"That a new case?" Duke asks as John and Sherlock approach him and Declan on Monday morning.

"Hmm? Yeah," Sherlock says. "Some girl lost her dog."

"Who?" Duke asks.

"Uhm...Ashley Damien."

Declan grabs the paper. "Let me see," he mutters. "Yeah...Ashley Damien isn't a girl."

Sherlock, John, and Duke look confused. "Huh?"

"Ashley Damien's that posh bloke who just moved to this school."

"Oh, yeah!" Duke cries. "I heard he got kicked out of every private school in the country."

"I heard he tried to go to uni last year and they wouldn't let him in," Declan says. "Whatever is true, he definitely hates when you say he has a girl name."

John snorts. "Wouldn't you?"

"Anyway," Declan continues, "That guy's a jerk. He pretends to be charming, but I can tell he's not. He's from New York, and apparently that matters to people," Declan pouts. "I lived in New York, I was born there..."

The others watch him, even Sherlock.

Duke makes his voice higher, like a girl. "It matters to me, Declan," he says, rubbing Declan's shoulder.

"You don't have to make a girl voice if you'd be in to me anyway."

"But then I got to know you..." Duke jokes.

Declan huffs. "Not helping."

"What's wrong with you?" John asks. "New kid taking your new kid charm?"

Declan sighs. "Ellery's already fallen to Ashley's charm."

The others try not to laugh.

"Dude, you've been taking her out for two weeks and you still haven't kissed her," Duke says. "Maybe she doesn't like you as much as you think she does."

"She does!" Declan cries, then turns around to leave.

Duke and John laugh. Sherlock ignores them. John begins to walk away and Duke follows, but John doesn't get far before he realizes Sherlock isn't following.

"Coming?" John calls to him.

Sherlock takes his phone out. "Be right there," he says, typing away.

John knows he's texting Ashley, so he leaves Sherlock alone and walks to class with Duke.

Ashley agrees to meet Sherlock during lunch, back in the hidden desk in the library. Sherlock drags John back there as soon as they're let out for lunch, so they wait a few minutes for Ashley to arrive.

Finally, he arrives, and Sherlock's mouth drops open when he sees Ashley. Ashley's tall; since he's American, he's got a few inches on Sherlock. In addition, Ashley's got long blonde hair that goes to his eyes, bright green eyes underneath the mane, and beautiful bronze skin. He's just gorgeous, and Sherlock notices.

John elbows him.

"What?" Sherlock snaps.

John rolls his eyes.

Ashley politely smiles, revealing his straight, white teeth and deep dimples. Sherlock swoons.

Ashley clears his throat. "Hello, Sherlock Holmes. I'm Ashley Damien."

Sherlock shakes the offered hand. "This is John, my...uh..."

John glares at Sherlock as he reaches to shake Ashley's hand. "Boyfriend," he says. He hardly ever introduces himself as Sherlock's boyfriend, but he felt the need to then.

Ashley smiles, then nods to the girl next to him. "This is Brendan Butler."

"Oh, your girlfriend?" John asks, shaking her hand.

"No," Ashley says.

Brendan's gaze drops and she slightly frowns.

John looks at Sherlock and he can tell Sherlock is literally biting his tongue to not say something about their names.

"Anyway!" John starts, distracting Sherlock. "Please, sit."

Ashley sits down across from Sherlock, and John and Brendan stand behind them. Sherlock starts with the questions.

"Someone's taken your dog?"

Ashley nods. "My mom says to just let her go, but she's been with me for ten years. Sentiment, ya know?"

Sherlock nods. "What kind of dog is she?"

"A little Shih Tzu," Ashley gets his phone out to show Sherlock a photo. "She's brown. Her name is Yankee-"

Sherlock raises an eyebrow, more of a glare than a question.

Ashley raises his arms. "I'm from New York."

Sherlock nods. "She was taken from your house?"

"No, from the park. I have a daily dog-walker, Yankee got away and was snatched."

"Any idea of who could have taken her?"

"The dog-walker said it's a man, or a boy. Definitely male."

"Do you have problems with anyone?"

Ashley smirks. "I'll send you a list."

