A Study In Marriage (Johnlock) - Sequel to A Study in Love

Epilogue

"Is that all?" John called over his shoulder to Sherlock, who was coming up behind him on the stairs with an armful of boxes. John put down the box he'd been carrying and turned to see Sherlock struggling to get in through the door.

"It better be," he mumbled, finally fighting his way in. He planted the boxes on the ground beside his feet and smiled at John. John felt his heart leap in his chest and he smiled back before crossing the room to Sherlock.

It had been four days since Sherlock woke up in that hospital, and three since he'd been released. John and Sherlock had spent those three days packing up John's stuff and moving it back into Baker Street. As much as John hated moving, he was more than glad to go through this process again when it meant he was moving back home.

He was busy unpacking some of his books when he heard a familiar tread coming up the stairs. He looked over his shoulder at Sherlock, who was busy doing nothing on the couch, then stood from where he was crouched and went to meet Mycroft at the door.

"Good afternoon, John." John simply nodded in response, then turned back towards Sherlock, who was watching them with curious eyes.

"If you'll give us a moment," John said, offering Sherlock a bright smile before turning to follow Mycroft down the stairs. Outside there was a car waiting for them and John allowed Mycroft to climb inside before following. John turned and looked out the window. As expected Sherlock was standing at the second story window staring down. John smiled though he knew Sherlock couldn't see, then gestured to the driver that he could pull away from the curb.

"I assume you don't need me to tell you why I asked to talk to you," John said, turning to face Mycroft. "I'm sure Sherlock will have worked it out by the time I return."

"Hmm, yes. I remember several times at the hospital you said you wanted answers. You never got any, and are apparently too afraid to ask Sherlock because you don't want to do anything to ruin this reconciliation."

"So, let's get this over with then," John said. "I'd like to return to my husband as soon as possible and, you know, finish reconciling." Mycroft pulled a face and John immediately began backtracking. "No, no, not like that. Just. Well, anyway. Yes, I want answers." Mycroft waved a dismissive hand in the air.

"Ask away then."

"I've already figured out why he did it." John sighed and shook his head. He had been so blinded earlier to not understand. Of course, now John knew Sherlock never wanted the divorce, and that their separation had taken its toll on Sherlock. That day he'd wandered over to Baker Street and seen Sherlock looking so poorly... He had seen but not observed. Looking back now he could see how obvious it was that Sherlock had already given up. Given up on cases, given up on life. The thought of Sherlock being in such a state was too much, and John refused to let himself think on it too long. Instead he turned to Mycroft.

"I want to know what ... happened. How did you find him in time?"

"You know of the cameras-"

"Yes I am very familiar with your surveillance systems..." Mycroft gave him a sly smile that John ignored. "Sherlock..." John stopped himself from revealing Sherlock's ways of dealing with the cameras: tampering with the video feed to produce fake videos that they recorded sometimes in their free time. Other times they used old footage that had ready been recorded on the cameras, though most of the time Sherlock simply turned them off. John was surprised Mycroft hadn't caught on yet. Or perhaps he wasn't the one monitoring the videos and it was his government minions that Sherlock had managed to outsmart.

"Yes, well ever since ... Well I suppose I should start by letting you know you probably don't have to worry about Victor ever again."

"And why is that?" John asked, hope swelling in his chest. He still felt the sting he'd felt when he'd seen that picture of Sherlock and Victor together.