John was lead through a confusing mix of hallways and corridors. The two ushers who led him kept glancing over their shoulders, as if the make sure he was still following him. John sighed to himself, wondering just what the hell Sherlock was up to.

After what seemed like forever, John finally found himself backstage among countless people running to and fro: adjusting lights, monitoring the sound checks, and wheeling in rack of clothes for Celine's several wardrobe changes. For a few moments he forgot that he was looking for Sherlock, instead trying to stretch his neck around several obstacles hoping for a glimpse of the performer. He knew it made him look a groupie, but honestly, how many chances like this are people likely to get?

A quick flash of light caught his attention, and John couldn't breathe. There she was! He was amazed to see that she wasn't as tall as he thought but that didn't diminish his amazement of her in any way. Her hair was elegantly swept back, pinned with a few strategically placed feathers. He also noticed that the gown that she had changed into seemed to hug her form perfectly, a rich jade green that seemed to only enhance her dazzling smile. Her smile...John blinked stupidly.

She was looking right at him….and she was smiling.

At HIM!

Before he could form another coherent thought in his head, she began to walk towards him…. oh god….and stretched out her arm to place her hand lightly on his right shoulder.

"You must be Dr. Watson?" she asked, her accent dripping delicately over her words.

John just made a strangled noise…what the hell was wrong with me...because that was all his mind was able to do. She laughed lightly, clearly used to this sort of reaction and not willing to embarrass him any further. "Are you enjoying the show?"

John nodded enthusiastically, finally finding his voice again. Somewhat. "It's an honor." He croaked.

She laughed again. "Well I'm certainly glad that you are. Your friend certainly went through a lot of trouble to make sure of it."

"Friend?" John asked in confusion, before his mind finally returned to normal. "Oh Sherlock! Yes, yes he did and I don't think I'll be able to ever thank him enough."

"I'm sure you'll manage." she replied, with a smile that left John wondering. "Well then, I think it's time for me to get back out there then. That's a lot of people to disappoint if I don't."

"Oh yes! Please! Go right ahead!" John gesturing her forward. "I'll just wait…." he looked around for a moment, "here then, if that's all right."

Celine huffed, clearly faking it. "Absolutely not! We have a special place for you tonight."

John's eyes grew as big as saucers. "WE?" he squeaked.

"Of course!" She playfully smoothed her hands down his shoulders. "Wouldn't want this fabulous tuxedo to go to waste, would we?"

John just stared at her.

She grabbed him by the hand and tugged gently. "Well come on!"

John, still in a state of complete shock, allowed himself to be led away. A few steps had him realizing where she was leading him.

Right onto center stage. What the hell….?

The lights shining on the stage momentarily blinded him but the deafening roar of applause was unmistakable.

"Are we still having a good time?" she asked, her voice booming over the system and drawing the crowd into a frenzy once again. Once his eyes finally adjusted to the light he could start to make out the shapes of people in the first few rows. Beyond that it was still impossible. He happened to glance up to the box that he was recently occupying and couldn't help but laugh at Mary standing there, her jaw wide open in complete shock. He just shrugged her shoulders at her as if to say 'I'm just as surprised as you are'.

He turned back to Celine and watched as she had slightly raised her left and was lowering it slowly. He realized in amazement that the crowd was taking their cue from her and had started to calm down, and was eventually sufficiently quiet enough for her to continue.

"I would like to introduce someone very special to you." She took a step away and gestured towards John with a flourish. "Doctor John Watson!"

John felt his face flame with embarrassment and managed a weak little wave. The good-natured laughter from the crowd seemed to relax him a little.

"I bet you are wondering what on earth you are doing here John."

John arched an eyebrow at her. "You think?" The crowd laughed again.

Celine just smiled. "If I understand correctly, you became engaged recently." John nodded in the affirmative. She addressed the crowd again. "What do you think guys? Are congratulations in order?"

The crowd applauded again. Once the noise subsided, she continued.

"From what I hear, whoever managed to snag your heart must be a very lucky person." A collective 'aww' floated from the audience. "BUT! What I want to know is…. what about the heart you have stolen for yourself?"

John just stared, unable to move.

"Would you guys like to meet this person for yourselves?" Cheers answered her question. "Alas, this person is apparently too shy to say such things for themselves."

John furrowed his brow. When has Mary ever been to shy about anything?