Sherlock nods and stands. "We'll be in touch."

"One more thing," Ashley stops him. "I'm getting ransoms."

Sherlock furrows his brows and sits.

Ashley takes a wad of notes out of the front breast pocket of his suit jacket and places them on the table. "There's four, they come every three days. I've gotten three at home and one at school."

Sherlock unfolds the papers and reads them. They're pen written notes, so that indicates they're from someone young, an amateur. They're demanding money for the dog, low prices like a hundred or two hundred pounds, but the most is five. They don't threaten the dog with death, which is a good sign, but that still doesn't narrow down the culprit.

"You said you received one at school?" Sherlock asks. "In your locker or was it delivered?"

"Delivered. I didn't have a locker yet. Some little first year gave it to me during gym."

Sherlock folds the notes up and shoves them in his coat pocket. "Let me know the next time there's a note."

Ashley nods.

"And let us know if you can think of anyone who would be doing this," John says, speaking up for the first time.

Ashley nods again.

Sherlock looks at him, and right then Ashley whips his hair out of his eyes. Sherlock opens his mouth to talk, but no noise comes out. Ashley stands and offers a hand to shake again.

John shakes his hand because Sherlock is too flustered, but then Sherlock begins to blurt things to show he's not dazed or dumb. "Did you have a good holiday in Australia? Enjoying your new Mustang? What about your little sister? She enjoying her Husky?"

Ashley smiles a genuine smile. "Boy, you are as good as they say."

"Wasn't hard. You're tan, and your hair is bleached from the sun. You were there a while. I can tell you got a Mustang for Christmas because I can see the remote control starter in your pocket. Plus, I noticed it in the parking lot this morning. I know you have a little sister because you have remnants of nail polish on your fingernails. It was painted on there a while ago, and you probably forgot to take it off. Nice shade though, fits your skin tone. As for her new Husky, I know about that because the photo you showed me of Yankee, the Husky in the background has a pink bow. A little girl's dog, then. Cute, really."

Ashley smiles wider and wider at each deduction. "Brilliant."

Sherlock cracks a smile. "You really think so?"

John clears his throat, as if reminding Sherlock that he's still there.

Sherlock finally tears his eyes away from the tall, handsome boy. "Oh," he mutters.

John just grumbles and leaves them, making his way through the library.

Ashley chuckles, Brendan scowls, and Sherlock just turns bright red.

"I'll be in touch," Ashley says, patting Sherlock's shoulder, then following John.

They find Declan in the cafeteria with Ellery, so they sit with him instead of Brady.

"How'd it go?" Declan asks.

"Perfectly well," Sherlock says. "Very interesting."

Declan looks at John for more information.

"It went…" John practically growls, "Fine."

Declan stares at him.

Sherlock sighs. "So he's a little handsome? I'm only human!"

"I don't think you blinked the entire time!"

"What's he got that we don't?!" Declan cries, his voice high pitched and anxious.

Ellery chuckles. "Oh, don't—"

"Well, first of all, he's got about nine extra inches," Sherlock says.

Declan's jaw drops. "I am 5'9!" he says, offended.

"And he's 6'3!"

John scowls.

Declan looks at Ellery. "Ok, and you? What does he bring to the table that I don't?"

Ellery laughs. "Nothing, Declan," she reaches across the table and takes his hand. "I'm sitting here with you, aren't I?"

Declan takes a deep breath. "Yeah, alright."

Sherlock watches them, then looks at John. "You too, John. You, me, here."

John glares at him. "Oh yes, your words hit the spot, Sherlock."

Sherlock grins. "Well, need I remind you of this weekend when—"

"Dude!" Declan cries. "Not in front of the lady."

Sherlock chuckles and sits back in his chair.

"Besides," Declan adds, "I don't need to hear it again."

John grows bright red. "I told you it was too loud!"

"What, are you blaming me?!"

"You—"

"Guys!" Declan cries. "Shut up! "

Ellery takes a puff of her inhaler. Declan rubs her hand with his thumb.

"You ok?" he asks her.

Ellery nods.

