It Started With Stealing | Sherlock Holmes

69 - Welcome

Amber paused by the door and threw a mischevious look back at Cleo who stared her down with a smirk. The thief by the door laughed at being caught out.

"Every time."

"Stop eating the stock."

"Tell Jenn and Ivy to stop making the stock taste so good."

Cleo shook her head at Amber's antics but let her go all the same.

The gang wasn't just about committing crimes for the hell of it but a way of life, a tight-knit community, a family - and that's how Cleo hoped it would stay. The new-age Forty Elephants had been formed by her blood, sweat and tears. This plan couldn't fail. If it did, then it wouldn't just be herself she was letting down but under a hundred girls, all from countless different backgrounds with a plethora of different stories as to why they had turned to crime. They had to stick together.

If there was any sense of doubt it was Cleo's job to quash it or else the gang would cease to function.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Across the five days of his hospital stay, the 221B gang visited Sherlock frequently in the hopes of preventing him from experiencing cabin fever - not that their mere presence alone would ever succeed in that. Sherlock had even willingly convinced Elizabeth to head home to get some proper sleep for two of the four nights when John had offered to take her back. When he was being discharged though, late in the morning, Sherlock was met with some disappointment.

"But no vigorous activities and no heavy lifting, Mr Holmes." Cheerfully said the doctor who was signing him out.

"What about my cases?"

"As long as you can complete them online, there shouldn't be a problem. But you still need lots of rest. You're also booked in for a follow-up next week."

"So...no running?"

"Not unless you want to lose blood again, Mr Holmes. No vigorous activities for four weeks at least."

Sherlock sighed sharply. What would he do now? All the boring cases could always be completed online and he wanted exciting ones. He could already picture himself using the gun relentlessly on Mrs Hudson's innocent wall.

"Hey, cheer up, you'll have me to keep you company." Elizabeth smiled at him.

Sherlock's disdain melted away when he looked at her. While limited in what he could do, he was going to make sure that today would be a good day at the very least. John had helped him plan the evening's activities when they were given an hour or two to themselves without Elizabeth's prying ears and eyes.

"Right, so I'll need you to sign here then, Mr Holmes, and then you'll be free to go." The doctor offered him the board.

Signing the paper quickly, he handed back the board and thanked the doctor before moving to stand. He paused sighing painfully.

Elizabeth gently squeezed his arm, "You good?"

"Fine."

Elizabeth raised her brow. This got a more honest answer out of him.

"Still a little sore."

"To be expected. Did you get painkillers prescribed?"

"No. Drugs were a deal breaker remember?"

She appreciated this comment but felt somewhat guilty, "But these are painkillers, Sherlock. I don't want you to be in constant pain, I'm not a sadist."