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by Uniformly Swarthy, AKA Angela

"You're looking well," Watson said, drinking tea with his friend Sherlock Holmes. It was true, too. The last time he visited, he had despaired for his friends life. He left that day, mentally preparing himself for the loss. And now, the difference was extraordinary. Instead of the gaunt, tired, old man Watson had become used to seeing, Holmes was looking more like his old self from Baker Street days. What had brought this change?

"Is that a medical opinion?" Holmes asked.

"It is the opinion of a friend who is heartily glad of it." Watson set his cup down. "How have you been occupying yourself, Holmes?" he asked.

Holmes smiled slightly. "I've taken on an apprentice."

"An apprentice!"

"Yes, a bright one. Russell could have the makings of a fine detective."

Watson sat back stunned. It was the last thing he expected to hear. Still, it would explain things. He had thought the main disease Holmes had was boredom. A pupil would be enough reason to give Holmes new interest in life.

"I must say, I never thought of you as a teacher. Where did you meet this Russell?"

"On the Downs, one day."

"What is he like?"

Holmes stared at Watson for a second, then began to laugh. He couldn't speak for a minute.

"Now really, Holmes!" What was so funny? Watson wondered.

"I'm sorry Watson. It is really most unfair of me, considering I made the same mistake. And I was face to face with her at the time." he shook his head ruefullty. "My apprentice is Miss Mary Russell."

If the idea of Holmes taking on an apprentice was startling, this was completely shocking. "A woman!"

"A girl, actually. She is fifteen."

Watson shook his head. His friend, who mistrusted women in general was training one to be a detective? No, he was training a girl to be one? What kind of person was she?

"You mistook her for a boy?" A picture of an unattractive, masculine looking girl rose before him.

"It had nothing to do with her features." Holmes had always had the uncanny ability to tell what Watson was thinking. "She's really quite lovely, but she has a habit of dressing in men's trousers and hiding her hair under a cap."

Lovely?! He had said the word casually, in much the same tone he used when he called her bright. But, it was an unusual word for Holmes to use.

"She must be a remarkable person."

Holmes nodded. "It was remarkable to find a mind so sharp. She would people twice her age to shame. It is a pity she is so intent on studying theology." He continued to talk, describing how she had deduced his activity the first day they met.

Watson's curiosity was immense. Here was a girl whose mind was on par with Holmes, who wanted to study theology, and who was lovely? Despite the fact that Holmes seemed to place greater stock in her mental abilities, he couldn't get that one word out of his mind. He remembered another time Holmes had described someone so. Irene Adler. That had been just as surprising. It had also started a relationship that had ended badly. Could the same thing be happening with this 'Russell'? No, impossible. The girl was only fifteen! He set his worries aside. Anyone who could bring life back to his friend was someone to be admired.

"I hope I get to meet her."

"You will. She is becoming as much a habit with me as you are," Holmes answered.