Authors Note:

[] = mind palace

= text

I don't own BBC's Sherlock just borrowing some of the characters for a bit. Any mistakes are my own and I would appreciate if I was told about them so I can edit the story for perfection. I am British so hopefully there are no mistakes in that part.

Anyway, enjoy.

Tee.

Chapter 1:

'Please do not leave your luggage unattended.'

"Ugh..." I groaned, slouching further into my seat. The rain was pouring dullfully against the train window which showed the typical grey sky of early morning London. John sniffed as he slipped into the seat opposite me, holding two much appreciated steaming cups of hot tea. He smiled briefly as he handed me my tea and I grunted in a reply. People were still boarding the train, dripping wet and I took brief pleasure in deducing the idiots as they sat - a teacher who's cheating on her husband with a student, a man in a suit who was still living with his parents and a father with his daughter [no, younger sister] who has a cold and is thankfully sitting the other side of the carriage. Dull. I sipped my tea, returning to my blogger who was currently staring out the window, looking concerned. His eyes flicked to mine.

'The train will be leaving the platform shortly.'

"Great." He mumbled, stirring his tea slowly before taking a sip, flinching as I had done. He smiled at me and I returned the smile. [He's smiling more now], I noted, it had been a difficult couple of months to say the least with every word being carefully chosen so not to upset John further. Only recently had John started to be more... John. Talking more, eating more, even coming on the odd case with me despite not being as sharp or involved as he had been before, his presence had been enough to allow me to work. The smiling more though, that was a new development and good timing, his parent will be expecting the usual cheerful John. Not the grieving John that is slowly starting to show.

'Doors closing.'

"What?" He asked, face towards me. I cocked my head to the side in reply as the train finally started its depart from the station. I could almost feel the separation from all the murderers and drug dealers and puzzles as I looked out the window.

"You were staring at me." John said still facing me, alert despite the early morning, maybe the nap in the taxi had helped him. A couple behind us was currently discussing hotel arrangements and other domestically unoriginal conversations, what shall we have for dinner, babe, god... I returned to John who was staring at his tea [deciding whether it's cooled down or not, it hasn't] he flinched again before returning his gaze to me.

"How long will it take to get to your parents house?" The couple had started to argue, the man was blaming the woman for not packing a lunch for them, both using colourful language in hushed tones.

"It'll take us about two hours or so to get there, bored?" He smiled at me, shaking his head fondly as the train stopped at a station. I nodded, closing my eyes and sighing, contempt to listen to the story being read to the child across the carriage. The rain was pouring heavily outside the train and there was a horrible bite to the air that was borderline unpleasant making the warm leg pressed against my own more noticeable. I heard John sip his tea, which would now be drinkable if I could be bothered to drink it, I was currently using it to warm my hands and I had time before it became cold. Someone coughed as the train left another station. The rain was now too loud, the story too predictable and those idiots behind me had decided they were going to snog. I opened my eyes, scowling at no one in particular as I grumpily sipped my tea deciding to scowl at the window for being dull. I grabbed my phone out of my pocket, it had vibrated at some point during the journey, I silently hoped Lestrade had messaged me a case that I could solve via text - nope, phone service with its stupid deals, bugger. I sighed, shoving the phone in my pocket more forcefully than needed whilst finishing off my tea.

"Only two more stops." He said softly, continuing to stare out the window. I wasn't entirely sure whether he was telling me or himself but I nodded curtly, noting the scowl on John's face. His mother was collecting us from the station at Chelmsford, more likely that he was worried about seeing her after so long. Apart from the two years of me being 'gone', I'm certain that John visited his mother twice in the amount of time I've known him and phoned her on special occasions. Perhaps he phoned her when I jumped or when he met Mary because the woman had demanded that John visit her to 'cheer him up a bit'. So John demanded that I come as well to give him a reason to leave, the fact that his mother knows what I am like is both useful and a tad unsettling because it means John has talked about me to his mother and I don't know what he could have said. At least I don't need to pretend or be polite around her.

Finally, we approached Ipswich Rail Station. John sighed before he stood up, his legs cracking as he did so, I grabbed my small suitcase and followed John towards the door as the train came to a halt. We stepped out the carriage as well as the annoying couple who were discussing a romantic weekend together, she was expecting dinner and romance, he was clearly only interested in sexual intercourse. I caught John's eye and he rolled them humorously, obviously as fed up as I was at the couple. Much to our appreciation, the couple went in the opposite direction from us as we headed towards the exit of the station where Mrs Watson was waiting for us.

"It'll take us a good hour an' half before we finally get to the house so I'm gonna grab a sandwich or something from the shop. Want anything?" John explained after we left the platform. He handed me his suitcase and turned towards a small shop before I could answer though I knew even if I denied John would get me to eat something -stubborn doctor that he is. The station was busy and people were rushing around the station towards the platforms or the exits so the queue in the shop was long and John was at the back of it. I groaned, reaching in my pocket for my phone.

