Sherlock slowly inhaled as he slapped the nicotine patch to his wrist. He missed John, even though he left only an hour ago, seemingly to go to Sarah's. They had been arguing a lot recently, since it was clear John was getting tired of running. Running away from serial killers and kidnappers, running away from bank payments, even running away from their rapidly approaching future. Sherlock knew John was the kind who would plan ahead. He wanted a wife and children, he wanted to actually get the chance to grow old without being harassed by his high-maintnence flatmate.

There was no denying it. Sherlock was lonely. He liked John, God knows he did. It just wasn't enough any more. He stopped coming out on many of their cases, the look of wonder on his face as Sherlock made deductions faded with each passing day and he could tell it just wasn't enough for him either. Sherlock rested his head against the cool glass of the window as white flakes swirled past in the slow crisp breeze of the night. This was a problem it would take more than nicotine to solve. If only he had more time...

A sound crept into Sherlock's ears, seeming to fill the air around it, almost like constrained, heavy breathing. It was more than just the wind though... It was the sound of engines shuddering to a halt. Sherlock knew that sound. It was something he could never bring himself to delete, no matter how hard he tried. Sure enough, as he looked outside he saw it. Inconspicuous yet majestic, classic yet incredibly alien and the very stuff of dreams. It was The TARDIS. Bright cobalt blue in the moonlight and casting pure light on the pearlescent snow surrounding it.

Without thinking twice, Sherlock was thundering down the 17 steps leading downstairs and out the front door. He had barely crossed the threshold when a familiar bow-tied face stepped out of the ship. It was... incredible. Sherlock never thought he'd see The Doctor again in his life. They both broke into runs and embraced each other, resting their heads on each other's shoulders. They stayed this way for a minute or so before The Doctor looked down, giggled and then said "Aren't your feet cold?". Sherlock merely smirked and said "Aren't you going to invite me in?".

The Doctor gestured inside The TARDIS and they walked inside, equally long strides casting deep footprints in the white blanket covering Baker Street. As the cantaloupe light of The TARDIS encompassed them both, Sherlock began to wonder why he was being visited out of the blue. The Doctor usually called beforehand to check that Sherlock wasn't on a case.

"Business or pleasure?" He enquired. If The Doctor wanted help with something, he was only too happy to oblige, but if they were going sightseeing, Sherlock wanted to know what to expect.

"Pleasure, would you expect anything else?"

"Still married to Song?"

"Until the day she dies, Sherlock."

"Still dragging the Ponds around with you?"

"No. Dropped them off with a nice little house. They can live happily knowing that their daughter grew up well."

At this, Sherlock looked up. "You're upset."

"I'm fine."

"Doctor."

"Can't fool you, can I?"

"You can't fool anyone. You're a terrible actor."

"Hey! I pretended to not know you, didn't I?"

"And we both know how well that worked." At this, Sherlock started fiddling with the console, having hung his dressing gown up on a low hanging wire. "Couldn't turn the heating up, could you?"

"Put some clothes on then, you daft man."

"Not all of us wear thermals, you know."

"Oi! You wouldn't be teasing if we went to an ice planet. Anyway, get dressed, we're going out."

"Where?"

"Somewhere new. The tea rooms of Carding."

"How formal?"

"Slightly more formal than your normal attire."

"Wardrobe still in the same place?"

"Nope, it's just left of the library now. Password is 'Cerulean, sunrise'."

"Glad you've got rid of those emotion passwords. Those were... difficult."

"You can make it show on your face, but you can't fake feeling something, Sherlock." The last word was said pointedly, almost like a warning. He hesitated, then added, "Where's John?"

"Out."

"Are you all right?"

"Leave it."

"Go. Wardrobe. Change."

Sherlock smirked. "I could change here if you'd like."

The Doctor raised an eyebrow, before turning back to the console and saying, "Go. You'll make me crash her."

"Then we'd be stuck here together. What a shame."

The both shared a look and failed to suppress schoolboy giggles before Sherlock disappeared up a flight of stairs, not realising that The Doctor's gaze stayed with him all the way until he turned the corner.