Boxing Day used to be a day of rest, but in modern day London that meant very little. John fought his way through the crowds heading to work and the sales, heading to Baker Street with his jacket wrapped around him, his color up to protect his neck. One day he though he might head off somewhere warm at Christmas, not Afganastan like he had when he was still in the Army, but America maybe. Then again, it wouldn't be Christmas without a cold wind and the potential for rain.

Mary loved the cold weather, anyway, and he hoped that next Christmas they were still together. He really liked her, saw himself settling down with her, and he knew moving in with her was the best idea he'd had.

"Afternoon, Dr Watson." A burly man at the door of 221 startled him out of his thoughts. John frowned at the guy guarding his front door, who then opened it for him like a hotel doorman. Confused, but chalking it up to Mycroft, he nodded slowly, eyeing the man suspiciously.

"Er, same to you." He replied, heading in and up the stairs. The front door to the flat was open, and what appeared to be Mycroft's minions trailed through the doors, "Faye?" He called as he headed in, the sound of a baby crying hitting him straight away. Going defensive at the sound of Bella crying and no sign of either female, he followed the sound, "Faye?" He called, this time with a firm edge to his voice.

"I don't care, my daughter was in this room!" Faye was screaming at someone over the sound of said daughter screaming. He headed straight for their room and saw her stood with Mycroft, attemping to calm Bella as she glared at another man in a black suit, "I thought you were supposed to be watching us, Sean!"

"I know, I'm sorry ma'am." The man apologised profusely.

"Sorry isn't good enough!" She screamed, spotting John, "Where the hell have you been?" She screetched, heading over and practically shoving Bella into his arms, "I need a break, take her for me." She stormed out of the room. John looked at Mycroft, who rolled his eyes in exasperation, then turned back to Bella, who continued to cry. John headed to the cot and picked up one of the meerkats, waving it at her.

"What's going on?" He asked as Bella whimpered, hugging him tightly around the neck and burying herself into him.

"Someone placed a beheaded stuff animal in through the window with this note." He held out a plastic bag to John, with a note inside stating 'Sherlock's Head for Mine.'

"Moran?" He asked, remembering what Faye had told him about the encounter, "Does he still think Sherlock's alive?"

"Perhaps." Mycroft drawled, "It won't have been him, however. He would have sent someone in his place, someone that even if they were spotted, could not be traced back to him."

"Well, if he'd just been sent down when you had hold of him, this would not be an issue." John grumbled, passing it back.

"If I had my way, Sebastian Moran would not see the light of day again." Mycroft replied, startling John with the slight amount of emotion in his tone, "However, until we can prove who it was either way, survallence will have to be increased. Moran does not seem keen to believe my brother is dead." John shook his head, still slightly sickened over how none of them were allowed to move on from Sherlock, something was always bringing him back. The re-investigating of Moriarty was in full force, the inquiry into just exactly the police knew being splashed over the front pages of every newspaper at least once a week. Sherlock's face was everywhere, yet people still refused to believe he was dead. John wasn't completely convinced Faye had stopped attending that stupid club Anderson had created, and he knew she still had regular contact with the man. Maybe this would convince her leave it alone

"No one is." He replied vaguely, placing a kiss on Bella's head, "Let's see where mummy has headed to." He headed out and into the front room, where she was stood by the mantlepiece, looking at a picture of Sherlock she'd managed to find and frame. She was tapping her foot in irritation, simultaneously grateful and hating the swarm of sercurity in the flat.

"It'll be okay." Was all John could think of as he stood next to her, Bella positioned between the two.

"Why can't they leave him alone?" She whispered, picking up the photo.

"Because no one wants him to be dead." John replied and she sighed with a nod.

"Da." Faye and John looked down at Bella in John's arms, who was staring at the photo with a tilt of her head, a look of consentration on her face, "Dadadadada."

"Oh." Faye whimpered, tears appearing in her eyes as she took Bella off him. She held her against her hip, showing her the photo, "Yes, that is your daddy. And he loves you very, very much." She placed a kiss on top of the baby's head as she starting crying, overwhelmed by everything. Moran targeting her, Bella being put in danger, John pulling her in for a hug even though he couldn't know the truth. The lies were tightening, she felt like she was suffocating but Sherlock couldn't die, not again. She had to protect him always.

~0~0~0~

Mrs Hudson sat in her kitchen, the door open so both she and Bella could see the hallway outside. John and Faye would alternate darting upstairs, coming back down with a box or a bag to put into the van waiting outside. They had to be quick, the traffic wouldn't be patient with the parked moving van for long.

"Is this it?" Faye asked as John headed down with a small brown box and he nodded. There hadn't been much, really. The van wasn't big, but it was just easier than trying to taxi his stuff to Mary's.

"I think so." He told her, placing the box in the bag, "I can come pick up anything I forget tomorrow."

"Of course you can." She reassured him and they fell into an awkward silence which neither of them was willing to break, because it meant goodbye. Not forever, maybe only a day or two, but it was the end.

"I'll come back." He suddenly stated, "Me and Bella made a deal." Faye laughed, which turned into soft sobs as she pulled him into a hug.

"I'm going to miss you, John." She whispered into his ear, "My best friend, John." He squeezed her back, trying not to let his emotions get the best of him.

"My best friend, Mary." He whispered in reply and she started to cry harder at the sound of him muttering her real name. He put his hands on her arms, forcefully moving her off him, ending the hug as best he could.

"Tomorrow." He promised and she nodded, wiping her eyes.

"Tomorrow." She agreed and watched him climb into the van, standing there as it drove away. Mrs Hudson appeared with Bella, handing the mother her child. She hugged her close and Mrs Hudson wrapped her arm around her shoulder.

"Come on, love. Let's get you a cup of tea." She encouraged gently.

"But you're my landlady, not my housekeeper." Faye sobbed and she shook her head, directing the younger woman inside.

"Just your friend, my dear."

~0~0~0~

John moved his meager possessions to Mary's home, making it theirs rather than his. That night was wonderful, if not tiring, and the following day appeared way too soon for him. He watched the clock, convincing himself to go see her the next time the big hand hit 12.

He didn't go see her, but both of them waited.