It has been 4 years since the Fall and John came back to work with Sherlock. However, he doesn't solve crimes with him every day, for he has responsibilities of his own. Even so, he does help him when he has the time and Mary does convince him to help Sherlock occasionally, for she knows how Sherlock means to him. Still, it's not the same. On the other hand, Sherlock does have the assistance of Molly every now and then. Ever since the Fall, they became very good friends. Sherlock knew that she was a very clever woman and was very eager to help. She even visits him to bring him body parts from the morgue or to check up on how he is doing. Of course, this doesn't mean she is always available, for Molly is now head of the morgue and married. Mike retired months after Sherlock "returned from the dead". At times, Sherlock felt lonely, even though he will never admit it. But one day, his world changed forever.
It was a nice sunny summer day in the month of June in 221b Baker Street, where Sherlock Holmes was meditating in his mind palace recording data of a case he solved the day before. A young boy came to his apartment last week, asking to solve an old case of the disappearance of his sister, who was believed to be murdered five years ago. However, no body was ever found, only a bullet. In the end, it was found out that her best friend attempted to kill her for the love of a young man they both liked. The friend found out that the boy was actually in love with the victim, and tried to get rid of her so she can have the young man to herself. However, she only managed to shoot her but now kill her, for the bullet grazed her head causing the victim to have amnesia. The victim's name is Lucy Hope. It was discovered that she was living in London, working as a bartender. Sherlock managed to locate her and reunite her with her family. As he meditated, John and Mary stepped into the apartment. John wanted to see how Sherlock was doing; he always wanted to make sure his friend is doing ok.
"Hey, we brought Chinese." he said waving the bag of food in the air, as Mary took off her coat.
"I think he's in his mind palace dear," said Mary.
"Yeah, I see it. When isn't he ever? Well just give him a minute, let's just set up."
"Hello, John." said Sherlock, his eyes still closed with his fingers on his chin. "Come here to keep an eye on me I see…also another attempt to feed me."
"Come on Sherlock, you haven't eaten ever since you had that case. That's an entire week! You're eating, case closed." John remarked as he took his coat off.
"Food is not important." Sherlock said as he opened his eyes and turned to look at John.
"I don't want to hear more of the 'food is not important'crap. You are not going to change my mind."
"What I need is another case. My brain is rotting as we speak!" Sherlock screams as he scratches his head violently, "And Molly took my stack of cigarettes I had hidden. Mrs. Hudson probably told her where it was."
"Clever girl." John chuckled. "Come on Sherlock, you can live without them. Plus, you have your patches."
"I'm down to my last one." he says as he lowers his sleeve. "Oh God! I need another case!"
"You just solved the case yesterday. Please just for once, rest. Just come on and join us and I promise we can go out and buy a new box of patches. I'm pretty sure that you will have a new case very soon. Come on, I brought your favorite."
"Fine." Sherlock sighed and rolled his eyes. "Where's Shirley?"
"She's at her grandmothers. Plus you can tell me how the case went. Besides, I am still your blogger." John said as he patted Sherlock's shoulder when he sat down on the table. "You are lost without your blogger."
Sherlock knew that was true, he even admitted it himself years ago. John has always been someone dear to him and would never contradict his wishes. Well, only when he thought it was convenient. Today, however, he was happy to see John. Even though Mary was always around, Sherlock grew fond of her, for she made John happy and she wasn't really that annoying. She always knew when to give Sherlock space. He also admired her bluntness; Mary can be brutally honest at times, especially when it comes to John's safety. She will always demand Sherlock to bring him back in one piece, and whenever things do happen, she will give these long sermons of how stupid they both acted. In some way, Mary reminded him of John and he liked her for it. Of course, he will never admit it to them.
As John and Mary ate, they listened to Sherlock's story of the Lucy Hope case. He told of the interviews he did with the boyfriend and with Lucy's best friend. He mentioned that the last person to see Lucy alive was her best friend. She said that she met with her at their favorite ice cream parlor and spoke for a bit, and then she left for home. He also investigated Lucy's phone, which her brother gave to Sherlock to see if it was helpful with the case, and analyzed the last text messages she received and sent. Most of the messages were romantic messages, probably from her boyfriend. The other messages, however, were a bit bizarre. They belonged to a number without an ID and they seemed to be somewhat friendly, but in some cases hostile. Probably a good friend and they got into a fight, but then shortly before her disappearance made amends. Nevertheless, there was one message that alarmed Sherlock, the last text message. It read: "Meet me at the park near your flat." The park was where Lucy was "killed". Sherlock then mentioned that he took the bullet and found that the bullet was shot from a .38 Revolver. He went to a hacker who owed him favor, to track down who owned a revolver five years ago. Only one name was familiar, a man named Thomas Smith, the father of Yvette Smith. Yvette was Lucy's best friend. Yvette and Lucy had the same feelings for a young man named Benedict. They often fought about their feelings towards him; even to the point of ending their friendship. Until one day, they made amends the same day Benedict confessed his love to Lucy. Yvette found out about it a week after. She was so angry, that she decided to take Lucy out of the picture. As he told them on how the case was solved, he mentioned on how he took Lucy to her family and that even Benedict came to see her.
