A/N- This continues from "Puzzle", the deleted scene from "John's Birthday". "Puzzle" should be read first to understand the references.
It was a quiet day at 221B. Sherlock was on the couch, his palms held together, turning over a recent case over in his mind. John was attempting to restore some order in Sherlock's case files. He asked for permission first, and his flatmate gave a short nod. He needed material for his blog.
Papers were streamed over the coffee table, piled into categories. He scanned through a folder and paper slid out. Again. Mentally sighing, he began picking them up. He noticed among the 'thank you' letters from past clients, they were receipts. Many receipts. John flicked through them. Grocery stores. Chemists. Newsagencies.
"Sherlock?" He waited for his flatmate-colleague- now-friend to respond. He knew from past experience, Sherlock did not like to be interrupted during his thinking. Unless, he said otherwise.
"Hmm…?"
"Why do you have so many receipts? From ordinary stores?"
He was silent for a moment. "Turn them over."
John flipped them. All of them had phone numbers and names hastily scrawled. He grinned slightly. The one from a newsagent had Ashley scrawled in curly writing.
"I could never figure out why they gave me their numbers."
John tried to hold back his laughter. "And you kept them all?"
Sherlock gave a mild shrug. "It's just another puzzle."
John could not rein in his laughter.
His flatmate frowned at John's outburst. "I fail to see the humour."
"You may be the world's only consulting detective, but you are the world's most oblivious idiot!
A/N- Please review!