_*_*_Sherlock_*_*_
Damn John! Damn sleep!
Sherlock grumbled in his head cracking open his eyes grimacing when sunlight assaulted his pupils. Slamming them shut he snuggled deeper into his warm pillow, or more like his warm doctor.
Squinting at John, Sherlock endured the blinding light to see his friend. The doctor was sleeping his head slumped to his chest. Sherlock knew John's back and shoulders would be stiff and hurting after sleeping like that but he looked peaceful and content. A glinting light from the side table drew Sherlock's attention from his flat mate.
A small silver diamond ring lay abandoned on the surface reflecting light dully.
A ring? Where did that come from?
Sherlock glanced at John confused. Looking at the ring again he deduced it was an engagement ring, only a few months engaged, happily, nervous hands.
But where did it come from?
Mary…
A small voice offered surprising Sherlock. What? If that were true than what was the ring doing here?
Unless…
She came by and saw John and him together in bed!
John was stirring groaning loudly in pain "Shit!" he muttered rubbing the back of his neck.
"Don't sleep sitting up next time," Sherlock told him watching as John looked down.
"Next time?" he asked a teasing smile flashed across his face.
Sherlock smirked glancing at the ring forming a frown "When was Mary here?" he asked seeing John stiffen guilt and shame twisted his features.
Shame? Guilt? Why?
"Late last night," John replied though it was clear he didn't want to talk about it.
Sherlock was tempted to give him what he wanted but he wanted John to talk to him "What happened?" Sherlock questioned getting a glare from the doctor.
"Sherlock," John growled a warning though Sherlock wasn't intimidated.
"Please John," he pressed gently John kept glaring but his face softened.
"Her ring is there Sherlock you can deduce that," he told him roughly.
"I want to hear what you have to say," Sherlock said.
The two stared at each other neither had moved from their positions. John let out a heavy sigh shutting his eyes a moment.
"She came here last night while you were sleeping. I forgot to call her when we got back," he started his eyes opened drifting over to the ring. "She wasn't upset. She said that she wanted me to be happy and she knew I was happiest when I'm here with you," John paused, his eyes locked on the ring not really seeing it, "She gave me the ring and left," he finished.
Sherlock saw John was upset but not for Mary breaking off the engagement but for hurting her? Sherlock wondered keep that to himself.
"She wasn't upset?" he repeated.
John pulled his eyes from the ring hints of tears shined in them "It seemed like she was expecting it," he said Sherlock wasn't surprised to hear that.
Out of every woman John had tried to have a relationship with Mary had been the best choice for the doctor, the most worthy in Sherlock's mind. She was smart for someone so normal and Sherlock knew the moment he met her that she would break off the engagement eventually.
"I am truly sorry John," Sherlock said seeing John's eyes widen, "I know you loved her," Sherlock added. He had glimpsed a look pass between John and Mary a few times and he assumed it was love.
"She was amazing," John agreed, "but she was right I'll never want anything more than solving cases with you." He confessed again Sherlock wasn't surprised.
"How are you?" he asked knowing it was a polite thing to ask though he saw more in John's eyes than the doctor would ever say.
"I'll be fine," John replied "She deserves to be happy even if it's not with me," he closed his eyes again.
They sat in silence for some time Sherlock watch John as he sat with his eyes closed. "Thank you," Sherlock spoke John's eyes snapped open as he looked down looking a bit confused. "For last night. I've never been to a crime scene that muddled me so," he said softly.
John smiled weakly "I am your doctor Sherlock that's what I'm here for," he stated.
Sherlock smiled, reaching up a hand to run a finger over John's cheek "That you are," he murmured surprising himself as much as John. His breath catch in his throat Sherlock took the opportunity to slip out of the bed "Let's go Doctor we have a murderer to find!" Sherlock called heading out into the living room, "The games is on!"
_*_*_John_*_*_
The two took a cab down to New Scotland Yard preparing to look at crime scene photos. John watched Sherlock, who seemed to not be feeling the same as the night before. He was amazed never having seen Sherlock freeze up at as he had. It proved once again how human he could be.
John smile before Mary drifted into his thoughts, guilt and shame shot through him. Mary had really been there for him when he needed someone and when Sherlock returned John had loyally gone back to him without a second thought about Mary. The worst part was he was alright with breaking off the engagement now that daylight was shining, metaphorically, of course since rain was pouring down in rivers. John felt no regret in ruining his relationship with Mary, he just regretted hurting her.
"John," Sherlock's voice cracked through the air breaking into John's thoughts. "Are you sure you want to work today?" Sherlock asked smiling, stunning John with how sincere he sounded.
"Yes I'd rather be working than sitting at the flat doing nothing," he replied as they pulled up in front of the Yard.
Sherlock paid the cabbie before getting out "If you're sure. I just don't want…"he had been saying when he suddenly stopped, eyes widening before slumping in the seat.
"Sherlock!" John shouted lunging towards his friend, noting the dart stuck in Sherlock's arm.
Looking around John spotted a figure completely covered in black running away carrying a gun. Without a second thought John jumped out of the cab sprinting after the person ignoring the cabbie yelling after him. John closed the distance between him and shooter quickly.
The shooter ducked into an alley John followed catching a glimpse of the person dive through a door further down the alley. John hurried forward dragging the door open and running inside. Once the door closed he found himself in a large room that was pitch black.
It was so dark John couldn't see the nose on his face. "Where are you?" he shouted listening as his voice echoed around. No other noise could be heard. John backed up to the door feeling for a handle but in vain. Suddenly a sharp sting hit his arm. John grunted grabbing his arm to feel a dart fall into his hand.
As he realized what was going on John's mind began to get foggy. Not long after his legs off out from under him dropping him to the ground John didn't have the strength to even attempt to move. He left himself being dragged towards waiting darkness when a light sprang to life before him.
In the light a silhouette stood in front of John's fading body. It was the person in black John stared fighting unconsciousness.
"Go to sleep pet we'll play later. Right now we're going on a trip," the person spoke moving closer.
John's ears were muffled making it impossible to hear if the person was male or female. Just as he was about to close his eyes the person removed the ski mask from their face. John could only stare in momentary surprise before his eyes closed in unconsciousness.