Chapter 56

Disclaimed: Don't own Sherlock.

Author's note: Sorry for the delay again! I will try to be better with the next fic in this series! Yep, this is the last one of Marriage and University! Hope you enjoy!

When the exams were finally over Sherlock and John were able to relax and actually think about their future.

John was already far into discussions with the army to have a place on their medic team. He went training for a few days each week, went through physical and psychological tests to assess whether he could cope in the condition of war. So he was quickly sorting out his future, he was just waiting his grades that would either allow him to become an army doctor or not. Sherlock was sure he would pass-the man had put a lot of work into his exams and was predicted to pass with flying colours.

Sherlock, on the other hand, wasn't finding it so easy to make a decision as to how he wanted the next few years to go for him.

"Maybe you could get a job in the police?" John suggested one Sunday afternoon while they lounged around at John's parents' house. They had moved back in with their parents for the Summer.

"John, how many times do I have to tell you, I do not want a boss. I want to work for myself. And I certainly don't want to work in a system." Sherlock said.

"But Sherlock, it might be the only viable option while you're still building yourself a reputation as a consulting detective. It was good money while we were at uni but we had our student loans then, we didn't need an income that entirely supported our living fees. You'll have to be earning a lot of money, quickly as well. And I want you to have something stable, something to fall back on, and you may not like being in a system but in this day and age it's a good place to be. I just want you to be supported when I'm in Afghanitan… if…. If I'm in Afghanistan. If I get my bloody grades. I've passed all those tests they've set me, done all the training, it's so irritating not knowing for sure if I've gotten in." John said.

"You'll do fine. And one day my business will support itself." Sherlock scowled.

"I believe that. But what are you going to do for now?" John asked.

"I don't know, that's the problem. I don't want to be stuck living in my childhood bedroom while you're out doing grown up things… I want to move to London, have a flat and work every day to keep me occupied." Sherlock sighed.

"Okay, well renting in London costs a bomb…" John said.

"It doesn't have to be central London, just somewhere with good access to transport… and I'll be on my own so I won't exactly need anything big, just somewhere to sleep and eat and dump my stuff." Sherlock shrugged.

"Oh… well I want you to have a home, Sherlock, not just a pit-stop." John said sadly as he stroked Sherlock's hair. Sherlock lay against his side as they discussed what they were going to do.

"I won't have a home unless you're with me." Sherlock stated.

"Well aren't you romantic today?" John grinned.

Sherlock chuckled "I try, sometimes, for you."

John smiled.


When their grades came in John sat in the kitchen staring at the piece of paper. Sherlock had already told their surrounding parents that he had got top marks in all of his exams, but that wasn't really a surprise so they were now all waiting for John.

"I… uhhh… All As." John said, dumbfounded.

"That's good though, right? You passed?" John's dad said.

"Yes! He's got into the army! Congratulations, love!" Sherlock wrapped his arms around John's shoulders from behind and kissed his cheek.

Everyone burst out into gestures of congratulations and John still looked shocked.

"I knew you'd pass." Sherlock said.

"I didn't really think I'd ever actually… wow…. Oh my goodness I'm going to be an army doctor!" John jumped up excitedly.

Sherlock grinned at him and John pulled him into a fierce hug.

John's parents both gave him a hug and told him how proud they were and so did Sherlock's parents.

John was quickly on the phone to one of his army bosses, discussing what was to happen next.


It was quick process, too quick for Sherlock. Only a few weeks later John was packing his luggage, first shoes, then clothes, then the little extras like a few pictures of the family, of him and Sherlock.

Sherlock sat in a chair in John's bedroom, watching his husband as he quietly packed. It was exciting, of course, but toned with sadness. Sherlock remained completely silent, John tried filling the silence but he didn't get many responses from his husband.

"You'll be fine while I'm gone, you'll be able to throw yourself into being a consulting without me as a distraction!" John said lightly but it just made Sherlock feel worse, he liked having John as a distraction, sometimes he thought he'd go mad without his best friend and husband keeping him grounded, John carried on "You better keep me updated though, I want to hear everything. Are you thinking of renting that flat we went to look at in Elephant and Castle? I know it wasn't that nice, but you could make it nice. It's quite cheap for the area and really convenient for your detective work. You'll be in the heart of London! Have you checked your emails? Your inbox is bursting; you're getting quite popular! I can't wait for when people start offering the big bucks, you'll be getting what you deserve! There's nobody like you!" John smiled as he gently slid a small picture of himself and Sherlock smiling on their honeymoon into his wallet.

Sherlock remained quiet though, he had his knees tucked up and his arms wrapped around them, chin was resting on his knees.

Once John buckled up his backpack and surveyed his room to check for anything he had forgotten, his eyes finally fell on Sherlock. Sherlock had a big presence wherever he was, but right now he looked tiny.

John walked over to him, pulled him to stand up and then took him in his warm embrace. Sherlock buried his face in John's neck and gripped his back every so tightly.

John felt wetness from tears on his neck and he softly stroked the back of Sherlock's head and he said gently "You don't want me to go, do you?"

Sherlock shook his head and a small broken sob was ripped from him.

"You know this is something I have to do, right?" John asked, Sherlock nodded again.

"I will miss you in every moment, okay?" John promised.

Sherlock nodded again and sniffled.

"And I'll come back." John said.

"Alive?" Was the first thing Sherlock had said all day.

John's heart broke at Sherlock's word, but it gave him determination too, he wouldn't let his husband lose him "Yes." He promised.

"Promise?"

"Promise. I'll call you every week and send you letters. And I'll be back before you know it!" John smiled and kissed the side of Sherlock's head.

"I'll miss you too, and I love you." Sherlock said.

"I love you too. Now, no more tears! It isn't like you, it's kind of scaring me." John pushed Sherlock away gently so the man was stood in front of him, he wiped his husband's cheeks and smartened his shirt.

There was a knock on the door, his coach was here.

"Come and wave me off like a proper military wife." John winked.

Sherlock snorted "Military wife? You wish."

John smiled and picked up his backpack.

He was wearing his uniform, the little medic badge sewn onto the arm with care.

John took Sherlock's hand and before they left the room Sherlock tugged on his and said "Just one second… I just want to say that I'll be okay. As long as you come back. Alive and happy. I'll be okay. And I'll try to keep you updated on my progress as a detective. And I want to be able to feel how proud you are of me from how far away you are." Sherlock smirked.

"I'm always proud of you." John smiled and kissed him; the kiss was soft, gentle, full of promises.

Sherlock bit John's lip gently as if to say 'you're mine' and John grinned, pecked Sherlock once more and then they walked down to the door. John's mother pulled him into a bone crushing hug and his dad joined in and then John gave them all one last dashing smile, a wave, and Sherlock stepped forward and gave him one more kiss before he could leave "See you later?"

"See you later." John smiled and walked out the door.

Sherlock watched from the doorway as his husband got in the coach and it drove away.


Author's note: Right, my wonderful readers! That is the end of this chapter in their lives! Their university careers have come to an end; time to throw them into the inferno that is the real world! Thanks to anyone who stayed loyal despite my abysmal attempts at updating this quickly. I hope you enjoyed it! There will be more to come! Please review! See you later ;)