John's eyes widened and he looked up at Sherlock, slowly shaking his head.

"No, you can't just leave again."

"But, Jo-"

"No! I'm not going to let you leave me again!"

John shouted, looking slightly panicked as he jumped up and grabbed his best friend's arm. Sherlock frowned, finding it hard not to flinch away from the contact.

"John, I am deeply sorry for what I did. I never…I never meant to hurt you in such a way. "

Sherlock rumbled, trying his hardest to apologise properly in hope that the other man wouldn't get angry again. Yes, it had been three years. And yes, he had hurt John but he couldn't do anything else.

John gave a small nod and pulled his hand away from Sherlock's arm, licking his lips nervously and taking a deep breath.

"Your room is still the same; I didn't do anything to it."

"I know."

"What?"

"I know that it's the same. I woke up in there this morning."

John was about to say something to Sherlock but decided against it, instead he just nodded again and headed into the kitchen where Sherlock's experiments still lay. Well, apart from the body parts in the fridge. Sherlock slowly followed John into the kitchen, not wanting to make the other man feel crowded in any way.

"Tea?"
John asked but he didn't even wait for a reply. He flicked the switch on the kettle and the sound of boiling water began to fill the quiet room. Sherlock watched John carefully, his striking grey eyes roaming over the other man as he deduced him. His eyes finally settled on the gold wedding band around his finger.

"John? What is that?"

"What is what?"

"That…thing on your finger. You are married?"

Sherlock frowned, taking a step towards his friend. John looked down at his lightly tanned hand, the gold ring glinting in the artificial light of the kitchen.

"Yes, her name is…was Mary." He mumbled, his hand flexing and un-flexing.

"Was?" Sherlock questioned, intrigued about what had happened.

"I don't want to talk about it, Sherlock. Okay?"

"Why not? If you still have your ring on I assume you are still married, she isn't dead or you would have her ring as well. Which you don't because all you have around your neck is your dog tags."

John turned to face Sherlock, not meeting his eye. He just kept his gaze on the ring around his finger.

"She left me. There…I said it…"

I am so very sorry for the long wait! But here is the fifth chapter and I promise to get the sixth one out sooner!

Love D-D x