The next few days seemed to pass with excruciating speed, as well as frustrating slowness to Sherlock. He solved two cases in the meantime, both of which would have likely taken the Yard weeks to do on their own.
To most, Sherlock seemed to be his regular self, an arrogant, unfeeling genius. John could see past that though. He had learned to see the nearly imperceptible tics that Sherlock had showing worry nervousness, anticipation, and impatience.
Then, the night came.
"Ready?" John asked, as he tied his tie. No answer. John sighed.
Sherlock sat in his chair, staring at his hands. He raised one up.
"Look at me, John. I'm shaking." Sherlock said. "How pathetic is that? I could stop it if I needed to, but I don't need to, so I can't stop it. It's quite annoying. What am I feeling John?"
"Excitement, anticipation," John paused, taking a drink from the cup of tea on the table. "It's probably anxiety that's doing the shaking though."
"I've got to calm down, John." Sherlock said. "Emotions are clouding my brain."
Sherlock pressed his fingers to his temples and closed his eyes. After a few moments, he lowered his hands and sighed, almost as if in relief.
"All gone." Sherlock said, opening his eyes. "As it should be."
"All gone?" John asked. "Every single emotion, you can just… make it stop?"
"Well, all the bad ones. I kept the good ones." Sherlock said. "The rest I threw out the window."
"You threw them out the window." John repeated.
"Yes, of my mind palace, keep up John." Sherlock said. It was silent for a moment and both focused on getting ready to leave.
"Want me to call a cab?" John asked, already picking up the phone.
"Don't bother." Sherlock said. He walked over to the window and peaked outside through the blinds.
"It appeared my brother has already taken care of that for us."
Outside sat a brand new Hyundai Accent, the keys in the ignition.
"Wanting to ensure our attendance, I assume." Sherlock said. "He probably has it set up to alert him if we don't leave the flat by a certain time."
John sighed. "He really has all the bases covered, doesn't he?" John said. "You do have a license, right?"
"Of course, don't you?" Sherlock said.
"Yes, but I hate driving, and I'm bad at it. Or at least, I am now." John said. John finished off his cuppa and quickly set it in the kitchen sink.
"We should probably get going. Can't leave your family waiting, can we?"
"No, I suppose we can't."
Sherlock sighed.
Sherlock and John came down the stairs just as Mrs. Hudson was going to go up them.
"My, don't both you look dashing today." She commented.
"Thank you Mrs. Hudson, but we don't have much time for chit-chat today. We're in quite a hurry." Sherlock said. "We should be gone most of the day."
"Where are you going?" Mrs. Hudson asked, concerned.
"Not a funeral, as it might look like." John said, sighing down at his clothes.
Sherlock tilted his head, and John knew that tilt enough to know it meant Sherlock thought he was wrong.
"It's not?" Sherlock mumbled, just loud enough for John to hear, then took off towards the car.
"It is not as bad as a funeral, Sherlock." John said. "Stop being a drama-queen!"
Sherlock started towards the car and was already getting in. Going by his appearance, stride, and walking pace, once would have thought he was more limb than trunk.
John turned back to Mrs. Hudson.
"We've been invited over to his parents' house for dinner." He said. "Apparently, they wear suits to supper."
"John?" Sherlock called out from the drivers seat.
"Coming Sherlock!" John said. "Got to go. Bye Mrs. Hudson."
Sherlock honked the horn, and John took off towards the car and pulled himself into the passenger seat.
A/N: Alright, bonus points to whoever figures out why John is bad at driving. Tell me in reviews, or PM me and I'll tell you if you're right! Don't you just love how nice Sherlock was to Mrs. Hudson? He really does appreciate her, even if he doesn't show it all the time! Oh, and that 'funeral' bit! How'd you like that? I just love inserting humour in random places in a serious story! I makes it much more balanced. I should have the next chapter up very, very soon. It will feature the drive to Sherlock's parents house and the beginning of the time there. Review please!