Seven years before

Dedicated to:

TheLittleRedOwl
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Bugsgocracra02
maximorphs
LadyDork
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And all you other Sherlock Lovers

Picture is Alexx
~~~~~~~~~

Alexx slowly walked out of the terminal of the plane she arrived to London in from Atlanta, Georgia. She fixed her glasses on her nose and pulled her copper hair over her neck more to hide the scar across it.

People gave her strange looks, kids pointed to her and said something to their parents, she felt like a freak, like something you would have on display at a Circus. She swallowed the lump in her throat and quickened her pace, afraid she would make up her mind, buy a ticket back to Georgia, and go back to the life and man she left behind.

But she couldn't and wouldn't. She left for a reason and she would stay in London for the rest of her life with the last bit of family she had left.

"Taxi!" She yelled and waved down a taxi. She got in the backseat with only a small bag. "221B Baker Street, please." She told the cabbie, fighting to keep her voice from wavering. The cabbie nodded and the car started moving,

" First time in London, Miss?" He asked, his accent heavy. Meaning he had never left Britain once in his life.

"Yes, sir, it is." She said with a slight smile, her Irish accent rolling off her tongue smoothly. It wasn't heavy, her being in Georgia all her life made it a mixture of a Southern and Irish accent. Her mother had a heavy Irish accent, though, and Alexx never knew her father but she knew he was British or she wouldn't be in London right now. She was so deep in thought that she didn't hear him speak,

"I'm sorry, sir, what?" She asked a bit embarrassed and looked at him. The cabbie chuckled a little,

"I asked how long you're going to be in London because of the size of the bag, Miss."

"Oh, um, forever actually. I was.... in a place where I couldn't bring my belongings...." She said quietly.

"Say no more, Miss." The cabbie said with a soft smile, "My daughter herself got out of a place. Her mum and I are glad she's safe now. You've got family here, Miss?"

"Alexx, please, call me Alexx." The cabbie nodded and Alexx went on, "I only have my grandmother's friend, this is my first time ever meeting her." She said and rubbed her neck.

"Since this is your first time in London, you don't have to pay anything. Just promise me that the next time you need a taxi, call me." He said and stopped the car. He handed Alexx a card with his number, she took it with a smile.

"Thank you, sir, that's kind of you. But I'm sure there is someway to repay you for this." She put the card in her bag.

"The way to repay me, is to call me when you need a ride. You remind me of my daughter, Miss Alexx, I would do anything for her." Alexx smiled more and got out after thanking him once again. The taxi drove off and Alexx walked up to 221B, she breathed in deeply before knocking.

The door opened to reveal an elderly woman with curly light brown hair.

"Hi, are you-" Alexx was interrupted when the elderly wan pulled her in for a warm tight hug.

"Alexandra, I'm so happy to finally meet you." The woman said happily. "Let me have a look at you." She said and held Alexx out by the shoulders, "you've grown into a beautiful woman."

Alexx was speechless, her mind started working again and she could speak.

" H-How did you know my name?" Alexx asked. The woman smiled softly,

"Your mother, she sent me baby pictures of you, but the last one I received was when you were four. You're name was written on the back of every one of them." The Elderly woman replied.

A cold gust of wind blew and Alexx shivered, she was in clothes meant for warm Georgia weather, not London's cold winds.

"Oh, child! I'm sorry. Please, do come in!" The woman said and moved from the doorway. Alexx gave a gracious nod,

"Thank you." She said and walked in.

"Is that all your stuff, dearie?" The woman asked, looking at Alexx's bag. Alexx just slowly nodded.

"We'll get you more stuff later, hmm? Right now, make yourself at home." She said and locked the door. Alexx looked around at the entry way, she guessed it was a townhouse, judging by the stairs and the two doors at the end of the hall. She also guessed there was a flat upstairs.

"Follow me, dear. I'll get you a nice hot cup of tea." She said and headed down the hall. Alexx followed her,

"What do I call you?"

"Mrs. Hudson is fine, dearie."