A few things before we start:

Firstly: I wasn't planning on updating until next week, but this story gained over forty followers in under twenty four hours so I wanted to thank you all immensely. And to those who left me a review too, thank you so much. They are greatly appreciated and keep me going.

Secondly: I had to copy and paste this into the Doc Manager bit by bit because it kept doing that weird glitchy thing. I've read it through and it doesn't appear to me as if anything is missing so fingers crossed that is actually the case.

Thirdly: I should definitely have mentioned in the first chapter to any newcomers that this is the second part of a series, and if you fancy it, the first part is called The Other Occupant. Some bits that are coming up in this story may not make sense unless you've read that one.

Fourthly: I'm trying not to jump immediately into the episodes but I'm super nervous to be coming up with original scenes. There will be a few chapters in here with original scenes, so if you have an idea for one you would like to read, throw it at me in the review box and I may just include it.

Lastly: As always, I don't own Sherlock. Only Emily and any other Original Characters. Sorry for any spelling/punctuation mistakes I have missed.

April

The good news about John being on holiday was that it was one less person to hide the fact that it was her birthday that month from. The bad news was that she was missing him terribly.

After the incident at the pool he had decided to go on holiday to New Zealand to visit an old friend, taking Sarah with him. She had received the occasional text from him, but didn't want to bother him while he was away so had left it to a minimum. No matter how much she desperately wanted to moan to him about her remaining flatmate.

Since John had left, she had managed to avoid being alone with Sherlock. She was unsure if she could take another round of questioning from him but had been sure that if he had acted differently towards her in any way, she wouldn't have been able to stand it. And not being sure if he would do either of those things, she would make sure that she was alone, or that Mrs Hudson was always in the room with them. If he entered the room and it looked as if it would just be the two of them she would make up some excuse to leave. Usually taking solace up in her room. She had never felt so rested thanks to all the early nights she was getting. If that wasn't an option, she would end up making a phone call to someone. Anyone. (Most times, it had ended up being Mike she spoke to, and she thanked whoever was listening that the man was so welcoming and would speak to her for hours at a time) Just so she wouldn't have to face Sherlock and however he could have (potentially) changed towards her.

She was sure Sherlock had noticed. He would have had to have been blind not to. And she was certain she had caught a handful of hurt looks cross his features before he wiped his face off all expression and carried on as if nothing was wrong.

It left her feeling awful and really, John needed to hurry up and get home.

She had managed this successfully until her birthday itself.

She had turned up at work as if it were any other day, but upon entering her office, she had been greeted with a birthday banner, balloons and a chocolate muffin sat on her desk.

The thought that this had been Jim had niggled away at her until Mike had turned up to take her for lunch and began singing her Happy Birthday. She had firmly closed the door so no one in the corridor could hear. She rolled her eyes as Mike finished his chorus but smiled as he pulled her in to hug her tightly.

He had gifted her with a Waterstones voucher and the knowledge that he had not informed anyone else that it was her special day.

It had been a lovely shift, mainly because she had not once been bothered by Roid and the fact that there hadn't actually been that much for her to do in the first place.

Upon returning home, she had barely made it halfway up the stairs when a knock at the door made her pause. She stomped back down to find a delivery man awaiting on the other side. An envelope in his hand as he held out the device for her to scribble an awful signature on.

It was addressed to her and as soon as the door was closed again she checked her surroundings to make sure she really was alone before opening it.

The card had a picture of a baby elephant on the front and before she could open it up a slip of paper fell from inside. As she crouched down to pick it up she read the hand written words: 'To our darling Emmy, we hope you have the happiest of birthdays. All our love, Jim and Seb. xxx P.S Your other present is in your room'

Other present? In her room?

With the slip of paper firmly in her hand, she began her ascent once more only this time with more haste. Completely forgetting to check for signs of the Detective.

She shoved her door open and upon finding a box waiting for her on her bed (she was sure it hadn't looked that tidy this morning when she had left for work) slammed it shut behind her.

