Author's note: Something we all went through when we were little, fear. Sherlock Holmes must try to solve this one. I own own Cassandra as always, Holmes belongs to Doyle. Reviews are always welcomes, flames, not so much.
The first time Sherlock Holmes wondered if he was doing the right thing was the night he came home during a thunder storm. He had walked into the tiny flat only to find his young child companion was no where in his sight as she usually was when he returned. He took off his hat and coat and draped them over a chair as he walked to the bedroom. There he found a rather large bundle of blankets with a pair of green eyes and a petite noise peeking out.
"Holmes!" The bundle let out a cry as it moved and a small three year old girl ran to him.
He knelt down and caught the child, allowing her to bury her face in his chest. She let out a small whimper as thunder rolled and nuzzled against him. Sherlock Holmes wrapped his arms around her, gently.
"What is all of this then?" He asked fearing the worse. He looked down and saw no sign she was hurt. "What is the matter?"
"Scared." Came the muffed response.
"Cass, I cannot understand you when you are buried."
The little girl pulled away and wiped her eyes. "I'm scared, Holmes." She said her lip quivering.
"What is it that frightens you so?" He asked softly.
"The noise." she sniffed. "It's scary. It frightens me."
"It's only a storm, child. There is nothing to be afraid of."
Another clash of thunder and lightening lighting the room, only caused the child to wrap her arms around his legs. She began to sob and a loud knock hit the door.
"Mister Holmes, keep that child quiet!" Mrs. Frost the landlady shouted.
Sherlock Holmes sighed as he lifted young Cassandra into his arms and walked her to the sitting room. He sat them both by the fire and the little girl laid her head on his shoulder as she cried quietly. He stared at her and thought, trying to think of a reason for her actions.
He knew it was not because he was out late since that happens often. But, what is it that is triggering this sudden fear in her? True this was one of the worst storms in a while, but surely it really was not what frightened her? Wait...the last time a storm happened he remembered she could not sleep and was in tears. So there it was, she feared storms, but he could not understand why.
Unless, it may due to the fact she was left out in one when he find her. It sounded impossible even to him, but he knew it must be the truth. It was probable. He looked down at the girl curled against him, desperately seeking comfort from him. Knowing he could not ignore her, not in this state, never when she needed him, he pulled her to him.
"It's all right now." He said gently. "Nothing will harm you, child."
"Promise?" Cassandra asked in her childish voice. The voice that made him question himself if he was doing the right thing.
He lightly stroked the top of her curly chestnut hair. "I promise, child."
When more thunder rolled, the little girl jumped in freight. He stared at her for a another moment, before he had an idea. He pulled the child away from him and fetched his violin. When he returned he found Cassandra sitting in the chair staring at him. He played a short tune, watching as the girl's body relaxed and soon fell asleep. Placing the violin down he walked to the sleeping child and scooped her into his arms.
She wrapped her arms around his neck as he took her to the bedroom. He tucked her in her pile of blankets and watched her as she slept. He did not know if he helped her the right way, but he knew that he would not leave her with her fears. Sherlock Holmes would not leave the child to fight on her own, he would be there along the way. He was not certain if this was what a parent did, but to him it was right, it even seemed to be almost logical.