Chapter one
Have a Bon Voyage!
Warnings: none
Raven Watson-Holmes stood in the midst of the chaos, shielding her eyes from the sun. She was very excited, to spend some time alone with her best friends and with the CT guys on the cruise, and she could do whatever she wanted, well almost everything. Her Father had given her plenty of money for shopping and her parents signed her up for quite a few little excursions. She hoped she would like the excursions.
Her parents had taken a week off (John from the Surgery and Sherlock from his detective duties). They flew with her and her friends from London to Washington Dallas and then making their final journey to the Miami Airport. They rented a car and drove down to Port Canaveral where the cruise would be leaving in an hour. It was only eight o'clock in the morning, and Raven was already exhausted…but excited as well.
She was vaguely aware that her Dad was speaking to her.
"Raven, pay attention you idiot," Allison said, her hand touching her shoulder. Raye shook out of her thoughts and stepped away to say goodbye to her parents. She hugged her Dad first.
"Now be careful, alright, Raye?" John asked, as he embraced his daughter. She smiled assuring.
"I will Dad; I have my friends to back me up. And make sure Father doesn't do anything stupid while I'm away. I know he tends to be overprotective of me, but I am capable of handling myself," she said with confidence.
"I know you are. And you have my word," John promised. "I love you," he said, while giving his daughter a chaste kiss on her cheek.
"Love you too, Dad."
She turned to her Father, who was waiting, somewhat patiently. Sherlock didn't say anything at first, but just pulled her into a tight embrace. They stood like that for a minute or two, as Raye inhaled her Father's scent.
"Donovan and Anderson will be on the cruise with you. I gave them your room number, but I'd like for you to check with them once every day. Ask the concierge to give you their room number."
Raven smiled easily. She knew that her Father didn't care for Donovan or Anderson that much; but he trusted them enough with his daughter's life. Although she knew that he'd rather have Lestrade secretly looking out for her and her friends; but Lestrade couldn't get off work, especially now that Mycroft would need his assistance, since Sherlock would be unavailable for a week and a half.
"I will, Father, if only to put your mind at ease," she said. He smiled.
"And I promise I won't do anything stupid, unless something happens to you or your friends."
She frowned a little. She knew exactly what Sherlock was referring too, even if he didn't directly say it. She wasn't stupid. "Nothing will happen, not with the Celtic Thunder guys on the cruise. It'll be heavily guarded. And with Donovan and Anderson looking out for us, I'm sure we'll be fine."
"Alright, I trust you. Have a good time and please be careful," Sherlock said almost pleadingly, embracing her once more. He swooped down and kissed her gently. "I love you," he whispered, so only she could hear him.
When Sherlock released her, he waved them off. Raven watched as her parents disappeared through the crowds, suddenly feeling vulnerable. This wasn't like school, where she would be able to see them in the afternoon and evening.
And unlike school, there wouldn't be security cameras all over the place; not the ones connecting to Mycroft's security anyway. But she was pretty sure, since he had enough power in the British government, that he would be able to crack the security cameras on the cruise…if he had too.
She felt Jen tug on her arm. "Come on, Raye, the ship leaves in 30 minutes and we still have to find it."
They stood on the dock, trying to find the specific dock their ship would be leaving from. It wasn't easy and it was nerve wrecking. The entire port seemed to be alive with people. They finally managed to find the ship on their own. It was huge! There were at least 5 levels that had the little portholes and at least six levels.
Sure she was a celebrity due to her parents, but she had never been on something so expensive-looking in her life. She also knew that her friends might be a little intimidated and slightly out of place. But as they gazed up at the huge ship and listened to the happy chatter of people around her, she knew it was going to be worth it, especially with the CT guys as the main entertainment.
As soon as they walked up to the gangplank, they went to the concierge desk. A man smiled pleasantly at them. "Ello, ladies; what's the name, please?" Raven signed in on the registrar.
"It should be under the name, Watson-Holmes, along with Everheart and Hawes." The man looked it up.
"Ah yes, here it is. Miss Raven Watson-Holmes, correct?"
