Michael Holmes: Secret Son of Sherlock Holmes

Chapter 3: BAD TIMING, Sherlock!

The Landmark Hotel, Marylebone RoadBirds 

The sky was getting dark. Sherlock hurried towards the restaurant and saw John sitting alone at the table, drinking a glass of water. Just then, one of the waitress coincidentally picked up some menus from the bar and walked across in front of him.

Sherlock immediately realised the bowtie she was wearing as a part of her uniform. He glances to a nearby table where a couple were sitting. A man was wearing a white shirt, black jacket and a bowtie. Exactly what he needed. There was a glass of red wine and a glass of water beside the man. The man has his back to the door but Sherlock can see him reflected in the water glass. 

As John picked up the wine list and started looking at it, Sherlock walked over to the side of the other couple's table and poured water on the poor man. The man screamed in shock.

"Sorry!" Sherlock 'apologised' and took the man's bowtie without him noticing. "I'm so, so sorry!"

As he walked around the restaurant, he saw a man at another table taking off his glasses and putting them down on top of the menu he has just been reading. Sherlock walked over to the table.

Sherlock moved a bit closer to the man. 'Finished with that, sir? Allow me to take it for you.' Sherlock then picked up the menu and the glasses, and walked away casually, putting on the glasses as if nothing ever happened.

Then, he saw an eyeliner pencil in a woman's bag. He offered the menu he was holding to the lady and took the pencil from the bag. As he turned back, he scribble a false moustache on the top of his lip.

Sherlock went towards John and put on his French accent. "Can I help you with anything, sir?" He made a conversation with John and tried his best to get his attention, but it obviously wasn't working.

After 'the waiter' finally walked away, John took out a small box with an expensive diamond ring inside. He planned to propose to his girlfriend. He took in a deep breath and saw Mary Morstan- wearing a pretty dress, looking beautiful as ever.

"You okay?" Mary asked as she sat down.

John smiled and blushed a little. "Yeah, me? Fine. I am fine." 

She smiles. "Now then, what did you want to ask me?" She knew what he was going to ask, but she couldn't believe it until she heard the words come out from his mouth.

"More wine?" John was nervous and he didn't know how to say it. Should I do it in fashion, or in the traditional way? He thought.

"No, I'm good with water. Thanks." 

Both of them stayed in silence for a while. "So.. Mary, listen. Hm... I know it hasn't been long... I mean, I know we haven't known each other for a long time..."

John stopped. Mary tried not to show her impatience. "Go on."

"Yes, I will. As you know, these last couple of years haven't been easy for me, and meeting you..." He gazed at her. "Yeah, meeting you has been the best thing that could have possibly happened."

"I agree" Mary giggled. "I agree I'm the best thing that could have happened to you."

They laughed. "Sorry." Mary said.

"Well, no. That's, um..." John replied. "So... if you'll have me, Mary, could you see your way..." He pauses for a brief moment....  "if you could see your way to..."

JUST at that moment, Sherlock reappeared, still wearing his disguise, he showed John the new bottle of champagne and recommended it to him. 

BAD TIMING, Sherlock!

"No, sorry, not now, please." John looked seemingly disturb. Sherlock, being unaware as always, continued to talk to John about the 'champagne'. And finally, John looked up and his eyes met Sherlock's. His pupils dilated and he looked at Sherlock with disbelief.

His friend suddenly changes back to his normal voice. "Interesting thing, a tuxedo. Lends distinction to friends, and anonymity to waiters."

John's eyes were suddenly filled with tears. His to-be fiancée was getting worried. "John?" He started breathing heavily. "John, what is it? What?"

"Well, short version..." Sherlock still doesn't seem to catch up yet. "Not dead."

John stared at him, first it was shock, then comes anger. 

"It was a bit mean, springing it on you like that. I know. Could have given you a heart attack, probably still will. But in my defense, it was very funny." Sherlock explained. He laughed, nervous. "Okay, it's not a great defense."

"Oh, my! You're... Oh my God." Mary realised who he is. The brilliant detective with the funny hat. "You died. You jumped off a roof!"

Sherlock, still looking quite proud of himself, continued. "No, I'm quite sure. I checked. Excuse me." He took a napkin and wiped off his moustache. "Does yours rub off, too?" He joked with John.

"Oh my God, oh my God." Mary recalled the times when John was still devastated after Sherlock 'died'. He even tried to commit suicide once and almost shot himself.  "Do you have any idea what you've done to him?"

Sherlock finally caught up and looked a bit guilty. "Okay, John. I'm suddenly realising I probably owe you some sort of an apology."

John was blowing up like a fricking volcano by then. Probably too late for an apology.  He clenched his fists and slammed the table. "Two years..." He took a deep breath. "Two years..."

"I thought... I thought... you were dead." Another deep breath. "Now, you let me grieve, hmm? How could you do that? How?"

"Wait– Before you do anything that you might regret..." Sherlock looked down, even more guilty than before. "... Um, one question. Just let me ask one question..." He pointed to his own top lip, referring to John's moustache. "Are you really gonna keep that?!" 

BAD TIMING, Sherlock!

 Mary just laughed at how unaware Sherlock is about human feelings, but John lost it. 

His heart was beating rapidly, and his eyes were filled with fury and rage- he looked as if he wanted to kill his best friend at that very moment. He immediately clenched his fists and pounced on Sherlock. 

Mary and the other people watching rushed over and tried to stop John before he does something horrible to Sherlock.

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Hello um, I'm not good at writing story or fanfictions, but I hope you like it so far. I know this chapter has nothing to do with Michael, but I love this scene in the series and decided to put it in as some "moments" that happened before Sherlock and John finally meet Michael.