It was now shortly after ten o'clock when the guests slowly started their way home. Katie offered to accompany Mrs Hudson home. She did not want to let the elderly lady go alone. She also liked her and enjoyed talking to her. The elderly lady accepted her offer with thanks and a little later they were already in a taxi to Baker Street.

When they arrived, Katie accompanied them to their front door. The older lady had had a bit too much punsch. Mrs Hudson thanked her again and then said goodbye.

Katie was just leaving the building when she heard a strange melody from above. She couldn't explain why, but she turned on her heel and followed the melody upwards.

At the top she recognised the melody. Sherlock had played it before. Back when she came out of the hospital. She crept quietly to the door and opened it carefully.

And there, at the window with the violin in his hand, he stood and played that sad melody again.

She stepped a little closer when a creaking of the floorboard interrupted him and he turned to her.

He looked confused and there was sadness in his eyes. Could it be that Sherlock was sad? But why?

He said nothing, he just looked at her.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt. I was just...just taking Mrs Hudson home," she said in a shaky voice.

"Obviously," he said. His voice was cool.

"Um, is everything all right? I mean, are you all right? I've heard that tune from you before and it sounds sad. Are you okay?"

She didn't know why she was still standing here and tried to ask him about his feelings.

"Everything is fine" he replied.

What was wrong with him? Why was he so cool? He liked her, very much. He had kissed her. Several times. Put all his feelings into it to show her how he felt. And she had reciprocated. Always. And now she was here. obviously wanted to talk to him. And he was so distant and cold to her. Sure, he had been hurt, after her reaction from the kiss before. But after a short time to think about it, he understood why. He remembered the words she spoke to him just before he wanted to kiss her. That a kiss meant something to her. That you share a kiss with someone you love. And she assumed he didn't feel that way.

Secretly, though, he was only afraid. He did not know how to deal with these feelings and how to reveal them.

And he did not know if she felt the same way. But when she kissed him back then, it was clear to him. But it could never go well. She lived in Chicago and he in London. He never had a thing for romantic entanglements or relationships. Especially no long-distance relationships. But now she was here and standing in his flat.

Before he could say anything else, she turned around and whispered

"Okay. Then goodbye."

She sounded sad. He knew he shouldn't let her go and before he knew it, the words were already out of his mouth.

"Don't go". It was more of a whisper and he doubted that she had heard him.

But Katie stopped suddenly and then turned back to him. She carefully approached and then closed the door. Then she stood in front of him, looked deep into his eyes and finally put her arms around him. Her head rested on his chest. She didn't know why she was doing this but it seemed right at that moment. And it felt right. She noticed that he was trembling and slightly stiffened. His heart seemed to almost jump out of his chest. She gently stroked his back and he slowly relaxed. Then he also put his arms around her and held her close to him.

They stood there for what felt like an eternity. Each in the arms of the other. No one spoke a word. And neither of them made any attempt to ever end this. But at some point, Katie broke away from him again and brought some distance between them. She looked into his face and could see a hint of disappointment. Then she smiled, reached for his hand and led him into the bedroom. She gently pushed him onto the bed, took off her coat and then lay down beside him. Then she pulled him closer to her. His head rested on her chest and gently stroked his head, soothing him. Still nobody said anything. It was so strange but still very pleasant. They simply enjoyed the closeness of the other and so they fell asleep at some point.

Sherlock was the first to wake up and realise what had happened yesterday. He smiled at the thought of it. His smile intensified when he saw that she was still lying next to him and now snuggled up close to him. Her head now rested on his chest and her arm lay across his stomach. He held her tight and then closed his eyes again. He wanted this moment to never end.

When Katie woke up, she realised he was still there. He had turned away from her but she could still feel his warmth. She still didn't know why she had done this yesterday but it seemed to be just what he needed. He was hurt and he wanted her to stay with him. She didn't really want to stay overnight but his closeness and the warmth she could feel inside changed her plans. But now she was no longer sure. What would happen when he woke up? Would he return to his original self and maybe chase her out of bed? Would he shout at her because she had taken him by surprise? She didn't know and that scared her.

Slowly and carefully she rose from the bed. She wanted to make sure he wouldn't wake up. Then she took her coat off the floor and quietly opened the door. She looked once more at the sleeping body lying there contentedly and calmly on the bed and then slowly pushed herself out the door.

Katie was just about to step out the door and into the street when the door on the lower floor opened and a cheerful older lady stepped out.

"Oh good morning dear. Were you looking for me?"

Katie smiled and nodded. She didn't want her to find out she'd been there all night.

"Yes... Well, I wanted to ask you if you'd like to have some breakfast before you go?"

The older lady smiled and nodded. Then she picked up her jacket and went out the door with Katie and into the shop next door.

Sherlock noticed that Katie had sneaked out of his bed carefully. He was awake, of course, and was now a little nostalgic. He sighed and then slurped into the bathroom. He saw that he was still wearing his dressing gown. After he had showered and shaved, he went into the kitchen to make coffee. Then he saw that a note was hanging on the kitchen table, pinned to his microscope.

Merry Christmas ;)

+0442045770550

Katie

He smiled and then put the note in the pocket of his dressing gown. This was clearly his best Christmas present since he was 8 years old and had received his first chemistry set. He also had to admit to himself that he hoped it wasn't a one-off.