"Sherlock!"

"How many times have I told you to use the front door like a normal person?" I said rubbing my forehead in frustration.

"It was lockedー honestly, John. How do you expect me to get in? You said I couldn't pick the locks." He said with a pout.

"I meant don't break into my home!" I took a moment to breathe as I was coming dangerously close to murdering Sherlock. In my moment, we both heard footsteps approaching us.

"Sherlock!"

A voice from behind came, pulling him into an unexpected hug.

"Rosie," Sherlock said exchanging the embrace. "Have you been keeping your daddy busy while I was gone? She nodded as she keenly looked at the detective. She then began rummaging through his pockets with her tiny hands, making him laugh." Looking for something?" He said holding up a bag of gummy bears.

"We talked about this Sherlockー no sweets."

"But it makes her so happy," he said handing her the bag of sweets. Satisfied, she ran off with the bag of treats. His gaze shifted towards me, inspecting my sour mood and my crossed arms, he gave me a reproachful look. "At least someone's happy to see me," he added.

"She's only happy to see you because you keep bringing her sweets," I said leaving in a huff.

I made my way towards the kitchen to make some breakfast as Sherlock was slowly starting to replace my alarm clock anyway. There was no point in heading back to bed. I made myself some coffee and got dressed. Coming down the stairs, I wasn't surprised to see Rosie still in her PJs playing with Sherlock. An empty bag of sweets now laying on the floor.

I picked up the discarded bag of sweets and made my way towards the living room.

"Rosie go get dressed."

"But I want to play." she pouted clutching Sherlock's arm.

"The faster you get dressed the sooner you can play with uncle Sherlock." Happy with my response, she ran upstairs. Knowing why Sherlock was here I began to poke him with questions.

"So, what gives us the pleasure of your visit: another case solved?" I asked. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

"IーI was hoping we couldー"

"No."

"We talked about this Sherlock. I can't run off with you on a case. What about Rosie? I can't Sherlockー no." I said walking off.

"John wait." He said grabbing my arm with force.

"Sherlock?" I said, surprised by the forceful tug on my arm.

"Come on John for old time's sake. Just youー and me, the two of us against the rest world," he said with a pleading look in his eye.

"No Sherlock. More than anything I've been dying to run off on case with you, but I have responsibilities now. I have Rosie."

"We'll take her with us. Well be like the three Musketeers," he said with a cheerful smile.

"What? No, we can'tー"

"Come on John," he said tugging on my arm. "The game isー"

"SHERLOCK!"

I screamed, tugging my arm back from his grasp. He flinched and stood there wide-eyed at my sudden outburst. Seeing his hurt expression, my anger melted away, and my face softened.

"Listen to me. I can't and Rosie can't either. It's dangerous and– Mary and I agreed on that Sherlock."

"I'm sorry," he said. His cheerful smile wiped clean off his face. "Your right, what was I thinking bringing a four-year-old onto a crime scene?"

"Sherlock, we'll go on a case together soon, I just need some time."

"I understand. If you ever need my help give me a call. I'll get out of your hair." He said, making his way out with a downcast expression. His footsteps lacking the same enthusiasm from when he first entered.

"You don't have to leave now. Stay for breakfast with me and Rosie." I said.

"No, but thanks for the offer." He said reaching for the doorknob.

"Sherlock," I said keeping him. He turned towards me, anticipating my response.

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine, really John. I'm just needed on a case. he said, looking down and smiling at his phone.

"Greg texted you?" I asked.

"Anderson– says Greg's stumped on another case. I'll be off then," he said taking one last look at the place. He gave me one final smile as he left.

I held my doubts about his cheerful manner. He seemed lonely, and it made my heartache for the young detective.

"Sherlock?"

I turned around to see Rosie fully dressed only now realizing Sherlock had left. She appeared to be in doubt as her eyes wandered across the room searching for him.

I dusted my coat off of imaginary dust as I walked amongst the loud and crowded streets of London. Attempting to shake away all of my lingering thoughts of what could have been if John came along. I focused all of my attention on the promising case ahead. I don't need John, I still have my wits intact without him. He's not around to fuss over me on the plus side.

Making my way to the location Anderson texted me. I stood In front of an old flat, nicely preserved for its time. Ignoring all of the vehicles and police officers, I walked through as always. Only to be approached and lead away by an officer.

"No, I have the authority to enter, just ask inspector Lestrade."

"Sorry sir, I was given specific instructions to keep you out." He said waving someone over. I was flabbergasted by what I was hearing.

"Me, unauthorized?"

"There's been a mistake I need to speak with inspected Lestrade," I said scanning the area for him. Catching a glimpse of Anderson inside the crime scene, I shot him a confused look. He shrugged as he disappeared into the flat.

"Back already? You just finished a case."

I looked to my side to see Sally. Finally, now I can get some answers. "What took you so long and where's Lestrade? Sally Tell this–" I cut myself off as I saw the man himself striding out of the building. He seemed aware of my presence but he looked determined to ignore me.

"Greg!"

I cried out as I was being held back by the officer. Realizing I wasn't going to leave without answers he approached me.

"Don't get involved Sherlock." He said as he retreated to his car without another word.

"Sally. Explain." I asked, watching Greg drive off carelessly.

She didn't seem to know much about Greg's strange demeanor. Knowing about as much as I did by the looks of it. I found myself alone without a distraction. Nowhere else to go besides back to my own flat to find another way of entertaining myself. Oh well, perhaps I'll just have to take a client's case instead.

"Sherlock?"

"Sherlock Holmes?"

An excited lad said in the distance approaching me in disbelief. A fanboy, by the looks of it. He approached me with a ridiculous grin on his face. Once he stood in front of me there was a moment of silence as he suppressed a squeal of excitement.

"Is there something I can help you with?" I asked, breaking the silence.

"Oh," he answered lamely as I broke his trance. "It's just, I've never seen you in person before. I'm a huge fan of your work. I read your blog, the science of deduction. I look over it in hope of becoming as good as you one day sir."

"Wait, my blog? You read my blog?" I said in confusion as most by now would be going on about John's blog.

"Of course I do it's brilliant. Oh, that reminds me," he said taking out a small note pad and a pen. "Can I have an autograph," he said handing over the small note pad that seemed to be overflowing with small notes he jotted down. I obliged and signed it, The young lad looked down at my signature jumping for joy.

"Thank you, I should be getting back to work, but I just couldn't pass this opportunity. I hope to work with you one day sir."

"You're new here, aren't you?" I asked.

"Yes, I transferred to work along with inspector Lestrade," he said.

"In hopes of running into me," I added. His face turned red in embarrassment and he let out an anxious chuckle.

"Well yes, but mainly to learn from the best sir." He said rubbing the back of his neck." Anyhow, you must forgive inspector Lestrade's rudeness; he's had a rough day. I'm sure he'll open up about the case soon. Hey, how's about you come back with me? I'll let you in on the case. I can go talk to the Chain of command for you."

"Lestrade's boss?" I said a bit surprised.

"Yeah, Ford and I are good friends. I'm sure I can pull some strings for you. It's the least I could do for the autograph." he said leading the way.

"Wait. I didn't catch your name?" I said, stopping the young man in his tracks.

"Cable Meyer," he said with a smile.

What an interesting young lad, good networking for someone so young and inexperienced. Then again, it's not every day that someone openly praises me for my blog.