"Fortunately, being the helpless romantic that I am, I have offered my help with the situation." She reached over and guided John to a spot just left of center stage. "I think it's time we brought them out, yes?" More applause. "Then by all means, let's do this!"

As John stood there the lights around him began to dim, leaving only two bright spotlights focused on the stage. John himself was standing in one of them, and he assumed the Celine would be standing in the other.

He assumed wrong.

He looked over and his breath viciously left his lungs when he saw Sherlock standing there, looking simply divine in his tuxedo, his curls shining in the light. He smiled at John, his eyes crinkling in amusement as he saw the astonishment on his face.

John had to physically fight the urge to collapse where he stood. He hadn't even noticed what Sherlock was holding in his hand until he brought it up and placed it gracefully under his chin.

His violin.

Celine, for her part, had taken a position between them although she was slightly further back on the stage then the two of them. She knew well the courage it took to get onstage in front of thousands of people. But to do it so you can completely bare your soul? There was no way she was going to take the spotlight from Sherlock. She was content to let him do this his way.

Sherlock drew his bow and began to play a mid-tempo tune, the rest of the band and orchestra automatically joining in at the appropriate times. John felt the music wash over him, causing gooseflesh to rise over his entire body. He knew this song. His heart started threatening to leap out of his chest when Celine's voice started caressing the lyrics.

: Take me

Back into the arms I love

Need me

Like you did before

Touch me once again

And remember when

There was no one that you wanted more:

John felt his throat tighten and his chest constrict even more. He was completely rooted to the spot.

: Don't go

You know you'll break my heart

She won't

Love you like I will

I'm the one who'll stay

When she walks away

And you know I'll be standing here still:

He stared at Sherlock. His mind screamed at him to run to him, but his feet simply refused to move.

: I'll be waiting for you

Here inside my heart

I'm the one

Who wants to love you more

You will see I can give you

Everything you need

Let me be the one to love you more:

Sherlock knew that he could play his part in the song without even thinking about it, so he put his body on auto pilot and allowed his hands to go through the motions he knew so well. With his mind, he carefully studied John's reactions.

Shock? Expected. Disbelief? Amusing. Clenching his fists? Predictable.

He just hoped that John was getting the message he was trying so hard to convey.

John stayed frozen in place as he stared at Sherlock so hard that his vision began to blur. It was then he realized that if he blinked, his vision would momentarily clear. He did so, the culprits clouding his vision running unchecked down his face. He kept his eyes closed for a moment, allowing more lyrics to wind their way around him.

: I'll be waiting for you

Here inside my heart

I'm the one who wants to love you more

You will see I can give you

Everything you need

Let me be the one to love you more:

His eyes snapped open once again, full realization blooming all over. He knew he loved Sherlock.

And Sherlock loved him back!

It was almost too good to be true. Here he was, less than an hour ago, having every intention of telling Sherlock his feelings about him, and Sherlock beat him to it.

The music swelled around him once again, and he stood mesmerized watching Sherlock passionately playing, his graceful fingers dancing over the strings. But his eyes never left John's.

Sherlock knew the second that John realized everything, and it was the perfect moment he had been waiting for. Without breaking eye contact, he held out his violin to a stagehand behind him, who had been waiting there for his cue.

Gracefully, and with a purpose, he walked over to John.

Seeing Sherlock walk towards him gave his body the push it needed to put itself into motion. On shaky legs, he met Sherlock halfway. They stood center stage, being watched by thousands of people, yet it felt like they were alone in the world. He didn't even notice that the spotlights that were centered around them followed their every movement.

Finally, finally, he stood toe-to-toe with Sherlock and lost himself in his gaze. Those quicksilver eyes seemed to dance into him, a look so unfamiliar on his face that John would have never thought it possible by someone who always kept himself so distant from others. John kept his hands fisted at his sides, keeping himself calm with barely-controlled emotion.

His pupils blew wide open as he saw Sherlock slowly raise his right hand and placed it softly on his cheek, those strong and nimble fingers cupping his jaw so tenderly as if he was made of glass. He couldn't stop his eyes from fluttering closed as he felt the heat from Sherlock's hand slowly bleed into his skin. The emotional turmoil of his mind slowly warped Celine's voice and changed it all together. He heard the next lyrics in Sherlock's seductive baritone.

