It's an experiment on the series

by toothpatterns

Purpose: To get as close as possible to what a cannon romantic relationship between Sherlock and John would look like. Question: What would really be different in the series if John and Sherlock had been a couple from the start? Method: Rewriting scenes from the series where needed for the relationship to make sense. Result: See for yourself.

2. The Blind Banker

The blind banker.

1.

"Sherlock Holmes!" The banker sweeps in and shakes Sherlock's hand, using his free hand to give Sherlock's arm a friendly pat.

"Sebastian."

"Hi there buddy. What has it been, eight years since I last clapped eyes on you?"

Sherlock doesn't respond, but keeps his gaze fixed on Sebastian. "This is my friend, John Watson"

Sebastian looks slightly surprised. "Friend?"

John frowns a bit at Sherlock. Not that they've talked about the definition issue before, but… "Um, yes. Hi."

Sebastian shakes John's hand. "Right. Grab a pew."

2.

"I said, could you pass me a pen?" Sherlock doesn't spare John a glance. His gaze is fixed on the mirror, around which their working material is pinned, but it's not focused.

John looks around in confusion. "What, when?"

"About an hour ago"

John spots the pen on a table behind him and tosses it to Sherlock. "Didn't notice I've gone out then." Sherlock catches it while still staring at the mirror. John walks over to the mirror. "I went to see about that job at the surgery."

"How was it?"

"Fine. My new employer seems nice at least."

Sherlock nods, jerks his head to the article shown on his computer. "Here, have a look."

3.

John walks over to the reception desk at the surgery, trying to look like a productive worker done for the day. He clears his throat. "looks like I'm done for the day, I thought there was more to see?"

Sarah look up from her paper work. "Oh, I took one or two of yours."

"One or two?"

Sarah straightens up a bit, looking a bit more authorative. "Well maybe five or six…"

John hangs his head in defeat. "I'm sorry, that's not very professional."

"Not really, no."

"I'd a bit of a late night."

Sarah starts a bit. "Oh, right. So, what were you doing, keeping you up so late?"

"I was attending a sort of book event."

Sarah decides to test the water. "Oh. So she likes books, does she, your girlfriend?

John hesitates for a moment, rubbing his neck. Well, it has to come out at some point. "Actually, it's sort of a boyfriend."

"Oh."

There is a short, but awkward silence. John hesitates again, then: "This won't happen again, I promise. Will let me get you a pint or something, just to say thanks for taking my patients?"

4.

"I need to get some air, we're going out tonight."

"Actually, I've already made plans. I'm taking my boss out."

Sherlock frowns at him "What?"

John crosses his arms in defiance. "Yeah, amazingly she didn't sack me when I slept through my shift thanks to you, so I have to make up for it somehow."

Sherlock softens, looking a bit guilty. "Bring her along then. I was thinking of this - " He walks over to John and hands him a piece of a poster. "In London for one night only."

"You couldn't let me have one night off?"

Sherlock leans forward, already wrapped up in the case again. "The yellow dragon circus. In London for one day, it fits. The Tong sent an assassin to England-"

"- dressed as a tight rope walker." John is just about ready to tear his hair out in frustration. "Come on Sherlock, behave!"

"Look, we're looking for a killer who can climb, who can shimmy up a rope, where else can you find that level of dexterity? Exit visas are scarce in China. They needed a pretty good reason to get out of that country, now all I need is to have a quick look around the place- "

John has calmed down a bit and decides to use a different tactic. " Fine, You do that, I'll take Sarah for a pint." He starts to turn away.

Sherlock raises his voice in frustration. "I need your help!"

John stops and turns around to look straight at him. "Sherlock, that's my boss! You think I'm going to get her to trust me when you're dragging me off to chase some killer?"

Sarah turns up and John gives Sherlock a sharp look before turning to her. "Heey… ready?"

5.

John contemplates Sherlock for a moment. "You mind, don't you?"

"What?"

"That she escaped, general Shan, it's not enough that we got her two henchmen."

Sherlock lets out a melancholic sigh. "It must be a vast network, John. Thousands of operatives. You and I, we barely scratched the surface." He picks up his newspaper again.

"You cracked the code though, Sherlock. Maybe Dimmock can track down all of them now that he knows it too."

"No. No, I cracked this code, all the smugglers have to do is to pick up another book."

John nods, then reaches out his hand to Sherlock, who glances up from the paper and takes it. John gives him a reassuring squeeze.