You See But Do Not Observe

EYES

CHAPTER ELEVEN : EYES

Sherlock opened the door. It took Serena a second to realize he wasn't wearing any clothes. He was wrapped in a white sheet from head to toe.

He began to close the door again, like a child, and she stuck her foot in the door.

She winced. "Wait, Sherlock, please." He stared at her through the space in the door, and opened it slightly. She didn't move her foot away, too afraid he'd just slam the door in her face.

His eyes were still that hardest of green. Why were they beautiful even when he was angry?

"I brought cupcakes." Serena said, holding forward the white box. Sherlock looked at it, pondering the peace offering.

He sighed, turning around. Serena knew that was the best invite she was going to get. She walked in behind him, still holding the box.

Sherlock sat down on the couch, staring at her still. She set down the box on the table and sat on the opposite side, her knees pulled up to her chest.

"I'm sorry." She said. "I lost control. I lashed out. I do that to people who get close to me. I didn't mean what I said. A lot of people like and are grateful to you. What I said made me no better than that awful Donovan woman."

Sherlock stared at her coolly.

"Look, I know you don't see me as a friend. Your only friend is John. But I wanted you to know that I don't have many friends. A lot of people just don't get it. But you seem to. Get it, I mean."

Sherlock's mouth twitched upward. "You could add how you think I'm exceptionally brilliant."

Serena resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "You are stunningly and superbly intelligent."

Sherlock nodded.

"Can we eat those cupcakes now?" Serena asked, and she picked up the box and headed to the kitchen table.

It was covered in beakers, test tubes, and plastic bags. Serena started on clearing everything, Sherlock hovering behind her.

"What is all this junk?" She asked, moving a bag full of bloody...something. She thought they might be toes.

"My experiments."

"Well, your experiments are taking over your kitchen." Serena spun around and froze.

Sherlock was inches away from her. His eyes locked onto hers. She felt herself blushing, but she didn't feel like moving away. His sheet was beneath her toes. She really should move away.

"Um," She coughed, "shall we?"

"Of course." Sherlock wasn't moving.

"Yeah, we should." Serena tore her entire body toward the table, trying to ignore the way her heart was beating against her chest like a bird trying to escape a cage.

Sherlock looked confused as he sat down opposite her. She opened the box, revealing three enormous cupcakes.

"Why are you wearing a sheet?" Serena asked as she picked up one.

Sherlock shrugged. "No point in staying dressed."

"John's in the shower?"

"He does that a lot."

Serena laughed joyously. The noise from the shower disappeared, and a few seconds John stepped out, dressed in a long pinstriped bathrobe.

"Serena! What...I..." He stumbled over the words as Serena gave a little wave, her mouth full of cake. Sherlock picked on up gingerly.