Sitting next to Sherlock my mind raced while I tried to think of a solution to the danger Moriarty had put us both in. Though as I glanced down at the water I knew that if someone has brilliant as Sherlock Gnomes couldn't see a way out we were both doomed. That was a comforting thought as I fought to keep my shoulders from shaking and my tears at bay.
Even Sherlock could feel his heart sink as he looked past me to the waves brushing the crate, his mind telling him we had less than a minute or two before the crate sank and we were tossed into the Thames. Knowing that there was no way out I resolved to face my fate with my friend by my side I swallowed, looking up just as Sherlock looked back and we instantly locked eyes.
"It was nice to spend a few moments with you. Even if it's most likely our last moments." Sherlock finally admitted and I gave him a tiny smile.
"Thanks again for the daisy." I suddenly stammered and Sherlock chuckled, a tiny smile on his lips before I found myself leaning in. Finding that he was nose to nose with me Sherlock blinked before he began to lean in but as we did I heard something strike the side of the crate. "Oh really!" I snapped as Sherlock's attention turned to whatever struck our crate. He leant over and with a sudden laugh he turned back to me, a huge smile on his face.
"Watson's cane!" He laughed and I blinked at him, unsure until I saw the grappling hook gripping our crate. "Hold on to me, Rona." Sherlock advisted and I reached around, wrapping my arms around his waist just as the crate finally sank and we both fell into the Thames.
I went under, coming up coughing as some of the water slipped into my open mouth. Gripping onto Sherlock's waist I heard him gasp and I relaxed my grip.
"Just hold onto me." Sherlock coughed as he kept a firm grip on the grappling hook while he searched the nearby bridge for any sign of his friends. With his impressive hearing he caught the sound of Watson's voice and he tried to smile instead he quickly shut his mouth when his head dipped under the waves. "Keep your mouth closed okay?" He told me and I just snorted at him, agreeing before we both felt a sharp tug on the grappling hook.
I held on tight as someone dragged us through the waves before I finally spotted Watson holding onto the line, Gnomeo and Juliet also gripping the line. It took a few tries and we ended up going under the water more times than I cared to remember before they pulled us onto the bridge. Lying there I spend the next few minutes gasping, spitting out salty water as Sherlock shook his jacket to remove the water from it.
"Th...thanks everyone." I finally managed to say and standing beside us Gnomeo and Juliet exchanged a look. "We're...fine."
"A touch waterlogged but fine." Sherlock added, helping me to my feet. "Despite ending up in the Thames I believe that was a successful rescue."
"That was a very close call. If we hadn't spotted you both...well, I don't want to think about it." Watson replied and I nodded as my shoulders shook. "Are you both alright?"
"Just a little shaken up. I'm not a strong swimmer and being thrown in the Thames didn't help." I explained, shaking the excess water from my hoodie and sneakers. "But we're still here so I count that as a positive. Thanks you all. You saved our lives."
"Nonsense. It's what we do. We are the sworn protectors of London's garden gnomes and you happen to be one of those gnomes." Sherlock answered and I sighed, lightly bumping a closed fist against his shoulder.
"Okay I guess that makes sense. Now that we're safe can we go after Moriarty now?" I asked and Sherlock coughed, looking slightly embarrassed. "Let me guess; he escaped while we were being rescued?"
"That would a great guess. He and those gargoyles took off as soon as Sherlock jumped onto your crate, Rona." Juliet answered and I let out a breath, wiping a drop of water from my forehead.
"I believe now would be a good time to head back to the garden." Gnomeo suggested and I knew Sherlock wanted to argue by the slight frown on his face until he saw my lower lip quivering. With a shrug, Sherlock agreed and as we started to walk back I found myself falling behind my eyes travelling to the Thames before I shuddered.
"We are safe now." Sherlock assured me and I just nodded though I did glance back before we started to climb up towards the lowered bridge, taking our time. It took hours before we returned to Gnomeo and Juliet's garden and by then I was tired, dragging my feet in an effort to keep myself moving.
Just after we reached the gate I heard Benny talking and after we pushed the gate open I saw him turn around in time to see us walk into view. "There you are! We were about to send our a search party." He explained, hurrying over and Gnomeo raised an eyebrow at his friend who added. "Well maybe not a whole party."
"You need not worry. Rona is safe though Moriarty managed to escape our clutches. For now anyway." Sherlock told him and I sighed, rubbing at my eyes as my vision blurred. Noticing this Sherlock cleared his throat. "Would it be reasonable if we spent a few hours here?" He asked Benny who blinked slightly confused until Watson gave Sherlock a faint smile.
"I think we all could use a rest." Watson agreed and Benny finally nodded, looking towards Gnomeo and Juliet for their opinion.
