A/N This is the sequel to First impressions, Second round; although you don't necessarily have to have read that one to enjoy this. This is still pre-movie.

Disclaimer: Unfortunately still not mine, I am not making any money from this, please don't sue me!

Rising to meet a challenge

Holmes was leaning back against the wall of the Opera House lobby, pinching the bridge of his nose, as he attempted to drown out the noise of the hundreds of people trying to get as many drinks and as much gossip as possible into the half hour intermission.

He prayed for the bell to return to their seats to come soon, as he felt a pounding headache coming on. What on earth was taking Watson so long?

Finally he saw the doctor reappear, two glasses of whisky in hand.

"Oh, thank God you are back!"

"Sorry, old chap. Ran into a Colonel I served under in Maiwand. Poor man lost his right arm in battle. A good man, one of the few who would always be in the heat of things with the rest of us." Watson handed Holmes one glass, and took a sip of the other.

"Well in the meantime, I have had to listen to Lady Rutherford babbling on about her husband whom she thinks is sleeping with the scullery maid; Mrs Thornton who suspects her butler to be emptying her wine cellar when she is not around; and Lord Canterbury, who thinks somebody has been cheating him at the poker table. Needless to say I refused all of the above."

Watson chuckled. "I believe Mrs Thornton has her eyes set on you for her daughter."

Holmes shuddered. "Good Lord, Watson, do not joke about things like that. I wouldn't even want to see what offspring would come from that hag!"

Watson glanced over Holmes' shoulder.
"I am sorry to inform you that another one seems to have spotted you. Although, this one is rather lovely, if it is any consolation?"

Holmes' eyes widened in panic. "Quickly, Watson, hide me!"

Watson, the bloody traitor, smiled in warm welcome at the lady approaching. Holmes glared at him and turned around as a familiar voice reached his ears.

"Mr Holmes, I did not expect to run into you here!"

Holmes widened his eyes in surprise, and was stunned for a moment. "Well, that makes two of us then!"

"You mean you were not expecting me this time around?"

Their eyes locked, and Holmes smiled "Indeed, I wasn't. I must be slipping! Or perhaps you have not been up to any mischief lately?"

"Or I might have gotten better at covering my tracks..." She teased flirtatiously.

Watson cleared his throat, and Holmes snapped out of the moment.

"Ah, forgive me!" He motioned toward Watson "Allow me to introduce Dr Watson, Ms Adler"

Watson smiled, and kissed her fingers. "I suspected as much! A pleasure to finally meet you, Ms Adler!"

"Mrs Powell, nowadays."

Holmes, who had been admiring her form, blurted "Pardon?"

"Why yes, my husband is just over there, talking to that other gentleman. He is the one in the blue coat."

Holmes glanced over to the man she pointed out. He was a handsome man, thin and elegant, hair slicked back, with a clean-shaven face. Dressed to the height of fashion, and obviously of considerable wealth. Of course, that was hardly a surprise. The two men were standing quite close together, as if to prevent their conversation from being overheard.

Holmes sneered, thinking the man was obviously no match for her.

"So have you abandoned your old ways? How very surprising!" He grinned at Watson. "Still, old chap, better keep an eye on your bill fold!"

Watson seemed shocked. He burst out "Holmes, that is no way to talk to a lady!", just as Irene asked with a sweet smile, "Is that a challenge?"

Watson opened and closed his mouth several times without making a sound.

Holmes tutted. So very easily deceived by a pretty face. Although he could appreciate her charms as much as the next man, and her charms were quite considerable, he was more fascinated by her devious mind.

"What? Taking Watson's bill fold? Don't be absurd! That is no challenge at all! A child could manage it!"

Watson glared at him as Irene burst out laughing. "Well, how about yours then?"

"Mine?" Holmes pursed his lips in thought, "That should prove more difficult."

"I am quite confident that I will be able to obtain it by the end of the week!"

"Will you now?" Holmes lips twitched in amusement "Very well. Why by the end of the week, might I ask?"

"We will be leaving come Monday," she replied with a bored look, "My husband has some business in Italy he must attend to. I do wish we could stay somewhat longer. London is so much more... interesting." She glanced flirtatiously at Holmes as she finished.

He was captivated by her gaze, drink forgotten halfway to his mouth. Watson averted his eyes with a smile.

The sound of the bell announcing the start of the Second Act snapped Holmes out of his trance. He finished his drink in one swallow, and smirked at the woman.

She glanced over her shoulder as her husband called out to her. "Yes, I'm coming, darling!"

Holmes incredulously felt jealousy shoot through him at her words. He made sure his face displayed no emotion. "Farewell, Mrs Powell."

She smiled coyly over her shoulder as she was turning away. "Au revoir, Mr Holmes! Dr Watson."

Watson lifted his hat and nodded to her. "Goodbye, Mrs Powell!"

As they sat back in their seats, Watson smiled "Well, that was certainly interesting!"

Holmes hummed absent-mindedly as he intently scanned the crowd, trying to find her and that ridiculous husband of hers.

Watson chuckled. "You, my friend, are smitten!"

Holmes snapped his face around, glaring at Watson. "Don't be ridiculous! I am no such thing!"

"I know you better than anyone Holmes, you seem quite taken with the lady! Keep in mind that she is a married woman now."

Holmes huffed. "Since when did you develop a conscience when it comes to married women?"

Watson sputtered and blushed at the comment.

The lights dimmed and the chatter in the room hushed as the second act commenced.

Watson whispered, "I wonder if she will succeed. In any case, this week should prove most entertaining!"

Holmes' hand shot to the pocket of his jacket, relieved to find the familiar weight of his bill fold still there. He chewed his lip thoughtfully.

Perhaps he had better carry around less cash for the next couple of days...

A/N Here we go, first chapter of the sequel, and another challenge issued! This story is complete in four chapters, and will be posted over the next few days! Let me know what you think! :)