Quick author's note: This chapter is much shorter but I'll be posting a follow-up continuation in just a few short days. Thanks so much again for reading!


Pleasantries and Chemistry

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Chapter Three

Flickering a match above a candle, John Watson glanced out the window as the heavy rain continued to drum against the glass. He heard a soft approving hum from the sofa. Looking over his shoulder, he smiled playfully at the attractive brunette who in turn raised her wine glass toward him.

"You sure he won't be barging in here any second?" Elena took a sip of wine, glancing warily toward the front door.

John chuckled as he joined her on the sofa, leaning an arm across the back of her seat.

"I'll have you know, I had a very stern talking to Sherlock. He won't be giving you any more trouble."

He smiled reassuringly at his date, pausing to regard his watch.

"From the way he rushed out of here earlier, it must have been an awfully good case. Hasn't been in touch, so I guess I'm off the hook this evening." John whispered the last bit as he began to lean in closer to Elena.

Tilting her head invitingly, John advanced without any hesitation. Moving his hand to the base of her neck, their eyes fluttered shut as their lips inched closer and closer.

A loud vibrating noise broke their trance, Elena's confused eyes opened to meet the apologetic look etched across John's features.

"Sorry, sorry. Let me just shut it off," John struggled to retrieve the vibrating phone from his pocket. He suddenly shifted demeanors upon seeing Lestrade's name displayed on the screen, his body tensed immediately, bracing himself at the edge of the sofa's cushion.

"I'm sorry but I have to get this," John said frustratingly as he stood up.

Elena rolled her eyes as she crossed her legs dejectedly. She grabbed her wine and chugged the rest down in several gulps.

"Lestrade? What's wrong?"

John's face fell, he turned his back to his date and hastily moved to the entryway, grabbing his coat off the rack in one quick swoop.

"Text me the address, I'll be there soon."

Although John was far from being as perceptive as Sherlock Holmes, it didn't take any huge deduction to note how unpleased Elena was from this drastic shift in the evening. John sighed heavily as he shrugged on his jacket.

"You're going to hate me," he said with such sincerity Elena softened her stare, unfolding her arms in the process.

John had the look of defeat, a familiar expression he wore all too often when he could sense the end of a relationship due to his chaotic lifestyle. He knew this was the end, he knew he could not do or say anything to prevent the inevitable collapse in their short-lived romance.

"I can't hate you, John," Elana gave a soft sigh as she climbed to her feet and joined John at the entryway. She laughed when John looked surprised as she kissed him on the cheek.

"You're being a great friend and I very much admire that," she smiled sweetly at him as she wrapped herself up in her coat. "I'd like to come with you if that's okay?"

John gave her a double look but recovered quickly, "Yeah, I mean- of course, you sure?"

Taking a step closer to him, Elena gripped onto John's collar.

"We can always resume our evening later…" She looked unabashedly up at her counterpart, who couldn't help but blush.

"Yes, that would be nice- ahem- that would be lovely," John cleared his throat nervously, struggling to keep his attention at the matter at hand.

"Shall we?" He said as he held the door open for his date.

"We shall! Where are we off to anyway?" She asked curiously as John locked up their flat.

"To fetch Sherlock, he's accidentally drugged himself," John irately huffed in reply.

Elena looked wide-eyed at John's back as she followed him, now with slightly more hesitation in her step.