The Case of the Entreating Woman

DISCLAIMER: I had nothing to do with the creation of Sherlock Holmes, obviously. The honour of being their creator belongs to the remarkable Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

KS: Hallo, and thanks for deciding to read The Case of the Entreating Woman. This first chapter may be a little confusing, but I am certain that, if you stick with reading it, you will find it at least a little interesting. I've been planning this for quite a while now...well, I've had the idea for it, anyways. Maybe not so much 'planning'. XD

And it's been sitting in my fic-folder for a while now...I thought I might as well put it up. Even though it's a bit odd.

Enjoy!

A young woman burst from the room, her face buried deeply in her hands as she sobbed. A moment later a tall, handsome man followed at her heels, bereft of waistcoat, cravat, or collar. His face was tight and his green eyes angry as he snatched the girl's arm harshly, spinning her around with the ease of a doll and holding her tightly against him with the other arm. His firm lips eased into a smile, though his eyes still flashed.

"Hold on, now," he said. "Wait a little. Don't just go like that."

"You…you…Pig! You monster!!" the woman cried, tears rolling down her fair face.

The man's face tightened again.

"Pig? Monster? After all I've done for you, you dare to say such things?"

"After all you've done for me…? After all you've done to me, rather!!"

"I've done nothing to you yet." the man said coolly, still maintaining his painful grip on her.

The woman noted the word 'yet'.

He might have looked perfectly calm, but she could read the boding danger in his emerald eyes and decided that now was the time to confront him with her suspicions.

"I know that necklace you gave me…" she said, starting as small as she could to gauge his reaction, "…was stolen. I'm certain of it."

His face did not move; she continued.

"And I don't think some of that money you used yesterday was quite…right. Something was odd about it. I don't think it was real."

His brows drew together very slightly, but nothing more than that. She took a breath; now it was time for the big one.

"And you…killed that man that came here last night, didn't you?" she breathed accusingly.

His eyes widened ever so slightly, and for a moment she wasn't sure what he was going to do, but then his tight lips curled into a slight smile and his face softened, though his eyes continued to burn dangerously into hers.

"Such fears from such a delicate girl…there's no need for them…" he said smoothly, bending forward and kissing her firmly on the lips.

The kiss lasted only a moment, and when he ended it and looked at her she blushed and swallowed. Her eyes darted over the man's countenance quickly, as if she was unsure whether to be upset at this or not.

"I assure you, none of your fears have any grounds," the man continued. "As for the man, he had to hurry back to America--something unforseen arose. As for the money, that is some of the newer print. And the necklace…" He fingered at the pearls circling her neck. "It was imported."

It was now the girl's turn to be silent. The man sighed through his nose, continuing to smile softly, and cocked his head slightly as he looked down at her.

"Don't worry your pretty little head, Abby. You're just being paranoid…" He ran his hand through her dark red hair, and she felt slightly nervous. He knew she liked her hair to be played with.

"But...Jack..." She muttered.

His hand went deeper into her hair, stroking it fondly. She was not certain if he was trying to belay her suspicions or if it was something else. She had a feeling deep in the pit of her stomach that she should be careful. All of the little things she had seen that seemed odd were now coming to mind as he pressed his lips against her forehead, and she wanted immediately to pull away. But she knew better than to do so; he had a furious temper, and she had the bruises on her wrist to prove it.

She would have to bide her time. And she would need help.

KS: This is just a set-up...something like a teaser to see what you'll say about it. XDD I won't post ch. 2 until I think I've recieved enough reviews! xD

I might very well discontinue this fic if I decide later there's no point in doing it...