A woman walked anxiously outside their door. Two steps forward, one step back, and then three steps to the left...

'I'm tired,' said John, who was counting that woman's paces with great interest, 'What's she doing? Is she gonna come in or not?'

'Ah, we've got a client, John. I'm sure she's gonna come in, my boy. Try to observe to find your answer, John. Her strange actions indicates that... ' He stopped here for a moment and was a bit amused to see John's eyes wide with surprise and worshipping. 'That it's a lover's problem.'

'Lover?' John frowned. 'What is lover's problem? Don't they always "live happily after" in the stories, Sherlock? Or maybe- Well, I don't think witches really exist-'

Sherlock laughed. 'No, they don't, John. When I say lover's problem I mean other things. Lovers aren't all that happy, John. In fact most of the times they end up seperated from each other.' 'And?' John asked, noticing Sherlock was a bit sober. 'What happened, Sherlock?'

But Sherlock didn't answer him. Instead he lowered his head and sighed slightly, while stroking John's soft hair in a slow rhythm. 'Lovers do have problems, John,' he started a moment later, 'They would quarrel and shout at each other.' 'Why would they do that?' 'For a variety of causes. Maybe they can't decide whether to have a baby or not... Maybe they can't bear each other's habits... Or maybe just sexual tension,' 'Sexual what?' John caught the last two words immediately.

'Em... John, I don't think it's the right time to tell you- ' It was a hard task to stop a child from asking, but that hesitating woman saved him from the embarrassing situation. John jumped up and hid behind Sherlock. 'Hey, it's fine, she's just a client- ' Sherlock said while walking to the door.

When that lady came in John stopped hiding and got out. Yes, children are really sensitive, they could always know who would possibly hurt them and who would not. As soon as the lady got in John decided she was the 'wouldn't' kind, so he wasn't afraid anymore. She was dressed in a very casual style with simple warm colours, yet her face was so pale that she looked as weak as a piece of glass that could be broken at any time.

Sherlock studied her in an emotionless way. 'You do have a good boyfriend,' he started a bit later after staring at her for a while, 'Why did you break up?'

The lady was surprised. 'From where you knew that?' She asked in horror.

'Elementary, miss. Look at your wrists- the traces there told me you once was a secretary and you didn't get high salaries. But look at your nice expensive watch- Surely you've got a great chance and had a better job, because all your clothes are expensive except that scarf- It's old and cheap but not yet out of style which suits your clothes, I can see why you like it- But only that watch is old and expensive, and it's such a private thing. Well, look at the back of it- J. Watson-'

He froze. That was supposed to be that lady's boyfriend or husband, or whatever it is- But maybe- J doesn't stand for John. He cleared his throat.

'Anything wrong?' The lady asked, didn't seem to be surprised at all.

'No.' He answered quickly. Then he continued.

'So obviously that's your boyfriend- He must have loved you very much. Why did you leave him?'

The lady lowered her head for a while and looked gloomy. 'It's not that,' she said, 'Or maybe it's all related, but I didn't come for that.' Her voice was thin, and she sounded so heartbroken. 'You know-' She suddenly looked up and stared still John. 'So that is the child. John.' Her lips curled into a gentle smile. John hesitated a bit but smiled back shyly.

'I believe he's a good boy, Sherlock. Maybe we can leave him alone in the sitting room for a while and have a private talk? I'm sure he will understand. He's such a brave little soldier.' She smiled at John again.

Sherlock frowned. In order to protect John, he and Mycroft was always careful to keep him away from people's attention, and hardly anyone knew John was still alive. But this lady mentioned him, and she seemed to be familiar with John. He looked at John to see if he knew the lady, but John was never readable to him. He was worried about John, but still he nodded and agreed to go with the lady. 'Play by yourself, John.' He added before entering a private room.

As soon as they got in the lady closed the door and looked behind the curtains to see if someone was watching. Then she shut them quickly, ignoring the fact that Sherlock snorted.

'You do know what J stand for, don't you?' She asked, breathing heavily. Now it was Sherlock's turn to be astonished. 'I don't know what you're saying, Miss.. Am I supposed to know his name?'

'Yes, yes you are- James Watson, the doctor, and my husband.' She seemed to be at the edge of getting crazy.

'What?' Sherlock felt his heart skipped a beat.

'You might not know who I am, but I could tell you- My name's Constance, Dr Watson's wife. But things never got right. We were just engaged when accidents happened- He went to Afghanistan and never got back, and I-' She started to sob but was able to continue very soon, 'He and I, we don't belong here. I don't know how he controlled us-'

'Who?'

'I don't know his name but I once saw it and I think it starts with J- It was the same with my husband's so I noticed- Oh, and he's called James, too, but his last name wasn't Watson. It was M or something...'

'I see,' Sherlock interrupted coldly, 'you are safe, Miss. Go back home and take care of yourself. I'll be in charge of this.' He nodded again, and opened the door. The lady got out, it seemed that she really wanted to look back when she got to the door, but just as her head turned slightly, she trembled violently like a ghost was swallowing her soul. She stormed out and slammed the door.

Sherlock got out of the room soon after the lady was gone. His eyes searched where John was, and he was sitting on the sofa, looking confused. 'What happened, Sherlock?' At that moment Sherlock knew he had to think up a good excuse.

'We were talking about... Sending you to school.' He replied.

'Oh,' John simply said, and turned away.

Sherlock frowned, for he saw the fear in Johns eyes, though he said nothing. Surely he wasn't happy at school! Sherlock thought to himself. This child suffered too much before he becomes an adult. He walked towards him and knelt down in front of him. It was the first time he decided to get those words out in front of John.

John was a bit uneasy in front of him, not knowing what Sherlock was going to do. But he soon calmed down, for he trusted Sherlock, and Sherlock would never hurt him.

'I love you,' said Sherlock.

'You do?'

'I do.'

For a moment he thought he saw John's tears, but they never fell down. Instead, John shivered, his arms went straight up to Sherlock's neck, and rested his head against Sherlock's chest. 'I know,' he whispered. And that was enough for Sherlock.