So here they were, Sherlock and John sat with their drinks, two coffees one black with two sugars and one decaf, by a window at a small coffee shop. Although neither of them had realized it before, this was point both of their lived so far had been leading up to.
They both took a sip of their drinks and mentally prepared themselves. This was going to be exhausting both mentally and physically.
"Okay Sherlock, how about we beginning with you telling me why you pretended to kill yourself, made we watch, and then not say anything for over half a year!"
Sherlock paused for a moment, to consider his words, leaned back and placed his hands together on his chin.
"When I met with Moriarty on the rooftop I knew that it would be the end. We both knew that he won't finish without his giving his story an ending, and I won't finish without either riding him or imprisoning him. I knew he wanted me dead, but what I didn't know was how far he willing to go to ensure it. Had it just been Moriarty and I involved in his little game, I would have had Mycroft simply detain Moriarty and be done with him. But unfortunately-"
"Wait!" John interrupted, his eyebrows came together and the vein on his began to make an appearance. "You mean Mycroft knew from the beginning? I could understand calling on him now that you're back...But from the beginning?! Who else knew?"
"John, he is the English government. Whether from me, his men, or even from his cameras, it would have been foolish to-"
" .Knew."
"Molly Hooper-"
"Molly Hooper!?"
"-and a few choice members of my homeless network."
"So your brother, Molly Hooper and a bunch of homeless people. That's great Sherlock, really. Because of course it makes more sense to trust a bunch of homeless people who'd anything for some change over your best friend."
"John...During my time away there were many times when I was tempted to contact you, but-"
"Don't you dare Sherlock bloody Holmes. Don't you dare try and make me feel bad. Don't you dare try and justify what you did. You knew Sherlock, you knew all about my PSTD. You know how I am, how difficult emotions are for me, how I can over react, .me. And do you know what the worst part was? Because I'll tell you this, it wasn't your suicide. No, having to watch and knowing that there was nothing I could do!"
They both stopped for a moment, and just breathed. They both had things to say, both had so much they needed to get off their chests. To lay everything down and show just how much they both affect each other. It was both terrifying and reassuring to know that the other cared just as much for the other.
"I know, please believe me I do. But I had to, I had to make you watch. As I was saying before, it wasn't just mine and Moriarty's lives on the table on that day. He used you, Mrs. Hudson, and Lestrade against me. So with Mycroft and Molly's help we devised a plan. Had you known and acted out of placed, even just once, you would have been killed. As Moran said before, he had orders to kill you had I somehow survived. Had I come back before I took out Moriarty's web, you would have been killed. If not by Moran, then by someone else. You already know how easy it is for him to make a web; someone would have taken his place."
"So what now? I mean, Moriarty's dead, Moran's dead, both their webs are gone. Are you really here to stay, or should I be saying my goodbyes?"
"No John, I'm here to stay, for good this time."
"Good...That's- That's good. So what do you have planned now? I mean, what are you going to now, and where exactly does that leave me?"
"Well, I was hoping to return to Baker Street-"
"And what? Continue on with your life as if you'd never even left?"
"Not exactly. Yes, I was hoping to return to Baker Street and continue my Consulting business. But whether you're there or not is up to you. I can't force you to stay John, I can't- make you do anything. But, I would ever so grateful if you-"
"Stop it."
Sherlock stopped mid-sentence and closed his mouth. With his coffee gone his hands began fidgeting with the empty cup, unsure of what to do next.
"Now Sherlock, I've heard your story. I know why you faked your death and what you've been doing since. You've told me what you've got planned and what you want. So now you're going to listen to me, and since you made me go through your death with a choice, you're going to have to go along with whatever I've got planned with no say in it, understand?"
Sherlock took a deep breath and nodded. He knew this is what John needed, he needed control. To feel safe, to have that peace of mind that this is what he wants and that he has control over his life.
"Now Sherlock, from what you've just told me, you faked your death not just to keep me, but Greg, Mrs. Hudson and probably the whole of England, safe. You've chosen to give up all contact with your friends, resisted the temptation to call one of us, and probably a whole hell more than you're telling me. But even with all of that, putting all that aside, you are the biggest arse, an arrogant git, a bastard, and simply an utter prick. You never listen to me, never thank me, have put me in harms ways countless times, and have caused me so much pain and even went as far as to make me grief over your empty grave. So with that point being made, I would be honored to stay with at Baker Street and continue to be your partner."
~Two Months Later~
"John! Where did you put it! I know it was you!"
John sighed as he began folding up the morning paper. He was sitting in his red chair reading the morning paper after Sherlock and he had finished breakfast. It had been almost a whole week since there had been case and Sherlock was getting frustrated. It was a strange thing, not having any cases. Lestrade had waited a whole three days before Sherlock marched down to the Scotland Yard and demanded a case.
So now here they were, 10 a.m. and without a case and Sherlock was ripping apart the flat searching for something.
"What now Sherlock? I haven't touched anything of yours."
"My cigarettes John! You know I keep some in my slippers by the fireplace! So where did you put them? I know it was you!"
"Unfortunately brother, you're wrong. I threw them out; you know how upset mummy was when she caught you the first time. Just imagine the rant she'd go on if she'd catch you now."
Sherlock and John turned their heads simultaneously. Mycroft Holmes, in his three piece suit, stood with his umbrella in the door fame to their living room.
"Mycroft, what brings you here?" John said as he stood up to begin his ritual for making tea.
"I've come bring a warning, it appears I've gotten in time, they've haven't arrived yet."
"Why? Who's coming?" Sherlock said as he took his sit in his chair.
"No sugar, thank you." Mycroft said as John brought out the tea on a small tray. "It would appear that Mother and Father have gotten wind that you have returned to London and are planning to pay you a visit."
"Mummy and daddy here? When? Why?"
"You know how mummy is Sherlock; I believe she misses her 'little Lockie'."
"What a second! Mr. and Mrs. Holmes, your parents, are coming here?! When?"
"Believe sometime today, I would have alerted you sooner, but I've been caught up in some business in Serbia. It appears that one of my agents who was part of our plan to dismantle Moriarty's web was caught and was put under torture. I would have gone and dealt with it myself, but it required...Legwork."
It was then that there was a knock at the door and Mrs. Hudson soon appeared. "Boys, there an older couple at the door. They said they are here to see Sherlock, but they don't look at your normal clients. Should I let them in?"
Sherlock's face visibly paled and Mycroft's eyebrows rose. John and Sherlock shared a look before they both sprang from their seats and began trying to clean the living area as fast as humanly possible. Mrs. Hudson didn't receive a response from either of the two, but rather from Mycroft.
"Yes, Mrs. Hudson, go ahead and let them in. But to try and stall them for as long as possible. You are right when you say that these are most certainly not Sherlock's normal clients."
Mrs. Hudson tilted her head in confusion. Mycroft gave a smug smile and mouthed the words 'mummy and daddy'. Mrs. Hudson gave a knowing smile in return and went back down to offer the couple some tea and keep them in her flat for as long as possible. Besides, if these really were Sherlock's parents, then she had a question or two of her own that she wanted to ask.
~Fin~