"Of course. We can always continue the gardening tomorrow." Juliet said and I nodded as I headed for the shed. Before I reached it I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned my head to see Watson nodding his head towards Sherlock. Curious I watched as Sherlock gently removed a very waterlogged daisy from his pocket and before my eyes it broke apart in the gnome's hands.
Staring at the remains in his hand I saw Sherlock shake his head, watching as the pieces were picked up by a gust of wind. Sighing to himself he started to follow us and I gave him a light pat on the arm as he stepped past me. Looking at me for a moment I met his eyes, giving him a tiny smile and he nodded back.
Together we walked into the shed and I couldn't have been happier to see an old potato sack in my life. I just about fell onto it letting out a yawn before I curled into myself and the last thing I heard before I fell asleep was someone whispering in the dark.
"That was a very brave thing you did for Miss Hart, Sherlock." Watson whispered as he glanced over at the sleeping form of Rona. "I nearly lost hope that we would find you both."
"I know, Watson. I was beginning to lose hope myself before you sent us the grappling hook. Without your quick thinking we would have sunk to the bottom of the Thames." Sherlock whispered back, looking towards Rona who sighed. "Even Rona seemed to accept our fate with a brave face."
"She seemed terrified of the water before." Watson admitted with a tiny smile.
"Rona truly is a brave gnome to face something so frightening." Sherlock agreed and Watson nodded as Rona snorted, shifting onto her left side. "Also a humorous one." He added with a smirk before he settled down on the sack. "Goodnight, Watson. Goodnight, Rona."
"Goodnight, Sherlock." Watson replied, hiding a tiny smile when Rona moved slightly closer to Sherlock.
At some point Sherlock stirred awake to find Rona inches from him and as he watched on she shivered, faintly crying out before his eyes. He shifted closer and to his shock she moved close enough to snuggle against his waistcoat. A little confused by this Sherlock stayed perfectly still as Rona sniffed until less than a minute later she fell back asleep and Sherlock let out a breath.
He went to move straight away discovering he couldn't when Rona tightened her grip on his jacket and he sighed to himself, giving her a slight frown.
How do I free myself without waking Rona?
"Would you like some help?" Watson chuckled and Sherlock lifted his head as much as he could to see his friend leaning over, a smirk on his face.
"That would be wonderful. Thank you, Watson." Sherlock whispered and Watson leant over, carefully untangling Rona's arms from around the detective's waist. As quietly as he could, Sherlock crawled backwards and once he was free he knelt gently laying Rona's arms on the sack.
"She didn't even notice." Watson whispered as they both straightened, making their way towards the shed's door. Reaching it first Watson looked back to see Sherlock staring at Rona with a faint smile on his face then he shrugged before he quickly joined his friend.
"We probably should be going." Sherlock began as they left the shed and Watson raised an eyebrow, looking at the shed before he turned back to Sherlock. "Don't worry, Watson. We will be returning I just need to pick up something."
"Alright but we should tell Juliet or Gnomeo in case Rona wakes up and finds us gone. Otherwise she might get upset again...mostly at you." Watson suggested and Sherlock grimace, remembering what had happened early.
"Nothing short of an earthquake would wake, Rona. Though I agree that I don't want to face an angry Rona again." Sherlock agreed as his eyes travelled the garden eventually finding the two young gnomes digging up one side of the garden. "I will be right back." He told Watson, who watched his friend with a smile hurry over to their friends.
"Pardon me for interrupting your work but I have a favor to ask." Sherlock started and they both looked up from turning over the soil.
"It's about Rona isn't it?" Juliet asked and he blinked, Gnomeo sniggering as Sherlock fiddled with his jacket cuffs. "We can cover for you when she wakes up."
"If she wakes up. Don't worry, mate. Rona won't even notice you're gone." Gnomeo answered with a smirk and Sherlock nodded, a faint smile moving over his face before he gave them both a nod. After he headed back to Watson, Gnomeo grinned at Juliet. "He really likes her, huh?"
"He faced Moriarty again, dived into the Thames and almost drowned saving her. I just wish he'd tell her how much he cares." Juliet sighed and at her side, Gnomeo gave her hands a squeeze. "Though I suppose he did apologize to Irene for breaking their engagement just so she would help so that must mean something."
"Hey, Sherlock does care about Rona. It's just not his thing to come out and say it. But he will I know it." Gnomeo pointed out and she sighed, resting her head on his for a moment. "If he doesn't soon we'll step in."
"At this rate it'll be Spring before he says anything to her. Which reminds me we'd better finish turning the soil." Juliet agreed, giving her husband a light kiss on the cheek before they resumed working again.
