*Sherlock* The Thief And The Detective

[Sherlock Holmes]

"I don't mind walking." Sherlock nodded and started off at a brisk pace towards 221B. He didn't speak as he walked, instead, he was going over information about the theif. She would be welcome in the homeless network. The fact that she had a phone would also be useful. He would need to get her number at some point so there could be quick communications between the Homeless Network and Sherlock. Which was generally useful, especially for situations where he needed to find someone. He needed recent updates, updates that told him exactly where someone was.

Entering 221B Baker Street and heading up the stairs and into his flat, Sherlcok settled down on the sofa. "If you need food there might be something in the fridge. Just don't take the fingers out. Or the eyeballs." Sherlock commented. It was getting close to lunch time, and Sherlock hadn't touched breakfast. Someone, probably Mrs Hudson had left toast out for him. But the detective wasn't hungry. Maybe's he'd eat the toast in the evening or tomorrow. But for now he didn't need to eat, so why should he bother.

[Samantha 'Sam' Puckett]

Sam walked along at the same brisk pace as Sherlock. He seemed to be in thought. Sam wondered what he was thinking about but she didn't ask. She wasn't that nosy. Sam had learned that leaving people to their thoughts was best because sometimes it was deep stuff. Sam doubted that it was something deep and serious but she still didn't question it.

When they went into the flat, Sam sat in an armchair opposite Sherlock. She shook her head. "I'm not hungry at the moment, thanks." she said. It was a surprise; Sam was usually always hungry. But she wasn't now. Fingers and eyeballs, though? She raised her eyebrow at this, but didn't say anything.

Sam took in her surroundings. The flat wasn't exactly tidy nor messy. A bit in the middle. And there were some shot marks in the wall. Someone had shot the wall? Strange, but Sam again didn't question it. She wasn't intending to question anything at this precise moment. Sam looked quickly at the view out of the window before turning her attention back to Sherlock.

Sam pushed her hair out of her face. She wasn't nervous, maybe a little but that was all. She still had a hunch that she knew what Sherlock was going to say to her, but she could be wrong. She had to wait and see. And she was considering, if she was right in what he might say to her, doing what he said. Not exactly something Sam would usually do, but she might do it just this once, and perhaps it could have a good influence on her. Maybe, just maybe.

[Sherlock Holmes]

"I'm not hungry at the moment, thanks." Sherlock nodded. Generally it was better to not be hungry. Sherlock disregarded the topic of food and moved onto the more important topic. "The Homeless Network works for me, you could say. They keep an eye out for criminals or people that I am looking for." Sherlock said, leaning back against the sofa. He knew that the theif was examining the surrondings, but he didn't bother talking about that. His eyes flickered across mantel peice and briefly lit upon the knife embedded in the wood. Yes, there were some uncommon things in the flat.

Looking back to the theif, Sherlock reagrded her for another second. "You are welcome to join. Some members were theives, but now work for money. You get money when you give in information. Or if I'm looking for someone, I pay in advance. With your mobile, you should be able to contact be quickly, which is always useful." Sherlock commented, no emotions in his tone. It would just be another member added to his group of many homeless people working for him.

[Samantha 'Sam' Puckett]

So she was right. He was proposing (sort of) that Sam join the Homeless Network.As he continued to explain, Sam was listening and considering it. She was going to say yes, but then she had a thought. "Suppose I do say yes for a moment, what happens if they don't let me in?" Sam asked. It wasn't that she didn't want to, she actually did; she was actually wondering the thing she had asked.

When Sherlock's eyes flickered to the mantel piece, Sam looked as well. A knife? Hmm. A few uncommon things, it would appear. She didn't think that Sherlock would use such a thing. But back to the Homeless Network, Sam, don't get distracted! She looked back at Sherlock. She wondered again in her head what she would feel if the Homeless Network didn't take her in. Hurt? Anger? She had no idea.

