Alena felt extremely happy when she began her new job as a librarian. She finally had a reason to leave her 221C flat. For the other days which she had off, she had nothing else to do but read and watch television. Sherlock and John were always in and out of their flat so she never saw much of them. Being back in a library made her ecstatic, and especially in a brand new one to her. During her first days she learned her new duties and began to get to know her fellow staff members. One librarian in particular, Emily, was a young woman the same age as Alena and became a good friend quickly. Emily had shoulder length blonde hair and was extremely friendly. She always made a lunch date with Alena during their breaks and gave her advice on places to see in London, as well as answering any questions she had. Alena felt so lucky to have her as a new friend. After a few weeks on the job, she felt right at home.

One morning, Alena was finishing reshelving some books when she felt her phone vibrate. Since she wore a skirt that had no pockets, she always had her phone clipped to her hip in case anyone was trying to reach her while she was in the stacks. Pulling it out of the case, she saw that it was a text.

You're at work right now I assume?

SH

Alena's brow furrowed in surprise. Those initials could only belong to one person she knew, that being Sherlock. What surprised her was that she had never given him her number, so how could he know it.

"How on earth?" she murmured.

"I got your number from John," she heard behind her. "Hello, Alena."

Alena turned around and saw Sherlock and John walking up to her. "Oh, hi. I haven't seen the two of you in a while, it must have been weeks since I last saw you both. What brings you to my place of profession?"

Sherlock presented her with a book. "We need your assistance, Alena. We're investigating a murder that took place recently."

Her eyes widened a little as she took the book. "Well...how can I help?"

"Take us to where this book is normally shelved."

She looked at the call number on the spine. "Okay, follow me."

Alena walked with them to the stacks where the book would be shelved. "What exactly are you hoping to find there?" she asked.

"I'm not sure yet," Sherlock told her.

She looked over her shoulder at him. "What exactly is going on?"

John sighed. "Long story, we can fill you in a little later on."

Nodding, Alena continued walking until they got into the shelves where the book would properly be shelved. "Well, it would be right here," she said pointing to the correct shelf.

With that, Sherlock and John began pulling books out of the shelves, obviously looking for something. Alena wanted to know exactly what was going on, but since they were so preoccupied with what they were doing, she decided to wait. And she didn't have to wait long.

"Sherlock," John said with his attention focused on something on one of the shelves.

Upon moving almost all of the books off of that shelf, it revealed two symbols which appeared to be made in paint. Alena gasped, horrified by this.

"What the...how could this have been done?" she asked appalled.

"Probably the same way it had been done at the bank," Sherlock said as he began taking photographs of the symbols with his phone.

She looked at him. "Wait, you've seen this done somewhere else? What does it mean?"

John shook his head. "We don't know yet, but two men were murdered and twice these symbols have shown up."

Alena swallowed hard. "Okay...so what now?"

"I think we got what we were looking for," Sherlock declared. "Alena, thank you for your help, we will see you later," he said before walking away.

John said a quick farewell to Alena before following him. Alena sighed and looked at the symbols, absolutely stunned that this could have happened without someone noticing. Moreover she couldn't understand what they meant, they certainly didn't appear to be any kind of symbol she recognized. Arranging the books back in their proper locations she went back down to her desk.


Alena looked at her watch, noticing it was about time for her to go on her break. She turned to Emily. "Emily, I'm going to take my break now. See you when I get back."

Emily smiled. "Okay, see you later."

Alena grabbed her purse and her jacket before walking toward the entrance to the library to head out.

"Miss Alena Van Buren," a voice called to her.

Alena turned around and saw a well dressed man standing there with a smile on his face. She did not recognize him at all, but he knew her name.

"I'm sorry, do I know you?" she asked.

He approached her. "Not exactly, but I do know that you know Sherlock Holmes."

She raised an eyebrow. "Um...yes?"

"Do tell me, just how well do you know him?" he pressed.

Alena didn't quite trust this man. "Who the hell are you?"

His smile widened. "An interested party. I'm the closest friend he could have, that being an enemy. Or in his mind, he would say his arch-enemy. He does love to be dramatic."

"Sherlock Holmes is my next door neighbor, and an acquaintance, nothing more. I barely know him," she stated.

"And now you're helping him solve a murder case. I know he was here earlier looking to you for help."

