Sophia Holmes and the Sign of Three (Sherlock's Daughter Fanfic) *Completed*

Chapter Five - The Sign of Three Part I

I bite my lip in thought as I look through my wardrobe. I always thought those statements about having 'nothing to wear' were ridiculous and inaccurate, but now, as I stand looking at a wardrobe full of white shirts and black trousers, I realise what they mean. I'm starting to regret her finding out that I've never been clubbing before, but I'm definitely regretting agreeing. It doesn't help matters that she's supposed to be picking me up in twenty three minutes from now.

Someone raps lightly on the door, and I look away from my wardrobe. That didn't sound like John, dad or Mrs Hudson, and it's far too early to be Mary. Frowning, I walk over to the door and open it.

"How're you getting on?" Mary asks with a grin. She's dressed in a fitted black dress which drops just past her knees, but has a 'sweetheart' neckline.

I look back at her in horror. "I'm not ready yet - you're early, you said you wouldn't get here until eight!"

She laughs. "I thought you might need a little help - Sherlock's not exactly the best of help. Plus I thought I'd say thank you for earlier." She holds out the hand she had hidden behind her back and hands me a bag. "It's only one of mine, but I think it should fit."

I don't answer for a moment as I take the bag over to my bed and pull out the dress. It's quite a short dress - ending just above the knee - but the top is quite conservative, almost like a black blouse: button-up with long sleeves and a collar, yet the outfit manages to balance comfort with suitability.

I hold it up against me as I look in the mirror, and smile. "It looks great, thanks Mary!"

Mary grins. "Oh, glad you like it! I'll leave you to it while you change."

I smile my thanks and she closes the door behind her.

I emerge a few minutes later in the dress. With my hair cropped short again, there's not a lot I can do with it so I keep it in short curls beside my face. I decide not to risk wearing heels, so opt for a pair of black ballet flats instead.

"Oh look at you!" Mary cries, sitting up as I walk into the living room. "That dress looks amazing on you!"

"Thanks," I reply, smiling nervously.

"The others are already down at the Dame," she says, standing up. "You ready?"

"Yeah," I reply, grabbing my bag from the table before following her down the stairs and onto the road.

The 'Ma Dame' is only a ten minute drive away, so we arrive on time. The club looks very ominous from the outside with its front painted in black and its name in silver cursive above the door. I can already hear the music from outside. As I go to walk in, Mary directs me over to the back of a line queuing to get inside.

"Did you remember your ID?"

I look up at her, stunned. "ID?"

"Something to show you're over eighteen!"

My eyes widen. Most people show their driving licences, but I don't even have a provisional. "I don't have anything."

"Not even a passport?" Mary asks.

"Expired. Most of the time when I fly, I'm either with the Avengers or have been captured, so I don't use it a lot." I look up the queue to the bouncer at the front. "He'll let me in though, won't he? Everyone's heard of me!"

Mary raises an eyebrow as we step forward. The bouncer waves in the group in front of us, leaving us to be the next one's in. Just as I'm about to walk forward, he holds his hand out to stop me.

"Do you have any ID on you, love?" he asks, in a gruff cockney accent.

I look over at him. "I'm Sophia Holmes."