smile and sulked into the kitchen.

Joan's smile dissipated and she descended the steps, finding Macey rummaging through the nearly empty fridge. "Okay, how bad was it?"

Macey didn't even glance back at her. "Long version or short version?"

"Long." Joan took a seat in one of the four chairs as Macey grabbed an apple out of the fridge, kicking it shut as she turned to sit in another kitchen chair.

"Well, to start off…I called the principal a bozo." Macey peeled her apple with a stray knife on the table and bit into the juicy fruit.

Joan's lips pressed into a hard line. "Why?"

Macey just snickered, remembering how affected the man had been at the comment. Macy stopped laughing as she took in Joan's disapproving gaze. She cleared her throat and continued to outline her day. "Then I went to choir…"

Joan's face lit up. "Really? How'd that go?"

"Well it went really well…I made a new friend…and even more enemies…"

Joan groaned. "Macey. How could you possibly make enemies on the first day?"

"Well, hey! At least I made a friend." Macey pointed out, Joan's disapproving gaze intensifying. "I just pointed out to the principal's daughter that her father is a closeted pedophile and I'm suddenly the most hated girl in class, even after I showed how talented I was."

Joan sighed. "You are just like Sherlock. He can't keep his mouth shut either."

Macey's eyes shot up and looked into hers. "Am I seriously like him?"

"Well, yes…and no. You both have very different attributes regarding your personalities, but your attitudes are exactly the same." Joan cut herself off, afraid that she had insulted the young girl.

Macey sighed. "I guess you're right. I cannot shut up, can I?"

Joan's mouth almost dropped open in surprise at the comment, but she held it shut for the sake of keeping Macey content. Joan decided that it would be better if she moved to the next subject. "So, you made a friend…that's good. And you showed your talents?"

"Yes, her name is Iris and she is pretty much the only one who wanted to speak to me…other than the guys in my other class drooling over me. And yes, I played the piano and sang for the choir class. Then I solved an 'expert' mystery in my crime investigation class. According to my teacher, I should be teaching the class instead of him."

Joan smiled at Macey's smug grin. "So, it sounds like today was…fun…Are you excited for tomorrow?"

Macey's grin dropped. "Oh, Hell no."

…

Irene stared at the CCTV screens in front of her eyes, having planted the small cameras everywhere around the Brownstone when it was vacant.

She scowled to herself. Had she really made such a fleeting impression on the young girl? She supposed it was for the best that Macey hadn't mentioned her. Wouldn't want Sherlock or his little mascot to interrupt another meticulously calculated master-plan.

Since Irene had gotten back to her house –a considerable distance from the Brownstone, making it unlikely to run into Holmes or his little pet, Joan Watson- Irene had been conjuring up different scenarios in which she could impose her apprentice proposal to Macey. Irene knew it was risky –Macey being Sherlock's niece and all- but it was just too great an opportunity to pass up.

She had decided to wait till the end of the week, letting her bond with the young Holmes become even greater –possibly becoming friends with the girl.

Irene watched as Sherlock entered the room with Macey, tension clear even through the computer screen. She leaned in closer and tuned her ears to catch the full conversation between the two.

"Macey, may I speak to you?" Holmes sat on the couch opposite to Macey.

Macey sighed. "I don't know. Are you going to speak to me or yell at me?"

Sherlock wiped his sweaty hands against his pants. "Macey, about that…I didn't mean to be so demanding…I was told to take charge, but I guess…well, I guess it just went to my head and I went way over-board."

Macey rolled her eyes. "Oh, really. I did not realize that."

This time it was Sherlock's turn to sigh. "I apologize."

Macey blinked. "And?"

"It'll never happen again?" Sherlock wasn't sure what she wanted him to say.

"You don't seem very convincing." Macey crossed her arms.

"I'm sorry for all I've done. I crossed a line and I would've apologized earlier, but I just couldn't ruin your first day."

"Yeah, but I'm sure it couldn't have gotten worse anyway…but thanks, Sherlock." Macey smiled and stood up from her spot on the couch. "I know it's hard for you to admit when you've done wrong and it's even harder for you to show feelings, but I appreciate your apology. I'm not fully over it, but this was a good start."

Sherlock smiled, he was just happy she wasn't making this overly hard for him…or turning this whole moment into a joke. He decided to finally tell her what he really thought about her. "No matter what people say about you Macey, it's all wrong. From what I've seen, you're going to be a great person, even if you have made a few mistakes along the way. But, hey. We're all human. Humans make mistakes. It's impossible to be perfect. So, don't listen to them when they say you're a low-life criminal, just know that you're a better person than most people in this world. And from what I've heard from Miss Watson, you're a damn good investigator too."

Macey smiled. "Maybe I can show you my skills someday."

Sherlock smiled back. "I'd love that. And who knows? Maybe you can come back after your parole is served and become my other partner in solving-crime!"

Macey beamed even brighter. "I would like nothing more."

Irene sneered at the CCTV live footage and had to hold herself back from punching the screen.

Sentiment. It was disgusting.

She had been betting on Macey still resenting her Uncle. Not forgiving him. This was going to be harder than she originally thought.

"And don't worry, Macey. I won't let any of those mean girls at school hurt you in any way –in fact, I won't let anyone hurt you." Sherlock stood from his spot and smiled down at the young Holmes. "Mycroft is an idiot for letting you go. Though, I'm kind-of glad. If it weren't for him deserting you, I wouldn't have had the incentive to help you out. Who knows? He may have just handed me a new detective. What do you say, Macey? Can you see yourself living here in the future?"

Irene gritted her teeth and waited for Macey's reply.

Macey nodded slowly, tears starting to form. She had never thought in a million years that anyone would've asked her to move in, especially not by Sherlock Holmes –the man did have a reputation for being heartless. "This is the only place I could see myself living."

Irene watched Sherlock give Macey a light hug and this time she did punch the screen.

"Back off, Holmes. Macey is mine."

SORRY THIS CHAPTER WAS SO SHORT. THE NEXT WILL BE LONGER, I PROMISE!

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