But, Sam supposed, if they worked for Sherlock and he let her in it would work. But then again he might not. Sam felt extremely paranoid right now, like a single chance to make things better was going to pass her by. She wasn't going to let that happen easily. But sometimes when she attempted to grab chances something either caused her to let go or the chance got away. Sam imagined too vividly sometimes.

[Sherlock Holmes]

"Suppose I do say yes for a moment, what happens if they don't let me in?" Sherlock regarded her, it did seem like rather an absurd question. "They are... my employees, if you want to use that term. You are also all in the same boat. Living out on the street, sometimes having to steal to survive. There would be no reason to not let you in." Sherlock replied, evenly. he had yet to find someone, living on the street, who would join his Network and simply not be accepted.

"Besides, msot of it is solitary, unless someone needs to get the information to me. Then they usully turn to those with phones to get it to me quickly, or rush here. Depending on the importance." Sherlock added. It was all simple. He didn't see why she was worried, no one else had ever been. Most were grateful to take the oppotunity, to change their livies around. One of the strange things Sherlock found was that quite a few were religious. He didn't understand why, but they found hope in that. It also meant that they were more willing to help.

Looking at the theif, his expression holding no emotion, Sherlock paused. "What do you intend to do with your life? Do you intend on staying out on the streets?" He asked, calmly. Names were unimportant, but personalities were an entirely different matter. It allowed him to figure out exactly how useful a person was, what the situation they were in was and various other details that made the person who they were. The name meant nothing, just a term chosen that didn't even sum up who they were. Just something for a bit of use.

[Samantha 'Sam' Puckett]

Sam nodded. She listened to what else he had to say before giving her answer, "Alright. I'll do it." When he asked her the question, Sam thought very carefully. What did she want to do? Really?

"Well...when I was younger, I always liked to make a difference...I wanted to be either a detective or a policewoman..but when I got out on the streets and started stealing, even though I'd still like to help stop criminals and such, I can't do either of the things I want because now I'm a thief. But I'd still like to make a difference, whether on or off the streets." Sam said after thinking. It was true, all of it; she doesn't lie about her dreams.

Sam was seriously considering giving the wallets she had back to the police. She didn't know if there was still a chance for her to change but she was going to try her hardest. After all, she didn't want to stay like this forever, the thief, a scandal, whatever. She wanted to fulfill her dream, even just a bit would cause her to be happier.

But if she joined the Homeless Network (she was saying yes) she could have a (sort of) fresh start. That was a chance she wasn't going to let pass her by, never. It would be foolish to do so because another chance like that may not ever come. Take what you can, Sam always said.

[Sherlock Holmes]

"Alright. I'll do it." Sherlock nodded and sat up, before rising to his feet and retriving his phone from his dressing gown pocket. Turning it on, he switched to new contacts. "What is your phone number?" the detective asked, ready to put the digits into his phone. It was going to be a good way to contact him. "I'll text you my phone number, so you can contact me if you see anything that's worth my while." The detective commented, before moving over to a bundle of papers.

Picking them up, he handed them to the theif. "Do not change the order, but look at the pictures and try to remember each face. People to look out for." One of the pictures was of Moriarty, another of Mycroft. Both people Sherlock prefered to have under survalience. And Mycroft couldn't complain, Sherlock's brother had attempted to bribe John into giving the British Government information about Sherlock. Other people in the file included criminals that were local. One of the more recent was Seraphina, she had moved into the area and Sherlock was intent on keeping an eye on her.

"Well...when I was younger, I always liked to make a difference...I wanted to be either a detective or a policewoman..but when I got out on the streets and started stealing, even though I'd still like to help stop criminals and such, I can't do either of the things I want because now I'm a thief. But I'd still like to make a difference, whether on or off the streets." Sherlock looked at the thief as he sat down, phone still in hand. There was no signs that she was lying.

"Well, this is a way that you can try and fufil your wish, if you want to view it as that way." Sherlock commented. "If you see any of those people contact me and tell me the time, place and what they are doing. Ones with a red circle means that they are likely to notice if you are trying to follow them to get information. Ones in a black circle means that the I need to be updated about them." Some, such as Moriarty and Mycroft had both circles around them.

