New London : 2106

Thomas Lestrade smiled to himself as he walked up the steps to 221B Baker Street. Tomorrow was his sister's birthday, and he planned to throw a surprise party for her. She hadn't had one of those since... before their parents' deaths. He quickly shook off the melancholy thought.

All he needed to do now was think of a way to surprise her, which was why he was at Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes was the only person he knew who could keep his sister from finding out about the party.

He knocked on the door, and to his surprise, a young girl answered it. She was wearing the latest teen fashion, though her face was devoid of makeup. She couldn't be more than twelve years old.

"Ah...is Mr. Holmes in?" Tom asked.

"Yes, come on in," she replied.

As he stepped into the room, he noticed that there were two other children, both boys. One was a tall black boy; the other was confined to a hoverchair and wore hearing aids. Other than that, the place had changed little since the last time he was there.

"Ah, Mr. Lestrade," Holmes exclaimed, "Won't you sit down?"

Tom started. The question brought back memories of the incident from six months ago. He had nearly married a murderess and almost got his sister killed in the process. It was another reason he wanted to give her this party.

He smiled and sat on the couch next to the black boy.

"Let me introduce you to my Baker Street Irregulars," Holmes said. "I believe they were in school the last time we met. The young lady is Deidre, the young man sitting next to you is Wiggins, and this," he put his hands on the shoulders of the boy in the hoverchair, "is Tennyson. Everybody, this is Thomas Lestrade, Inspector Lestrade's older brother."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Lestrade," Wiggins said.

Tennyson made a few noises on the keyboard in front of him, which Thomas took to mean the same thing Wiggins had said. He was proven right when Deidre said, "He says nice to meet you, also. Oh yeah, and me too."

Thomas smiled at them. He had always liked kids of any age. "I'm very glad to meet you as well."

He cleared his throat, but before he could say anything Deidre suddenly asked, "How could someone as nice as you have a sister who is with the law?"

He blinked in surprise, then chuckled. "Actually, I was the one who told her to go into law enforcement. She was smart enough, and definitely tough enough." He paused and grinned at Holmes. "Besides, she was such a big fan of Mr. Holmes here, what else could she do?"

"Why don't you tell me why you are here, Mr. Lestrade," Holmes said, looking decidedly uncomfortable.

"Oh, yeah. I was wondering if you could provide a distraction for my sister until I finish setting up for her surprise party? Tomorrow's her birthday."

Holmes nodded. "I would be happy to assist."

"Great," Tom said

Watson came in from the kitchen just then. "Oh, Mr. Lestrade. I didn't hear you come in. Would you like some tea?"

"Yes, thank you," Tom replied.

"Mr. Lestrade was just telling us that tomorrow was his sister's birthday, Watson," Holmes said. Turning to Tom he said, "Do you mind if the Irregulars and Watson help me?"

"Not at all."

"All right, then, here's what we're going to do."