Hi everyone. So it's been um… almost 3 years? -cowers away-. I came back to write (and finish) this fic for two reasons. 1) I hate an unfinished fic just as much as anyone else, and 2) I've just come back from a summer-long trip to London and it's given me so many ideas for how to finally finish this fic! So without further ado, on to Chapter 9!

The wooden floorboards beneath her boots creaked as she took a slow, cautious step towards the Professor.

"Irene-"

"Quiet, Sherlock!" She snapped, glancing behind her shoulder for a moment to look at him.

Trust me, her eyes said.

Irene turned back to the Professor, her adrenaline kicking into high gear. "It only gets worse," she continued, keeping her voice as level as possible. "After a few days, the headaches begin. Then comes the loss of appetite, then the fevers. And finally, the blood."

She took another step forward.