Sherlock looked up from his microscope, as John quietly made his way to the door of the flat. The doctor grabbing his coat, hat and cane, before slowly opening the ingress. John rolling his eyes, as the younger Holmes let out a cough. His hopes that Sherlock wouldn't notice that he had gone......gone.

"You look exceptionally smart, Watson. Shoes shined to a mirror like finish, one of your best suits, and you are sporting your old regimental tie. Obviously, you are out to impress someone.........Meeting up with some of your army fellows......or perhaps........."

"If you really must know, I am meeting a lady at Kings Cross station. My old commanding officer sent me a letter the other month to ask me if I would do him the favour of meeting up with his youngest daughter when she came to London for a few days; asked if I would show her some of the sights so that he would not worry about her. And as he once saved my life, the least I can do for him is keep an eye on the child while she is here." John explained, as he put his hat on his head.

"And no........." He continued, as Sherlock moved from his seat.

"You are not coming with me. I do not want the girl returning to her father with horror stories of you telling her about the gorier crimes that you have solved. That, or scarring her for life by deducing something she is too young to understand about herself. No, you stay here........." John ordered, as he pulled on his gloves before making his way back to the door.

"So, you are just going to do the same boring things......The Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, the British Museum........?"

"If that is what she wants......then yes." John replied, looking at his watch; sure, he was going to be late for the girl's train.

"Well, perhaps you will be lucky, and the governess that is bound to be with her if she is just a child, will be impressed by very shiny shoes......" Sherlock added; waving off his old friend, before turning his attention back to his microscope. John once again rolling his eyes, before making his way out of the flat. Sherlock smiling, before grabbing an old coat and climbing out of the window.

                                                          >>---------------------------------<<

John made his way along the crowded platform. The train that the young lady was due on, had already arrived; and the only thing that his old commanding officer had told him, was to look for the most beautiful girl in England that would be wearing a deep blue dress and coat. The doctor's eyes scanning the mass of people for a young girl, and, as Sherlock had said, probably a governess in tow. An older woman that would most likely look down her nose at him, until he escorted them back the train to take them home.

"Doctor Watson........Doctor John Watson........?" A soft voice suddenly enquired. John turning on his heels; his eyes growing wide, as there stood in front of him, was what he was sure was the most beautiful girl in England.

"My name is (Y/f/n) (Y/l/n). I believe that you were expecting me......." She continued. Holding out her hand for him to take. John just standing there, dumfounded, as she smiled at him. The doctor wishing that his old friend had informed him that what would be arriving was not a child, but a fully grown woman. A fully grown woman that he could not keep his eyes off.

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

"Oh, please forgive me Miss (Y/l/n). In your father's letter he........well, he seemed to suggest that you were much younger........." John apologised, as he finally took the hand that (Y/n) offered and brought it up to his lips.

"No need to apologise, Doctor; my father has a terrible tendency of still thinking I am ten years old. And I must confess that the way that he described you, I was expecting someone far older, and far less.........well, handsome, if you don't mind me saying. If it wasn't for the fact that I had seen your regimental tie, I would have still been looking for you......." (Y/n) told him. John feeling his heart begin to race, as she continued to smile at him. And quite liking the idea that she had called him handsome. The two seemingly so caught up in the other, that neither had noticed the rather strange porter that stood near them with (Y/n)'s luggage on his trolley.

"But I do feel as though I have to apologise for my father inconveniencing you, by asking you to be my guide while I am here. I told him that I would be fine, that I was perfectly capable of looking around London without an escort; but again, he believes that I am still ten and am incapable........"

"No.......what I mean to say is that there is no need to apologise either. Your father was a good friend, and it is the least I can do for him, taking care of you while you are here; for he is quite right, London can be dangerous if you do not know what you are doing. There are some very unsavoury characters in the capital." John explained. Silence falling over the pair again, as they just stood there and looked at one another. The doctor shaken from his thoughts, as the porter coughed.

"Oh, yes........I er........can I take you somewhere now..........?"

"That is kind of you......but I think that perhaps I will leave the sight seeing until tomorrow, if that is alright. Though I would appreciate it if you would escort me to my hotel. I am staying at the Brown's in Mayfair and would like to settle in. But, if you would care to join me for dinner this evening, Doctor Watson........."

"I would like that very much, Miss (Y/l/n)." John replied, before offering her his arm and gesturing for the porter to follow them out of the train station to one of the waiting hansom cabs. John pushing a few coins into the attendant's hands, before helping (Y/n) into the cab. The black carriage trundling down the road and out of sight, before Sherlock pulled the cap from his head and the false teeth from his mouth, then took off the rest of the old porter uniform and laid it over the trolley. The consulting detective then pushing the coins into his own trouser pocket. Sherlock whistling as he made his way down street, sure that if John wouldn't let him invite himself to the dinner, then he would be spending the evening working as a waiter. The younger Holmes having no intention of missing anything that was going to happen.