Author's note: Holmes struggles with logic and his heart. I only own Cassandra. Everyone else belongs to Doyle. I need reviews as a way to tell me if this is worth posting or not. Flames I can do without.

Things for the child were not well since she was brought home from the country after she was kidnapped. Once they returned to Baker Street, she had nightmares. It was then Sherlock Holmes realized that he was not even able to chase her dreams away.

She always had to be near him and was becoming underfoot. He could not be out of her sight more then ten minutes, before she would be in search of him. The numerous problems it was causing was beginning to annoy him. He could not work, not with her in the room. He had to meet the clients in their homes, out of his element. He could not allow her to go out as he decided for the time she needed to stay inside again, it was far too dangerous for her to be out and about.

But what frustrated him the most was not being able to help her. He was not able to help the child. He could not make her forget about what happened, he could even get a word from her about her time in that house then from what he had to force her to tell him from that day. Even then she told him in a empty voice of emotion and was very factual, something he never wanted to hear in her sweet voice again.

He would become irritated as he thought what to do, and would snap at her. The poor girl would become frightened like a doe and would seek comfort from Mrs. Hudson, while it would take him a whole day convincing he would not harm her. He realized Cassandra was broken, and nothing he did would ever change it.

It was middle of the night, a few hours after Cassandra had gone to bed. He was working at the chemistry table finishing an experiment he was unable to do earlier as he had a young child attached to him by the hip. Not it mattered much to him, he was only doing it to keep him busy to help him think. The only thing he could think of was sending her away in the morning, to find a family to care for her.

It was something he had considered before, but each time he found that he never could send her away. He would always be convinced nothing would happen, that everything was under his control. However, now he could not ignore it, he could not hide the danger. He finally gave up on his project and sit tiredly in his chair.

He would see that a good family took her in, a family he approved of. He would see her education was the best offered to her. He would see an account made to care for her. He would make certain she was loved and well cared for. Most important, he would see she would be safe, that no harm would come to her again.

A moment later he heard the sound of the door opening and small footsteps walked to him. He laid his hand on top of her head.

"Another dream, little cat?" A nod and he sighed. "Will you tell me what happened?"

He looked down to the little girl waiting for her to answer. Her left arm was wrapped in a sling, but her bruises were nearly gone. Her hair was still slightly damp from her bath earlier and her forehead was sweaty. Her eyes were slightly red from crying and she slowly moved closer to him.

"No." She finally answered. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Cassandra, dreams are only so strong because you let them. Telling me will help you."

"I...can't."

He slowly nodded, expecting that answer. "I see. You should try to go back to sleep."

She started to walk to the door, but stopped. "I was there again." Cassandra admitted.

"What?" He asked.

"My dream." She closed her eyes tightly. "I…He was there too. He was telling me...he said-

"Cass?" He asked softly as he walked closer to her.

"He said you were dead and it was my fault. It was because of me that you were never coming. I was trapped and could not get out. I tried, but it was locked, the door was always locked. I thought of the window, but it was a long drop down. Then the other man came and he...he took me away. Somewhere else, somewhere dark."

She turned her face and buried her head in his side. He stroked her hair lightly. "It's all right. You are safe, he cannot hurt you."

"How do you know, Holmes?" She whispered.

He knelt down and took her good hand in his. "Cass, I can assure you, he cannot hurt you. Peterson arrested him. I promise you, you will never see him again."

"Are you certain?"

He dropped her hand and turned around. He found the newspaper from a week ago and showed her the article on the front page. When she finished reading it she set it on the table and walked back to him.

"Now you see?" He asked. "There is no chance of him escaping. You are safe now, Cass. I promise."

"What of the other man?"

The other man. Cassandra could only give him little information about him. She said Bryson never gave him a name. She could only give a very vague description as the lights where low when she meet him. Through because of slamming the door on his hand, he knew that man would have scaring.

"We have not found anything on him yet. I will always see you that you are safe, even if it means finding a family to care for you."

She looked at him worried. "You won't send me away will you, Holmes?"

"If I must...Now do not look at me like that. You know it is the most logical thing to do."

"But, Holmes if it was about logic, you never would have taken me in the first place."

Sherlock Holmes could only stop and stare at the child. When had she developed this quick wit, he not know. He did know, however there was nothing he could say to that statement. He knew she was right, it was not about logic. It had stopped being logical where that child was concerned the moment she reached out to him.

"Touché, dear little cat." He finally said. "It seems you will be staying here."

She nodded her head. "Yes, Holmes."

"Why don't we see if Mrs. Hudson will have some hot chocolate?"

"But, you never let me have sweets before bed." She said a confused look on her face.

He smiled at her. "I think a small treat is in order. What say you?"

"Oh, yes please, Holmes." Cassandra said taking his hand.

While Sherlock Holmes may never be able to forgive himself for letting harm come to the young girl, he could see that she did. He vowed to always protect this child and allow nothing to happen to her again. He could never leave her, no matter if it was best for them, he was far too attached to let the child go. He knew her nightmares may never go away, but he would be there to help her as she fought them.