AN: ((Hi guys! I have returned with some new chapters. I apologise for the month of no updates. I wont bore you with explantions as to why, it's all the usual life stuff. Let's just crack on with the story! This chapter was loads of fun to write. I wrote this quite some time ago, actually, just after an eventful Halloween party I went to, and there are little things in here that are inspired by said party. Like what Lestrade does with his tie towards the end.

SPOILERS!

Anyway, I hope you like it.

And, now that Sherlock series 3 is over (it was amazing, btw, and if you are yet to see it you're in for a treat) the direction of this story will change slightly. Although, my original ideas will remain the same. Enjoy.

Please continue to R&R. I am overwhelmed with all your kind responses so far. x ))

One month and a two robbery cases later, on the last day of March, Sherlock sat, bored, in a noisy, poxy bar at a party. Lestrade's birthday party, with no idea how old his friend was now or what was really going on. Music and chatter and bright strobing lights made the entire event a blur. It wasn't like he wanted to be there; there were better things he could have been doing with his time (obviously). Although, he had promised he would come, even if he didn't do parties. Plus, Amy had dragged him along.

That girl seemed up for anything. Well, she was young, and young people liked parties, right? Socialising. He figured it was probably a good thing that she was there with him. He didn't feel like such an anti-social turnip when she sat with him and they talked. When she left to join the others, however, he felt majorly uncomfortable. He watched everyone gather around Lestrade and wondered why they were lifting him up and parading him around the bar like a trophy. He hadn't seen that since freshers week at university.

John and Mary had made an appearance. They stayed for a few hours, joined in with the celebrations, until John introduced Amy to his wife-to-be. The two women hit off instantly. "It's so nice to finally meet you," Amy had gushed, and Mary had asked her how she found it living with Sherlock, and then the two of them were giggling away like naughty schoolgirls for the remainder of their time together. John had spent his time with his friend. For most of that time, in between asking about cases and how things were at 221b, he spoke mostly about his fiancee. Sherlock hadn't minded. Anything to see his best friend.

"Not joining the party?" Sally Donovan still looked down her nose at Sherlock like an over-ripe prune despite being considerably drunk. It was probably the only time she would ever smile at him.
"I'll think I'll be off." After he stood up he went to grab his coat, but she grabbed him by the shoulder, making him stop.

"I don't like you but Lestrade wanted you here so do him a favor and try and have fun. You never know, you might actually enjoy yourself." Then she handed him a drink and waddled off shamelessly.
He spied Amy in among the crowd of rowdy men and inappropriately dressed women. She was laughing, looking radiant in the striking light, her green dress contrasting with the orange of her hair boldly. She had only been here three months and already she fitted in much more than Sherlock ever had done in God knows how many years.

Where am I going wrong?

Shrugging into his coat, he made to leave. Walking past the sea of people he noticed Anderson howling with idiotic laughter (he looked so ridiculous in that beard), and Sally was dancing on her own, too intoxicated to care about how silly she looked. That was definitely not something he wanted to see so he hurried to spare his eyes.

Only Amy had seen him.

It was cool out with crisp air and a glorious crescent moon. Once he'd passed the glare of the purple club lights it was the only thing illuminating his path. He stuffed his hands in his coat pockets and walked. He didn't get very far.

"Oi! Where are you sneaking off to?"

He turned. "Home."

"No, you're not. You are s-staying." A tipsy Amy made to grab his hand and heave him back inside but he flinched and she took a step back. "Don't sssspoil the party, Sherlock. Greg wants you there."

Ha. Greg. He had to laugh. He'd only ever known him as Lestrade.

"Come oooon."

"I have other things to do."

"Like what?" You don't have a - a case. And I don't think you are going to get one at mi-midnight."

"You would be surprised."

"J-just come back inside, pleeeeaaaaase?"

"Why? So I can watch Donovan embarrass herself, Anderson act like the idiot he always is, and watch you flirt with every male in the room. No thanks."

She pretended to be offended. "I do not flirt."

"You do. You flirt with Lestrade a lot."

She laughed. "Oh, why should you care, Sherlock?"

"I don't."

"You jealous?" she teased.

"There is really nothing to be jealous about."

"The shut up and come ooooon."

"Hey! Get back inside! The drinks are on me!" Lestrade called after them.

Much to his annoyance, Sherlock found himself back inside the club. The music was the worst part of it. Did people really listen to this racket? It wasn't even music it was just things being banged together really loudly in particular order. No, hang on, the music wasn't the worst part of it. Anderson was talking to him! Droning on and on and on...

GOD HELP ME!

"...it green. I'm n-not sure entirely, though. I'll wait until the...er... the...er... s-summer, though."
"That's lovely, Anderson. Now tell it to someone who cares. Oh, look, Sally is over there. Tell her. I'm sure she's seen your bedroom plenty of times."

When Anderson finally left - thank the heavens! - Sherlock scanned around tirelessly. Lestrade, wearing aviators, had his tie wrapped around his head while chanting incoherent songs. One other man who Sherlock had seen at the Yard a few times had misplaced his trousers and was rolling about on a chair with no care in the world.

"Look at them all. Can't they see what fools are they are being?"

Next to him was Amy. "The only fool here is you. Why don't you join in for once?"

"Because I don't need to and I don't want to."

"Gosh. You know how to kill the party, don't you? I hope you are not like this at John's wedding reception."

"Are wedding receptions like this?"

"Sometimes." She burst into laughter.

"What's funny?" He scanned around but he saw nothing amusing, only seeing Lestrade saunter up to Amy and offer her a dance.

Great! Now I have to watch this all night.

"Are you coming to daaaance, Sherlock?" chimed Amy with a lopsided grin. "Come ooon, you know you want to."

"I don't dance," he replied.

"You're lying." Then she burst into laughter when Greg twirled her around.