Tim studied the smaller boy, noting every wary look as Henry alternated between watching the doctor and studying Tim. It had been a while since the Irregulars had taken in such a scared young one, but Henry was certainly not the first. Tim was already planning ways to help when Doctor Watson finally leaned back, dropping a vial back into his medical bag.

"I will want to check some of those in a day or two, Henry, but I do not think any of them are infected. You and Tim can stay here for tonight, then join the other children after breakfast in the morning."

Doctor Watson closed his bag and carefully stood, apparently missing the way Henry shied from the movement, and Tim edged closer as the bag landed back in its place. Henry needed to learn that not everyone would hurt him, and he was more likely to listen to Tim than to the doctor. If the boy's darting glances were any indication, it would be a while before he would willingly go near any adult.

"My favorite place to sleep here is right in front of the fire," Tim said, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret with the younger boy. "It's cozy, but I bet it would be cozier with two. We can use a couple of blankets and make it nice and warm. Does that sound alright?"

Henry's eyes flicked towards the fireplace, noting the hearth, the nearby chairs, and the coal scuttle off to one side, but he eventually nodded.

"Supper first, though," Tim continued as footsteps climbed the stairs. "Are you hungry, Henry? I know I am, and Mrs. Hudson cooks good food."

Henry tensed at the footsteps, darting a wary gaze to the open doorway instead of answering, and the doctor ducked out of the room.

"Thank you, Mrs. Hudson," his voice carried faintly from the landing. "I can get that…No, I believe that is all…be alright…nervous. Ah, Holmes. A word."

The doctor's voice faded as he moved further from the door, and Tim edged still closer to the younger boy, hoping to show Henry that he was safe.

"Did Jimmy tell you Mr. Holmes is a detective?" Henry nodded. "He's really good at it, too," Tim continued. "He catches bad guys and locks them up. Johnny's uncle liked to hit, but Mr. Holmes threw him in jail."

Henry glanced at the door, some of the worry disappearing at this news, but the doctor returned carrying the supper tray before Henry could form a response.

"Do you like beef, Henry?" Doctor Watson asked as he set the tray on the table. Henry nodded. "Good," the doctor continued. "You will like Mrs. Hudson's beef stew, then. You and Tim can have the end seats."

He gestured at the two seats furthest from the door, and Henry slowly left the settee to drift toward the food, watching the doctor all the while.

Doctor Watson pretended not to notice, quickly laying out the other dishes before setting the tray aside, and Mr. Holmes wandered out of the bedroom after Henry settled in his chair.

"Henry," he greeted with a nod. "Tim."

"Evenin', Mr. Holmes," Tim replied with a grin, feigning ignorance at the way Henry watched. This tactic always worked to calm some of the more frightened young ones. "Did you ask Mrs. Hudson to make beef stew today? You know it's my favorite."

The detective barely glanced at Henry as he nodded. He knew what Tim was doing.

"I knew it! You can tell the future like you can read minds!"

Henry cringed, watching for a reaction to the brazen assertion, and he seemed somewhat surprised when Mr. Holmes merely shook his head.

"It is not possible to tell the future, Timothy. You know that."

Tim's grinned widened. "'Course it is. You told me last week the horse was gonna panic five whole minutes before it did. Can you teach me?"

A faint laugh carried from where Doctor Watson sat, but Mr. Holmes ignored him.

"What have I told you about theorizing without adequate data?"

Tim pretended to think about that, though he paid more attention to where Henry cautiously ladled stew into his bowl. The younger boy continuously checked to make sure no one was going to stop him, and Tim decided just where he was going to lead this. Mr. Holmes would catch his drift quickly enough.

"Not to," he answered when it was clear Henry needed no help, "but I have plenty of data. You don't prefer beef stew, but you know it's my favorite. Why else would you have requested it on the day Henry and I get to join you for supper?"

Mr. Holmes feigned a sigh. "Timothy, if I had asked for beef stew because you were coming, do you not think I would have requested a pie to go with it?"

Well, that was true. Mr. Holmes knew how much Tim liked cherry pie just as everyone knew Mr. Holmes had a sweet tooth worse than most children, but Tim quickly spotted the clue. He shook his head.

"You would've asked for a cake because that's my favorite! What cake are we having?"

Doctor Watson did not hide his laugh that time, and he studiously ignored Henry's worried glances as he finally looked up from his plate.

"Sponge cake," he replied with a grin.

That was hardly as good as parkin, but his true preference did not matter as much as showing Henry that no one would hit him for being hungry. Tim forced more excitement than he felt.

"Yippee! I wanna corner piece! Do you like the middle or edges, Henry?"

Henry's eyes widened, but he made no answer as he hurriedly ate another bite of stew.

"Or you could have both," Tim continued around a bite of his own. "Sponge cake is really good, especially Mrs. Hudson's. She likes to add a thin layer of icing that has so much sugar you can stay up all night!"

"You do not need any help with that, Timothy."

"Says the one who frequently paces in front of the fireplace until dawn," Doctor Watson broke in. "I am glad my room is above the sitting room rather than below it."

The detective waved away the comment, apparently oblivious to the surprise on Henry's face as the conversation moved on. "You did not seem to mind when I got out my violin."

"Only because you played instead of scratching all night. You have chased howling cats away with that thing."

Mr. Holmes huffed, firing back something about the doctor being grateful at the time, but Tim stopped listening, watching the younger boy instead. Some of the worry had finally faded from Henry's expression, and one of the doctor's comments even brought the barest hint of a smile.

He would be fine. The Irregulars would make sure of it.

Don't forget to review! :)

Thanks to Corynutz and Guest for your reviews on the last chapter! So glad you enjoyed it :D

Guest, I suppose you'll just have to find out (evilgrin) I can promise pain will be involved, and perhaps a bit of karma.