The Dark Case of Jack

Chapter One

Hey everyone, the first few chapters will be the same but you will soon see an A chapter and a B chapter.

In the A Sherlock will get with Molly and in the B he will get with John. The story will pretty much stay the same other than the romantic bits.

I hope you enjoy and sadly I do not own Sherlock, not even the dvds.
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Dr John Watson stared down at the handsome man who lay sprawled at his feet.

"Sherlock." John snapped in impatience. Honestly could the man not take care of himself for a single week?

When the opportunity for a conference in Scotland arose, John had jumped at the chance. Eager to take a break from the demanding schedule Sherlock imposed upon him.

Now, looking at the pitiful wreck at his feet, John wondered if he should have thought more about his friend. Such a strange thing to call a disagreeable man friend but there was no going around it.

When Sherlock failed to respond, John bent down to check his pulse. It was slow but steady and a pupil check informed him they were dilated.

Letting out a scoff of disappointment John murmured, "what am I to do with you?"

The deep timber voice that replied was rough but audible. "I'm fairly certain Mrs. Hudson wonders the same thing."

John glared down at the smug detective as Sherlock slowly stood up. It was obvious that it took every molecule of strength he had but John allowed Sherlock the farce. A prouder man could not be found after all.

"So what did you do while I was away?" John asked. His tone implied that he knew but he wanted to hear it from Sherlock.

The detective in question settled himself on the sofa, half sprawled. "There were no cases and the boredom set in." He flicked a glance at the painted smiley face before smirking. "And Mrs. Hudson took my gun away."

John let out a tiny laugh. "Yes well, I'm certain she didn't appreciate you shooting up the wall."

Sherlock's smile fell as he closed his eyes, drifting on the remnants of his high.

John raked his gaze over the skeletal body. Sherlock had always been thin but this was downright unhealthy. And the black locks that framed his face were dull.

"Sherlock, you need to eat." He snapped watching as Sherlock opened those impossibly blue eyes. It was always unnerving to be on the receiving end of such a stare.

"John, are you asking me as your friend or ordering me as my doctor?" The words were spoken with a bland calmness.

John licked his lips, before answering. "As your doctor I am asking you to consider your health. As your friend I am telling you that I will tie you to a chair and shove food down your throat if need be." With each word his voice rose until he was shouting.

Sherlock's lips twitched as he stared at John. "Tie me to a chair, is such force really necessary?"

"They are when you don't see reason. I know Sherlock, that you consider your body a means of transportation but even a car needs fuel. Tune ups, oil changes something to recharge the battery."

A queer look crossed Sherlock's face. "How exactly, John, do you expect me to 'charge my battery' as you so eloquently put it?"

John sputtered a response, looking around the room for inspiration. "A date Sherlock, you need to get out and go on a date."

Sherlock, didn't react as he continued to stare at John. "I've been on plenty of dates, John."

John huffed out in exasperation. "Working on a case with me is not a date, at least I hope it's not."

There was a flicker in Sherlock's eyes as he stood up and crossed the room. He stopped in front of John. "By definition, isn't a date when two people go out and have fun together?"

John felt the quicksand beneath his feet but tried to argue anyway. "Sherlock, the difference is that there is no romantic involvement."

Sherlock blinked before calmly stating, "not my area." With that said he walked away. A few moments later John heard Sherlock's bedroom door slam.

Letting out his breath in a sigh, John started cleaning up the flat. All and all the conversation hadn't been a bad one but instead redundant. There was no reasoning with Sherlock when his mind was made up.

"Date," John scoffed as he threw a pile of papers onto the table, giving up on the mess. He eyes trailed to the wall separating him from Sherlock's bedroom. "Do you even know what one is?" The words went unanswered, perhaps that was for the best
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There we have chapter one, I will try to post chapter two next week, if not sooner. I hope you enjoyed the beginning of the story.