Important Author's Note:

*For all of you who used to read me, I will no longer be updating any of my old stories. If you would like to adopt one of them (or maybe more) either leave a review in that story or send me a PM to let me know. Thank you.

*Anyone else, this is my first time posting in YEARS. Please be kind. This is also my first time posting in this fandom, which happens to be my favorite fandom. My fingers are crossed that you like it. Any and all feedback is welcome!

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Sherlock was sitting in his chair, well not sitting in, more perched on, fingers pointed beneath his chin as he thought.

"Sherlock," John said hoping to pull the detective out of his Mind Palace. "Sherlock," he tried again feeling like an idiot holding tea in front of the unresponsive man. "Fine," he said irritably, setting the cup down on the table loudly. "You're welcome," he added sarcastically, taking his own seat across from Sherlock.

As John sipped his tea he stared openly at Sherlock. The only time John had ever been able to stare at Sherlock was when he was in his Mind Palace. This was true both now and before the Fall.

The Fall, the thought of it made John's stomach drop and his heart ache. At least he's back, he thought. But this also broke his heart a little. When John had seen Sherlock on the roof of St. Bart's he'd realized that he never wanted to be without the consulting detective. When he saw Sherlock jump John realized that was because Sherlock Holmes was the love of his bloody life.

It wasn't an easy thing to come to terms with, especially when he'd just lost Sherlock. The funeral had been a whirlwind of Sherlock's large family, Scotland Yard workers, and old clients. And reporters, bloody fucking reporters. A day after his death the truth came out and every reporter and newspaper was clambering over each other to get an interview with John. And as mad as he was at Mycroft, John was very grateful that he was at least keeping the reporters away somehow.

But even without that trouble, life was still hell for John. He carried his realization with him, bitter and angry that he'd never get to tell his love himself. So he threw himself into his work, he began working full time at the surgery, earning enough money to keep his residence at 221B Baker Street.

After about a year without Sherlock, Lestrade called, he wanted John's help on a case. John didn't think he'd be much help but he agreed, being on a crime scene reminded him of how amazing Sherlock had been. And he channeled it, only a little, he wasn't brilliant, but he was able to help.

So that's how he muddled on for three years until one day Sherlock was just sitting in Speedy's. John had gone in that morning to pick up his sandwich for lunch and he almost passed right by Sherlock. But he did a doubletake. Definitely Sherlock. He was flooded with fury, relief, and love all at once. And all Sherlock did was ask for a key to the flat, he'd lost his. John almost punched him.

Since that day things had almost returned to the way they'd been. Almost.

They spoke to each other less, joked less, and laughed less. It hurt John, but he didn't say anything, he was just glad to have Sherlock back. He was worried he might scare Sherlock off so he never once even mentioned the "L" word.

Sherlock's phone ringing brought John back to the present, and Sherlock too, apparently.

Sherlock gracefully picked up his mobile, answering it without checking the caller ID. "Hello?"

John heard a woman's voice yelling through the speaker, though he couldn't make out what she was saying.

"I'm having Mycroft tell everyone," Sherlock replied, it only yelled to more yelling.

"Where is Nick? Why isn't he dealing with yout?" Sherlock asked the woman.

"But I'm having tea with John," Sherlock argued and John forced himself to remain silent; this was hardly having tea together.

The woman yelled again and Sherlock sighed and turned his attention to John. "John, my cousin is inviting us to tea with her and her husband at their house," Sherlock stated.

John was surprised, technically he knew Sherlock must have other family than Mycroft, he'd seen them at the funeral; but he couldn't imagine Sherlock interacting with them. "Alright, that sounds... fine," he finally answered.

"We'll be there in ten," Sherlock said to the woman before disconnecting the call. He got out of his chair and put on his shoes and coat and scarf in a hurry. "Coming John?" He asked when John hadn't moved from his chair.

"Yep, right," he said getting up and putting on his things.

They went outside and Sherlock hailed a cab quickly giving the address as they sped away.

"Cousin?" John asked as they settled in the back of the taxi.

"Yes, we are very close," Sherlock replied curtly.

"Is she a friend then?" John asked, Sherlock had never mentioned her but John was accepting that there were a lot of facts that Sherlock omitted.

Sherlock laughed. "You can't be friends with family members."

"Yeah, sure," John said even though he disagreed. "And she lives in London?"

"Obviously," Sherlock scoffed.

"But you've never even mentioned her!" John snapped.

Sherlock looked at John with curiosity that made John want to slap his face. "I didn't see a reason to," he said slowly.

"A reason?" John nearly yelled. "We were living together! We were best mates! Isn't that reason enough?"

