Sorry for the long wait guys, this chapter is a little pointless and random, I've not been well so I apologize in advance for its crappiness xD

I don't own Sherlock.

''Morning gorgeous'' John smirked as his flatmate and friend shuffled into the living room, her pale face showing anything but splendour ''any particular reason you're wearing a duvet?''

Liz mumbled something that sounded like 'hangover' before plonking herself on the couch next to Sherlock then tumbled sideways onto his lap. He had the laptop balanced on the couch arm and grumbled when she caused it to almost topple off, ''I told you not to go, but would you listen?''

She groaned and pulled the duvet up over her head as she knew she was about to receive a tedious scolding about drinking and the effects of alcohol but it never came. Instead came the words; ''get up''

He shut the laptop and ushered her head off his knee.

''Aspirin'' he explained to the look of confusion on her face

''And here's me thinking we were going to have a cuddle-,''

''You know aspirin isn't actually the best way to cure a hangover,'' John interrupted, ''it just dehydrates the body even more-,''

''I know,'' Sherlock was now bustling over in the kitchen and searching through cabinets, ''but I'd like her to be sober for where she's going''

''Why, where am I going?'' Liz croaked.

''John is taking you to an alcohol support group'' John's head snapped up at the mention of his name,

''What?''

''Absolutely not'' Liz sat up quickly, tugging the duvet more snugly as she did, ''I'm not even an alcoholic'' Sherlock and John both looked at her pointedly, ''I'm not!''

''See, denial…''

''Sherlock!'' Liz got up off the sofa and stalked towards the kitchen in the most intimidating way she could possibly muster.

''She's your wife you take her'' John called from the other room,

''I'm busy''

''You can't force me to go-,''

''Yes.'' He popped two aspirin from the box and handed them to her with a glass of water, ''I can''

''This is ridiculous – John, tell him!''

John looked between the two awkwardly, ''Uhm, I don't really want to get involved…''

Sherlock rolled his eyes.

''I'm not going'' Liz declared before plonking herself back on the sofa in protest but sure enough, two hours later Liz and John were in the community centre.

''How did it go?'' Sherlock asked he wife as he sat at the kitchen table, eyes focused on something through the microscope. Liz shoved her handbag down next to him with a huff.

''Awful'' he spared her a glance as she paced round the kitchen, ''had to sit there for an hour and listen to people's problems and talk about feelings''

''Aww come on'' John smiled, ''you made a new friend''

''I would hardly call her a 'friend' John, I spoke to her once''

''Well, she seemed nice''

''She seemed desperate'' Liz corrected.

Liz clicked the kettle on and reached three cups from the cupboard, ''none for me thanks'' John picked his keys back up of the counter, ''I've got a date''

''Where you taking her this time?'' she asked, filling two cups of steaming black coffee, ''cinema, Laser Quest, Jungle Jims?'' John frowned as Sherlock sniggered into his microscope, ''or you actually going to go on an adult date for once?''

''Hey, at least I make the effort! I don't see you two going out anywhere special''

''We don't need to date''

''Why, 'too mainstream'?'' John chuckled and he left through the door. Liz sat down next to Sherlock and sighed as he started down at something she couldn't see through the microscope then suddenly;

''Sherlock''

''Hm?''

''What you said, months ago – did you mean it?'' Liz suddenly blurted out, it had been on her mind for some time, they hadn't spoken much about it but she wanted to know.

''Be more specific Liz, I say a lot of things'' he re-adjusted something on top of the bright light.

''At the power station, what Moriarty said…'' and he immediately knew what she was talking about, ''you said that you thought I did the right thing, did you mean it?''

''Yes, I did… And I still do''

''You were angry'' she pointed out.

''Well, that's because you never told me. It would have saved a hell of a lot of agro and a hospital job if you just…'' he trailed off at seeing the look on her face and she shifted uncomfortably under his gaze; which he noted as unusual. ''Do you ever think about it?''

''Think about what? Be more specific Sherlock, I think about a lot of things'' she quoted from him earlier, although she knows perfectly well what he's talking about and even more, she knows that he knows she's trying to evade the question but for the tenderness of the situation he'll explain anyway.

''What it would have been like if you stayed pregnant?''

There was a small pause where he watched her and she tapped her nails on the table, ''no'' she said softly, ''do you?''