While they worked to finish the garden in time, Watson followed Sherlock as he ducked through hedges and bushes. Noticing that they weren't heading back to their home Watson frowned though instead of asking he decided to just follow Sherlock, who he knew would soon reveal where they were heading.
Soon they came across a large house and Watson smiled to himself as Sherlock stared up at the door with a grin before he rummaged through his pockets, producing a small key.
"I hope Rona doesn't know you took that." Watson said and Sherlock just snorted, looking for a way to climb up to the door.
"I will return it as soon as we're finished here don't worry, Watson. Now how to get to the keyhole." He answered before he noticed a windowstill a few metres up. "Watson, could you fire your grappling hook onto that windowsill?" He asked and with a smile, Watson did so. Using the line Sherlock climbed up reaching the window in no time at all.
Looking towards the doorknob Sherlock quickly calculated the distance between the windowsill and door before he crouched, leaping towards the doorknob. He just grabbed it in time and with a grunt he leant down, holding on with one hand before he pushed the key into the keyhole.
It took a few seconds of perching precariously on the doorknob as he fiddled with the key until he heard a click. Slipping the key back into his pocket, Sherlock carefully climbed onto the doorknob and after some difficulty he managed to turn it. The door started to open and Sherlock grinned, leaping towards the windowsill before the door was fully open.
"There we go. Inside we go then." Sherlock said as he climbed down, landing on the footpath in front of the door. Slipping inside Rona's house Sherlock wandered around as Watson followed still curious until he saw Sherlock looking up at the couch with a slight frown.
"No, it wouldn't be there." He muttered to himself and Watson raised an eyebrow as the detective walked past the couch towards a hallway. Following him, Watson frowned as Sherlock reached a door staring at it with his arms crossed. "If I'm right, and I usually am, this must be Rona's room."
"Sherlock, we can't just walk in there. Rona would be very angry if we intruded." Watson told him and Sherlock rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I know, I know. Being quiet now." He sighed but Sherlock shook his head.
"I know that it isn't right to intrude on her personal space but I need something." Sherlock answered as he stared at the door for a moment. "You are right. I can't risk breaking Rona's trust, not after everything we've faced."
"If you would tell me what you're searching for I can assist you." Watson offered and Sherlock cracked a smile, beckoning his friend to follow him back to the living room. They reached the couch and after peering up at the couch Sherlock smiled, Watson offering his cane before he could ask.
After a few minutes of climbing Sherlock reached the couch and within a minute he smiled, a long blue scarf dropping to the floor. "Cheese and crackers!" Watson yelped as Sherlock climbed back down, retracting the grappling hook before he handed the cane back to Watson.
"Apologizes, Watson. I was aiming for the floor and not you." Sherlock told him and Watson rolled his eyes before Sherlock knelt beside the scarf, gripping it between his fingers. "Would you mind helping me carry this back?"
"Of course but you still haven't explained why you need this." Watson answered and Sherlock just smiled at him, dragging one corner of the scarf.
"All will be revealed once we return to the garden again." Sherlock answered and Watson just chuckled, helping his friend drag the scarf towards the door. The trip back took longer due to having to constantly hide themselves and the scarf but when they finally reached the gate both gnomes sighed with relief, pushing open the gate before they dragged the scarf inside.
"There you are." Juliet said, straightening from planting the last seed alongside Gnomeo. Brushing a spot of dirt from her cheek she hurried over.
"Is something wrong? Is it Rona?" Sherlock asked and Juliet nodded, watching with a frown when he dropped the scarf before he raced towards the shed. Staring after him, Juliet and Gnomeo looked at Watson who released the scarf letting it fall onto the grass.
"What happened?" Watson asked and after looking towards the shed he looked at Juliet.
"Rona woke up a few minutes ago and she's been coughing ever since." Gnomeo explained.
Pushing open the door, Sherlock looked around until he saw Rona crouched on the potato sack, a hand pressed to her stomach as she coughed.
Racing over he knelt and I looked up to see him at my side. I tried to talk only to cough again a thin trickle of water flowing from my mouth. "How long has this been happening?" Sherlock asked and I coughed again, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand before I could speak.
"Since I woke up a few minutes ago." I explained as Sherlock stared at me. When he poked my side I yelped before I fixed him with a glare. "Hey! What do you think you're doing?" I snapped at him but he just kept prodding me until I pushed him back.
"Miss Hart, you've obviously swallowed saltwater so you need to get rid of it." Sherlock replied as I crossed my arms, my eyebrows narrowed at him. "Listen to reason."
"Excuse me but how do I get rid of all this water? If I was still human it wouldn't be so bad." I pointed out and Sherlock scratched his goatee as he thought. He blinked and I stared as he leant over, tugging me to my feet before I could react. Despite my protests he practically dragged me outside the shed and as soon as I laid eyes on the fountain I grimaced, planting my feet.