Sherlock and John look at each other after watching Ellery and Declan's sweet moment. Sherlock cracks a smile, which makes John smile.

"But you have to admit," Sherlock says, "That sound I made John make—"

Ellery's eyes grow wide and she shakes her inhaler.

"Shut up!" Declan yells.

Sherlock laughs.

"So, have you thought any more about Ashley's case?" John asks as they walk home.

Sherlock nods. "I think it's someone at school. I texted him a bit during last period, and—"

John looks at him. "Oh, you did?"

Sherlock glances at him. "I…yes…"

John doesn't say anything, he just silently marches on.

"What?!" Sherlock cries.

"Nothing, nothing!"

Sherlock rolls his eyes and continues. "Anyway, Ashley said he's lived in the city a while, but he obviously just started this school. It's true that he's been kicked out of every private school in the country, which is a vast exaggeration, obviously, and this is his first public school."

"Okay…"

"Even though our school is a quite 'rich' public school, Ashley is the first real wealthy kid we've had. Someone must've found out he has a dog and found that as opportunity to exploit a few pounds."

John nods.

"Someone at school. A male. Someone lower class than the rest of us. And someone who knows him; he said he didn't mention to anyone that he has a dog."

John nods again.

"Are you paying attention to me?"

John nods.

"What did I just say?"

"That you texted him during last period."

Sherlock groans and throws his arms in the air. "Do you want me to drop the case, then? Is that what you want?"

John stops on the sidewalk. "No," he sighs. "I'm sorry. I've just...I've never felt threatened before."

"Threatened? What do you mean?"

"You like him! That…that hurts me, Sherlock!"

"I don't like him! I…" Sherlock sighs. "He's attractive. He's interesting. He's…"

"Tall, rich, hot, American…" John mutters. "Everything I'm not."

Sherlock frowns. "That's not what I meant."

John rubs his face. "Look, I'm…I have a headache. I'm just going to go home."

Sherlock grabs his sleeve before John can turn around. "If you try to walk away, I will tackle you to the ground and repeat this over and over until you understand. You're the smartest person I know, so I doubt that would take long."

John looks into his eyes.

"I. Love. You, John Watson. You. Only you. Only ever you. Only you since we were young. And only you…hopefully until I die. That guy? He means absolutely nothing. You mean everything." Sherlock takes John's head in his hands. "Alright?"

John slowly nods. "Alright."

"He wouldn't even matter to me if I didn't have you."

John nods.

Sherlock slouches to be the same height as John. He rubs his nose against John's and looks into his eyes. "I love you," he whispers against John's lips.

John brushes his lips against Sherlock's. "I love you."

Sherlock slowly, impossibly slowly, licks a hot stripe up John's lips. "Is your house empty?"

John reaches forward to capture Sherlock's lips, but stops himself. "We've had sex every day since Friday."

"That's only three times," Sherlock tells him. "I think our dicks can handle it."

John huffs when Sherlock says that last part.

"So?"

John pulls back, grabs Sherlock's hand, and drags Sherlock to his house.

Fifteen later, John is lying unsatisfied on Sherlock's flat stomach while Sherlock begins to text Ashley.

"I realized something," Sherlock says, again. By way of apology. Again.

"I know, I know," John says.

"I just couldn't finish with this thought on my brain."

"I know," John repeats. "I am satisfied, though, that you lost your erection when you thought of Ashley."

Sherlock chuckles.

John kisses his stomach. "Maybe we'll just have to give Declan another earful in a bit."

Sherlock laughs, but he's quickly cut off and he quickly sits up. "Hello?" he answers.

John straddles his hips and holds his head.

"Yeah, Dad," Sherlock says to his phone, emphasizing to John who he's talking to.

John doesn't pay any attention, he just leans down to lick Sherlock's neck.

Sherlock's jaw drops and he tries his best to hold back a moan. His voice squeaks as he says, "We had to stop at John's to get something."

John bites his collarbone.

"A book," Sherlock says too excitedly.

John licks up his throat to his jaw.

"Dad, listen, I'm working a case for a boy named Ashley. He just sent me an address for his dog-walker. John and I are going over there."

