Disclaimer: I don't own Sherlock
Backtrack
John didn't know how he made it through the rest of his day. It passed in a haze, until he finally glanced at his watch and realized he was late to meet Mary. He haphazardly closed down the office and left for the pub.
Mary had a seat by the window, drink already in hand as she waited.
"Sorry I'm late," John said, leaning in for a kiss before sitting across from her and motioning the bartender. "Weird day."
He nodded his thanks as the barman brought him his usual, and then took a grateful drink.
"You okay?" Mary said, giving him an appraising look.
"What? Yeah, great, everything's good, I'm…" John sighed, running a hand over his face.
"What is it?" Mary asked gently.
So he told her.
"He's alive? And he's back in London?" Mary said incredulously. "Well, what are you doing here, John?"
"Well…" John said lamely, "We had plans, and I couldn't just…"
"John!" She laughed. "Your closest friend is back from the dead! I think we can put dinner plans on hold for this once, don't you?"
John looked toward the door, hesitating.
"Oh, get out of here, you great idiot," Mary said, smiling. "You're no good to me like this. Go and talk to him."
John smiled, kissed her, grabbed his coat, and ran out.