It didn't look to be anything special or threatening. But she didn't exactly race to open it up either.

Peeling the tape away cautiously, she braced for some sort of explosion but was only greeted with the smiling face of Kermit the Frog. The face was attached to the body of a cuddly toy and she couldn't help the beaming smile that lifted her lips. As a child she had always wanted her own Kermit to cuddle in bed for when her brother or Jim couldn't. It may have been a few years too late, but she finally owned one.

She lifted him from the box only to find a pile of DVDs. One by one she pulled them out with her free hand, the other tightly clutching the toy to her chest, and inspected every inch of the covers.

Not only had they got her a toy she had yearned for as a child, they had bought her several Muppet DVDs. No doubt she had worn out the video tapes that still sat at her Mothers.

While she knew she would have to wait until she had the flat to herself to be able to enjoy these, she couldn't help the feeling of excitement that overtook her. Though she managed to control it before she could let out a squeal.

The sound of footsteps heading into the living room alerted her to the fact Sherlock was home and that she should get rid of any evidence these had been a present to her, though it looked innocent enough. Perhaps, on the off chance that she was questioned, she could claim she had ordered these herself.

It was only as she was heading back downstairs that she remembered she still had the card and slip of paper in her possession. She re read the card again. 'Your other present is in you room' She stalled as she wondered how they had gotten into the building, let alone her room to deposit her gifts.

She shook her head of the though that Jim and potentially even Seb had been in her home and opened up the slip of paper.

Her eyes widened as it clicked in her mind exactly what she was holding.

It was a cheque. A cheque for a lot of money.

"Emily." Sherlock called from the living room. She snapped it shut and shoved the thing, along with the card, into her coat pocket and continued down the stairs with a look that suggested everything was normal despite feeling an overwhelming sense of panic knowing she was basically carrying around a lot of money in her pocket.

"Yes?" She said back to him.

"Ah good, didn't think you were here, no sign of your coat or shoes."

"I had to run upstairs." Sherlock looked up at her from his - no - John's laptop, an eyebrow raised in waiting for her to continue. "To put my phone on charge." He opened is mouth to talk, but she beat him to it, slipping her heels off and replacing them with her converse. "How was your case?"

"How did you know I had a case?" He watched as she bent over to re tie the laces to avoid looking at him. He would have to do something about this avoidance she had taken up. Not only that, he still needed to have that conversation with her. Her lack of communication with him had made this need all the more apparent. To him at least.

"You weren't up on the roof screaming to the world about being bored. And you haven't even mentioned that John's not here."

"Yes, where is he?"

She rolled her eyes and stood back up straight. "New Zealand."

"New Zealand?" Sherlock looked shocked. "What on earth for?"

"Chance to have sex with Sarah probably." She muttered to herself, trying not to remember the date at the 'Circus' she and Sherlock had gate crashed. "I'm popping back out, won't be long. Do you want takeaway for dinner? My treat."

"Yes alright. Though nothing much. Not that hungry."

"Anything in particular?" She was already heading back downstairs, hand back in her pocket to hold onto the cheque. "Chinese or chips? I'll ask Mrs Hudson if she wants something too? She can eat with us."

Sherlock had stood to approach her, demand it just be the two of them, or insist on giving her some money for the food, request she look him in the eyes when she used the minimum amount of words to talk to him. But she had already gone. A few moments of listening to her talk normally to their landlady went by before the front door closed behind her. He moved to the window to watch as she walked away, thankful that they had had the new windows fitted as he'd been watching her and the gentle sway of her hips head off to work every morning.

Trying not to deduce why she could have been avoiding him, though he was fairly certain he already understood why, he moved back to John's laptop to find a new case to work on. Perhaps he could rush downstairs and convince their landlady not to join them for dinner?

John had thankfully finally returned home.

Emily had been sat up waiting for the Doctor to arrive back, 'Welcome Home' banner strung across the mirror, when she had fallen asleep on the sofa, despite only having been sat down for five minutes.

