John kept her close as they walked, leading her back out front and blinking briefly at the light. There was a whole squad of officers there, and they had most of the criminals packed away already in vehicles.

Elena walked next to Sherlock quietly, keeping calm for as long as she could. She knew it wouldn't last, but while she could manage it, she was fine.

"Everyone alright?" Lestrade asked when he saw Sherlock and John come outside with the girls. "I'm not sure how you did it, Sherlock, but the Yard's been after this trafficking ring for ages."

"They had the girls," John said, taking a blanket from one of the EMT's and tucking it in around Abby. that would likely be explanation enough for Lestrade.

Indeed it was, and Lestrade nodded.

"We're going to need statements from them," he warned. Sherlock made a bit of a face, but handed a blanket to Elena once she was sitting down and didn't argue with the inspector.

Elena watched the proceedings, keeping herself occupied with thinking of the paperwork they'd have to fill out later. But she did huddle into her blanket.

Sherlock stayed near her, generally scowling at the EMTs and waiting for them to say that Elena could go. Because, oddly, he wanted to make sure she got back to her flat and was alright. Curious.

Elena waited for Abby to get the all-clear as well before she stood, a little cautiously. Oh she was going to be very sore for the next few days.

"Think we can get a taxi way out here?" she asked.

"Can hitch a ride back with us, if you like," Lestrade offered, overhearing her. "Wouldn't be a problem to take you back to the Yard. It'll be easy to catch a cab from there."

"Sounds good," Elena agreed, looking briefly at Abby and John. "Thanks." She headed for a squad car when one of the others ushered her over to it.

Abby just looked relieved when she was ushered towards a squad car as well. She just wanted to go home and settle in with some tea and John.

Lestrade looked at John and Sherlock and sighed.

"Come on, then," he said. "Might as well give you boys a lift too."

John nodded once, because he hadn't really intended to leave Abby at all anyway. He sat next to her in the back of the squad car.

Elena hesitated a few moments at that. She could sit in the back with those two, or leave them to have a bit of time and get another squad car with Sherlock. And possibly stop and get about a gallon of tea to go.

Abby leaned against John, tucking herself against his side and putting her head on his shoulder a bit. It was comforting to have him there.

Sherlock went and got into the other car, scowling as he did so. No, this case was not at all how he thought it would be, and he didn't like it when things weren't what he thought.

John just kept her tucked close as an officer got in and drove them back to the Yard so they could get a taxi from there. He was going to be staying for a while regardless.

When their driver got in, Elena leaned forward and requested quietly that they be dropped off at the tea store. It was a bit out of the way, but Elena didn't want to have to go back to the Yard just yet. Fortunately, the officer didn't mind humoring her.

Sherlock noticed the other car pulling over to the tea shop, and had Lestrade stop as well.

"What, you want a cuppa now?" Lestrade asked, looking at him.

"Elena is getting out here," Sherlock replied, as if that explained everything.

"What, are you going to keep her company or something?" Lestrade retorted. "Sherlock, you wouldn't know basic human compassion if it bit you in the arse."

"I've been learning," Sherlock said shortly. "Just let me out here."

Elena was a bit surprised when Sherlock got out too, but she waved briefly to Lestrade and the others before moving over to the door to wait for Sherlock.

John's eyebrows shot up a bit at that but he didn't say anything.

"I suppose it's my turn to pay for the tea," Sherlock said when he caught up to Elena. "Isn't that how it usually works?"

"Yeah, that's how friends usually do things," Elena said. "Although I may go through a few cups tonight." Her hands were starting to tremble, just a bit.

"Unsurprising," Sherlock said, ushering her inside. "Anyone would, after an ordeal like that."

"Except maybe you," Elena said. "But you're you, so that's normal for you." She paused as she rethought that sentence to see if it even made sense.

"Well, of course," Sherlock replied. "I'm not like everyone else. I would be horribly boring otherwise."

Elena laughed a bit at that, since she knew him well enough to know he didn't mean it as an insult. She did shake her head a bit at him, though, and sat down at a table.

Sherlock sat down as well.

"Order what you like," he said.

Elena ordered chai to start with. It was cold enough she'd appreciate the warmth, and the spices might help settle her nerves.

Sherlock made a bit of a face at the chai and got himself a regular black tea. That suited him just fine.

Elena snorted a bit at his look and settled down there, curling her hands around her mug when it was placed in front of her.