Sherlock idly glanced around while he waited for his tea, mentally cataloging everyone in the shop. None of them were particularly interesting, but it kept part of his mind busy.

"So, you actually did come find us," Elena said quietly, looking down into her tea. She hadn't quite expected him to. John, yes. Sherlock, not so much.

"I couldn't very well leave you there," Sherlock pointed out as he sipped his tea.

Elena just nodded a bit and jumped when her phone buzzed. She blinked and pulled it out, checking it before snorting and sending a reply.

Sherlock raised an eyebrow and glanced pointedly at her phone. He was curious to know what was so amusing, but didn't want to flat-out ask.

"Lestrade," she said in reply, glancing at him. "Checking in and scheduling our next stress relief session."

That made Sherlock raise an eyebrow even more.

"What in the world are you talking about?" he asked.

"Lestrade and I get together once a week or so to blow off some steam," she said, glancing at him as she typed out a response.

That puzzled Sherlock for a moment.

"Why?" he asked. "And why Lestrade?"

"Because we both need it, and because he asked me," Elena said, glancing at him. "It's fun. He can be quite charming really."

Sherlock snorted and looked away for a moment. Lestrade? Charming? Hardly. And Sherlock was definitely not bloody jealous, no matter what anyone else seemed to think.

Elena didn't push for conversation when he fell quiet, just sipping her tea and slowly calming down with the regular conversation.

Sherlock sipped at his tea, lapsing into silence and habitually glancing around the shop. He did notice one person he was 97% sure worked for Mycroft, off in the corner, but otherwise the general crowd was really very boring.

By the time she finished her tea, Elena was feeling more stable.

"I can head home whenever you need to leave," she said, glancing at Sherlock.

Sherlock nodded and set his cup down. He'd finished his tea a few minutes before. Getting up, he put on his coat and scarf again before gesturing to the door.

Elena started walking towards her flat, glancing over at him again as they walked.

"I can go by myself, it's not a problem, you probably have things to get back to."

"The case is solved," Sherlock said. "And it will likely take Lestrade at least a day to realize he cannot solve another one without my help." Which was as close as he would come to saying he had nothing better to do.

Elena nodded and kept walking, shivering briefly and sticking her hands in her pockets.

Sherlock noticed, but wasn't entirely sure what to do. He knew there was likely something he should do about it, and for a moment he couldn't help but think that John would know what the appropriate action was. After a moment, he uncertainly slid his gloves off and handed them to her.

Elena blinked but took his gloves, sliding them on. They were too big, but they were nice and warm from his hands, and she smiled. "Thanks."

Sherlock just nodded and kept walking. Apparently, he had guessed correctly at the right course of action. That was a relief.

Elena stayed quiet until they got to her building. Then she turned to look at him.

"Thanks," she said quietly. "I'll see you in a day or two, I expect."

"Very likely," Sherlock replied with a short nod. Then an awkward silence fell as he paused, unsure of what to do next.

Elena endured the silence for a few moments before she pulled his gloves off and handed them back.

"You'll need them more than I will for the walk home. Good night." Not quite sure how he'd react if she tried to hug him, she settled for just touching his arm before she unlocked the door to let herself inside.

Sherlock nodded in thanks, taking his gloves back, and waited until she was back inside to turn and leave. He didn't even think to hail a cab; the walk gave him time to sort out his thoughts.