Feeling much better over the next few days, John settles in a little more, feeling more like himself than he has in weeks. Before he knows it though, Valentine's Day past and over, and it's nearly March when he gets to writing another letter, using the portable desk that he got for Christmas, smiling a little as he pulls out the paper and pen. He's got more to tell Sherlock this time, and maybe he did procrastinate a bit because he was embarrassed over the letter he had sent the detective. But now, he takes a deep breath, putting his thoughts in some sort of order before relaxing and starting to write.
~oOo~
Dear Sherlock,
Thank you. You're the strangest man I've ever met, and yet you've always known what to say. What I need to hear. it may not be what I think that I need to hear, but in the end it work out alright and it always helps. I do need to take a step back and let things settle, and since I figured that out, I've been more myself. I'm focused, settling into my job again, and connecting with the others more like I used to.
It's a little flattering to know that I can confused Sherlock Holmes just by being myself. If that's not a boost to an ego, I don't know what is. I've always been this way, so I can't give you any insights into why I'm such a contradiction. Since I was young, I wanted to be a doctor. I wanted to help people, be able to perform miracles, and give people their lives back. I didn't come from a rich family, so I thought that the easiest way to do what I wanted to do was to join the army. They helped get me through school, and I found out that I had a knack for it. I had a few anger issues in school, got into a few fights and such. So the army also gave me the discipline I needed at the time. Now that I think about it, I guess the contradiction was always there, the desire to help people, and the physical need to protect the weak.
You have so little faith, Sherlock. We're friends, and our friendship isn't going to go away just because I'm having a bit of an identity crisis. I know, we promised to be that rock for eachother. Help eachother through the dark times. Yours or mine. And I keep my promises. I'll do whatever I can to help you if you're having trouble, or if you need someone to talk to. We have a bond that I've not really experienced with anyone else, in my life. I've had mates, in school, through the years in the army. No one that I've felt as close a connection to as I do with you, though. This is a friendship that is going to stand the test of time. I have no doubt that we'll still be friends when we're old and gray, even if it hurts to hold our pens, I'm sure that we'll find a way to write letters to eachother, if we aren't living close enough to visit. I'm glad that I can help you. That was the reason you had to write me in the first place, isn't it? I'm sure the people at the clinic wanted you to connect with someone, give you a reason to stay on your path. I'm very glad that I was the one to receive your letter.
I almost forgot to tell you. Julia, the new nurse I told you about, said that she has a brother who lives in London that she was talking about. Sounds like someone that you might get along with, she said he's a genius, brilliant planner. She said that he always sees how things connect, how one thing leads to another and has been an advisor for a number of business men. Some of them very powerful, apparently, but she doesn't know who or what he does specifically, she said her brother couldn't tell her. Confidentiality and all that. We work together a lot, and things have been pretty routine around here, so we've had a lot of time to talk since we end up on the same shifts. The way she talks about her brother though, I'm surprised that she's older than him. Apparently he dotes on her though, and did not want her going overseas. She's very independent though, so here she is.
I had a cigarette a few weeks ago. I smoked when I was younger for a short time, and when I quit, I promised myself that I wouldn't pick it up again. Maybe it's a little hypocritical, given what a hard time I gave you about smoking and the fact that as a doctor I should know better. But at the time I wasn't a doctor. And I do know better. It was calming, with everything that I was going through so I couldn't help myself. Plus I have to admit, smoking and staring up at the stars, it made me think of you and made me feel closer to you. I know that sounds a little weird but it was calming, and comforting. Which just makes me a bloody idiot. Now I have to fight that urge again. Even Julia yelled at me when she found out. Well, not yelled, but she did lecture me and then gave me a disapproving look that reminded me a bit of my mother. That in itself was a bit disturbing.
Bottom line is that I miss London, I miss being there with you. I don't mean that because of the letter I wrote before, I mean as a friend. It's just energizing and fascinating to be around you, even though sometimes it feels like I'm looking after a child who can't stop and remember to eat or sleep. And sometimes I think you are the dumbest genius in the world, but overall it's brilliant. I think I could even get used to helping you on cases though I'm pretty sure that I would be utterly useless when it comes to those. Still, I have a few more years before I can think about doing anything else with my life. And even when I can, I'm not sure what I will do. I guess I'll figure it out when it comes down to it.
My mind is drifting and it's almost time for dinner, after which I'm going to play another poker game with some of the others. This time I am just going to have water, maybe I can clean them out again, even while not intoxicated. I am very good at poker. I hope you're settling into your new flat, and that this letter finds you well. I'd love to hear about any cases that you have going on.
Sincerely,
John
~oOo~
Exhaling into the night air and watching his breath fog up, Sherlock finishes the letter and then tucks it inside his Belstaff. He's waiting for a suspect and had picked his mail up earlier, that letter the only bit of his mail that he deemed worth his time, so he tucked it into his jacket to read later. Looking up and down the street, the detective rubs his gloved hands together a little as he considers the contents of the letter as he finds himself wondering about this woman, Julia, and what kind of person she truly is. He's noticed that when it comes to judging people, John can be somewhat easily misled. Which means that he might be mistaken about the character of this Julia. Not to mention her relationship with her 'brother' seems suspicious to him, and he wishes that he had her last name so that he could do some research on his own, but as of right now, he has very little to go on. Sighing in frustrating, the brunette peeks around the corner of the alley he's standing in and gives a satisfied smile at the figure he sees moving down the street. "Finally.. The game is on, John." He mutters to no one in particular before he rounds the corner to follow his quarry.
Bit more about John there. I hope Sherlock doesn't mess up the letter in his pursuit of the suspect. :) I might have a little surprise in store with Julia as well, but I haven't made up my mind. :) I do love when little twists come to mind. I hope you all enjoy the chapter, thank you for all your reviews, I'm so glad that you're liking part 2!
Reviews/Comments welcome!