You See But Do Not Observe

TAKEN

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE : TAKEN

The Reichenbach Falls case made Sherlock famous. It also happened to throw Serena and John in the spotlight quite a lot. Serena was scrutinized from every angle; every bit of her picked at and looked over. She didn't mind though, because in every bad photograph, in every article, Sherlock was by her side.

Serena had managed to do something useful during that period. She had begun training Toby, using Lestrade's advice on training police dogs. It had gotten to a point where Sherlock would compliment the dog's intelligence.

Toby liked Serena, but he loved Sherlock, who complained about the dog on a daily basis. After just a couple days, Serena caught Sherlock thinking with one hand absentmindedly stroking Toby's fur. The sight made her smile.

There were quite a few cases over those couple of weeks. And after every one, Sherlock was thanked, in some way or another.

"Falls of the Reichenbach, Turner's masterpiece, thankfully recovered owing to the prodigious talent of Mr. Sherlock Holmes." The museum director said proudly, and the crowd, patrons probably, applauded. Serena smiled blandly at them as the photographers clicked away.

"A small token of our gratitude." The director handed Sherlock a small wrapped gift, and he shook it.

"Diamond cufflinks. All my cuffs have buttons." He said, and Serena nudged him with her elbow. He looked at her with an expression of 'what did I say this time'.

"He means thank you." John said quickly to the nonplussed director.

"Do I?" Sherlock asked and in spite of herself, Serena smiled.

"Sherlock." Serena said warningly.

"Thank you." Sherlock said to the director. The man looked away, and Sherlock rolled his eyes slightly before beginning to stride off.

"Hey." John caught his elbow, and glanced at the waiting cameramen and reporters. Sherlock sighed, and Serena put on her bland smile again. Sherlock's hand slipped into hers naturally, and she gave it a squeeze.

Things just got crazier from there.

"Back together with my family after my terrifying ordeal; and we have one person to thank for my deliverance: Sherlock Holmes." The man who spoke like a politician said to the reporters.

It hadn't exactly been hard to find the kidnapped banker. He'd been gone for all of two days.

The grinning boy passed Serena a small box, and she handed it to Sherlock, who looked it over.

"Tie pin. I don't wear ties." He hissed to John.

"Shh!"

And again, a few days later, Sherlock's rise to fame jumped again.

"Peter Ricoletti: number one on Interpol's Most Wanted list since nineteen eighty-two. But we got him; and there's one person we have to thank for giving us the decisive leads" Lestrade said, looking toward Sherlock. Serena had gotten used to the press by now and was standing comfortably.

"...with all his customary diplomacy and tact." Lestrade continued, just a tinge of laughter in his tone.

"Sarcasm." John told Sherlock.

"Yes."

"We all chipped in." Lestrade handed Sherlock a floppy package, which Sherlock ripped open.

"Oh!" Sherlock said, pretending to like the deerstalker that emerged. Serena exchanged a glance with Lestrade and they both laughed silently.

"Put the hat on!"