[Samantha 'Sam' Puckett]

Sam gave Sherlock her phone number, then looked through the faces carefully, putting them back in the exact order. Sam then had an idea. After each one she took a picture of their faces, quickly, for better memory, then with the same order they had been when given to her, she put them on the table, saving the photos in a new album named: PEOPLE TO LOOK OUT FOR.

She listened and nodded her head when he explained about the two circles. She had noticed these. Sam looked at one of the criminals. It was Moriarty. "Hey, I know this guy. I think he was in the newspapers once." she said, showing Sherlock the picture before putting her phone away.

He must be a really big criminal to have both circles round him, Sam thought, but she didn't question it. She wasn't feeling that curious to be shooting questions at Sherlock. After all, questions (as Sam had learned, several times and places alike) could be rather irritating and he was technically...okay, scratch that, he was doing a favor for her, and Sam really was grateful. After all it mean she didn't have to steal. Maybe. Perhaps not as much. Maybe only pickpocket if food is needed. Just maybe.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Writing the number into his phone quickly, Sherlock stored all the relevent information, that did not include the thief's name (He used a number to describe her, instead), which she still hadn't revealed. Then, he texted her so she would be able to text him any relevent information. Flipping his phone, Sherlock placed it into his dressing gown pocket before turning to look at the theif again as she sorted through the papers that she had been handed. She was taking pictures with her phone. "That's a good idea. Not everyone comes to that conclusion." Sherlock commented.

"Hey, I know this guy. I think he was in the newspapers once." Once would be a bit of an understatement. "He has occured in the media many different times, even more if you want to include crimes that he organised or helped with." In which case practically every paper had Moriarty in. There was a lot of things that came under Moriarty's line of work. And recent times had made keeping an eye on Moriarty more necessary, considering that they had both returned from the grave in recent times.

There wasn't any questions about any of the others, which Sherlock waspleased about. Too often he had been asked about Mycroft, asking what this fellow had done as he didn't seem like the kind to break laws. After a few minutes, Sherlock turned his attention back to the thief. "If you want any information that may assist you in finding any of the criminals, you may ask. But it has to be relevent questions." Sherlock said, not really looking at her.

[Samantha 'Sam' Puckett]

When he said her idea of taking pictures with her phone was good, Sam gave him a small smile. When he texted her, Sam looked at the number and saved it under 'Sherlock Holmes' in her contact list. Putting her phone away again, she listened to what he was saying, her focus on him entirely.

Sam was taking in everything and she knew that she would remember everything he was telling her because first you don't really forget this sort of thing and second it was important. Then, Sam shook her head.

"No, I don't have any questions at this moment." she replied. Sam looked around the flat once more, then back at Sherlock. She wanted to thank him but her mouth remained shut despite her efforts to make it work.

Finally she summoned up the words and spoke. "Thank you for this. For offering me a job at the Homeless Network.." were Sam's choice of words. They weren't exactly professional, but hey, Sam never had been. Maybe this job would make her more like that, but this didn't bother Sam so much. She just knew that she wouldn't have to steal anymore, and there was now a possible chance that she could fulfill her childhood dream.

And that was something that not many people experienced in their lives, and Sam was thankful for it.

[Sherlock Holmes]

"No, I don't have any questions at this moment." Sherlock gave a small nod. He prefered not having to answer questions. Too often he had to answer stupid questions from the homeless network. They never even asked the right questions, although they were asking questions that would slightly help. "Thank you for this. For offering me a job at the Homeless Network.." Sherlock regarded the thief as she said that, his eyes showing no sign of emotion as he watched her. People often thanked him and the detective saw no reason. They helped him, he helped them.

"There is no reason to thank me. You are helping me, as well as I am helping you. Its of neutral benefit." Sherlock replied, casually. It was his usual reply made to many people who had thanked him. Sherlock looked out the window, his eyes scanning the area. No one new from the homeless network. "Just keep your work secret from others unless you know they are part of the Homeless Network or me."

