The plan itself was relatively straightforward but well thought out, with major changes in the lives of those involved, which led to the uniting of a group of individuals in protecting a little girl who captured their hearts.

In the hospital room, Sherlock had explained to Joan the third plan. The plan itself was something he had come up with in the hope that it would appeal to Joan, as well as prove an effective way to protect their child.

"It will involve great changes Joan, for both of us." He had began, as Joan sat in her hospital bed, alert and wide awake after her previous sleep. "You and I would leave not only the city, but the country. The brownstone, our daily lives, everything would need to change." Joan nodded understandingly, her eyes willing him to continue. To her, these were perfectly acceptable terms, and ones she would consent to in a heartbeat if it would ensure the safety of their child. "I told you earlier about a nanny I had when I was younger. She was actually the eighth nanny I had, and I was entrusted into her care shortly before my eleventh birthday, my antics having led to the resignation or firing of previous staff in that capacity." Sherlock paused for a moment, reflecting briefly upon the past experiences. "Her name was Emilie. She is fifty three now, a wonderful woman. She is a former British intelligence officer who was active during the Cold War, during which time she became associated with my parents. The work of my parents and various other relatives during this time placed Mycroft and myself in imminent danger, and so she protected us. She remained with us for five years, until the threats were allayed, and I credit her with having saved my life on no less than six occasions. Which I know of, at least." he paused, looking up from his hands to Joan.

"I understand, but what does she have to do with us leaving?"

"As I told you earlier, I placed a call to her earlier this evening, whilst you were resting, and discussed with her, in veiled terms, the need to protect a child whose parents were in the secret service. I also told you that she consented to protect this child. What I did not tell you, is that in the same phone call I posed a slightly different plan, the same one, in fact, I had discussed with Alfredo shortly before."

Joan nodded encouragingly, watching him with eager anticipation.

"Emilie and Alfredo both consented to my proposition, and would be prepared to join us immediately, if you consent." He paused once more, and Joan nodded, shifting slightly in her seat.

"You and I would leave New York within the next few days, with Evelyn, and we would not return for any long period of time. In fact, we would not establish ourselves at any location for a particularly long period of time. We would travel, Joan. We would continue with our work, but on a much grander scale. We could travel the world, work on international cases, and live on multiple continents." He paused for a moment, aware of how fantastical this idea sounded at first. "I assure you, Watson, this is more plausible than it sounds. I have several properties in many countries, and access to the funds to purchase or rent more. And this is not taking into consideration the finances we acquire from our work. And tell me, Joan, how many emails and phone calls do we get from Argentina, or England, or Denmark, asking for our assistance?" Joan nodded slowly, commenting that it was certainly a lot. "And we had to turn them down because of our location, because of our living in New York." She nodded again. "But what if we didn't have to turn them down? Didn't have to merely glance at the file, offer some small observations, and rebuff the offer. What if we could travel and solve them?" Joan still seemed slightly uncertain, and her mind was overflowing with questions and concerns.

"And Alfredo and Emilie? How do they fit in?"

Sherlock nodded once before continuing describing his idea. "Emilie would consent to looking after Evelyn, and would be able to play a key role in her education, as would we. We could teach her ourselves, as well as enlisting the assistance of tutors, to develop her general skills as well as the ones which reflect her own interests. She would be able to have the most incredible, hands-on education which a child could desire. She would experience the world, Joan, she would be living in it rather than existing. As we would be moving constantly, and our location would not be able to be predicted or ascertained with any degree of certainty which would place her in danger, it would be perfect. We would not have to hide her identity, or our relationship to her. We could live with her, Joan, amongst the good and the bad." He paused for a moment, allowing Joan to consider his suggestion.

"I never wanted to hide her." She began sadly, looking up from her clasped hands to Sherlock's eyes. "But I see what you mean. She would be safe, and she would be with us." She smiled briefly, before staring at him confidently. "But can we be certain?"

"In the company and guidance of two consulting detectives, a former secret service agent and an Alfredo-shaped bodyguard, how could she be safer? Where else could she be in the world, and who could she be with, who could ensure her safety, development and happiness as we could do by offering her this kind of a life? A life where she has the freedom to travel, to learn and to love. And where she will know, each moment of every day, that she is loved." Joan was touched, and deeply moved by this. She was aware of just how much Sherlock was willing to give to protect Evelyn, and how much Emilie and Alfonso were also prepared to offer.

"We could do this?" She asked finally, the confusion returning to her features. "We could actually protect her, continue our work, and watch her grow up?" Sherlock nodded quickly, moving closer to Joan.

