A Living Mystery

Protect Miss. Holmes

A/N I'm back with a new chapter. I know it's been a while but I've been on hiatus because I just finished writing my own entirely original book to get published. This is the first chapter of the first storyline in a while and I've had time to plan out how to make this book. Oooh, by the way, the image above is Eris's outfit in this chapter as I imagine it, I will be doing more edits in the future as well as my own drawings to go with the story. Anyway, enjoy!

3rd Person POV

Sherlock caught John by the arm as they walked out of the store and whispered into his ear "We're being watched."

John tensed but continued to act as everything was normal, pulling Eris a little closer to his side. He trusted Sherlock enough to follow his lead so he didn't protest when they took the tube instead of a cab.

When they reached the tube Sherlock kept glancing around observantly before his posture relaxed slightly. In a low voice, he told John "There are no spies here, they didn't follow us underground."

John let out a breath but stayed on guard. One of the many things he learned from the army was to never trust a false alarm.

Just then he spotted their destination and looked at Sherlock, confused "Scotland Yard?"

"We never got to the case Lestrade wanted to talk about yesterday." He responded.

John sighed "Sherlock...Eris needs to wash up first. She's been in those clothes since yesterday."

"She can wash up at the yard. Hopefully, Molly's still there and can help her."

"Ah, so that's what this is about. We could've asked Mrs.Hudson you know." John said with a grin on his face.

"Mm." Was all Sherlock said in response, signaling his disinterest.

When they arrived Lestrade greeted them at the entrance. Eris spotted him first and smiled widely, running up to the man "Dective!" She chirped happily.

"Hello Eris, you alright?" Lestrade asked the girl when she approached him. They had only met briefly the night before but Eris seemed to remember him fondly and Lestrade, like everyone else who had ever met her, already felt protective of Eris.

"I have clothes!" The child proclaimed proudly, holding up one of the many bags.

Lestrade smiled and patted her head "Nice."

Donovan came through the doors of the Yard and saw the mystery-solving duo "Hey f-" she spotted Eris and changed course "Fffff-Holmes. Uh, we have details to the case from yesterday inside."

John ducked his head to hide a smirk and looked over to see Sherlock's mouth twitch. "We'll have a look at those if you will."

"But Eris needs to wash up first." John reminded.

"I'll do it." Donovan sighed when Lestrade opened his mouth to give the order.

Sherlock brushed by her "Oh how disappointing. Now, who will pester us with pessimistic comments?"

"You'll do a decent job of that on your own." Donovan shot back then lead Eris in another direction, fuming.

~~~~~~~~~~~

When they reached Lestrade's office Sherlock went immediately towards the window, pulling the curtains closed after a quick assessment of what was outside. He turned back with his mouth pulled into a straight line.

"The people who were watching us followed. They clearly have direct orders."

John frowned and looked anxiously at the door "Eris-"