2. Stating the Problem
There had been something off about Sherlock. During the time at the house, he didn't get excited or have any outbursts. He was too quite. Lestrade, and Anderson kept looking at him, expecting something to come out of his usually smart-ass mouth. To be honest I was surprised he let me in the same cab as him on our way home. For quite a while he would stare out the window then look at me, and turn away when I glanced back. I'd give a puzzled look in the direction of him and his stupid cheekbones, but gave up on trying to tell if he wanted something. It took him some time but eventually he asked, "John, how did she know?" His words came out much slower than usual, like he almost was uncertain if he could get them out.
"To be honest Sherlock, I don't know."
"But you must know, you understand people on personal levels don't you? You are normal after all,"
"I'm telling you the truth, I honestly don't know how she figured it out."
"But, how do you usually characterize someone?"
"Well I say, what their hair colour is, how tall they are, if their pleasant to be around. If you ask what they're like I'd tell you that they're nice, or obnoxious, or arrogant, or sickeningly sweet."
"John, that does not answer my question. I want to know what you base this on, because I honestly want to know. I'll make you a cup of tea once we arrive home in a moment and then we can further discuss this serious matter. But for now be quiet so I can think in peace." And that was that.
As soon as we arrived home he did just that, took my coat off for me and everything! I was actually quite impressed, he asked what kind of tea I preferred and made it excellently. He sat on the arm of my chair (like how one of my girlfriends used to when I brought her over for a bit for a cup of tea and a chat before Sherlock could scare her off) as I took a sip of my tea.
"Are you comfortable John? Can I resume asking you about behaviours and personalities?" I couldn't help but smile a bit as I sighed.
"Fine, fine, ask away. I'm not sure I'll have the answers you want though." he gave a small smile that I nearly missed before he got off the arm of the chair and sat in his usual spot across from me. I waited for his bombardment of questions. He usually doesn't even smile, he just smirks and grins when he finds something he said or did clever, or hilarious. Has he ever smiled like that before?
The going back and forth for hours was awful. Sherlock kept refilling my tea cup to get me to stay but he seemed to be unable to grasp what I was getting at. I tried my best to explain what makes someone nice or short tempered, but he just had more and more questions that usually just began with that stupid little word, "why?" If I never hear that word again it wouldn't be soon enough.
"John, you don't understand I really can't grasp how others feel. I've already told you I'm a high functioning sociopath, its difficult to learn this sort of thing. I do appreciate your patience though." I rubbed my temples in slight frustration. "If you want we could resume this tomorrow?"
"We're probably going to see Miss Trotter again tomorrow. Maybe you should just ask her how she did it?"
"I highly doubt she would, why would you give the ace up your sleeve to the player beside you? That's how you ensure their victory and your loss. And that's what Miss Trotter and I are playing. She would never endanger her power over me- The great consulting detective Sherlock Holmes!- That would be foolish!"
"Sherlock, not everyone sees everything as some big competition, perhaps she'll be glad to tell you all about it over tea and biscuits!"
"John you're being ridiculous, there is no way she would." I couldn't help but sigh.
"Have a bit more faith in other human beings."
"I have faith in you, John," he said giving me a slightly overwhelming ogle. Well that was... unexpected, however he continued, "And you're letting me down. I expect you to know these things since I don't." I groaned a bit, because lets face it, someone is being slightly melodramatic here and its not me nor the skull.
"Well Sherlock how do you explain what you think someone's behaviours are like. Here, tell me what Lestrade is like?" Perhaps this will be a nice change of pace.
"Lestrade is tolerable. I don't dislike him. But he's not my favourite person in the world. Sometimes he is truly a complete idiot." Is this all he thinks of them? Classifies people based on how much he likes or dislikes them, and how intelligent they appear to him?
"What about me then?"
"You? You're John, I enjoy your company and sometimes you tell me I'm brilliant," He thought about it more "You are a good friend and a doctor, so you're very useful too..."
"That's actually... An opinion, but sort of right, using useful and all. Now I will say it was very... flattering, but none the less its mainly an opinion and a bit off from what you're going for," I didn't actually think I'd get that much out of him. He never seemed like he was thrilled about having me around all too much. Maybe he wasn't the sociopath that he claimed to be. However, who am I to try and pry into his emotions and see if he secretly has a tiny bit of compassion?
AN: This should have a few more chapters so there can be some sort of climax to this story, and also to solve the case, and Sherlock's issues with his abilities