John hears Clement tell Sherlock to be careful as he shoves his tongue into Sherlock's mouth.

Sherlock works his mouth away. "Ok, Dad. Yeah, bye!" He tosses his phone to the floor and grabs John, turning him and pushing him onto his back on the bed.

"What about the dog-walker?" John asks as Sherlock pulls his pants down.

"The dog will still be missing tomorrow," Sherlock says, kissing down John's skin. "This is far more important."

John grins, but it's quickly lost in a moan when Sherlock swallows his cock.

In no time, John's finally satisfied and Sherlock's satisfying himself over John's still pulsing cock. Sherlock comes with a deep groan and John's name on his lips.

Sherlock sits back on his heels once his orgasm ends. He pants and catches his breath. "How was that?"

John can't even talk or move, he just gives Sherlock a thumbs up.

Sherlock grins and falls down onto the bed.

Sherlock goes home a while later, spending more time with John than he usually would because he told his dad he'd be gone long. When he walks in, Clement and Declan are sitting at the kitchen island having dinner.

"Hello, love!" Clement cries as Sherlock enters the room. "I made macaroni and cheese for dinner!"

Sherlock smiles widely and takes an offered bowl. "Thanks!"

"Where's John?"

"He had to go home," Sherlock tells him. "His mum called."

Clement nods in understanding. "Well, you'll have some leftover, then."

Sherlock smiles and sits next to Declan, then digs in to his food.

Clement leaves them a minute later to make a phone call. When he leaves, Declan looks over to examine Sherlock.

"You didn't go visit any dog-walker!"

Sherlock glares at him. "How would you know?"

"You haven't got any dog hair on you."

"Maybe—"

"Dog-walkers carry dog hair!"

Sherlock scowls. "Fine."

Declan grins triumphantly.

"And what did you and Ellery do this afternoon, hmm?" Sherlock questions. "Sat on the sofa and talked about books and other boring things?"

"Hey!" Declan points a fork at him. "We are two very interesting people. And far too mature to jump each other every chance we get!"

"Yes, well—"

"Save it," Declan says. "And just so you know, while you were gone your dad went on about how responsible you are and how much he trusts you. Way to prove it, cousin."

Sherlock scowls at him. "Why are you so…" Sherlock pauses to think of a word. "…grouchy today?"

Declan takes a deep breath and runs his hands through his hair. "It's driving me crazy that Ellery won't let me near her. I respect her, I don't even want to have sex with her, but a bloody kiss would be nice."

"Kisses are nice—"

Declan groans. "Oh, shut up. Maybe she doesn't like me, just like Duke said."

Sherlock watches him lay his head on the island in agony. "Do you know that John and I knew each other for almost a decade before we kissed?"

"Well, yeah—"

"He liked me the whole time. Well, maybe not the whole time, but most of the time. And I liked him. It's just that we were young, scared, we didn't know how to handle our emotions."

"So?"

"So? You're the first person in the entire school to pay any attention to Ellery. You're her first friend, let alone the first boy she's somewhat dating. She's practically a child when it comes to this stuff."

Declan sighs and nods. "Yeah, I know that."

"She likes you. She's just scared."

Declan nods. "Thanks, Sherlock."

"You're welcome."

Declan hops off the stool and carries his bowl to the sink. "Your dad made this to show you how proud of you he is for whatever. I don't know, I wasn't paying attention."

Sherlock nods. "Thanks."

Declan waves once, then leaves the kitchen.

Sherlock takes a deep breath and thinks about now is as good a time as ever to tell Clement about his mother. His stomach turns, and he's nervous, but he knows deep down that his father needs to know.

He gets up and goes to the den, where Clement is just hanging up the phone.

"Dad, I need to talk to you."

Clement watches him enter the room, and his face turns worried. "What is it, son? Are you alright?"

"It's not about me," Sherlock says. "Well, I guess…it…it could be…but…it's about you."

"About me?"

"And about Mum."

Clement sits back in his chair. "I'm listening."

A/N: Cliffhanger! Sorry! New chapter up soon. Hope you liked this one! Please review!

AND what did everyone think of The Empty Hearse? I loved it!