A cab pulled up outside 221B Baker Street and John Watson got out. He'd spent a few days with his sister Harry. He wasn't convinced she'd stay sober but it had been good to spend some time with her, to make peace. He smiled. He was tired and glad to be home.
As he turned the key in the lock and opened the door he heard Mrs Hudson call out "Sherlock, is that you?"
"No it's me." he called back.
As he closed the door behind him Mrs Hudson met him in the hallway looking a bit flustered. "You OK?" he asked
"Oh, hello dear. Yes I'm fine. I just haven't seen Sherlock for a few days so I was hoping that was him."
John walked up to Mrs Hudson and put his hand on her shoulder "I'm sure he's fine" he told her "Probably on a case. You know what he's like. Let me get sorted and I'll give Lestrade a call to put your mind at rest."
"Thank you." Mrs Hudson smiled "How was your trip?"
"It was good thanks. It was nice to spend some time with Harry while she's sober for a change."
"Why don't you go and sit down. I'll bring you some tea and you can tell me all about it."
"That would be lovely." John told her and headed upstairs.
As he entered the flat it was obvious Sherlock hadn't been there for a while, it was too tidy for a start. He dropped his bag on the floor and had a look round to see if Sherlock had left any details to his new case lying around but there was nothing. He took his phone from his pocket and called DI Lestrade, he was bound to know what Sherlock was up to.
"Hi John" Lestrade said cheerfully "Have a good break? How's your sister?"
"Fine thanks Greg. It was good to see her completely sober. Let's just hope she can keep it up."
"I hope she can mate. So what can I do for you?"
"I just wondered what Sherlock was up to. Mrs Hudson says he's not been around for a couple of days so I figured he was probably working on something for you."
"Sorry John, I've no idea. I've had no cases crop up for him while you've been away. Must have his own."
"Oh OK. Mrs Hudson's a bit worried that's all, so I thought I'd ask. He's bound to turn up soon, you know what he's like. Thanks anyway. Bye."
As he walked back into the living room he saw Mrs Hudson coming in with a tray of tea. "You're an angel." he told her "Thanks Mrs H."
John sat down in his chair and Mrs Hudson sat opposite him and poured the tea. "Here I thought you might like some cake too." she said as she passed a plate to him. "So how was your sister?"
"Good thanks" John answered and took a bite of cake. "This is lovely. Did you make it?" Mrs Hudson smiled and nodded. "I've spoken to Greg" he went on "but he hasn't given a case to Sherlock while I've been away. Didn't you see any clients at all?"
Mrs Hudson shook her head. "No dear. Sherlock went out 3 days ago without saying a word and I haven't seen him since."
John noticed the worried expression on her face and he had to admit it was a bit unusual, even for Sherlock, to disappear if no client had called. Still there was bound to be some sort of puzzle involved if Sherlock had been occupied for three days.
John smiled at the anxious lady sat opposite him "I'm sure he's fine. He'll turn up soon all excited about another case solved. You know what he's like. He's so self absorbed that he never gives a thought to us sat worrying about him. He doesn't mean to upset you, he just doesn't think."
Mrs Hudson sighed "I know dear but it doesn't stop me worrying. He's always involved with such dangerous people, well you both are. I don't know how I sleep at night." She looked at John whose smile was now even wider at the thought of this woman, who claimed to be nothing but their landlady worrying about them. She smiled back at him. "Oh I guess you're right."
The pair sat and drank their tea while discussing John's trip. Mrs Hudson had almost finished when there was a knock on the door. "I'll get it" she said getting up and leaving the room.
On the pavement outside 221B a well dressed man was supporting a taller, rather dishevelled looking man with dark, curly hair. They had just got out of a cab and the well dressed man was talking as the cab drove away. "Well Sherlock, Johnny boy is not gonna be happy with you now is he? He's gonna be so disappointed when he finds out what you've been up to while he's been away. You know how he hates you using drugs." The man gave a sly smile to the taller man in the long coat as he walked him over to the front door and leant him against it.
"Moriarty I will get you." Sherlock told him with slightly slurred speech.
"Oh I don't think I have too much to fear from a drug addict, do you?" he almost sang. "Bye Sherlock." With that he knocked the door and walked away.
Sherlock leant against the door, half unconscious, unable to stand up straight and waited for the door to be opened. When it was he had no option but to fall. As he lay there he heard Mrs Hudson scream.
Upstairs John heard the noise and leapt to his feet. He was down the stairs and at Mrs Hudson's side within seconds. Lying at her feet was a barely conscious Sherlock. "Jesus Christ!" he exclaimed as he dropped to his knees at Sherlock's side. "What happened to you?" he asked frantically checking Sherlock over.
"Ah John, my friend, it's always good to see you." he muttered with a crooked smile before passing out completely.
