Sherlock wandered up and down Baker Street in his living room. Hands crossed behind his back.
It had now been three days since he had escaped from the hospital and literally left her hanging.
John had not, as he suspected, spoken to him about it or made any accusations. Sherlock wondered a little but was relieved. He hoped he would let it rest on that. Especially as John was now on his way to see him in Baker Street.
Sherlock had received a new request on the homepage and wanted him to help him. He missed the old days and the joint investigation of crimes. But the last weeks were filled with wedding preparations. The cases came up short and he slowly felt a growing hole in him and the urge to get high increased more and more. So he had to quickly deal with some mysteries to relieve the urge. And how better to do that than with his best friend and blogger.
He was now standing at the window and looking down as he heard slowly dull, heavy footsteps on the stairs. A little later John stepped inside.
"So what's so important?" he asked.
Sherlock turned around and walked over to the desk.
"I have a new case and I need your help on it," he said, holding the laptop out to him.
John briefly skimmed over it. It was mainly about blackmail and one missing person. It seemed interesting and John was looking forward to seeing something other than some napkin techniques or other things for his wedding.
So he agreed. Of course, he could also feel something of what had been going on with Sherlock over the last few days. He knew that Sherlock had actually expected to confront him the very next day, but John decided against it and wanted to wait and see. But since he had found out from Katie that Sherlock was still not there, he didn't want to wait any longer.
He would wait until after the fall. Sherlock is always very relaxed and sociable afterwards. Maybe he would experience something like that.
It was early evening when the two of them returned to Baker Street together. As it turned out, the blackmailer himself was behind the disappearance. It was not long before Sherlock had solved the mystery. However, contrary to suspicion, he was quite annoyed.
"What a waste of time! It sounded so promising," he grumbled as he dropped onto his chair.
John also sat down in the opposite armchair.
"Well, at least I got away from all this wedding stuff for once," he replied, grinning.
"Oh yes, your wedding. How is Mary? Is she stressed about it yet?"
He didn't really know how to respond to that and hoped John wouldn't notice the ironic undertone.
"Mary's relatively well. No stress. Well, yes, actually. She's only just started making the final arrangements again. There's been a lot of stuff going on lately after what happened to Katie."
"Oh, yes, Katie. Is she still in hospital? How is she doing?" he asked slightly indifferently.
John rolled his eyes and sighed in his reaction.
"She is doing quite well so far. She's still a bit weak but she's allowed to get up and walk short distances now. She thinks she's bored and is all the more pleased to have visitors".
If that wasn't even a clear hint,' both he and Sherlock thought.
Sherlock replied nothing and just nodded instead.
John was a little annoyed at his reaction but didn't want to let on that he was doing it.
"She would be happy to see you too. Did you know she looked rather disappointed and sad when you were gone. I excused you but she saw through it immediately. What was so important that Greg couldn't wait," he looked at him with a penetrating look.
"Oh, you know Lestrade and Scotland Yard. They can't get anything done," he waved.
Of course it was a lie. Greg had called him to his room but there was no hurry. He could have waited until the next day. But he did not want to tell him that.
"Sherlock, you're lying!" it now burst out of him.
He knew he was lying because the next day he had met Greg in hospital and he told him about the affair.
Sherlock was now sitting there with a rather stunned expression on his face, his mouth slightly open.
"So what really happened? Why did you run?" he continued.
John knew there was something else and he wasn't about to give up.
There was a short break. Silence lay in the air. John continued to pierce his vis-à-vis with his gaze until the vis-à-vis could not stand it any longer.
"Oh, damn it, John!" he shouted. "What do you want me to say? Yes it's true. I was looking for an excuse to disappear! But you weren't there."
Sherlock looked away. Then he went on.
"I was there. "That day. I was standing at her bedside, revealing my feelings, and then suddenly she was dead!"
John looked at him in shock.
"You did what?!"
"Weren't you listening to me?" Sherlock was annoyed.
"I told her I loved her and then she died in my arms!"
John swallowed.
"OK, and does she know? I mean, does she know that it was you?"
He rolled his eyes.
"I don't think so. I heard her say to molly that she thought it was her boyfriend, that detective."
"Oh, man, Sherlock. "Once you show your emotions, someone dies. So what are you going to do now?"
"I don't know, John. She's with that Detective Reid. I think I'm going to give her space and stay away from her. I may have lost her but at least she's alive.
I told you romantic entanglements weren't for me!"
"You should still tell her. You have nothing to lose and besides, Mary said she didn't love him. So get your ass up and go to her," he said demandingly and pulled him up.
He pushed him resolutely to the door and didn't tolerate any backtalk.
Sherlock didn't reply any more when he saw the look on his friend's face. He wouldn't give up anyway and he was right about one thing. He had nothing more to lose.
Down the street he waved a taxi over, then said goodbye to John and got in.
This time the journey took an eternity as it was rush hour and everyone wanted to get home as quickly as possible.
He arrived at his destination after a good 35 minutes.
Slowly he moved towards the entrance and onto the station where he would find them. He had previously heard from John that she had left the intensive care unit and would now lie in the normal ward.
With nervous steps he slowly approached her room. As he stood in front of it, he noticed that the door was slightly open. From inside he could hear voices. She had apparently just had a visitor and the way it sounded, it was this detective.
"So David. What did you want to talk to me about?" Katie asked.
"Katie. I know we haven't known each other for very long but the last events, they were just terrible for me. I was so worried about you and I was afraid of losing you. And when I heard that you almost died, I knew I couldn't and wouldn't want to spend another day without you. I love you, Katie.
I know this place isn't exactly appropriate for this but I'm asking you to marry me.
Sherlock's heart stopped when he heard his proposal. He moved a little closer to hear what her answer was. It was silent. She said nothing. For a moment, he was relieved. But when he heard what she said, his heart sank deep into his chest.
He turned on his heel and walked out with a quick step. On the pavement, he waved a taxi over to him. Thank God he did not have to wait long. He gave the driver the address and let himself fall onto the seat. He just wanted to get away from here as quickly as possible.