After pulling in one more favor, Sherlock has a package shipped to John, the favor also including pulling some strings to get the package through the red tape a little faster, so John should receive the package in just over a week from when Sherlock got the letter from the doctor. He also included a note, and after it's off, all he can do is wait.
~oOo~
John is feeling a little better when he receives the package, having had time to deal with the shock of it all. But still, he hasn't dealt with all of it, so when the box arrives for him be is confused, until he sees who it's from, then he is more amused than anything. Since it's a day off for him, as much as he ever gets one, the blonde doctor takes it back to the tent with him. Sitting it on his bed, he sits cross-legged staring at it for a few moments before he reaches out to open it, staring a little as he sees a black laptop, sleek but not too thin, looking like a tougher one he saw someone with two years ago, supposedly better at handling bumps, drops, temperature and moisture changes.
For a brief moment, John just stares at it, then he chuckles softly and shakes his head, removing the laptop and charger from the box, though he really doesn't have a place to plug it in. Seeing the letter inside the box, John pulls it out and starts to read:
Dear John,
Apparently your friendship has made me prone to sentimentality, as your last letter made me concerned for your well being. This laptop is so we can engage in video chat, at the precise time I listed below. Everything has been set up, you merely have to open the program whose icon is sitting in the middle of the desktop. I thought it high time we meet face to face, as it were. And seeing that you should be returning home for Christmas in less than a month, you may return the laptop if you are so stubbornly inclined, but also you have not informed me of your plans. I assume they would include meeting in reality, and seeing as your next letter would not reach me until it is almost Christmas, this seemed a more suitable alternative.
See the date and time below when you should log on, it should be shortly after you receive this.
Sincerely,
Sherlock.
With a small smile, John shakes his head a little, but he looks at the date and time checking his watch and letting out a whistle when he realizes how close he's going to cut it. Opening the laptop, he boots it up and clicks on the correct icon, setting it up before he just sits there and waits until the screen flickers and he sees a slightly dreary apartment in a complete state of disarray. The view moves as someone moves the other camera, and the a pale face with striking silver eyes, high cheekbones, perfect cupid's bow lips and a mop of curly brunette hair comes into view. The combination is so striking that for a moment John can do little else other than stare.
Silent for a minute as those sharp, intelligent eyes take in the man on the other side of the screen, Sherlock finally speaks, "John Watson, I presume. We see eachother at last. Try not to look so surprised." He says in a bored tone, eyes flicking to the side as something off screen catches his attention.
"You do not look how I expected you to look, so pardon me for being surprised. Git." John accuses, trying to keep a straight face but a small smile creeps over it before he shakes his head. "Honestly, you need to be less dramatic, this laptop must have cost you a fortune, I have no way of repaying you for it you know." He feels the need to point out as he watches the young man.
"Stop being so dull, John." Sherlock says in a frustrated tone, before steepling his fingers in front of his face and leaning forward toward the screen. "On to more pressing matters. You are returning to London for the holidays." It sounds like more of a statement than a question, as if John has no choice.
"Yes. Right. Hold on, let me grab the itinerary they gave me yesterday." John says with a small smile, leaning to the side to grab the envelope, opening it to look at the paper inside. "Looks like I'll reach London on the 18th, and will have almost a month before I return." He says before looking up at Sherlock's pensive face.
"18th. Good. That is a little under three weeks from now. When you arrive, take a cab to my address, you will stay with me, no reason to waste your money on a hotel." Sherlock says casually and imperiously, frowning as he glances at his phone which just beeped. After reading an apparent message, he texts back quickly and then puts the phone to the side.
"Right. Ok. Thanks." John says awkwardly with a small smile. "How have you been, then? Anything interesting going on?" He asks slowly, feeling sort of odd in this conversation.
Rolling his eyes in disgust, Sherlock sighs. "Ugh. The criminal classes aren't even trying. I have made a contact at the morgue in St. Bart's hospital who should be useful. Other than that, it seems the criminals may be resting up for the holidays. I haven't had a decent case in weeks!" He growls in frustrated exasperation.
"I'm sure something will come along, but I hope it doesn't." John says before the picture briefly goes s bit fuzzy. "Sherlock? Still there?" He asks before the picture snaps back.
"Ah. He said we would only have a few minutes. The satellite is almost out of correct alignment. Best to sign off. I will see you on the 18th, John. I am.. glad.. that you appear to be coping better." Sherlock says as he straightens in his chair.
Confused, John stares at the screen for a moment. "Who?" He asks almost reflexively, wondering who set this up. Seeing that he is going to get no answer, he merely sighs and rubs a hand over his face before he nods. "Right. The 18th. Yeah. See you then." He says, still slightly confused.
With nothing more than a nod, Sherlock disconnects, leaving the doctor to shut down the laptop and ponder yet another strange conversation with Sherlock Holmes.
~oOo~
A few weeks later when John is packing to go to London, he hesitates before taking the laptop and some other things such as some of the sketches and the letters that he wants to put in storage with his other worldly possessions, for safe keeping. Finally, he finishes and heads out to the waiting truck and his first step in his trip back to London.
Next... they meet! Or, well, John gets back in London, but there is a little interference before John and Sherlock get to meet face to face. :) But still.. it is coming! Sherlock is always causing a ruckus. Hope you enjoy!
Comments/Reviews welcome!