"That is amazing," said Mary after swallowing her food, "to think he waited for that long."
"Yes, absolutely extraordinary," John agreed as he was about to take another bite of his food, "definitely going on my blog."
"I really don't see why he waited. Absolutely a waste of time. I mean, how would he know that she was still alive? Come on." Sherlock said as he took a small bite of fried rice.
"Well you know Sherlock, some people can't explain why they do the things they do. Sometimes we feel or think that we should do the things we feel that is right even if people don't think so." Mary explained.
"Well I don't see the logic in that. If a person tells him that his girlfriend was murdered or disappeared, the logic thing he should do is move on. No point in waiting for a dead woman." Sherlock remarked rolling his eyes. "Sentiment is just a waste of time."
"You probably just haven't found that person that might give you that spark. Well, maybe another Irene Adler." Mary teased.
"Not funny Mary." Sherlock said giving a serious gaze.
"Just kidding Sherlock. You should know better. Plus, I think that the only way you will have a relationship, is unless you find someone that is exactly like you. Now that would be a miracle." Mary laughed.
"I didn't feel anything but admiration for that Woman. She was clever, but sentimental. Now let's get one thing clear. I…DON'T…DO…RELATIONSHIPS. Waste of my time."
Mary rolled her eyes and chuckled at his remark. John did nothing but laugh at the way Mary messed with Sherlock. They always acted like brother and sister. It reminded him of how he and Sherlock used to argue. Those are very precious memories. He even knows that Sherlock himself enjoys arguing with Mary, for it amuses him. When Sherlock is bored, he doesn't mind having arguments with others, it entertains him. That is one of the reasons why Sherlock likes it when John brings Mary around.
They heard a knock behind them and they turned around to see Molly coming in the apartment with a plastic bag full of fingers on her hand.
"Hey guys! How are you? Just came by to drop off some fingers Sherlock needed for an experiment. Where do you need them Sherlock?" she said as she lifted the bag.
"Just leave them in the fridge Molly, thank you." Sherlock said pointing to the kitchen.
"How have you been Molly? Just got off work?" asked Mary.
"Oh no! Just on lunch break really. I have an assistant who takes care of things while I take a break. Tom is out of town for the week." Molly said as she places the bag in the fridge. "So sometimes I come by to check up on Sherlock. By the way, here you are." She places a box of nicotine patches on the table in front of Sherlock.
"Thank you Molly. So any new bodies?" Sherlock asks as he grabs the box.
"Just an older man. Died of a heart attack, nothing much. You're welcome to come and look at him if you want." She said as she sat beside Mary.
"I just might." Sherlock said with a smile.
"So want to join us for lunch?" John asked placing another plate on the table for Molly.
"Yes thank you. Ah, Lo Mein, that's Sherlock's favorite." She giggled as she served herself.
"Yeah we were trying to cheer him up since he finished the case. We figured he was bored." John said with a smile.
"Of course." Molly giggled, "Why else would I bring him a bag of fingers for him to experiment on?"
Everyone shared a laugh as Sherlock rolled his eyes with annoyance. He ignored them and tried to eat at least a bit of his lunch. Then they heard another knock. It was Mrs. Hudson. Sherlock noticed on the expression in her face that seemed that she came for help.
"Woo hoo. Don't mean to disturb your lunch, but I was wondering if you boys would help me with something." She asked shyly.
"What's up Mrs. Hudson?" asked John.
"Oh I'm having someone moving in on the flat upstairs and she needs help with her baggage."
"Sorry Mrs. Hudson but I am busy with an experiment at the moment. However, I'm sure John won't mind lending you a hand. Right John?" Sherlock said as he walked towards the kitchen searching for the bag of fingers.
Pain in the neck. John thought to himself. Even so, he stood up to help. "I'd be glad to help Mrs. Hudson. Where are the bags?"
"Downstairs dear."
John left the apartment and went downstairs.