It was definately not what Sherlock had expected to happen at the ball. She had caught him off guard and as if locked up, he had just stand there,shocked, and let her kiss him.
However she was very impressive. She was smart, not as smart as him but smart all the same.
Watching the busy street, behind the window, he wondered wether they could meet again at some point. He still wanted to put her in jail. He still wanted to see her in the court. But the thought of meeting her again somehow made him feel...different. He didn't know why he thought like that. Was it feelings? No definately not.
"Do you want to explain this?"John walked into the room holding a newspaper where Sherlock's and her photo was showing on the front page.
"Dedective's Mysterious Woman"
"I'll leave it to your deductions."Sherlock told him. John smirked.
"Seriously, Sherlock?"John raised his eyebrows and started to read the column.
"Last night, one of the most famous new year celebration parties,The Sapphire Night, in the Sapphire Mansion, a place that no one knows it's owner, has occured. Besides many famous people, surprisingly the genious dedective Sherlock Holmes also attended. And he was caught with a woman who was unable to be identified. They were together throughout the whole night. the mysterious and beautiful woman in mask's identity is still hasn't revealed."
John read it qucikly. Sherlock refused to comment and quickly changed the subject.
"I need to question Veronica."
"They won't let us."Said John.
"Have you found out anything about her identity?"John asked sarcastically.
"It is indispensable. I need to get her!"Sherlock barked, ignoring John.
"There is no way."John stated calmly and sat down to his arm chair.
"What if there is?"Sherlock said deridingly after a moment of thinking.
***

It was late at night when Sherlock and John came to the Millstone Mansion.
"When you say another way?!"John asked awkardly as they headed towards to back of the mansion.
"I know a back door which can directly lead us to her room. There are no cameras or any other rooms in that direction."Sherlock said while he was trying to open the lock with a small device.
"And how do you know?"asked John while carefully looking around to see if there is anyone.
"She showed me."
"Oh"John nodded his head.
"Here we go."Sherlock opened the door and got inside.
"What if they are up?"John said whispering.
"They are not. Mr. Millstone is with his girlfrend in an hotel right now and his wife is probably in a deep sleep because of painkillers and the servants'part is quite far away from here. Do relax."Sherlock said.
"Sherlock!"John said suddenly stopped him.Sherlock looked around to see if there is anyone coming.
"What?"
"I thought I heard footsteps..Listen!"he said nervously.
Sherlock listened carefully.
"It's your imagination John..."he suddenly stopped.
"Look at there"he pointed the end of the corridor where the stairs are located.
"Did you see it?"he asked.
"No"John shook his head. "What did you see?"
"A shadow but appearently it's because of you."Sherlock said and continued to walk.
"Why is that?"
"You said you heard someone and my imagination used your words and created a shadow to deceive me."he said. John rolled his eyes. When they reached the stairs, they heard a mirror shattered.
"What was that?"John asked nervously.
"There is a possiblity that we might not be the only intruders."Sherlock started to climb the stairs.
"I have a date tomorrow so please let's try  not to get caught.."john hissed.
"How paranoid you are!"
"Pardon me! Breaking in one of the richest people in London's house late at night is not a thing to worry about!"
"Hey"Sherlock stopped John while they reached the upstairs.
"What's wrong....Oh my!"John's eyes widened as he heard the scream.
Sherlock ran towards Veronica's room. He opened the door and saw a figure in black dress leaving the room by the window.
"Stop there!"he ran to the window to catch her but it was too late. She had already jumped. But he saw her mask. Her mask.
Meawhile John bursted into the room and quickly checked Veronica and he faced with his worst nightmare.
"Sherlock"
"What?" Sherlock turned to look at John and saw him holding Veronica's wrist.
Then, he saw the blood, gently floating from her neck.
***
Mrs. Milstone was hospitalized. She had a nervous break down and she was probably having a heart attack.
Police had came to the mansion just after Sherlock called them and whole mansion was up right now.
"1.30am."said John after checking Veronica's body.
"And the cause is...you know."
"She died just before we came in."Sherlock stated.
"Freak, that's enough we need to see the body."Sally suddenly came to the room.
"I don't know wether the body wants to see you or not."Sherlock said and left the room. Sally rolled her eyes. And started to examine the body while Sherlock was leaving the room followed by John.
"What can you tell me?"asked Lestrade when he saw Sherlock and John outside the room.
"She died an hour ago. She was dead when we found her. Her throat was cut with a small blade. That's all I know."Sherlock said. John looked at him baffled.
"We saw the window..."
"Yes the window was open. The murderer probably fleed from there." Sherlock interrupted still confused John. Sherlock looked at John meaningfully.
"What were you two doing here?"Lestrade asked with an expression of an angry mother who caught her sons being naughty.
"We came here to see Mr.Millstone but he wasn't there and we heard the scream. And there we are."Sherlock quickly explained.
Meanwhile a police officer came.
"Sir, there is a missing page."she showed the diary to them.
"I know her. She is not a ghost. Oh my God I know her. I know the face beneath the mask. She is her. The woman in mask is..."
"I think we now who our murderer is."Lestrade said happily. " we can handle this on our own, you can go."told to Sherlock and John.
"You think she is the murderer?"Sherlock asked in disbelief.
"Precisely. All evidences are against her. We can catch her."
"No you can't."Sherlock said sarcastically, turning on his heels and walking towards the stairs.
"Why is that?!"Lestrade shouted.
"Because you can not arrest a ghost!"he shouted back without turning to him.
***
"Fancy an explanation?"John said as they entered to their flat.
"What explanation? Isn't everything quite clear?"said Sherlock.
"Once again, you deserve a punch but I don't want to practice my military skills on civils so do explain, why do you protect her?"John said harshly.
"I don't protect her. I'm just, not sure about her being the murderer."
"Sherlock, she is the murderer. We saw her."John said confidently.
"Senses can deceive you. I'm not hundred percent sure."
"Well, what are you planning to do?"
"Nothing. I'll just wait."he said normally and took his violin.
"Why on earth would you care about her?"John asked curiously.
"Why would I?"he answered too quickly.
"That's what I'm asking to you. You replied my question with a question."
"There is no reason at all. I don't CARE about her."Sherlock answered harshly.
"Seriously, I've never seen you protecting a criminal before."
"Don't you have a date to go?!"Sherlock ignored him.
"Nope. I don't."
"Will you stay here and ask stupid questions all along the night or  will you shut up for all our sakes?"Sherlock said, irritated.
"Yeah, that's what I'm planning to do. Staying here all night and asking stupid questions till I get my answers. That would be better if you stop behaving like an annoying prick and explain everything CLEARLY TO ME!" John shouted at the end.
"Not a very nicely done plan, then." Sherlock said calmly. Although he insisted that much, he was very much aware of the fact that he wasn't going to get any further answers from the stubborn dedective. John didn't say anything just let his friend to play his violin.
                        ***
It was 4 am when Sherlock heard footsteps coming from the living room. He quickly woke up. He gently opened his room's door and stepped to the corridor. He could still hear the footsteps of the intruder.
He walked towards the living room, slowly. He wished he had a weapon.
When he reached the living room, he saw a figure, standing in front of the window. It was all black but he saw the dress. So it was a woman. It took few minutes for his eyes to adjust to the darkness of the room. Then he saw the tight long dress on her. He saw the dark red hair. Then she slowly  turned to him...