''Sometimes, well, a few times. I often wonder what it would have been like'' the corners of his lips curved upwards in a small smile and she returned it half-heartedly. Their child would have been born by now, they'd have a new born baby in the flat right now…

''Do you still think I made the right decision?'' not looking forward to what the answer might be. She noted something cross his face, a look she had not come across often on her husband. It was uncertainty. Her breath hitched, somewhere high in her chest – Sherlock Holmes was never unsure of anything.

''Well I'm not sorry'' she told him, ''and I won't be made to feel guilty about it either so don't bother – what?'' she asked irritably when he started chuckling. ''What?'' and he kept on chuckling until it became full blown laughter and the lines in his cheeks deepened and his nose crinkled up in that way that she finds adorable.

It wasn't a laughing matter but for some reason she found herself laughing too.

Christmas was a quiet affair – or it would have been if Mrs Hudson hadn't invited people round for dinner. ''Really you two, you can't not celebrate Christmas!''

Last year had been different, just the two of them and that was exactly how they liked it. None of the need for presents or tinsel or a tree and it's not like they even had the room in their previous flat anyway, what with all Sherlock's gear getting in the way and that's why they had moved – more space (which they still didn't have enough of)

Speaking of space, they were running out of it what with Molly proving to be a hazard with those antlers. She's turned up dressed as a mix between 'Sexy Santa' and 'Rudolph the red nosed reindeer' - flashing red nose and all.

Then there was John and Sarah, snuggled over on the couch. Mrs Hudson who was wearing her seasonal apron and hovering around offering mince pies to everyone and then a recently divorced Greg Lestrade was joking and laughing with Molly as they danced around the overly cramped flat to garish Christmas songs.

The flat itself had been decorated by Mrs Hudson and John. Fairy lights lit up the windows and tinsel sparkled around the mirror and on the mantel piece, the skull was wearing a Santa hat and there was even a tree standing proud covered in twinkling lights and baubles – oh, and the mistletoe that was placed conspicuously under the door frame.

Sherlock and Liz were stood side by side next to the window. Sherlock had his hands folded behind his back and Liz was sipping her 'sparkling soda' drink,

''Look at them all'' Sherlock drawled, ''how can they find this entertaining?''

Liz peered up at him (seen as she only came up to below his shoulder) ''Oh, I don't know my love, perhaps there's something wrong with us''

''Or wrong with them… '' he breathed and she chuckled,

''You can join in if you like''

''No, I think I prefer it here with someone of moderately similar acumen levels''

''Sherlock, are you flirting? Oh catch me before I swoon''

She pretended to faint and bumped his shoulder playfully before they both cracked up into laughter. The two stood there, chucking at each other's comments before Molly approached them, somewhat tipsy off the Sherry.

''Liz-buf'' she giggled, almost sloshing her drink down her front as she stepped infront of the dark blonde. ''Gregory and I were, we were wondering if you would join us for a dance'' she slurred, already tugging her towards the middle of the room where Greg was swaying to the music.

''Oh no Molly, really I-,''

''She'd love to!'' Sherlock interrupted, smirking as he took drinks off both women and placed them on the windowsill and Liz shot him a filthy look when Greg grabbed her hands and pulled her to him, twirling her about the room.

Now everyone was smiling and laughing, even Sherlock who found it highly amusing at the look on his wife's face as Lestrade drunkenly stepped on her feet or how Molly sung at the top of her voice and highly out of tune to 'Jingle bell rock'

Shortly after John and Sarah joined in with the dancing and Mrs Hudson went off, bustling about in the kitchen leaving Sherlock and Molly the only ones without dance partners.

This was short lived as the young mortician dragged him by the cuffs to the middle of the room with the other couples and Liz gave him a smug look over her shoulder as if to say 'that's what you get for making fun of me'

Molly clumsily hooked an arm round his waist whilst the other grasped his hand and she attempted to waltz them about the room – her antlers repeatedly knocking Sherlock in the face as they did so.

''Enjoying ourselves were we?'' Liz smirked when Molly finally decided she needed to give her feet a rest and she sided up to her husband before he could sit down.

''Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, my dear '' he dropped one hand to her waist and the other around her back as they moved to the calmer song. '…were happy tonight, walking in a winter wonderland…' could be heard in the background ''but the highest form of intelligence, or apparently anyway''

''And giving me complements as well? It's not our anniversary, you must be in a good mood''

''Hm. It's Christmas'' he said simply and a naughty grin spread across Liz's face,

''Early night?'' she suggested meaningfully,

''Absolutely''

By the end of the night, everyone was feeling dozy and resting after Christmas dinner and a good fill of Mrs Hudson's mince pies. Sherlock had played his violin customary to the festive season and they all shared a good chuckle when an intoxicated Molly cornered Inspector Lestrade underneath the mistletoe for a kiss.