: Believe in me

I will make you see

All the things that your heart needs to know:

Sherlock couldn't help but smile to himself as he saw the raw emotion written all over John's face. The lights that glowed around them danced over the wet streaks that still left their mark on his face. Sherlock used his right hand to gently wipe them away, but his actions only caused them to be replaced more quickly than their predecessors. A gentle sting began to become noticeable behind his own eyes. Ordinarily he dismissed sentiment out of hand, no questions asked. But here, now, he was laying all his cards out on the table.

And silently prayed that he won the biggest gamble of his life.

The music was climaxing around them as Celine continued to vocalize, her voice strong and steady, a definite contrast to the delicate scene before her. Studying John for a moment more, he decided it was now or never.

Using the hand already on John's strong jawline, he used the tips of his fingers that had found their way towards the nape of his soldier's neck and pulled John closer.

John didn't need any further urging than that. He gently raised himself on his toes, gripping Sherlock's bicep for balance and claimed his lips with his own.

Electricity exploded between them. John wasn't sure what he expected but it this was so much more than he could have ever imagined. Sherlock's lips were deceptively soft, yielding to John's exploration yet demanding their own. He tasted of tea and spring rain. Becoming bolder, he gently nibbled Sherlock's bottom lip. Sherlock's gasp of surprise left enough of an opportunity for John to plunder his mouth in its entirety.

Sherlock felt himself get lightheaded as soon as John's lips touched his. He had what he truly craved and he let John take from him whatever he wanted in return. He'd give it all, unequivocally. The gentle bite of John's teeth took him by surprise and the next thing he knew John had completely taken over all his senses, filling each one to the brim so quickly that he didn't have time to analyze them as he usually does.

Sherlock just let go, and felt everything.

They clung desperately to each other for what seemed like eternity. Suddenly the haze around them was broken, causing John to slip back firmly on his feet once again but continuing to clutch Sherlock's bicep as if it were a lifeline. Both were panting lightly, overwhelmed by what they just shared. A noise slowly broke through John's tunnel vision of Sherlock, becoming louder and louder. He suddenly gulped in as much air as possible as soon as recognition set in.

Thunderous applause.

The wave of mortification that washed over him would have brought him to knees, except for the first hold that Sherlock kept on him. The smile that Sherlock gave him was dazzling.

"You…. you had this planned all along?" he managed to strangle out of his half-paralyzed vocal cords.

"Doing so increases the chances of success, don't you think?" Sherlock answered smugly.

John felt a smile split his face. "I ought to slap you, you insufferable git."

"Do contain yourself until we return to Baker Street. Once there, you can do to me whatever you see fit." Sherlock replied, a wicked gleam in his eye.

"You're on." John agreed.

They turned simultaneously and looked at Celine, who was standing there trying her best not to wipe her eyes and ruin her carefully applied make-up. The happiness clearly displayed on her face matched their own.

They joined hands and faced the audience once again, both of them smiling from within their souls. With a gentle tug, John guided Sherlock back to where he had been led from offstage. As soon as they were out of sight from the thousand or so watchful eyes, he roughly grabbed Sherlock by his lapels and pushed him again a wall, claiming his mouth once again. The noise that came from Sherlock was enough overwhelm his senses to the point of pain.

Abruptly, John pulled away and stared at Sherlock, the questions written all over his face. "When? I mean…you never said anything when you were helping…." Suddenly his face froze. "Oh my god! MARY!" he exclaimed. He closed his eyes and groaned aloud. He had wanted to talk to her, explain to her his change of heart but I guess there wasn't any point anymore.

Sherlock, for his part, nonchalantly waved away his concern. "Already taken care of. As we speak, she's already on her way back to her own flat, but apparently not before making a complete spectacle of herself, shrieking like a harpy." The smirk on his face couldn't be helped. "Courtesy of Mycroft."

"Wha..?" John stuttered out. He realized then the enormity of Sherlock's planning in setting all of the up. He had to trust his brother, possibly tell him things he wasn't comfortable doing so. Before he could put together a coherent response, he felt his mobile buzzing in his pocket. Without breaking his gaze, Sherlock dug into John's jacket pocket, opened the home screen and held it up for John to read.

Congratulations Doctor Watson. You have accomplished the impossible. Treasure the gift you have been given. – MH

John read the message several times before it finally sank in. He looked into Sherlock's eyes once again and reclaimed his mouth with his own, feeling Sherlock's smile mirroring his own.

He had every intention of doing just that.