Molly nodded and went to the door. She was expecting to see a grown man, but instead found a child that looked about the age of eight. He had dark curls and was wearing ratty clothing. His hands were covered in dirt and he had some mud on his cheek. When he saw Molly he immediately reached into his pocket and handed Molly a small note. Taking the note, Molly began to read it.

'This is Archie. Feed him'

Molly rolled her eyes at Sherlock's lack of manners but beckoned Archie inside.

"How do you know Sherlock, Archie?" Molly asked as she ushered him inside.

"I'm one of his network, missus. I get information and he feds me."

Molly turned to take a hard look at Archie. She noticed how thin his cheeks and how prominent his ribs were.

"Archie" Molly started slowly "when is the last time you ate?"

"'Bout three days ago, missus. Billy tries to get as much food as he came, but sometimes it's hard." Archie's tone was cheery. It sounded like he was talking about a good book and not his own starvation.

"Who is Billy?"

"He's my cousin. Takes care of me ever since my mother died. He works for Mr. Holmes too. I never knew my father." Archie gave a shy smile. "Can I have some food now? I'm awfully staving."

"Oh, yes. I'm sorry." Molly turned away, a little embarrassed, and began to walk towards the kitchen. She wasn't sure what it was, but she knew that she was going to like Archie.

She walked right into the kitchen and began to heat some more bacon for Archie. She turned to find that he had somehow gotten himself onto the counter and was sitting there on the ledge.

"Would you like some eggs too?"

Archie shrugged. "I've never had eggs."

"Well, we'll just have to change that, won't we?" Molly gave a smile before getting and egg to fry. After setting both the bacon and an egg into the pan and starting to cook it, she turned back to Archie.

"So, what is it exactly you do for Sherlock? Nothing dangerous, I hope."

"Oh, no missus. Mr. Holmes never gives me the scary stuff to do. He leaves that for the others, especially the ones in London."

"The one's in London?"

"Mmmmhmmm. He called me and Wiggins, that's my cousin, down to help him with any case he found. I think it's 'cause we're his favorites." Archie's voice lowered at the last part of his sentence like he was telling some large secret.

Molly grinned. "I'm sure that's why."

"But the thing I don't understand is why Mr. Holmes didn't let me come with him this time. Usually he lets me see the body, but only when it's not too graphic. Says 'we've got standards to uphold Archie'."

Molly had to hold back a smile at Archie's disgusted face. Soon enough the bacon was sizzling and the egg was done. Molly handed the plate to Archie, along with a buttered piece of bread, and ushered him out to the dining room.

"Thanks a lot, missus!" Archie said as he sat down in a chair and began to shovel the food into his face.

"Archie?" At the sound of his name, the boy immediately stopped his eating with half of a piece of bacon hanging from his mouth. "Why do you call me missus?"

"You're the first lady Mr. Holmes has ever talked about. Wiggins and I thought it was a good name."

Molly gave a grin and felt a slight blush rise to her cheeks. Archie went back to eating his food and had soon wolfed it all down. Molly took his plate back to the kitchen and washed it quickly and returned to the dining room to find Archie's eyelids drooping.

"How about you come take a nap, Archie?"

"But-" Archie gave a big yawn "Wiggins is going to come get me. Besides-" another large yawn "I'm not even tired."

"Come lay down in my bed. I'll make sure to tell Billy where you are when he comes to get you."

"Are you sure? I'm not very clean." Archie got up from his chair. Molly watched as he rubbed his eyes.

"I'm sure." Molly took his hand in hers and began to lead him to her room.

"I really am fine." Archie argued as Molly led him up the steps.

"I insist, Archie."

"If you say so." Archie shrugged and continued to follow Molly to her room. When they entered, Molly pulled the covers back and took his shoes off for him.

"Thanks missus Molly" Archie whispered as he lay down his head on the pillow. Molly moved his legs so that they weren't hanging off the end of the bed.

"Sweet dreams Archie." Molly whispered back as she pulled the blankets over Archie. Before leaving the room, she pushed Archie's curls back and gave him a kiss on the forehead.

"You're missus then?" Molly answered the front door to find a skinny younger man standing on the porch. He had sandy hair that had mud mixed in and his blue eyes stood out from his pale face. Molly had let Archie sleep for hours and the time was around 4 o'clock now.

"Yes. And may I assume you're Billy?"

"Call me Wiggins, missus. I'm looking for a small child about this tall" Wiggins gestured about Archie's height "Where can I find him?"

"He's still napping right now. Would you like to come in for some food?"

"I'll come in, but Mr. Holmes already fed me." Wiggins walked through the door and Molly closed it after him.

"He won't be very patient. He wanted Archie back so he could-"

"Molly, where is Archie? I told you to feed him, not to hide him." Sherlock marched through the door.

"He's taking a nap."

"Taking a nap? Why on earth is he taking a nap?" Sherlock scoffed.

"He was tired. I told him to sleep. He is a young boy Sherlock."

"Are you nagging me because I don't let him sleep when he's helping me with a case?"

"No. But murder can tire even the best of us."

"Now you're nagging me because I take him on cases!" Sherlock smiled, teasing Molly and pointed an accusing finger at Molly.

"No! I think he enjoys it very much and it is a good learning experience for him. But he needs to sleep."

"Oh God, you've formed an attachment, haven't you?!"

"He is a very charming boy." Molly grinned.

Wiggins had been standing silently by, watching the events unfold. He gave a small cough reminding them both that he was still there.

"We need to be going. Do you mind if I take Archie home? I can carry him to the train station." Wiggins directed his question towards Molly, understanding that she was going to have the final word in the matter.

"I'm fine with that; just try not to wake him." Sherlock rolled his eyes, but went upstairs anyway. He came back soon, carrying Archie in his arms, the little boy still asleep. He carefully handed him over to Wiggins. After handing Wiggins some money for the train, both Molly and Sherlock waved goodbye.

"That little boy has you wrapped around his finger." Sherlock smiled down, looking at Molly's fond smile at the retreating forms of Wiggins and Billy.

"He is a sweetheart." Molly smiled back at Sherlock. "Come on. We better start making dinner. Mrs. Hudson, is after all taking a day off." Molly turned to go towards the kitchen and saw that Mr. Holmes was standing there.

"Molly, dear do you mind if I speak with Sherlock?"

"No…no, that's fine." Molly nodded, watching Sherlock in her peripheral vision to make sure he didn't seem too opposed to the idea.

"Thank you. Sherlock, do you mind if we just go to my study?"

"No; not at all." Sherlock's voice was tight and guarded. Molly was a little worried about leaving him, but Sherlock had already walked away.