Any cases? SH

I sent the text, briefly looking up to see where John was in the queue. [Two people in front of him, only with a couple of products, should be 2-3 minutes] The phone vibrated.

Nope, enjoy your weekend away.

Lestrade replied and I groaned once again, leaning against a pillar whilst watching John talk with the cashier. They were blushing but John seemed oblivious [not ready to move on yet then] The phone vibrated again and I unlocked it quickly, hoping that Lestrade had found me a case.

Nope, Mycroft. Mrs Watson is waiting for you in the East Car Park.

Shove your umbrella up your fat -

"You okay?" John had returned with a plastic bag full of sandwiches it seemed, looking concerned but slightly amused. He pulled out a bottle of water and handed it to me before grabbing the handle of his suitcase as he took a drink of his own water.

"Fine, Mycroft is being, well, himself. Apparently your mother is waiting for us in the East Car Park, shall we go?" John froze for a moment before swallowing and placing the cap back on the bottle then he swallowed again whilst his knuckles tightened around his suitcase handle. 'Comfort him!' I thought, as I tentatively place my hand on his arm in what I hoped was a reassuring gesture.

"John?" I questioned softly. The doctor snapped out of his moment and stared me straight in the eye then glanced at my hand on his arm. Before I could remove it, John placed his own hand on top of mine and squeezed, soothing my brief panic.

"Let's go, Sherlock." He smiled and started walking away, my hand falling from his arm as he did. I followed him casually towards the car park, my hand tingling.

"Johnny!" Mrs Watson was a loud woman to say the least, her hair was brown [dyed] and she shared John's nose and slightly tanned skin. She was currently hugging John whilst he wrapped an arm loosely around her in return, he pulled away quickly and took a step back so he was now standing next to me. He coughed,

"Er, mum, this is Sherlock. Sherlock Holmes." John introduced. His mother smiled brightly at me and then suddenly I was engulfed in a mother's crushing hug, I hesitatingly placed my hand on the woman's back then coughed awkwardly. She thankfully released me and John flashed me a concerned look.

"Mrs Watson." I politely addressed his mother, wishing to cause as little commotion as possible so that we could depart. The rain had thankfully cleared but there was still a dampness about the air which was uncomfortable and cold. Mrs Watson chuckled and looked at John fondly before speaking,

"Goodness Sherlock, you're exactly as my Johnny described you." She looked at me, amused. Oh no, was I meant to be polite ALL weekend? Dull. Mrs Watson turned around and began walking away, rambling about how Mr Watson wouldn't be joining us and how John was looking thinner. We approached a small family looking car and John instantly grabbed my suitcase, placing it in the boot of the car then sitting next to his mother at the front of the car - leaving me at the back of the car. The radio was playing some repetitive songs and Mrs Watson continued the ramble aimlessly, it was obvious to me and probably John that she was trying to cover up the awkwardness of the situation with her loud voice and music. The sun was attempting to come out but the clouds were too thick from the rain to let it through, giving a suffocating feel to the atmosphere. An hour and a half. Mrs Watson cannot ramble on for an hour and a half even barely half an hour later she's resorted to talking about the weather, there will be silence soon. I'm so bored. John's not even replying or questioning his mother, just staring at the window, I hope this trip was a good idea because he's starting to look as lost as he did at the beginning of his grieving.

"Sherlock, dear, how are the cases? Will you be solving any murders here or are you two actually here to visit family?" I noted a bitter edge to her tone, most likely due to the fact that John hardly visits, she was clearly surprised at not only John visiting but him bringing me as well; hence why she was expecting there to be a catch or a case.

"No Mrs Watson, we won't be working on a case. I've only recently solved one involving a double suicide that turned out to be murder and then forced to commit suicide." She glanced up at me from the windscreen mirror, smiling fondly at me, then focusing on the road. John gave no comment. I honestly wasn't expecting him to, just hoped he would smile or acknowledge my response in some way yet he continued to stare at the window blankly. [Note: pay attention to him when at the house]

"John, can I have my sandwich please?" That distracted him. The doctor and flatmate in him was clearly happy at the idea of me eating, so he reached into the bag at his feet,

"Prawn mayo or cheese and bransted?" He asked, lifting both sandwiches out and turning to me. He didn't look sad or lost anymore, actually he looked like John - concerned and caring. It was a refreshing.

"Prawn mayo." I replied and smiled before I could stop myself. John smiled back softly before looking sad again and returning to his seat whilst he ate his sandwich, looking out the window again. Damn, did I do that wrong? He seemed fine for a second. Mrs Watson was looking at me, winked quickly with a smirk, then acted like it never happened whilst I sat there questioningly. Snapping out of it, I took a bite out of my sandwich.

Overall, the drive to John's childhood home was as silent and awkward as I suspected. Mrs Watson ran out of conversation points shortly after I had finished my sandwich, so the rest of the hour or so journey was spent in silence with the few comments on the odd building or two from Mrs Watson which was replied to with a grunt from John and a 'oh' or 'right' from me. Finally, I noticed John was beginning to recognise places even going as far as to point a park out to me where he spent the majority of his childhood apparently. Then when turned into a side street and pulled up at a homely looking house.