They played charades and Cluedo in which John had given up on in a sulk because Sherlock kept insisting he knew the culprit even before the game had begun, once again arguing ''how is it possible for the victim to have murdered themselves?''

Molly had fallen asleep in one of the chairs, her head lent against Lestrade who was sat on the arm, her mouth open and snoring lightly. Mrs Hudson was sat in the other chair in front of the telly, waiting for the queen's speech to come on catch-up. Sherlock, Liz and Sarah were all squished together on the couch and John sat on the floor with his back leant against it by Sarah's legs.

They'd all been wrapped up in the festivities that no one noticed the suspicious man stood outside in the snow or that he had been observing the goings on of 221b all day.

Liz watched the man at the other side of the room as he talked at the end of today's session, she wasn't really paying attention – in fact she wasn't sure she even looked as though she was pretending to be interested. The man in question was the 'coordinator' called Tony, medium build with dark, close shaven hair and about three days' worth of stubble ghosting across his lower face – an ex-alcoholic, single man with two kids who held the meetings weekly at the community centre.

She was on her own this week. After endless meetings she insisted that she would be fine and John had no need accompany her – she wasn't helpless. Going to the group wasn't exactly her cup of tea but it helped, knowing that there were some people who were going through or who had been through similar stuff or were even worse off than you made Liz feel just that little bit better about the whole thing. People sharing their stories and experiences and even though she didn't join in much, she felt like she was a part of something…

''Now listen up because next week's session will be held by someone else –'' she was pulled from her thoughts by Tony's loud voice after all went quiet. ''now I haven't met him but from what I've heard, he's a top bloke'' murmurs broke out all across the room, ''he's called Mark Green and will be taking over for a few weeks whilst I sort out a few issues at home –''

After that Elizabeth tuned out, the rest of the speech was short and boring and after a few minutes, everyone started filing out through the large double doors. Thinking about it, she wasn't sure she wanted Tony to be replaced, even if it was only for a few weeks, it didn't bother her as such but she had gotten used to him…

Sherlock was waiting for her outside, hands tucked into his coat pockets and a sombre look on his face. The night air was cool and she pulled her coat more tightly around herself before linking her arm through his.

''How was it?''

''Tedious, my friend didn't come in today-,''

''I thought you hadn't made friends?'' he said amused as they walked down the high street

''You know what I mean, I was just bored. Anyway, got any closer with the case?''

''The missing thumb didn't match the fat man in the morgue so we're looking for new leads''

''And the teapot?''

''Empty. Someone drained it before we reached the scene. I'm going to have to ask Molly to do me a favour and let me use the lab again''

''I can't believe you're still doing that,'' she said incredulously, ''she still has feelings for you, you know'' Sherlock rolled his eyes as he waved down a cab, keeping the door open as she got in. ''I can still remember her face when she found out we were married, poor girl – Sherlock, why are we getting a taxi? We only live round the corner''

''Someone's been following us'' he said simply as they drove off. Liz whipped her head round to look out the window at the back and sure enough there was a dark figure stood in the spot where they had been just moments ago, watching as the cab got further and further away, ''I noticed when I was stood outside waiting for you, didn't realise he was armed until people started coming out of the community centre – god my reactions are slowing''

''Who do you think it is?'' she asked worried, ''and why didn't you tell me sooner?''

''I didn't want to cause alarm, he might have got suspicious and I don't know…'' he said honestly as they pulled into Baker street and he sqouze her knee in what he hoped was being re-assuring. ''But I think we're going to find out very soon''

John could be heard yelling somewhere in the flat, something about keeping the noise down because some of the household actually have to get up early for work.

''I think'' Sherlock said, spent and shiny as a fine layer of sweat dried on both their bodies ''we must have woken John up that time''

Liz chuckled and stretched out next to him on the mattress. Her breathing still heavy from the nights activities and she wiggled closer to his side, the smell of sex and sweat lingered around them both and she thought there could be a no more satisfying combination.

She sighed contently and pressed her lips to his shoulder, not wanting to accept that they'd have to get up in a few hours. Liz had another meeting later that day and then she suddenly remembered the stranger, the armed stranger that had waited outside the community centre and started following them.