"Miss Hart, you are being awfully childish." Sherlock sighed and I growled at him, ignoring a few stares by several garden gnomes.
"The saltwater will go away on its own." I told him but he shook his head and I snorted once he relaxed his grip. "Do you like being cruel to me? Is it fun?"
"Rona, I am only doing this for your own good. That saltwater could corrode you from the inside." Sherlock said and I blinked at him, confused as he nodded towards the fountain. "Trust me."
"You know I trust you. Especially after you saved me from Moriarty. Alright what do I need to do to get rid of this blasted saltwater?" I asked and he gave me a tiny smile. If I'd known how Sherlock planned on helping me I would have resisted more.
"That looks really painful. Are you sure this is the only way?" Watson asked Sherlock, the pair of them watching as I hacked and coughed having swallowed several mouthfuls of fresh water from the fountain less than a minute before.
Which I regretted immediately when I began to feel nauseous and after crouching on the grass I discovered the answer to a mystery I'd been unable to solve; can gnomes throw up?
They can if they do exactly as I just did so mystery solved I guess. Still hunched over I couldn't see Sherlock slowly approach me, grimacing at every cough until a thin trickle of water flowed from my mouth, fresh water as it turns out.
"I am sorry you had to suffer through that but it was the only way, Rona." Sherlock said as I staggered to my feet making my way towards him with the intention of kicking him in the leg for what he'd just put me through. Of course Sherlock noticed the frown on my face right away and he sighed, stepping forward before he offered me his arm and I just snorted at him. Though when I wobbled on my feet I quickly reached out and grabbed his outstretched arm, giving him a frown when he smiled.
"Should I go and retrieve the scarf?" Watson suggested and Sherlock gave him a tiny nod, leaving me slightly curious despite feeling a little under the weather. Leading me towards the shed I waited as Sherlock pushed open the door before he helped me inside not even fazed when I frowned at him as he led me back to the potato sack.
"I know you are angry with me but I believe what I've brought back will make you change your mind." Sherlock told me and I snorted, arms crossed against my chest. "On second thoughts..." He trailed off when the shed door creaked open and Watson entered dragging a familiar blue scarf.
"Hey I know that scarf." I whispered as Watson brought it over and after a struggle he lifted it towards Sherlock.
"Thank you, Watson." Sherlock said, shaking the dirt from it before he leant over leaving me stunned when he gently wrapped it around my shoulders. "Here, that should do."
I didn't know what to say so I pulled the warm scarf a little tighter around me and Sherlock gave me a tiny nod, a smile on his face. Finding my voice I tried to speak but I coughed instead and he blinked, looking worried. "I'm fine. Just a little waterlogged." I muttered and he nodded though I noticed his attention seemed to be focused solely on me.
Even Watson noticed and he gave his friends a smile. "I'll be waiting outside." He told them and I blinked as he headed towards the door.
"Hmm that was unusual." Sherlock muttered and I glanced up as the detective stared at the door for a moment before he turned back to me to see me staring at him. "Is something the matter, Rona?"
"Where did you get this scarf?" I asked him and he cleared his throat, his mind running through multiple answers until I sighed to myself. "I'm going to guess that you went into my house. Before you get worked up I'm not angry but you could have asked."
"It was an invasion of your privacy but I needed to borrow your key. I will return it now." Sherlock answered though he paused when I shook my head, instead patting the spot beside me. With a shrug he sat beside me and I gave him a weak smile. "Thanks for the scarf. It's a lot more comfortable than this potato sack." I added, wrapping one end around his shoulders.
"I believe you're right, Rona." Sherlock agreed and I gave a tiny giggle before I moved closer and his eyes widened after I rested my head on his shoulder. "You are getting a little close." He pointed out and I just grinned, looking at the floor in front of us.
"I have a question for you, Sherlock." I said and Sherlock turned his attention to me. "If Watson hadn't saved us from falling into the Thames would you have really kissed me?"
Shocked by my question, Sherlock just stared at me until I cleared my throat and when he blinked I lowered my head. "Never mind. It was a stupid question to ask." I mumbled, turning my head so he couldn't see the tears already threatening to spill from my eyes.
"Miss Hart, please don't cry. Your question took me by surprise and I didn't have time to answer." Sherlock began and I lifted my head, eyes watery to see him giving me the tiniest smile.
"Then if I gave you enough time what would your answer have been?" I whispered and Sherlock cleared his throat, looking up at the ceiling and then back at me in time to find himself nose to nose with me. After some deep thought he just shrugged, closing the gap and my eyes widened once I felt his lips on mine.