"Yes. All this is possible, Joan. But, as I said, Evelyn's safety and your contentment with whichever option you believe to be the most fitting, is paramount." Joan smiled and nodded, before questioning his certainty and his own happiness further, then selecting this option.

The plan was discussed in the cottage that evening, although all parties present already knew. Mycroft and Sherlock had discussed Evelyn with Sherlock's father, as well as revealing their current dilemma, and their father had, shockingly to Sherlock, supported his son. Not only had he verbally agreed with the plan, but he had wired a considerable sum into his bank account, and instructed his son to allow Miss Watson a say over what was to happen to the funds. Also, he stated his intention to open an account for his granddaughter, in order to provide for her. Sherlock had thanked him, and ended the conversation promptly, baffled by his response.

It was arranged that the group would remain in the cottage for a further three days, to allow Evelyn and Joan a few days to recover. Mycroft would then depart, fly to England and collect Emilie, who he would escort to the country of Joan and Sherlock's choosing. Alfredo would remain with them, as would two MI6 agents who Mycroft had left sitting in a car out front, until they were ready to leave. The following day, Evelyn's birth was officially registered, and Sherlock was able to ensure the fast-tracking of a passport for her. Three days after this, they found themselves on a plane to Holland, where they would rent a small property in Amsterdam whilst Joan recovered fully, and Evelyn was able to thrive, before they embarked on their journey. Which, it has to be said, exceeded the expectations of all parties.

The group remained in Europe for the first year, returning to America occasionally, before travelling much more broadly in later years. Joan was keen to keep Evelyn in as normal a routine as possible, which, she realised, was problematic with this lifestyle. But they managed it. Sometimes Sherlock would fly out alone to handle a case, and sometimes Joan would. When Evelyn was five, and able to handle such trips better, they visited Africa, Australia and Asia. Evelyn developed a close bond with Emilie, who adored her unconditionally, and took on the role of a governess from an early stage. Evelyn was, as could be expected, exceptionally bright, and showed signs of impressive intelligence and perceptive skills from a very early age. These were overshadowed only by her remarkable grasp of medical knowledge, demonstrated once where, after falling and knocking himself unconscious in the kitchen of their Roman villa, Alfredo was nursed by a three-year old Evelyn, who attracted Emilie's attention to the incident before holding a cloth to his head and lying next to him on the ground. Sometimes it was the bodyguard who was guarded. Which was just as well. The bond between Evelyn, Emilie and Alfredo was unbreakable, and stronger than could have been anticipated. The love her parents had for her was complete and unconditional, and they ensured that their work did not take them away from her for long, and if something would require close and constant attention, one would remain with Evelyn, the detectives alternating the days to allow a fresh perspective on the case, and to give Evelyn the opportunity to spend time with both parents.

Joan and Sherlock's relationship remained complex and mysterious. They maintained their deep, platonic intimacy, and their closeness which was unrivalled. Occasionally, their relationship adopted traits which would classify them as lovers, their intimacy moving beyond the platonic. The fact that their relationship could not be categorised or defined or explained only strengthened it, and their love for each other and their daughter flourished during their lifetime.

One warm October evening in Lisbon, when Evelyn was five, Sherlock and Joan sat on the balcony of their apartment, staring out over the ocean. The air was warm, but not as stifling as it had been. The sound of the waves gently crashing onto the shore added to the peace which they had obtained that evening, after the closing of a case involving a blackmail plot and a scandal-hit politician. They remained on the balcony for several hours, talking about a variety of subjects until the sun had set, and darkness began to descend. The current topic of conversation was Evelyn, and her impressive progress in languages. She was currently fluent in three.

"I am so glad we were able to do this, Sherlock." Joan smiled, placing her iced tea on the table as she leaned back slightly in her chair, adjusting her dress slightly. "This time six years ago, the thought that we could have her, have this" she rose her hands slowly, before placing them back in her lap, "did not seem possible. I was so certain that she would be in danger, that she would not be safe, that I almost lost her. We almost lost her. Without you, Sherlock, we would not have everything we have right now. All our aspirations and achievements are embodied in our daughter, and you did this. All of this." She smiled contemplatively, as she glanced curiously over to her companion, who was unusually quiet. As she glanced over, a rectangular object which he had just placed on the table attracted her attention. She leaned in closer to examine it, the darkness creeping over the balcony, although she already guessed at what it was. It was the framed picture which she had brought him to celebrate the one-year mark of his sobriety. The framed excerpt from the poem stood upon the table, and seemed to shine brightly through the darkness, as did the message it included.

"And to think, Watson." He began, before repeating the sentiments he revealed on the night of their daughter's conception. "It is only just beginning."