[Samantha 'Sam' Puckett]

Sam listened and nodded. "You have a point, I suppose." she said. Sam was already a bit relieved. She'd said it, and didn't have to again. She was a bit weird with apologies and thanks. Sam personally had no idea why, but it was best just to try and get them over with, provided that she had to.

Sam regarded Sherlock carefully, then asked. "Actually I have a question..when do I start, straight away or at a specific day?" she asked. Sam hoped he didn't think her silly for her question. She racked her brains and came to the conclusion that he probably wouldn't, but he could. Detectives were strange and mysterious people. However, they intrigued her.

Sam took another look at the neatly put-down papers and examined the face she could see on top. It was Mycroft. She looked the whole page over, taking it in, then looked back up at Sherlock. She wasn't going to ask any more questions, but he was one of the ones (as Sam noticed now) that had a red and black circle round him. Sam was curious, but she could probably find out something later. If not, never mind. It wasn't any of her business, really.

[Sherlock Holmes]

"You have a point, I suppose." Sherlock gave a small smile. In th detective's mind, he was always right. That was usually the case. He doubted that the thief needed to 'suppose' at all. Still, people never liked to admit that they were completely wrong, and that was probably the reason behind the thief just supposing, instead of admiting that Sherlock's point was correct and leaving it at that. Watching as she looked through the papers, Sherlock's keen gaze picked out the ones she spent more time looking at. The detective was interested in seeing how her mind worked.

"Actually I have a question..when do I start, straight away or at a specific day?" The answer to this, Sherlock thought was obvious, but he decided that he might as well answer. "You start to look out for them as soon as you are back outside on the street. You are to avoid stealing, unless its absolutely necessary for your suvival, which means you haven't eaten in several days, preferable a week. But with bringing me information, you should be able to get enough money to by food, anyway.

The thief was now looking at Mycroft's picture and Sherlock paused. He was interested in seeing her reaction. Mycroft did not appear to be the kind of person dangerous to the public, and at times, Sherlock would admit to himself that it was more of a personal grudge as to why he kept Mycroft under observation. But his brother was the British government and he did organise things throughoutthe country. His brother was dangerous and if any criminality got into his mind, it could cause chaos to England. "If you see him, I would contact me immediately and do not follow him. He is likely to be able to catch that, but alert the rest of the homeless network to kee an eye out and say what area." Sherlock said, texting the numbers of the other Homeless Network members to the thief, before sending her number to them, so they knew about her.

[Samantha 'Sam' Puckett]

Sam nodded. "Got it. So he's really important then, if he'll notice me he must have a hell of a lot of security." she noted when he told her about the guy...Mycroft, who was on the paper she had been looking at.

Then she paused. "Is there anything else I need to know before I leave?" she asked. She wasn't being rude or anything; she just wanted to get started right away. As she had thought before, this was a great chance and she wasn't going to miss it.

Sam began to think, for the first time for quite a while at least, of what it must be like for others if no chances or opportunities came along for them and they had to live on, stealing and stealing and unable to get any money if they didn't do that. It must be awful, Sam thought. Now she was definitely glad that she had decided to take this job.

[Sherlock Holmes]

"Got it. So he's really important then, if he'll notice me he must have a hell of a lot of security." Sherlock regarded her, briefly. "He's important in many different senses of the word." He replied, shortly. "But it is not his importance that allows him to notice those who follow him." But Sherlock would not admit that Mycroft was clever, nor would the detective admit that his older brother was better at deduction than himself. However, it was these skills that made Mycroft a dangerous man to follow.

"Is there anything else I need to know before I leave?" "Only if you wish to know the pay. You get money for information, the amount depends on the information and you will have to come here to get paid, even if you text me or phone me." Sherlock replied. For some reason, most people wanted to know this. The detective didn't see why. But he was glad that the thief hadn't asked. It meant that she was different. "Oh, and if you want company, anyone should be willing to take you. There's a girl of twelve somewhere who used to steal and occasionally does. So you shouldn't be short of company." Sherlock replied.