Author's note: We get to see Watson's thoughts when he first meets Cassandra. This one goes to Sherlockian, who planted the idea in my head. Reviews are as always awesome and if you have any ideas I'm open to them.

Doctor John Watson was prepared for many things, he always was. He was prepared when his father died after being sick for so long and his mother who then followed leaving him in the care of an aunt. He was prepared to become a doctor when he was in university. He was prepared when his brother turned to drinking and came to him seeking help with money. He found his escape by joining the army. He was prepared to help the young men fighting, after he was injured he was even prepared for the worst. So it was no surprise to him when he moved in with a man he hardly knew.

However, what John Watson was not prepared for, was learning that his flatmate had hidden a child from him. Never would he have thought that the man he learned to be a great detective, and was in the hopes of that man becoming his greatest friend, would have a child in his care. He could not even imagine the man having a child. So when Sherlock Holmes had asked him for his help and took lead him to his room, he did not expect to find a little girl laying in a cot with a fever. No, he never expected it to be that.

But, once his eyes had laid on the little green eyed child, who was very much feverish, his nature went from a confused man to a doctor in an instant. He checked the girl over, a few times she shrink away to only be urged gently by her guardian to keep still. He asked a few questions about her after he examined her.

"Her parents?" He had asked.

"They didn't want me." The small child had spoken up.

"You know we do not know that for certain." Holmes told her gently.

"It is logical." The little voice said.

Here the doctor paused as he watched the two. He could see the girl was hurt by this, though she tried to hide it by allowing her curly hair to block her face from view. Holmes was not fooled by it either and he reached out, laying a hand on her shoulder. He squeezed it gently, causing the child to look at him who received a small smile in return.

"No attempts or claims have been about a missing child." Holmes said.

"And you have been caring for her?" He asked.

"Yes, I have."

"Why did you not tell me of this sooner?"

"I do not want people to know of her. My profession is dangerous, as you know, Watson. If word got out about her…they would not hesitate to harm her."

"But, she has been here the whole time?"

"Yes, Cassandra has stayed in this room; she goes out in the sitting room when Mrs. Hudson cleans."

He slowly nodded his head and watched as the little girl let out a small yawn, "We better let you get some rest."

He had walked out of the room and caught a little of the conversation the two had together, before he moved away. He was sitting in his chair when Holmes returned, closing the door softly behind him.

"It would appear Cassandra likes you." He said.

John Watson smiled. "She seems to be a very charming girl. I wish you had told me sooner about her."

Holmes looked over at him, before moving to the fire mantle and retrieved his pipe. "Your do understand the reason I could not. I was not certain if I could trust you with the secret until recently."

"What if you never were certain?"

"Then we would have left as soon as I was able to afford new accommodations." He admitted.

"Holmes, how did she come into your care exactly? I do not understand why you took her in."

He sat across from me in his chair and leaned back. "I was walking home when I heard a small cry. Around the corner in the alley was a small bundle where I found a young child. It was during a storm so I took her inside and she was sick. The doctor told me she would not live, but she lasted through the night. She has been in my care since that night. I did not want her to leave."

"But what of her parents, Holmes? Surely you found something about them."

Sherlock Holmes sighed. "I have made several attempts to find them in the past few years, but each has been futile. I did however find something, a friend recognized her and I paid her to keep quiet about it."

John Watson looked at him shocked. "And you did not see them?"

He puffed on his pipe. "Oh, I saw them, and she is better off never knowing them. They were not the best of people, Watson. They...the father is an opium addict who spent all of his earnings to the den and the mother preferred tramping through the streets with younger men. Their marriage if anything is not with love nor happiness. If I had sent her back to them I have no doubt a week later there would be a report on the death of a year old baby due to neglect. She was not in the best state when I found her she was lacking in her growth because she was not being cared for properly."

"Does she knew of this?" He asked.

Holmes sighed and shook his head. "No, she knows nothing and I do want her to know. She suspects that they may have abandoned her, and it is for the best that she continues to think that."

"I noticed she sees the world as you do."

With a slight smile, he nodded. "Yes, she observes, quite well for her age. She learns quickly and is very smart little girl."

"Holmes, how many people know of her exactly?" Watson could not help but ask.

"The old landlady knew as does Mrs. Hudson. Two children also know as they are her friends."

"And me."

Holmes nodded his head. "And it goes without saying you must also keep secret about her. I do not wish for anyone with the wrong intentions to know."

"You have my word, Holmes. I will not let anyone else know without asking you first."

A few days later, he was able to learn more about Cassandra. The child was very smart, and she was a sweet little girl who loved to read books and always asked questions. In no time they become friends and he knew that he would do everything as well to keep the child safe. John Watson was now fully prepared to protect Cassandra.