She had awoken to a gentle nudge and a familiar voice calling her name. Eyes not fully open she had all but slipped off the sofa into her Doctor friends arms in greeting not noticing the blanket that had been draped over her creating a barrier between them.

"Missed you too Em." John muttered into her ear as he eased her back onto the sofa, this time so she was lying down and tucked her back in. It seemed she never heard his words as she had already gone back to the land of nod.

It had not gone unnoticed by the Doctor that Emily was acting a little different towards their friend. It had also not gone unnoticed the longing looks that the Detective had been sending Emily though she definitely hadn't noticed them. John was unsure if Sherlock knew he was even making them.

He took a seat opposite Sherlock, too occupied reading a book to notice, and took a moment to observe him.

He had just come back upstairs after having a very informative chat with Mrs Hudson.

"Sherlock." He finally attempted to get the other mans attention, though it only worked after he'd leant forward and snatched the book away.

"I hadn't finished that."

"You can have it back after you've answered my questions."

"Oh?"

"How was it, while I was away?"

"How was what?" Sherlock frowned. "You'll have to be a little bit more specific."

John denied the want to roll his eyes. "Things here. With Em?" He had secretly been hoping the pair would have come to their senses and admit their feelings for one another but if anything they had drifted apart. Had they had some sort of argument? Mrs Hudson hadn't been sure either but had revealed that she was under the impression Emily had only really acted herself when someone else had been around the two of them. Even then, she hadn't really looked at Sherlock and if she had it had been for the briefest amount of time possible.

"Fine." Sherlock lied but knew instantly that John knew better.

"Mrs Hudson says - "

"She really should stop gossiping. Especially with that Mrs Turner next door. Bad influence on each other."

"Well, she says that things have been quiet and that Emily hasn't been herself." Sherlock snapped his gaze away from the skull on the mantelpiece to look at John.

"Oh?"

"Yes. She got the impression that Em didn't want to be alone with you."

Sherlock sighed. "If you already know what it's been like then why are you asking me?"

"To confirm it." John looked up at the ceiling, wondering what their flatmate was doing. Reading probably. Hopefully Sherlock wouldn't raise his voice and disturb her. "What's going on? I think you already know since you're so bloody clever."

Suddenly, Sherlock moved forwards to sit on the edge of his chair. "She's been avoiding me John." It felt to John as if Sherlock was dying to get this off his chest.

"Can't say I blame her." He quipped. "Any idea why?" He asked, knowing full well that Sherlock did in fact know why.

"She's been like this since you left - "

"Not that you noticed I'd left."

" - But I could see it beginning before you went." Sherlock finished as if he'd never been interrupted. "Yet not before everything that occurred at the pool."

"You think she's worried about what happened?"

"She's worried about what we think about what happened. Specifically what we think of her. Or more specifically what I think of her. She seems fine with you." He waved his hand in the direction of the mirror that still had the banner across it and sat back, waiting for his friend to talk.

"Perhaps because she knows I won't try to finish questioning her about her life. Or she knows that I don't think of her any differently knowing that she was, maybe still is, friends with Moriarty." John shrugged.

"You worked it out too." He stated.

"Wasn't difficult." There was a pause of silence as John waited for his companion to speak.

"She won't be alone with me John. She won't speak about it."

"Maybe you don't have to be the one to speak to her about it?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why don't I go and talk to her about it?"

"You think that would work?" He frowned.

"Maybe. Better chance of her talking to me about it than you at any rate." Another silence descended, one that John was unsure if Sherlock would break. "Look," He figured this would be worth a shot. "I don't condone this whatsoever, so I will certainly not be encouraging it after tonight." Sherlock nodded once for him to continue, curious as to what he was about to say. "Give me a minute to get in her room, you come upstairs and listen at the door. If I do manage to get anything out of her, I doubt it will happen a second time and it's better that you hear it from her own mouth." If Sherlock was correct and she wouldn't talk to him, this was the only way he could think of. Maybe it wouldn't put things right, but he thought it might be worth a shot.

