Chapter 30

The wedding was only three days away, everyone felt giddy, even Sherlock; however ironic that might seem, for the man wasn't the first to congratulate John on the happy announcement. Still, Mary's words struck him hard, he knew shemeant every word of what she said.

"I haven't known you for very long Sherlock, but I'm your friend. I hope you know and remember it. John is your best mate and my husband-to-be, which is the best combination of titles ever. The kind of relationship you two have is quite remarkable. I may be his wife, but it is you he will always run to first. I am second rate to my own husband, most women wouldn't have been able to last this long in a relationship with him, but I am different. Together both of us can make John truly happy. We both want that, I know for a certainly. In order for that to happen, you must be happy. Truly happy, Sherlock."

Mary was one of the few he learnt to trust, certainly not as much as he trusted John or Molly, but he did trust her to a degree. He believed every word, the wedding ceremony was simply to declare the union before others and make it legal. John was only moving up to the next flat, and not to some far away place in the outbacks of Australia. The two men (or "boys" as Mary and Molly called them) could literally be in the same room practically 24-7 if they really wanted that to happen.

John's marriage would change nothing in their friendship; Sherlock wholeheartedly believed it because Mary made John happy. It was complex love triangle: Sherlock, Mary, and John all felt affection for each other. John's affection was hard to place a label to, but the closest it would seem was "Philia" (brotherly love). It is affectionate regard or friendship. A dispassionate virtuous love. It includes loyalty to friends, family, requires virtue, equality and familiarity. It is a type of love between families, between friends. It was the ideal description of John's and Sherlock's love for each other. Proof for their love was evident always in their conversations, perhaps not to others, but certain amongst the two. It was the unspoken essence, yet heard louder than anything else.

Mary mentioned Sherlock's uncomfortableness of the whole deal and suggested the two sit down and have a heartfelt Man-to-Man, well, as heartfelt as Sherlock would make it, give his predisposition to tuning out all emotional aspects.

Thus, John had a very long discussion with his Best Mate/Best Friend reassuring him all will still be the same.

Marriage changes people, but that doesn't mean the others are forgotten.

John would drill that concept into his friends hardheaded brain, for a certainty Sherlock would know it and understand its full meaning.

"Yes, Sherlock. We will still go on cases together," John reassured the man.

"Promise. I will always help you. Ok? Can you please put that somewhere in your Mind Palace and not forget it? I won't leave, neither will Mary. We care you far too much for that to happen. Ok?"

He closed his eyes and bobbed his head in understanding fighting the urge to say, "Yes, John. I know. I have always and Mary have a very important place in my Mind Palace." To speak would equate showing sentiment, that just couldn't happen with John. Sentiment is only reserved for the privacy of him alone when having a bath reasoned the man. Instead he merely opened his mouth willing some words to come out.

"Yes. Good. Can we still ann...?" The consulting detective began but was cut off with the exasperated reply, "Yes, you can annoy Anderson all you want, just save your face though. He might someday actually punch you instead of just threatening it. Why bother even ask about that Sherlock?

"That is a good question John." was the only reply and he shrugged nonchalantly.

Did he really need a reason to annoy the Yard? Nope! Sherlock did as he wished most of the time anyway.

"All you two ever do is pick on each other, who can come up with the worst insult or push all the buttons the wrong way. It's not as if you needed my permission to harass anyone." He then muttered under his breath, "It's not as if you would actually listen to me if I gave you permission any way. You takes my things all the time despite my adamant protests, and run off after criminals before I can shout 'No'."

Sherlock answered with good humour, "I'm blind not deaf John. I can hear each word you say. Regardless,"Sherlock nodded slowly,"but he is on the losing end-always! I don't think anyone is ever able to top his lack of intelligence. Have you heard his most recent preposterous theory concerning our latest triple murder case with the mouse?"

John huffed an annoyed sigh. He and Lestrade played Referee far too many times, it became a running bet between the two to time how long before the "two girls" could last without firing the first shot. So far the record was a grand whole whopping one minuet and twenty-six seconds. Seriously! Those "girls" really needed to find a new hobby, preferably one that wasn't prone to firing insults.

"Do I even want to? Probably not, but you're still going to tell me, so just spill it."

"It was tortuous John! Just dreadful! I had to stand there and listen to his rubbish nonsense, while you and Lestrade were doing some tedious record keeping." Sherlock whined like a child who didn't get his way.

"Really? It was that bad? Do continue." John remarked with a voice dripping with sarcasm and rolled his eyes.

"Yes! It was! My mind was turning into mush. I could physically feel my interiors slowly disintegrate. First, my fontal lobe started to become sluggish and it started to..."

John leaned forward and put his hand on Sherlock shoulder to cut him off short,but startled the man instead.

Sherlock flinched and swung his arm out so fast John had to duck to avoid being caught in its path. Those eyes shot open like "deer caught in the lights" look just as he bellowed so loudly scaring the ladies down stairs, who could hear his every word, "Do not EVER do that again to me John Watson! Ever!"

Stunned at the reaction, John instantly withdrew his hand safely to his chest and sat there staring at his best friend. Something possessed him in that moment when he felt that touch, that was not the "Sherlock" John knew. Sherlock was never violent, at least never to him.

What happened Sherlock? I'm so sorry I startled you. I shouldn't have reached for you, but told you instead. I really didn't meant to, all I wanted to tell you is not to get so worked up about Anderson. He's not the brightest bulb, it ok. Just try not to let him get to you.

Neither men moved for some time, each trying to process the event, but someone had to speak first.

"John, I... I'm... I don't," Sherlock stumbled over his words trying to make things right with his friend. He knew he was wrong and shouldn't have lashed out.

"Sherlock, I know. I'm sorry to startle you, I..." Sherlock help up his hand, "No, let me finish. I'm sorry John, I'm sorry I hit you. I really didn't mean to. Really. I just...it wasn't expected and I reacted badly. You scared me that's all." He reached out his hand like a peace offering for his friend, John held the hand firmly.

"Friends?" came the unsure voice.

"No. Best friends." Always. Don't you forget that! I will hold you to it Sherlock. Also, you didn't hit me. Got to be quicker if you want that to happen."

Sherlock just laughed. It was a delightful sound to John's ears. No hard feelings were left in them, merely a never-to-be-repeated minor accident. He couldn't help but join in.

Laughing never felt better.

With that small mishap their friendship only grew to a new understanding, stronger if nothing else.

Little did they know that the three most important ladies to the men had silently climb the steps and hovered in the door way to the room looking at "the boys" make a fool of themselves with their silly behaviour. They caught the last bit of the serious part of the conversation, but could guess out the rest. It was a silent agreement they wouldn't mention it.

"Can we join in?" Molly pipped up as she made her way standing next to Sherlock and let him take her hand, "this is seems quite fun with the two of your carrying like this."

Mary seated herself in John's lap wrapping her arms around her. "Care to enlighten your future bride what all this jokes is about? Can't be keeping secrets from me, you know," she finished with a playful smile.

"No, of course not. Wouldn't even dream of it," John replied planting a kiss on her forehead.

There were still many little issues to resolve amongst the future and current lodgers of 221 Baker Street, but all would be well in time for the wedding. The wedding would be an absolute delight, that much everyone had full confidence in.

A-N: The sequel has been posted. It is titled "Watching Each Other". I hope this story peaks your interest into reading the sequel.

Thank you so much for staying and finishing the story as I write it. I hope you've enjoyed it. It would be much appreciated if you left a comment.

One final note and that will be it for this story. :D