Updating at the request of Jessie Holmes. Thanks to those who favorited and followed.

Note: Sexy times are being saved for next chapter, but here's some character development while you wait.


He's not in the cab for five minutes when he gets another text.

Are you on your way?
SH

John rolls his eyes.

Nope.

Very funny John.
SH

A small smile quirks his lips. Jesus, this man is impatient.

As the city flashes past, the doctor rests his head against the window, relishing the cool glass on his skin. His thoughts wander to his friend (and his slight arousal back at her place), and he tries to be as rational as possible. He's sick of avoiding what's been right in front of him for a while now. John manages to make a few good discoveries about himself when his phone chimes again.

You are on you're way though?
SH

He chuckles, accompanied by a slight tightening in his stomach.

Why so worried Sher? It's not like you

Sherlock doesn't respond.


Sherlock abandons his phone beside him and sweeps his hands across his neck to the back of his head. He keeps them there for a moment before wildly ruffling his hair, mussing the dark curls further.

I'm not worried, he tells himself. I'm not worried.

He was right, he wasn't worried.

He was...

He was...

What was he exactly?

...Anxious? No. That didn't sound quite right. Did it?

anx-ious [ang-shuhs, ang-]
adjective
1. mental distress or uneasiness
2. earnestly desirous; eager
3. attended with or showing solicitude or uneasiness

so-lic-i-tude [suh-lis-i-tood, -tyood]
noun
1. the state of being solicitous; anxiety or concern
2. solicitudes, causes of anxiety or care
3. an attitude expressing excessive atteniveness

so-lic-i-tous [suh-lis-i-tus]
adjective
1. anxiously desirous
2. eager

Okay, so the way things were adding up, maybe he was anxious. But why? What could he be anxious about? John was a grown man and could easily take care of himself. He was obviously with a woman, but why should Sherlock be bothered by that? Was he bothered? And what was all this about being "anxiously desirous"?

de-sire [dih-zah(uh)r]
de-sir-ing, noun
verb
1. to wish or long for; crave; want

want [wont, wawnt]

Oh, this was a long one...

verb (used with object)
1. to feel a need or desire for
2. to wish, need, crave, demand, or desire
3. to require or need
verb (used without object)
1. to be deficient by the absence of something
2. to have need
3. to be lacking or absent, as a part or thing necessary to completeness
noun
1. something wanted or needed; necessity
2. something desired, demanded, or required
3. lack
4. the state of being without something desired or needed; need
5. the state of being without the necessaries of life

Sherlock is feeling a sense of foreboding at this point. What is all this coming to?

need [need]
noun
1. urgent want
2. requirement

Running a hand through his hair again, the detective closes his eyes. It seems like an eternity passes before he allows something in his mind to click. Something life changing, something terrifying, but... perhaps something necessary.

John I need you here
SH

I know Sherlock. I'm coming up now.