You See But Do Not Observe

GAME

CHAPTER TWENTY : GAME

(Sherlock's POV)

John had disappeared off to bed. Serena sat curled in on herself on the couch. Sherlock sat in a chair across from her. They both were silent, each wrapped in their own thoughts.

Sherlock was thinking about Serena. His thoughts lingered on her screams and tears, and the way the killer had pierced her heart. She still clutched the cup of tea, but he figured she'd need something a bit stronger.

He stood up, went to the kitchen, grabbed the bottle of whiskey John kept hidden, two shot glasses he had dug out for an experiment, and headed back. Serena's gaze just barely flicked up as he handed her a glass.

"How is it you know what'll make me feel better?" She said as he poured the glass to the brim.

She downed the shot as he poured it into his own glass and drank it down. It felt like fire racing through his veins, burning down his throat.

He handed Serena the bottle.

"Drinking away our sorrows." She said wryly. "Well, I'm drinking away mine, at least."

"You think I feel nothing over his death?" Sherlock asked.

Serena paused.

"I am sorry that he died, and that we were too late to save him." Sherlock said.

"I am to." Serena said, tipping her glass into her mouth.

Six shots later, both Serena and Sherlock were beginning to feel the effects. Serena's words slurred together, but her eyes managed to focus on Sherlock's anyway. He felt a strange twinge as he looked at her.

"You know what the worst part is?" Serena said, studying Sherlock's face. "I can't tell what you're thinking."

"You can't?"

"Nope." Serena laughed a little. Her voice sounded light.

"I can't tell what you're thinking sometimes too." Sherlock said.

"Really?"

"Mmm-hmm."

"Ooh, oh, I know!" Serena said excitedly. "Let's play a game."

"A game?" Sherlock asked curiously. His own words were slurring, but he didn't mind. He took another drink.

It was strange how completely Serena had forgotten the grief.

"We'll be able to tell each other exactly what we're thinking." Serena nodded vigorously. "Here's how it works. We each get ten questions to ask the other person, and you have to answer truthfully. No funny business."

She patted the couch next to her, and Sherlock stared at her dubiously.

"Come on." She waved her hand loosely at him, and he relented, moving next to her on the couch.

"K, I'll start." She said, her eyebrows furrowed as she stared at Sherlock.

"Come on then." Sherlock said impatiently.

"Um, have you ever had any pets?" Serena said.

"My brother had a cat named Toby. But not me." Sherlock said. "Where did you grow up?"

"Manchester." Serena answered right away. "Why do you and your brother have this feud, anyway?"

Sherlock scratched the back of his head. It seemed rather foolish now. "We always competed against each other. It evolved into what it is today."

"Go on. Ask me." Serena seemed to be thoroughly enjoying herself.

"Favorite color?"

"That seems rather boring for you." Serena remarked with what could only be described as a smirk. "Green. Ever been to America?"