Papa's Mockingbird: One.

It was perpetually tragic, more so than anything else. Sympathy was the first thing that swelled in Watson's heart as he lifted the poor child from where it had been laid. It was wrapped in a layer filthy blankets and left between three dustbins to die. If not for its wails, the doctor would have walked on by.

He held it close to his chest as he hastily made his way to 221B Baker Street.

“Mrs Hudson!” He cried as he burst through the door, “I require your assistance!”

“The blasted woman is not here, Watson.” Holmes called from his quarters.

“Well, you then, come down here and bring blankets -” he stopped and took a moment to imagine Holme's own filthy, smoke polluted sheets,” No,no. Bring mine!”

He moved into the sitting room to where the fire had already been lit. All the while the baby continued to cry.

Holmes' heavy foot falls sounded on the stairs, “Watson, what is that ungodly noise!?”

The man rounded the corner and stood, motionless, in the door way.

“Is that-?”

“Yes. Now, give me those.”

Holmes passed the blankets to his partner and took a seat as far from him and the child as possible.

He watched as Watson unwrapped the baby, disposed of the filthy rags and quickly cocooned it once again. He was so swift in his movements that Holmes didn't even catch a glimpse of the gender.

“Watson, why is it when I let you leave this house you always come home with some sort of problem?”

“This is not a problem, this is an abandoned child.”

“Child means crying and nappies and feeding which, in turn, means keeping me awake at night and up to the eyes in 'fetching milk'. Ergo, problems.” Holmes sat forward, “Where did you find it anyway?”

“Behind three dustbins. And, please stop referring to the child as an 'it'.”

“It would help if you told me a sex.”

“Female.”

“Ah. Good. Interesting.”

She ceased her wailing but continued to make small moans of discomfort. Watson cradled her closer, checking her heart beat and stomach as he did.

“Holmes -”

“Fetch milk?” The detective was already on his feet.

“And cloth nappies.”