The Watson House had a brick front with a garage and white windows. Not the largest house; not the smallest house, the Watson's clearly had a fortunate start if this was where John had grown up. Mrs Watson opened the front door and I noted the welcome mat reading 'Home Sweet Home', perhaps John had a different opinion as he looked as nervous as me.

"I'll just park the car in the garage, John, why don't you show Sherlock to your room so you can get rid of your bags. You remember where it was don't you dear?" She asked waiting until John nodded and made his way up the stair before turning and walking out the front door. I took a deep breath and followed John up the stairs towards his bedroom. [Nervous Sherlock?] Mycroft's mocking voice filled my head as I ascended the stairs [Shut up Mycroft!] I replied to him internally. John's bedroom door had clearly had a sign attached to it as the glue from it were still on the door which was slightly open. I could see blue and what I believed was a desk through the gap, the shadow of John could also be seen on the wall, he was facing away from the door. With one more deep breath I opened the door completely.

John. John. John. From the football posters to the certificates hanging on the wall this room screamed John. There were numerous boxes filled with what appeared to be John's stuff but other than that the room seemed to appear as if John had only just left for the army. The bed sheets were childish and had what appeared to be some kind of superhero on them, when he realised I was looking at the John chuckled.

"I can't believe they used my old Superman sheets. They haven't even got rid of the posters yet, I had them in my teens, for god sake." He smiled at the sheets even so before turning to me and noticing that I was still holding my bags.

"Oh, er, place them wherever. One of us with probably be sleeping in Harry's old room and one sleeping in here. If that fails there's always the ol'reliable sofa." I placed my bag next to his, spotting a box through the cupboard door next to them.

"Are you a football fan then?" Obvious Sherlock if he has posters of course he's a football fan idiot! John on the other hand didn't seemed surprised by this question and shrugged nonchalantly.

"I enjoy a good match to watch but not play, I was always more of a rugby fan. I was always the smallest one playing which helped me move around players plus I hit hard and it was always nice to see the look of surprise on their face when the small guy hurts them." He picked up a picture from the box and showed it to me, it was of young student rugby players in two lines and after briefly searching I saw who John was - the smallest one there. He had lighter hair and was thinner but his face was identical, his smile even more recognisable. By now the sky was starting to turn dark, the streetlights outside beginning to turn on, giving the room a slight glow. I handed the photo back to him and he placed it back in the box which clearly contained more photos, I'll have to ask John if we can look at them some time during the weekend.

"Come on let's check with mum to see what we're doing for dinner and sleeping." He slapped my arm as he left the room and I watched him leave, listening as he trudged down the stairs. I walked up the window looking at the garden that John probably played in as a child before sitting down on the bed, signing deeply placing my head briefly in my hands as I listened to the murmurs from downstairs. I looked up and something in the box glistened. Considering the possibility that I may be discovered, I walked towards the cupboard and opened the doors wider. Inside was a cardboard box with pink blankets, a teddy bear and a deflated congratulation balloon - oh. Oh no. John can definitely not find this, what was his parents thinking? He isn't ready for this, he has only recently started to improve; to feel better, this could set us back to stage 1 and I, he can't go back to that.

"Sherlock?" I shut the cupboard quickly and then walked out to the hallway, looking down at John who was beginning to ascend the stair.

"John?" I walked round the banister to the top of the stairs in hope of stopping him from entering the room before I could hide the box, John smiled when he spotted me.

"Fancy Chinese?" He asked. [Two meals in one day, John this better make you smile] I nodded and followed him into the kitchen.

Eating with the Watson's was actually easier than I thought it would be. John's father had arrived before the food was ordered and he made John seem more comfortable so he talked more, which let me be silent without it being awkward. Mr Watson was a family man, complete with a slight gut and thin line of hair on his head however he seemed to get on with John. There were no jokes and no stories but there was a flow of conversation between father and son that showed they liked each other but that was it, no special treatment for John. Mr Watson had been following John's blog and was eager to hear more about myself and work but Mrs Watson had requested that it not be discussed at the dinner table. After that point the food was quickly finished and Mrs Watson went to fetch a quilt and pillow as the extra room apparently had no bed as it was broken by John's sister before she had left. I didn't need to ask further questions.

"You sleep in your room, I'll sleep on the sofa." I said after John's parents had gone to bed for the night. As soon as I said it I remembered the box and how I had yet to hide it. Thankfully John's loyalty was predictable and much appreciated.

"No, no. You're the guest you sleep in my room." I made the effort to put on a melodramatic sigh before groaning a 'fiiiine' before turning around had walking towards the hallway. Then I stopped, turned around checking on him one more time today.

"Good night, John." I practically whispered, smiling. He smiled back a real genuine smile before replying, "Good night, Sherlock." Then I walked away.

Authors Note:

Want me to continue? I'm planning on it becoming a Johnlock build with a bit of sexy times involved. Reviews make me smile and encourage me so no pressure but send me some.

Tee.