"Alright." John immediately stood and headed to the stairs, not wanting to waste a moment, worried that Sherlock would change his mind. "John." Though he didn't want to, the Doctor paused in his tracks and spun to see what else Sherlock would add. "Sorry about Sarah."

John frowned at the almost sincere tone and the words just spoken. "How did you know - "

"I deduced." He looked smug with himself.

"Did you know this would happen before we went away?"

"It was one possibility - "

"You know what: never mind." John turned back to continue his path upstairs. "Just make sure to give me a minute. And be careful on the stairs. You know how they creak. Don't make me regret this."

A knock on her bedroom door bought Emily's focus back to reality and away from her book.

"Come in John." She called and sat up a little straighter in her bed. Her friend gently closed the door behind him and sat down on the edge of her bed, letting out a great sigh. "What's wrong?" She set her bookmark to her page and placed a hand on his arm.

"Me and Sarah split up." Emily felt a wave of sadness at the news. "She's texted you I think."

"Texted me? What for?"

"I think to ask if you'll still stay in contact with her. I'm not really too sure."

"Oh." This surprised Emily somewhat. "Well, I'm not sure if that's really such a good - "

"It's fine Em, you can still be friends with my ex if you want. We're adults not teenagers." He informed her. She patted the spot next to her, inviting him to get comfy. He slipped his shoes off and moved himself so his back was against her headboard, legs stretched out in front of him.

"Are you alright?" She questioned him, book forgotten beside her as all her attention had been shifted onto him.

"I think so."

"Only think?"

"Well, I'm pretty sure that I could see it coming. Even when we were still in New Zealand things felt a bit...off." She wanted to ask him what exactly he meant since she'd never really experienced a romantic relationship before. But she never got the chance. "How was he? While I was away?" He questioned, slinging an arm over her shoulder to hug her into his side. Emily allowed the change of subject but only for the time being.

"Did you know he didn't even realise you were away?"

"I did have my suspicions."

"Oh?"

"Hmm, he texted me at one point, asking me to bring my laptop downstairs." Emily chuckled at this, the sound causing John to release a laugh too. "Is everything alright?" He turned serious again. "Between the two of you?" Emily opened her mouth to answer yes, of course, but John hadn't finished. "And before you answer, I already know the answer is no."

"And how exactly do you know this?"

"I've seen the way you're avoiding him. Leaving the room when it's just the two of you. Even Mrs Hudson's noticed. She was telling me you were like it while I was away too."

Damn that woman, Emily thought to herself. "You'd have thought she would have enjoyed my company." She rolled her eyes.

"Oh, she did. But she's also not blind Em. I think, judging by the way he watches you vacate the room, Sherlock has noticed it too. Which is saying something since he didn't now I wasn't even in the country. What's going on?"

She rested her head against his shoulder, taking a moment to gather her thoughts, not realising the man she had been avoiding was stood outside listening in as John had suggested.

"It's just that - " She hesitated. Could she really tell this all to John? And then have to go and re tell Sherlock. She had hesitated on this conundrum before and regretted it since. "I guess I'm just a bit worried that after everything that happened, Jim, the pool, the two of you finding out about Carl..."

"That he'll act differently towards you?" She answered with a nod, causing John to shake his own. "You do realise the only one acting different is you and that you have no need to, right?"

"But it's not just that though is it? What if he still has more questions to ask?"

"Do you have more secrets to tell?"

"There are... other things I have yet to tell the two of you. But that's only because it's not the right time." John had to really listen she had gone that quiet. He wondered if Sherlock could hear. "I'm not ready to tell them yet."

"Then tell us when it is the right time. We won't force it from you Em."

"So you're not angry that I didn't tell you about Jim? About Carl?"

