It took another month and a half for the girls to really settle into a routine and get used to things. Things got a bit easier once the routine was established, though, and the reliable schedule meant that she and John could plan a few more dates.

John, of course, was very pleased with this. He was also pleased since Sherlock wasn't as mopey and wasn't as prone to random outbursts.

Elena had also settled in and mellowed out again, so she was fine with Sherlock. Most of the time.

It was on one such day that John was out on a date that Lestrade handed Sherlock another case.

"I'm taking your secretary with me," Sherlock said as he looked over the case file.

Lestrade didn't even question it at this point. "Fine," he agreed. "Go on." He waved Sherlock out, going back to his desk to look at more paperwork.

Sherlock turned and headed out of the office again.

"Come with me," he said as he passed Elena's desk.

"Where are we going?" Elena asked as she grabbed her purse and shut off her computer. She didn't quite have time to actually get her coat and scarf on as she hurried after him. She knew from experience he wouldn't wait for her.

"Piccadilly," Sherlock said. "There's a case to be solved."

Elena grumbled a bit and waited for him to hail a cab to wrestle her coat into submission.

"Your legs are too long and you don't give me enough time."

"So I've been told." Sherlock glanced at her once she had her coat on and handed her the case file. He knew she would flip through it, and it still counted as 'giving it back to the Yard' if he handed it to her.

Elena did indeed look through the file, frowning a bit. "Okay. This doesn't look too abnormal. Why'd it get handed off to you? Normally you prefer more exciting murders."

"Obviously, there must be something abnormal about the latest scene," Sherlock said, looking at her briefly. After a moment, he admitted, "And perhaps Lestrade is trying to keep me busy."

Elena had to laugh a bit at that, because, yeah, she could see that. Lestrade still got frustrated with Sherlock sometimes, which was totally understandable.

"Well, I suppose we'll find out when we get there."

"Indeed," Sherlock said as a cab pulled up. He opened the door and, uncharacteristically, let her get in first.

Elena noticed but didn't comment on it, instead settling in for the trip. That had been unusually nice of him. She was almost afraid that if she commented he'd take offense.

Sherlock got into the cab after her, directing the cabbie to the corner closest to the crime scene. He didn't say anything for the duration of the ride, just turning over the case file details in his mind.

Elena let him out first and stretched a bit as she got out, glancing around. Nothing unusual about the crime scene so far, but then again they hadn't seen the body yet.

There wasn't much of interest at the crime scene, really. Sherlock suspected that Lestrade had gotten fed up with being bothered and handed him the case to keep him occupied.

Elena stayed out of his way, as she normally did, although she tried to see what details she could pick up for herself.

Sherlock made a small noise of disgust after he informed the detective on duty of his 'findings'.

"Lestrade just wanted me out of the way," he said to Elena as he hailed another cab.

"Well then, let's go find something more challenging for you," Elena suggested. "He'll just try to send you out again if you go back now, and he won't listen, so might as well find something else to do for a bit."

"And what would you suggest?" Sherlock demanded. "There are no other interesting cases right now." And just that fact alone was driving him up the wall.

"No, we need to find a new challenge for you." Elena's eyes narrowed a bit at him. "Obviously you've got the math and chemistry background, but I don't know how good your biology is."

"I know what is relevant to my profession," Sherlock replied. Admittedly, biology wasn't his strongest suit, but it wasn't as if he was a child.

"Uh huh." Elena eyed him for a few moments. "Then we're going on a botany hunt today."

"Botany?" Sherlock asked. "Whatever for?" He made a brief face.