"Yes sir. Oh, could you look up Sally Donovan and Mike Anderson, for me? They're supposed to be my guardians this week. My parents couldn't take off time, due to my father's detective duties," Raven said, half-lying.
The man suddenly realized something. "Hold up, don't tell me you're the daughter to the famous Sherlock Holmes the one who lives in London, are you?" Raven smirked.
"Yeah, I am. I get that a lot. Now, Donovan and Anderson, if you please."
"Right. Ah, here are their room numbers, and if you'd like, I could hook you up to the Celtic Thunder guys, who I'm pretty sure you're here to see, judging by your t-shirt…" the man suggested. Raven held up her hand, ignoring her friends' pleas.
"No, that's fine. I don't want to be treated special, just because my father is Sherlock Holmes -."
"Also for extra protection," the man interrupted.
"Please Raye? It'll make this trip even more special. Plus, it means you get to hang out with Emmet and Colm," Allison said, pleadingly and teasingly. Raven sighed, giving in.
"Oh, alright."
"Excellent, I'll let Miss Browne and Mr. Munro knows to expect you three girls. And I'll give them your room number."
Raye nodded. "Thank you sir."
"You're welcome, Miss Watson-Holmes. Have a bon voyage."
The girls walked away, searching for their room. Both Allison and Jen were bursting with excitement and energy. "I can't believe it! Not only do we get to hear our guys sing, but we also get to hang out with them. This is going to be the most memorable spring-break ever!" Jen said, excitedly.
"Oh I know. And we owe to our best friend, Raven," Allison agreed. Raye just smiled, as they searched for their room.
They finally found their room. It was gorgeous! It was a mini-suite, with two rooms and a large bathroom. And they also had a balcony. There were two twin beds, and a couch in the sitting area. The couch could pull out, making an extra bed. The sitting area had a TV, a VCR, mini-bar, a mini-refrigerator, safe, closet and a dressing area. Raven stepped into the bathroom to find it had a shower, a whirlpool, and of course a hairdryer.
There were three chairs also in the sitting area surrounding a small coffee-like table. The girls stepped further into their room for a week and each found a place to sit.
"So what now?" Jen asked.
"Well, we should decide who sleeps where," Raye suggested.
"You should take the bed closest to the balcony," Allison said at once. "I know how much you love the ocean and the salty breeze."
"I can take the couch," Jen offered.
"Which leaves me the other bed," Allison stated.
"Well, I'm exhausted; we can explore the ship later. Anyone interested in helping me convert this thing into a bed?" Jen asked.
"Sure, just gimme a minute. I want to fill up the tub," Raven said.
In less than two minutes, Raven had the water running with the right temperature. She and Allison helped Jen move the cushions off the couch and placed them into the walk-in closet. Raven stood back as Ally and Jen pulled out the bed.
Luckily it was already made with fresh, clean white sheets. Jen flopped down lazily and inhaled the clean sheets. Raven and Allison giggled at their friend's gracious moves. Jen snuggled into the sheets and was fast asleep within seconds. Raye turned to Ally.
"I think the tub's almost filled. What're you going to do?" Allison shrugged.
"I don't know, probably read, I might also fall asleep as well. It's been a hectic 24 hours for us."
"I hear you on that. Okay, I'll be out in 30 minutes or so."
With that said; Raven took out her iPod and slipped into the bathroom and started playing Mythology. She removed her clothing and folded them neatly next to the toilet seat. Her hand lingered on a particular jewelry.
It was a gold, heart-shaped necklace, given to her by Ally and Jen. Inside the locket were two pictures. On one side it had her and her parents in a family portrait; the other side of course had a recent picture of Emmet and Colm performing "The Star of the County Down". It was one of the last shots, where Emmet was "shaking" hands with Colm. She smiled, as her finger ran over it. It was her favorite pose of the two boys. It made them look more romantic than suggested.
The young Irish singers, Emmet Cahill and Colm Keegan meant more to her than any other of her favorite characters/actors. She placed the necklace on the sink. She was going to keep her locket on her person almost 24/7. It was that special to her. She got into the warm tub and let herself relax. Her last thought, before she drifted into one of her fantasy dreams about the boys: she would do anything for Emmet Cahill and Colm Keegan without a second thought.