"I thought about it after you went to bed that night. Or, morning. You tried to tell me. But I pushed it to one side. I should have stayed and listened to what you had to say." He squeezed her a little tighter. "I'm sorry for that."

"But I should have tried harder - "

"Let's have no more of this. Though fair warning, Sherlock more than likely won't forget that you have more things to tell us." He watched Emily roll her eyes. Raising his voice ever so slightly so Emily would not hear the creak of the stairs as Sherlock descended. "And will more than likely keep reminding you of this fact. After you eventually tell him, that is. You need to move on. We have. And before you say it's not that easy, I'm here for you. Mrs Hudson's here for you. Sherlock's...probably here for you too." He received a chuckle.

"Alright."

"Good. Now." She rested her chin on him to peer up at him through her eyelashes. "What are we going to do about the fact that we missed your birthday?"

It had been a few days and Emily was sure they had forgotten.

The silence of the hallway made her suspicious however when she returned home after what felt like a long day at St Barts. Though it had been quiet for a couple of days while the boys had been out on a new case, but this felt different. Like something was waiting to happen.

She briefly wondered if Jim had come to pay her a visit but shook that thought away before it could fully form.

She slipped her heels off, letting them dangle from her fingers and tip toed up the stair case, mindful to avoid stepping on the creaky spots.

As she got closer to the kitchen she could hear some whispering and what sounded like Mrs Hudson giggling.

"Do you think she got lost?" John asked as Emily peeked round the doorframe.

"No." Sherlock answered as he made eye contact with her. "I think she crept up here as quietly as possible so you couldn't surprise her."

"What? Oh!" John and Mrs Hudson had stood to greet her.

"HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!" They chorused together before stepping forward to hug her warmly.

She had not looked away from the Detective who had rolled his eyes at the actions of the other two individuals in the room, but smirked as he watched her cheeks become flush from the attention. How he had missed watching her blush, though he missed even more being the one to make her do so.

He stood as Mrs Hudson finally finished gushing over the other female and stepped towards her.

Emily had to hold onto the table to stop herself moving away. She felt her flush become worse as Sherlock lowered his face to hers and whispered a "Happy Belated Birthday" into her ear before kissing her on the cheek. Was she imagining it, or did he linger a little longer than was necessary?

"How did you know?" She questioned the room, hoping Sherlock would move back, but was pleasantly surprised when he pulled out the chair at the head of the table for her to sit at. Right next to him. She was certain she saw him inch his chair closer to hers as the other two sat back down.

"Sherlock told us." John answered. "The morning after I got back."

"It was very naughty of you not to tell us love." Mrs Hudson admonished but had a fond smile on her face as she watched Emily deposit her heels on the floor and remove her coat.

"Sherlock told you?" She turned her gaze to the Detective. "How did you know? Was it Mike? He promised he wouldn't tell anyone."

"I simply deduced it." His face showed how satisfied he was with himself.

"How - ?" John started, but raised his hand in the air in front of him. "Actually, no. I don't want to know."

"Are you sure? It's really quite easy, even Lestrade could do it - "

"No. Sherlock. What I what to do it sit with my friends and celebrate one of their birthdays. Preferably without any deducing or smart arse comments." John had an eyebrow raised and Emily got the impression this was not the first time this conversation had happened today.

Sherlock rolled his eyes but never the less, turned his focus back to Emily. "How are we celebrating then?" His enthusiasm so clearly fake.

"Em? How do you want to celebrate?" John said.

"Well, I don't really do birthdays, I'd be happy to just sit and chat with you." She received nods and encouragement to continue. "So John, did you bring us any presents from New Zealand?" Sherlock chuckled and retrieved his phone, though no one noticed as they were too busy hearing John's excuses as to why he hadn't bought them any cheesy souvenirs home.

It was only after Mrs Hudson had just begun to regale the two that were still listening with her stories of being abroad that Emily watched from the corner of her eye as Sherlock stood and, quietly excusing himself, vacated from the kitchen, eyes glued to his phone.