Alena stepped back from him giving them some much needed distance from one another. She was so glad that there were people coming in and out of the library, so she would have witnesses to anything this strange man might do. "How do you know he was here?"

"I make it my business to keep an eye on him, you see I worry about him, Miss Van Buren."

"Well take it up with him and leave me out of it," she said before turning to walk away.

"You haven't even heard the offer I was going to make you," he said.

Alena stopped and turned back. "Offer?"

He smiled. "Yes. I would be willing to pay you a sizeable amount in exchange for information."

"You mean...spy on Sherlock Holmes?" she concluded.

"Yes. Nothing too extreme, just what he is up to. With you residing in 221C Baker Street, conveniently close to him, I'm sure this should not be a problem."

Alena's jaw dropped. "Look, I do not know who the hell you are, but I do not want any part in your plans. I refuse to spy on my neighbor for you."

He looked a tad surprised. "You haven't even heard how much I would be offering."

"I am not interested. I have a full time job thank you very much, and I have no intention of spending my time doing your dirty work."

The man's smile completely vanished. "In that case, I would caution you Miss Van Buren. It appears that you have given your loyalty to Sherlock Holmes."

She shook her head. "It's not a matter of loyalty. I am not the kind of person who would sink so low. You cannot buy me."

"It seems to me that you trust him, probably more than other men given your recent track record."

Alena felt the coldest chills run down her spine. "Wh..what did you say?"

He grinned. "I know that you recently moved here after your ex-fiancé assaulted you. Since your mother arranged your dual citizenship you chose to come here and start off your new life."

Alena began to tremble in fear, frightened by this man more and more. "How could you possibly..."

"I have my ways, Miss Van Buren. But I will caution you, choosing to remain loyal to Sherlock Holmes may have consequences. I would be very, very careful if I were you."

Smiling again, he turned and began walking away, leaving the library. Alena stood there in complete shock. Whoever that man had been, he had threatened her just because she was an acquaintance of Sherlock's. Now she was really confused as to what her life was about to be like. One thing was certain, she had questions and Sherlock would have to give her answers. That day.


The last few hours of her shift were murder for her. Alena's nerves were so rattled by her encounter that she kept looking around, frightened that he would return. She felt so relieved to get back to her flat without any further issue or encounter. Alena dropped off her purse and immediately went next door to see if Sherlock was home. He had to answer her questions or else she felt she might go insane with worry. Walking up the stairs to the sitting room, Alena listened for any voices, but there weren't any. When she peered inside, she found Sherlock looking at photographs and other pertinent information regarding the ongoing case that had been posted on the mirror above the mantle.

Alena knocked on the door.

"Hello, Alena," he said.

She blinked. "How did you know it was me?"

"I know from the sound of your heels and the way you walk."

"Oh. Makes sense. I met a friend of yours earlier."

He looked at her with a bewildered expression. "A friend?"

"Well, he said he was your arch-enemy," she corrected herself.

His expression softened. "Oh. Did he offer you money to spy on me?"

Her eyes widened a little, she was about to ask how he knew, but she figured it was best to save her breath. "Yes, appallingly."

"Did you take it?"

She shook her head. "No."

"Pity, we could have split the fee, think it over next time."

Her jaw dropped in astonishment. "Wh-what? Sherlock who the hell is he?"

"The most dangerous man you've ever met, and not my problem right now."

She sighed and sat down in one of the chairs. "Sherlock, please. I was really freaked out by whoever he is. He literally came to the library not long after you left and he gave me what I thought was a veiled threat. He began asking me how I know you, and he even knew things about my life back in the States. I'm begging you, please tell me who he is."

Sherlock looked at her, he could see the distress in her features. Her arms trembled a little, she was definitely shaken up by the encounter. Finally he sat in the chair opposite her.

"His name is Mycroft. He's my brother," he told her.

"Your...brother?"

"Yes. You're not the first person he has done this to. He even asked John to spy on me. You don't have to worry about him, he doesn't pose any danger to you."

Alena couldn't believe this. "I gather you don't have a healthy relationship with Mycroft."

He shook his head. "Not at all. As I said, he will not harm you, Alena. Just ignore him."

She closed her eyes and sighed. "It's not that easy."

"You'll be fine. If he bothers you again, I'll make sure to tell him to leave you alone."

