Chapter 2

They went to the same restaurant they had on the night when Sherlock had texted the cabby. John had gotten used to the candle and the owner's insistence on calling them a couple. He remembered when he had run out without his cane. While Sherlock had been gone, the psychosomatic limp had returned. John had spent most of his time sitting down and talking to Mrs. Hudson. He hadn't been able to leave 221B. He hadn't been able to move on and his thoughts had always wandered back to Sherlock. Now that Sherlock was back, John had been feeling much better. He had been acting practically giddy. Sherlock had seemed pleased too and they both seemed to be in a state of euphoria.

"What do you two want to drink?", asked the waiter, lighting a candle.

John looked down at the candle and shook his head. He ordered his drink and tapped Sherlock on the arm. His head shot up; he had been in his mind palace no doubt. After the waiter left, Sherlock began rambling off his deductions but his heart wasn't really in it. He kept zoning out and getting silent. John figured that he was thinking about the case that Lestrade had assigned them.

"John, I'm sorry."

"What for, Sherlock?"

"For leaving you."

"I know you had to."

"But it wasn't right."

"It was necessary."

"I know, but John, I missed you."

John smiled at Sherlock. "I missed you too."

"There's something I have to tell you. Something I realized while I was gone."

"And what's that?"

"I realized that I love you."