She wondered if this was her cue to taking a moment to talk to him. Her unasked musing was answered with John indicating to the living room with his head. She sent him a brief nod and excusing herself too, followed the Detective into the next room. She shut the door behind her so she could not be watched by the remaining pair. Though, judging by how quiet Mrs Hudson had gone, she had no doubt they would be listening.

Emily wasted no time. "Sherlock?"

"Hmm?"

"Can I talk to you for a second?"

"Isn't that what you're doing?"

"Well, yes, but do you think you could put your phone down and give me your attention whilst I talk to you?"

She thought she heard him release a sigh, but he slipped his phone into the inside pocket of his blazer and took a seat on his chair, looking up at her expectantly as she sat down in John's.

"I wanted to apologise - "

"What for?" He sounded bored and his raised eyebrow suggested he had other things he would rather be doing, despite the intimate moment Emily thought they had shared in the kitchen upon arriving home.

"For avoiding you and - "

"You were avoiding me? Didn't realise."

"Sherlock!" John scolded from the kitchen.

"And not telling you sooner about Carl - " She stopped again as Sherlock suddenly sat forwards and inspected her face. She wondered if she had something on her cheek and was about to raise a hand to check when he spoke again.

"Do you promise to tell me whatever is left when you are good and ready? No excuses." Emily would never have guessed Sherlock would ask something like this. The shock of it causing her to forget to question how he knew there was something more to discuss. She gulped and nodded. "Use your words Emily."

Her voice was quiet as she answered. "Yes. Yes, I promise."

There was another silence as he stared intently again, though it had never really stopped. However it had, perhaps, softened. If only slightly. "Good!" She jumped at his sudden exclamation and watched him stand up and offer her his hand. She took it with a look of surprise.

"Am I forgiven?"

"Of course." He looked confused. He pulled her up gently but didn't release her hand, merely pulled her closer so there was only a small amount of space between them.

"Is that it?"

"Is what it?"

"You've forgiven me? Just like that? No fights"

"Did you want a fight?" He stepped closer to her. Dangerously close. He freed her hand now and she could have sworn she felt the heat of it as it now hovered by her waist.

"No."

"Don't knock it Em!" John called out again, Mrs Hudson shushing him immediately.

"Then don't knock it." He repeated. She had to crane her neck to look at him the pair of them were so close.

She gulped again as he reached up with his other hand and released her hair from its ponytail. She felt the man before her had more to say but never got the chance as his mobile rang. He didn't rush too answer it. He leaned closer, Emily's heart rate sped up and she pondered if he could hear it.

His mouth right next to her ear, he whispered, "There was never anything to forgive." His hand ran down her arm and held onto hers as he lifted it to leave a tender kiss on the back of it.

He delved back into his inside pocket and retrieved his phone. Winking at her as he moved away to answer it, letting his fingers linger in hers.

He had never actually placed his touch on her waist, but she found herself wishing he had.

She wondered what on earth had just transpired but headed back into the kitchen to sit back down.

"Alright Em? Look a bit flushed." John teased. Mrs Hudson covered her mouth to hide the knowing smile she wore.

"Yeah." Em stated, swallowing hard to try and create more saliva in her mouth.

"Thirsty?" John asked. She nodded. "Since it's a special occasion, do you fancy a beer?" Another nod. "Sherlock actually went shopping. Can you believe that?" Those words seemed to snap her out of it and she shot him a bemused look, one that he laughed at. "Though he's put them next to the feet. Are you still alright to drink it?" John had stood to retrieve the beverage.

"Feet? In the fridge?" Mrs Hudson, though closer to Emily than she was the fridge, beat him to it and yanked open the door. "Oh! That awful man! Fancy having feet in the fridge. Oh! And Emily, right on top of your chocolate bars!"

Emily whipped her head up to the older woman. "What?"

Let me know what you thought?

I love you all so much and I'm so sorry for babbling with these Author's Notes.

Stay Safe and Well.

FB