It didn't start until the morning I met John. I'd woken up and had sat down in front of my laptop with a cup of tea, having already taken my bag of blood for the morning, checking over my e-mails. I sifted through the usual ones but came across one that I didn't expect. I didn't recognise the sender so I was slightly apprehensive about what the e-mail entailed.
221B Baker Street
I quickly looked up the address and found that it was a two bedroom flat that was for rent. It was actually being rented by an old acquaintance of mine, Mrs Hudson. I decided to check it out.
It was while I was making my way to Baker Street that I ran into an old friend of mine, Mike Stamford. We chatted and he asked what I was up to and I mentioned going to look at the flat.
"I'm not exactly flat-mate material though" I mentioned.
"No, I wouldn't say you would be Sherlock" he chuckled before we said goodbye.
The flat was functional, the rent was reasonable and I knew I'd have no problems with Mrs Hudson. She even told me that she would feel much safer having me there than a normal human tenant since I'd be able to protect not only me but her as well. I decided to move my stuff in and search for a flat-mate latter. Once I'd moved my stuff in I made my way to St. Bartholomew's hospital, to see if I could work on anything there today.
It was while I was working in the lab that my phone went off signalling a message. I reached for it thinking it was Lestrade. I was surprised to see an unrecognised number.
A doctor may be just what you need. Great flat-mate potential.
That threw me off balance slightly but I put it to the back of my mind, probably a wrong number. Besides who would want a vampire for a flat-mate? Although the general human populace accepted vampires some were wary of us, scared of us and even hated us, I thought back to one of the times I'd been caught by some of the hate groups and shuddered. I turned back to my work in an attempt to distract myself.
What I didn't expect was too see Mike again so soon, never mind with anyone in tow. The man walked in with a limp, psychosomatic I observed. Army from the way he held himself, ex-army – otherwise he'd still be abroad fighting. He didn't ask for a chair, the leg must only get painful when he's consciously aware of it. Tan lines say he's just returned home.
I wondered why they were here but then I remembered mentioning the flat sharing idea to Mike. He must have thought this man, Dr John Watson he'd called him, would be able to live with me. From what I could see I thought he could too. I paused. A doctor brought to me by someone I'd mention flat-sharing with. Coincidence I thought but then again what were the odds.
"Is that it then" John said as I began too leave, I looked at him. "We've only just met and we're going to go look at a flat."
"Problem?" I asked confused.
"We don't know a thing about each other, I don't know where we're meeting, I don't even know your name."
"I know you're an army doctor and you've been invalided home from Afghanistan. You've got a brother who's worried about you, but you won't go to him for help because you don't approve of him, possibly because he's an alcoholic, more likely because he recently walked out on his wife. And I know that your therapist thinks your limp is psychosomatic, quite correctly, I'm afraid. That's enough to be going on with, don't you think? The name's Sherlock Holmes and the address is 221B Baker Street. Afternoon!" I called to him before leaving.
After I had left I began to doubt weather John would turn up or not but to my surprise he did, arriving just as I did. We said hello as I knocked on the door.
"A place like this must be expensive"
"Not really. I know the landlady, Mrs. Hudson. She owes me a favour. A few years back, her husband was sentenced to death in Florida. I was able to help out" I replied
"You stopped her husband from being executed?"
"Oh, no, I ensured it" I said smiling as Mrs Hudson answered the door and gave me a hug before showing us the flat. He seemed to like it which was good.
"There's another bedroom upstairs, if you'll be needing two bedrooms" Mrs Hudson said as she joined us in the lounge.
"Of course we'll be needing two bedrooms" John replied, slightly confused as to why she'd say something like that.
"Oh, don't worry. We get all sorts 'round here. Mrs. Turner next door's got married ones" she replied before walking off into the kitchen.
John looked round the room a bit, noticing all my boxes and mistaking them for junk before looking slightly embarrassed for doing so. He turns towards the mantle place.
"That's a skull" he says surprised.
"A friend of mine. When I say friend..." I reply. My phone goes off. The message is from Lestrade asking me to have a look at a crime scene. I tell Mrs Hudson that we'll take the flat before leaving the room. I stop on the stairs as my phone goes off again.
Take the good doctor with you
I pause and thought about it then turn back to the living room. He's sitting down on the chair now, resting his leg more than being actually fatigued I observe.
"You're a doctor. In fact, you're an army doctor" I say as I begin to pull on my gloves.
"Yes" he replies as he turns seeing I've come back.
"Any good?"
"Very good." He says, getting up to face me.
"Seen a lot of injuries, then? Violent deaths?" I ask, knowing I'm just stating the truth.
"Yes"
"Bit of trouble, too, I bet" I'm smiling slightly now.
"Of course, yes. Enough for a lifetime... far too much"
"Want to see some more?" I ask, knowing what his answer will be.
"Oh, God yes" I smile again.