Her eyes opened. "Sherlock, I have to ask you something. I'm going to take a wild guess when I say that you must know how to fight someone."

He nodded. "If necessary, yes."

She sat up a little. "Can you show me how to throw a good punch?"

Sherlock looked at her in confusion. "Why?"

"Ever since Matt nearly killed me, I have felt so weak. I worry that if someone tries to hurt me again, I'll just panic and I won't be able to defend myself. The incident with Mycroft made me feel like a cornered rabbit, frightened and unable to do anything to save myself. I don't want to be so frail anymore, I don't want my fear to consume me. Please, Sherlock."

He looked at her a few moments more before standing up. "Alright. Stand up."

She obeyed. "Shouldn't I be more suitably dressed to train? After all, I'm in a nice blouse, skirt and heels."

Sherlock took her hand and walked her to the middle of the room. "No time for that. Besides, if you were to be attacked, there's no time to change into proper wear."

She nodded. "Good point."

"Now," he began. "You don't have any experience in combat do you?"

Alena shrugged. "Does fencing count? I have ten years of that."

Sherlock seemed a little surprised. "Admirable, but I meant physical combat."

She shook her head. "No."

"Alright," he said extending his open palm towards her. "Throw a punch at my hand. Let's see what I'm working with."

Alena's jaw dropped a little. "I...I don't want to hurt you."

"That's beside the point. Just do it."

Breathing a few nervous breaths in and out, Alena prepared herself. As fiercely as she could, she threw a punch as he told her to.

"Pathetic," he declared. "That was not the best you can do. Ignore the fact that it's me you're working with."

Alena sighed and shook her hand a little. "How?"

He looked her right in the eye. "Think of me as Matt. You trusted him and he betrayed you, more than that he tried to kill you. You were terrified, you thought you would die. Think of it as a life and death situation. Do not let him win."

Her bloodstream raced with fury entwined with it. The memories of that night didn't help, but thinking of what it was that Sherlock wanted her to channel in this instance put her in the right state of mind. Once more she prepared herself, thinking of Matt's horrible face and the insults he screamed in her face. Almost without thinking it through, Alena threw another punch at Sherlock's hand. This one much stronger, enough to make him step back a bit.

Alena's hands flew to her mouth in shock. "Oh my God! Did I hurt you?"

He shook out his hand. "No I'm perfectly fine. You did beautifully. That one was much more effective. But you cannot regret what you did. If you mean to defend yourself, you cannot show any ounce of regret."

She nodded. "Thank you, Sherlock."

He smiled. "You're welcome, Alena. By the way, if you're wearing heels, especially stilettos, you realize that you are armed more than you think."

She cocked her head a bit. "Oh?"

Sherlock took her by the shoulders and spun her around, one arm encircled her waist, the other around her shoulders. "If you have an attacker come from behind you and you cannot break out of a hold like this one, you can always use that heel to dig into your attacker's leg. That I don't believe they could ignore."

Alena thought that scenario over in her mind. "That is damn useful. I am not doing it to you though."

He laughed a little. "I would hope that you wouldn't," he said freeing her.

She turned around and smiled. "Thank you so much for helping me. I will remember your instructions."

"Good. Pray that you never will have to defend yourself that way."

"How can I repay you?" she asked.

He went back to staring at the items on the mirror. "You don't have to. Just don't get into trouble."

Alena bit down on her lower lip, wishing she could do more. "I'll do my best."

Sherlock's eyes did not look at her. "Good. Now I really must get back to my work."

"Oh, um...I should leave then," she guessed.

"John will be back soon and we're going to have to dash off."

Nodding she replied, "Then I'll leave you to your work."

"Good afternoon, Alena."

"Good afternoon, Sherlock," she said before turning and leaving the flat.

Back in her own flat she changed into her capris and tank top, her usual lounge wear. Sitting by the window she caught a glimpse of Sherlock and John leaving and heading in opposite directions. Alena sighed, thinking back to how Sherlock taught her a few self defense tricks. What she couldn't shake off what the thought of being in his arms, even if it was merely a demonstration. Her cheeks flustered at the thought of being so close to him. She soon ignored that thought, knowing that it was far too soon for her to be thinking along romantic lines, and she still didn't know Sherlock that well.


Will she continue to be part of the murder case? How will her next encounter with Sherlock play out? Please comment!