''Liz?''

''Hm?''

''You okay?''

''Yes, just thinking…''

''Thinking?'' he repeated, slightly anxious at what she could possibly be thinking to make her look so uneasy at a time like, well, now – right after sex. ''About what?''

''Oh, nothing really, just the support group-,''

Sherlock shifted slightly so he could face her better, ''you don't think its working?''

''No, no I do – it is. It's just, I don't know… Someone tried following me last time, what if they do it again?… And if they were armed-,''

''Yes, hand gun. Bottom left jacket pocket-,''

''Sherlock'' Liz said in a warning voice, ''not helping'' and he smiled. He liked it when she was cross because her eyebrows knitted together when she frowned and if he was honest, he found it incredibly attracting.

''Your beautiful when you do that'' he said quietly, flexing his fingers against her stomach over the sheet.

''I beg your pardon'' she gave him a strange look, something mixed between amused and puzzled and he blinked, realising that he'd said it out loud.

''You know perfectly well what I just said Elizabeth Holmes''

''Say it again'' and she almost chuckled at him getting fidgety, after all these years he still found it slightly uncomfortable saying nice things to his wife, especially when he hadn't meant to.

''I said; your beautiful when you do that, well, your beautiful all the time but I will deny ever saying such a thing so don't go on about it'' he said quickly and shifted once again, on his side and sliding further down so he could slip his arm round her hips under the covers.

''What is it with you and paying me compliments lately? If I didn't already know you better, I'd say you were trying to have your way with me but it's a bit late for that now isn't it?'' she chuckled.

''Indeed, years too late in fact'' he said airily ''ways already been had'' he took her by surprise by dropping his hand even further down and her breath hitched, she was still rather sensitive from earlier. He loved it.

''Sherlock!'' she gasped, ''its three o'clock in the morning''

''And? What difference does it make at three o'clock then it did about an hour ago or two hours ago?''

''Just, because…'' she huffed, wriggling beneath his touch, ''I'm tired''

Now it was his turn at being smug.

''That's never bothered you before, in fact it's often been your excuse to be lazy and let me do all the work''

She laughed at that, what he was saying was so blatantly true. If they both or sometimes just he wanted quick release and on the odd occasion she couldn't be bothered, she'd say she was too tired and let him get on with it without her putting in the effort. It was an easy way to get him to do enough to pleasure them both which was admittedly unfair really.

''What are you doing?'' he asked when she rolled over and swung a leg over both of his,

''Changed my mind'' was the reply and she began kissing across his exposed neck and chest, savouring the salty taste that still lingered on his pale skin, ''and take that smug look off your face''

He tittered and let his hands find her hair and tug slightly as she ventured further south. All thoughts of the mysterious stranger disappeared.

Liz buzzed herself into the community centre; Maria, her friend was waiting for her inside as usual. Although this time she looked anxious and a bit giddy ''you wanna see the new fella,'' she said when she approached, ''he's not half good looking'' her thick London accent coming though strongly as she spoke.

''Maria, for a god sake you're in your thirties, not thirteen'' Liz hissed as they sat down in two empty chairs in the circle, dumping their bags beside them as they waited for the new 'coordinator' to make an appearance. After a few minutes of pointless chatter everyone went quiet as the new figure entered the room.

''Hello, I'm Mark, sorry I'm late. I'll be taking over from Tony for a few weeks, hope you don't mind -'' Liz looked up quickly, she knew that voice. She'd heard it over and over a hundred times whether it be soft loving words or shouting at her in the middle of the night. Her heart hammered against her chest, it had been almost a decade since they were in the same room together and he was supposed to be dead…

He hadn't changed, not one bit. Still tall, dark hair in thick waves, his features were softer than Sherlock's but then again, whose weren't? Cold grey eyes and thin lips, with that hard look set permanently on his face.

Mark Green was Lee Kingsley. Lee Kingsley.

''Hello Elizabeth'' he suddenly spoke and Liz jumped, he was smiling at her in what other people may have taken as fond, but Liz could only see a snarl. The same face she used to see in her dreams, her nightmares. ''fancy seeing you here''

Liz stood up too quickly, knocking her handbag off her lap and almost toppling the chair over. Ignoring the confused looks from other members in the group, she gathered her things and fled the room.

Wrote some shameless flirting! I regret nothing ;D

This chapter would have been slightly longer but was worried it may have been too long. Next chapter should be up fairly soon as part of it is already written.

Please review!