Disclaimer:I (sadly) own nothing that is included in any of my stories. All characters, names and copyrights belong to the fantastic writers of fantastic shows and are borrowed by myself for the enjoyment of readers on . All scenarios are a product of my (overactive) imagination and are purely for entertainment purposes; NOT for any personal monetry gain.
I do however own Cleopatra Holmes as she is my own creation.
Chapter 7
Cleopatra Holmes woke up to loud barking. It took her a moment to remember where it was coming from. She remembered about the Dalmatian and turned over in her bed towards the sound to tell him to quieten down but when she opened her eyes she saw what Adam was barking at.
"Oh good morning Sherlock" she said trying to sound bright whilst claiming Adam down.
"What is this" said Sherlock coldly, gesturing to Adam.
"Its a Dalmatian Sherlock, can't you see his spots." sensing the next question she quickly added "he was abandoned Sherlock I couldn't just leave him"
"You could, you just chose not to"
"Oh Sherlock you like dogs! Remember Redbeard!" Immediately Cleo knew that was the wrong thing to say as she saw Sherlock tense up at the mention of his old Irish Red setter. The moment quickly passed Sherlock's eyes as the guard went back up again.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean..." began Cleopatra but Sherlock cut her off.
"Just don't make a habit of bringing home strays. I don't know what mother is going so say about it"
Sherlock left her bedroom and Cleo swung her legs out of the bed. She went over to her calender that hung up on her wall. Tomorrow would be the day her parents where coming to get her. Tomorrow she would be carted back to the family home in the countryside, made to dye her hair back to her dark brown again and to prepare to be sent back to University. At least she though I will have a companion this time looking over at Adam who was looking very pleased with himself.
She threw on a dark blue dress, black tights and boots and took Adam for a walk around St James' Park. Upon her return she found John sitting in the living room reading the newspaper.
"Doctor Watson, what a pleasant surprise" Cleo remarked letting Adam go and have a drink.
"Hello Cleopatra, so what Sherlock said is true, you've got a dog."
"More rescued than purchased. I found him in Leicester Square"
John smiled as Adam settled on his feet as if to keep them warm. He reached down and stroked the young dog.
"Where's Mary?" Cleo enquired as she fixed herself some breakfast.
"Shopping for baby things, she said I'd only get in the way so I though I'd come and see what mess your brother has go into this time"
As if on cue Sherlock walked through the door, his faced black and blue and bloody. Blood had soaked his shirt which had also been torn.
"Involved in another domestic again brother?" Cleopatra asked in her best impression of Mycroft. She found the best way to deal with Sherlock's odd behaviour was to copy Mycroft. Otherwise she feared that she would turn into her mother and start screaming bloody murder at any person who dared touch Sherlock.
Once she had helped John clean up Sherlock, who was complaining that he did not need their assistance they sat him down in a clean not ripped shirt with a cup of Mrs Hudson's freshly brewed tea.
"So what happened?" John asked
Cleopatra thought John's concern for her big brother was touching and was thankful that he had come along into Sherlock's life.
"I had just gotten out of a taxi on my way to Scotland Yard when a man about 24 years old in a black hoody and dark blue jeans with brown leather boots attacked me from behind. He had a scar on his left cheek that ran from his ear to his mouth.
"So you saw him then?" Cleo enquired
"Briefly, between punches. Not all that blood way mine I'll have you know"
"I'm sure it wasn't little brother" came Mycroft's voice from the hallway "Hello Cleopatra, you know mother is not going to let you keep that dog of yours you know"
"We shall see Myscroft" Cleo answered quickly.
Mycroft turned to Sherlock ignoring his sister. "We have been tracking these people for sometime. We have information that suggests these attacks are linked in with the Moriarty Web.
Cleopatra nodded her head, she remembered what had happened almost four years ago with Sherlock having to fake his death to escape that creep Moriarty. It also killed her having to pretend that her brother was dead. Especially in her first year of Uni when everyone found out who she was and they decided to give her all their sympathy.
"But it doesn't make sense, why would Moriarty just go for you like that in broad daylight. If Sherlock is the target that's making it a bit too obvious don't you think" said Cleopatra.
Sherlock gave her a small encouraging smile "precisely what I was wondering Cleopatra."
For the rest of the day Cleo was under what felt like house arrest. Sherlock and Mycroft had decided that she was too much of a target to go out on her own and as Mycroft had to get back to being the government, John needing to make sure Mary was OK and Sherlock vulnerable as well she was reduced to sitting indoors. Neither Sherlock or Cleopatra were accustomed to not being useful and after a double session of Jeremy Kyle and a very violent game of Cluedo Sherlock and Cleopatra could not stand to be in each other's company for much longer.
So with Sherlock sulking in his room or studying as he liked to call it, Cleo took the opportunity to sneak out with Adam.
It had gotten quite dark during Cluedo and Cleo was thankful for the street lights. She and Adam turned the corner on their way to another park when she noticed that a black car, a new Jaguar was following her. She quickened her pace and, without thinking turned down a alleyway. As soon as she had entered the alleyway she mentally scolded herself. It was completely the wrong thing to do.
She ran along the path almost dragging the Dalmatian behind her however another car had already reached the exit of the alley-way. She knew if she looked back the Jaguar would be blocking the entrance. She was trapped.
"Shit!" She exclaimed under her breath.
"Now that's not the right language for a young lady" Said the thug that had stepped out of the car in front of her. It was Sherlock's assailant, complete with the scar he described plus two black eyes given to him by her brother.
"Run!" shouted Cleo to Adam as she let go of the lead. He sat down and did not move out of fear.
Cleopatra readied herself for the imminent attack. It was scar boy that went first. He slung high with his left fist, aiming for her head, she ducked and kicked him in the ribs. Two men behind tried to attack her, she aimed for the first one's genitals and connected directly. She was distracted however and the second man punched her in the mouth. This made her stagger against the wall. She felt blood trickle into her mouth. The second man hit her again, this time in the head which made her vision go blurry.
She tried to remember anything else Sherlock had taught her about self defence but her memory was not as good as her brother's. The mind palace Sherlock had tried to train her to concoct faded as the pain set in.
Her second attacker picked her up and slung her unceremoniously over his shoulder and took her to the Jaguar. The first attacker who had recovered from the blow to his ribs picked up the Dalmatian's lead and took him in the other car.
Meanwhile Sherlock's mind palace was interrupted by a loud knock at his bedroom door. He sighed but knew it was not Cleopatra's knock, it had been too direct, too self assured.
"Detective Inspector Lestrade, how did you get in to my house? Did my sister let you in to torment me"
"No Sherlock Mrs Hudson let me in but not to torment you, to inform you. Your sister has been taken"
"Taken by Moriarty"
"We presume so yes"
"That was not a question Detective Inspector, that was a statement"
A/N I'm like a bus you wait for ages for one chapter and two come along at once! I'm going to keep on going tonight and see how far I get. Please let me know your thoughts!