There was a brief murmur of conversation then the sound of a door pulling closed and they were alone. Sherlock hadn't moved from the window and Serene was standing waiting for him.
"So what did Lestrade have to say?"
"Really, Mr. Holmes I am disappointed I have to tell you."
"He told you the killer is on a slab at Bart's with a bullet in his chest"
Serene turns to him and he looks bored, she could shake him. Instead she sets her face in a winning smile. "Almost to the syllable -"
"Then why are you here? Isn't that enough for you?" Sherlock's voice is abrupt and quick. The tempo meant to push her away.
"Is it enough for you?" Serene begins to walk forward; she wants to make him uncomfortable. Sherlock dances around her as she approaches. Now she is at the desk and he is at the sofa. He collapses onto it, lying flat his suit wrinkling under him.
"You're not me."
"No, no I'm not. You knew I was coming, though. Put on that fancy suit and everything. I need you, Sherlock Holmes."
Sherlock sits up. "Need? Such a common idea isn't it, to NEED someone? Can mean so many things."
He walks towards her, before she knows it she is between him and the desk. He is staring down at her, his eyes tracing lines from her throat to her eyes, from her hair to her lips. There is no surface of her he does not reflect on, but her eyes remain steadily on his. He place his hands on either side of the desk, she is so close to him now. The tiny notes of cologne that had been faded last night are now bright and fresh on his skin. He smells of water too, the humidity of the shower clinging to his hair and skin. He is freshly showered and dressed; she had been right about the suit. She smiles pleased to be vindicated. When he does speak it is low and soft like a caress.
"So that begs the question, Doctor Laurent. What do you mean when you say you NEED me?"
She is tempted to kiss him again, to see what will happen now they are in his home. Instead she straightens from the desk, their bodies almost touching. He has to lean back to accommodate her.
"What I mean, Mr. Holmes, is that I need the type of man who can get me close to the slab."
He smiles at her, he is pleased at her response.
"Excellent."
And like a whirlwind he has his coat on and is dashing doing the stairs.
"Are you coming, Doctor?" He shouts behind, and Serene follows him down the stairs.