There was a longer pause this time before Sherlock replied. "Aren't we still best friends?"

This threw John off. That's what Sherlock heard? He asked himself. "I don't know," he finally answered.

Now Sherlock seemed to get angry. "How can you not know that John?"

"A lot's changed Sherlock," John huffed.

"Oh really John? Like what?" Sherlock pushed.

"Me! I've changed! Our whole relationship has changed!"

"How?" Sherlock yelled.

"How?" John repeated incredulously. "I realized I bloody loved you, that's how!" John yelled back before he could stop himself.

For the first time in his life Sherlock was speechless.

"Here we are then," The cabby said breaking the thick silence.

They both stepped out and Sherlock went to the steps as John paid the fare, neither knowing what to say now.

Once John had joined Sherlock at the door, Sherlock rang the bell to have it almost immediately pulled open. "Sherlock, I hate you!" A woman exclaimed before pulling him into a big hug.

John was struck by how much Sherlock and this woman looked alike. She was quite tall for a woman, but not quite as tall as Sherlock, thin and with wild dark hair cut very short in a pixie cut. She pulled out of the hug and turned to John who was now fully blown away. Before him stood the female Sherlock. Same ethereal pale skin, same full lips (rounder, but the same), and same omniscient blue grey eyes. "Very pleased to meet you Doctor Watson, I'm Cassidy Holmes-Reynolds."

"Nice to meet you too," John said wondering if he was now fully in the Twilight Zone. "And please, call me John."

"John then," She said with a smile her eyes searching over him. It then occurred to him that Sherlock and Mycroft might not be the only two capable of deduction. "Come in, Nick's just setting up the tea."

John followed Sherlock and Cassidy into the surprisingly large flat, taking his time to examine the walls which were full of family portraits, some of which included Sherlock at varying ages.

Cassidy ushered them into the drawing room where a man about Sherlock's age and height was laying out a tea tray. The man looked up and John saw the brightest red hair he'd ever seen. "Sherlock, good to have you back!" He grinned.

"Nick, I have to thank you, Mycroft told me what you did for me, for John," Sherlock said with such sincerity that John was beginning to wonder who this Sherlock was.

"I will do anything for my family Sherlock, it was nothing. I'm only sorry that I couldn't do more when it all started up." Nick replied.

Looking over at John and seeing his confusion, Cassidy spoke. "We all have a question of two, why don't we talk?" She suggested taking a seat.

They sat in a somewhat awkward silence until John spoke up. "Okay, first question. What was that about?"

Nick began to say it was nothing when Sherlock interrupted. "Nick owns a prominent newspaper. His paper was the only one that never turned against me and he is the means through which Mycroft has kept the press from you."

"Oh... Wow... Thank you," John said the information sank in.

"As I said to Sherlock, anything for family," Nick assured with a kind smile.

"He also made sure that that nasty woman, Kitty Riley," Cassidy spat, "Is never published in a major paper ever again," She smiled. "Now my question. Do you two plan on taking cases again?"

For the first time since in the cab John's and Sherlock's eyes met. "Mycroft told Lestrade that I'm back so I don't see why we wouldn't," Sherlock answered cautiously, testing to see if John had any objections.

John didn't. "I was going to post the news on my blog eventually."

"Oh yay! We love your blog!" Cassidy clapped excitedly.

"Which sort of leads us to my question," Nick said happily. "Should I have a story about your return published?"

"No," John and Sherlock answered together.

This made Cassidy grin. "I think they've had enough of papers, darling."

"Yes," John and Sherlock agreed together again.

"Any other questions?" Cassidy asked the group.

"Yeah, just one, how do you and Sherlock look so similar? It's uncanny for cousins," John asked trying to lighten the mood.

"Freaky isn't it?" Nick laughed.

Sherlock rolled his eyes, but not maliciously like normal. "Our mothers were identical twins, as were our fathers. From the strictly genetic point of view, we are siblings."

"Does that happen often?" John asked, amazed.

"Not very," Cassidy shrugged. "Mycroft looks like Gerald and Geoffrey, and Sherlock and I look like Daphne and Diana."

"Even the names," Nick remarked to John. "Twins run in their family, it's crazy!"

"Like you're one to talk! All of your siblings' names start with 'N!'" Cassidy laughed.

Then Sherlock giggled like he used to with John.

And then John laughed like they used to.

And then even though he was terrified to talk to Sherlock about what he'd said, John knew that it would turn out alright.

Because Sherlock was back and John loved him now more than ever.

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Please review! I will love all reviewers forever and I will try to change if you guys think that there are definite areas that require improvement!