That Ship Has Sailed

John & Sherlock I

"Happy birthday, John. Have you made your appointment yet?"

"I have. I go in later today," a proud, eighteen year old John Watson replied to his mother's question.

The woman smiled, "I can't wait to hear what her name is."

"I hope it's Laura. I have a Laura in my class and she's always been kind to me. I like to think I'll marry someone kind some day."

"Well, whoever she is, I'm sure she'll be wonderful."

"Were you nervous, dad? When you went to find out your's name?"

John's father sat, gruff, at the other end of the table. He put down his newspaper and shook his head, "No, son. I was just as excited as you and even though Jane is a common name, when I met your mother, I knew she was my Jane."

"It won't be hard to tell," his mother reassured, "When you see them, you'll know."

John was nothing but eagerness and smiles as he drove to his appointment later that day. He was headed to the facility where he would undergo tests that would then reveal the name of his significant other. He knew he'd be okay if it wasn't Laura, but he hoped it would be someone like her. Outgoing, kind, and beautiful.

Two hours later, John was leaving his appointment feeling confused and uncertain. He knew his mother had planned a party with all his friends that evening where he would reveal the name, but suddenly, he didn't want to.

He arrived back home and went straight to his room, avoiding his parents so they wouldn't know he was home. Once in his room, he stood, his fist clenching and un-clenching a few times before he hurried into the bathroom. There, he stared into the mirror. He pulled out his cell phone and opened the internet browser. His fingers lingered above the keys before he finally typed in his question. The results were there within three seconds and John clicked the first link that came up.

"So what if I put a little product in my hair?"

He continued scrolling.

"None of the others apply to me--how did I--" he broke off his sentence with a sigh, looking back in the mirror. "I'm not gay," he finally told his mirrored reflection. There was a mistake. There had to have been a mistake."

Ten Years Later:

"John Watson!"

John stood from his bunk and prepared to stand at attention until he realized who had called his name. The barrack was empty besides him and when his commanding officer entered, he stood at attention. He had befriended the man since joining up, but knew he still needed to respect his senior officers.

"Evening, Sarg--"

"This isn't a formal call, Watson," the man said, "My name will do for now."

"Of course. What brings you here?" John asked.

"I'm going to the front lines tomorrow. I came to say goodbye."

John was taken aback.

"It came as a shock to me, too, but I knew I had to be the one to tell you. John, we've grown close since you joined up and I feel I can tell you anything. Do you think the same of me?"

"Yes, of course," John said, taking a step closer.

"You confessed to me once that the name you're looking for and you thought it to be me. I went along with it because I liked you, John, but I have a confession to make."

John prepared himself for the blow, clenching his fists and un-clenching them a few times.

"The name I'm looking for is Mary."