"After the fire I know that I'll be moving on, and I'll be bigger"-Coheed and Cambria

A/N: Hey guys! It's been a minute but I'm back with another chapter to add to the saga :-) This chapter was way harder for me to write and therefore your feedback is appreciated even more than usual!

Disclaimer: They aren't mine :-(

Watson arrived at eight o'clock the next morning as promised. He simply announced his arrival at the bottom of the stairs and waited for Holmes and Irene to join him. Watson watched on as Holmes ran down the stairs like a giddy school girl.

"What are you up to old friend?" Watson questioned skeptically.

"There's been a break in the case!" Holmes exclaimed while hurriedly helping Irene into her coat.

Before Watson had a chance to properly question him, Holmes was ushering the trio out of the house. Once Holmes decided which direction to head toward, he absentmindedly began to speak.

"My dear Watson, someone broke into my home last night with the intention of kidnapping Irene!" Holmes paused for a minute to control his anger. Despite knowing in his heart that he did the right thing he can't help but feel like he let Irene down. "Needless to say the man was handled properly and he sang like a bird in the middle of spring. Now we are off to investigate the address that he was going to bring Irene to."

"So he was to be paid for returning with Irene? By the man that was described to us?" Watson asked sharply.

"Yes, one Oscar Clyde is who we are on the way to investigate now. The foolish young kidnapper can now call the Yard home for the time being." Holmes finished distractedly.

Irene rubbed Sherlock's back lightly as they walked. She smiled at him before lightly responding.

"As you can probably tell John, he's not too happy about that."

Watson's eyes widened at Irene's insinuation. He turned to Holmes who was already holding up a hand for silence.

"Now is not the time to question my lapse in judgment. The right decision was made and that's all we will discuss right now. We have much more important things to tend to." His tone left little room for argument but that didn't stop Watson from laughing at him.

"You will never cease to amaze me Holmes. What are you planning to do when we arrive exactly?"

Holmes considered for just a moment before replying.

"We'll stake it out of course and decide what we're up against. If we can handle it, we go in. If we are too outnumbered, we may need Clarke's assistance."

"You would willingly involve the Yard in your own investigation?" Irene asked incredulously. She was actually borderline dumbfounded at this admission and wondered what prompted it.

Holmes locked eyes with her for a moment before speaking quietly.

"I refuse to risk your safety Irene. If we are too far outnumbered then we call for help and that is non-negotiable."

Watson observed Sherlock Holmes silently. He was happy and concerned for his friend but conflicted about which feeling should take precedence. On one hand, he was really happy his friend had finally so obviously found love. On the other hand, he was more than a little concerned that Holmes might make uncharacteristically rash decisions as a result of that love. That was a problem none of them could really afford to bear at the moment.

"Safety first," Watson teased but agreed. "This is one of those rare occasions when Holmes is actually making sense."

"I resent that!" Holmes began but immediately cut himself off. He held a hand up for silence as he ducked in a nearby alley and pressed himself against the wall. Watson and Irene had no choice other than to follow suit.

Holmes watched as a man fitting Oscar Clyde's description made his out of the building they were investigating. Irene's eyes widened slightly as she realized what exactly had caught Sherlock's attention. The trio observed silently as the man boarded the cab of his hansom. They peeled themselves off of the wall once it was clear that the man had vanished.

Holmes' plan was already formulating in his mind well before he verbalized it. He let his mind test out several different possible outcomes before deciding on their course of action. He knew they really needed to see the man's base of operations but, he also didn't want to risk Irene's safety. He knew this meant that his plan had to be exercised with extreme caution.

Sherlock Holmes realized he had been silent to long and cleared his throat as he glanced at his companions.

"If we really want to investigate safely," He began using his detective tone of voice, "we really haven't a moment to waste!"

A/N; So there's another teaser for you guys to let you know I am still seriously writing. ;-) This would have been up sooner but I had to update MS Office (which was definitely a pain!) I hope you are all still liking this story! Happy Reviewing!!