John made his way through the streets. Today was a good day, the weather in the capital was so pleasant, that he had decided to walk instead of hailing a hansom cab as he normally would, to get him back to Baker Street. For once everything was......well, normal with his life. His private practice was continuing to grow; admittedly most of his patients were aging former army men, but patients were patients, and they all paid on time. He was not being dragged into Sherlock's latest case, and therefore not getting arrested or nearly killed. And speaking of the younger Holmes, even he was acting.......sane.....ish. John sure that sooner or later this peace would come crashing down around his ears, and his world would be turned upside down; but for now......for now he was going to enjoy it. A soft whistle leaving his lips, as he continued on his way; doffing his hat at two pretty ladies as he passed.

"Doctor Watson..........." John stopping in his tracks at the sound of his name being called out. The veteran of the Second Afghan War turning to see a rather exquisite creature, dressed in all black, quickly making her way to him.

"Please.....please excuse me for shouting out like that........." She continued, her hand coming up to rest on her chest, as she did her best to catch her breath.

"But you are Doctor John Watson, are you not..........?" John sure that for a moment he had forgotten how to breath as she smiled at him. The doctor having seen many a pretty woman in his life and during his service; but whoever this woman was, she had managed to put the rest of them in the shade. He feeling his palms begin to grow damp, and his heart start to race, as she moved up the small dark veil from her eyes. John positive that at that moment, he believed that goddesses did exist. That perhaps Aphrodite herself had found her way to London.

"D......doctor.........?"

"What...oh, er.........." John removing the hat from his head; suddenly feeling like an embarrassed boy who was trying to talk to the best looking girl in town.

"Yes......yes I am John Watson. How.......how may I help you Miss, um........?" He finally managed to say. A smile coming to his lips, as she giggled slightly at his awkwardness.

"(Y/n)......my name is (Y/f/n) (Y/l/n)..........." She told him, holding out her hand for him to take. John quickly doing just that, bringing it to his lips and carefully kissing her knuckles.

"I know we are not acquainted, but I believe that you knew my grandfather....... General Horace Armstrong..........?"

"Oh......the General. Yes, yes, of course. He moved up to the Lake district, didn't he? How is the old man............?"

"Passed away I am afraid............"

"I.....I....I am so sorry. Please forgive me...I didn't......." John wishing that the ground would open up and swallow him whole. He knowing that he should have been aware that the beauty had lost someone recently, given her mourning attire; and given that old Horace had been ninety if he was a day, the last time that he had seen him.......

"Please Doctor, there is nothing to forgive, you were not to know. My grandfather was a very old man, and even though we all believed that he would outlive the rest of the family; he passed away peacefully, just last week. Yet before he died, he would often tell me about you; about how good a doctor you were. He asked me to come and find you, when I got the chance; even showing me some old photograph of you from the Afghan war, so I knew who I was looking for when I arrived at your practice at Baker Street........" The doctor's brows furrowing slightly at her words; not sure why the General would send his granddaughter to find him.

It was true that he and Horace Armstrong had got on well. The older man had always been quite amusing, full of tall tales which he loved to share. He mostly enjoying revealing some rather racy anecdotes about Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington. That, and telling John that Napoleon Bonaparte, was a piggy man, who smelt and was actually much taller than you would think. But still, why those idle conversations would make the General ask (Y/n) to come to London, he couldn't think.

"I am sorry for your loss. The General was a good man; but I don't understand why.........."

"Forgive me, doctor. I should explain better.....you see, my grandfather had five daughters, but no son. It appears that you, if he had been blessed with a male heir, were what he would very much have liked his son to be; and given this, and his obvious affection for you when he spoke, he has left you a sum of money in his will; two hundred pounds to be precises....."

"Two.......two hundred.........but surely your family won't be happy......?"

"We all know that the General would likely come back to haunt anyone that went against his wishes. And anyway, the rest of the family have all been left rather generous sums of their own. So........." (Y/n) assured, before reaching into the black velvet purse that hung from her wrist and bringing out a piece of paper.

"These are the solicitors who are handling the will. Mister Douglas in particular, is a delight to deal with and he will ensure that you get your bequest without issue...." John looking down at the business card in his hand. Not sure what else to say.

"Well, it was a nice to finally meet, the great Doctor Watson. But if you will excuse me, I am sure that I have kept you from some business. Goodbye, doctor..........."

"Miss (Y/l/n). Wait please........." John turning on his heels and quickly catching up with the lady who had started to walk away.

"Doctor........?"

"I.....I was wondering whether you had anything planned for the rest of the day.....?"

"Well, no, not really. My real destination was Baker Street; but meeting you here has saved me time. So, the rest of my day if quite empty........."

"Then would you do me the honour of joining me for afternoon tea at Claridge's? It's the least I can do after you have come all the way to London......" The doctor finding himself willing her to say yes; to accept his invitation. His heart beginning to race again, as she smiled.

"That is very kind of you, Doctor.....I would love to join you......." John placing his hat back on his head, before hailing a cab. Offering (Y/n) his hand so that he could help her up into the hansom, before joining her. His already good day, just having got so much better.