It had been almost two years since John had received the letter that would break the poor doctor all over again. One year and 358 days to be exact. Not that he counted.
It had been a source of tension in his relationship with Sherlock Holmes, nearly breaking the relatively newly weds up just after a year of marriage. Sherlock demanded he ignore the letter and not go, that Mycroft can change the fate of the pair but John had refused. It was his duty after all. Not even saying goodbye to his lover, John had left for a minimum of three years service but due to overwhelming enemy force, his camp was overrun and had his final near death experience that sent him over the edge mentally and was honourably discharged once again.
Despite the bitterness between the pair, John sent several letters to him in the first month, asking about Rosie and Mrs Hudson and his London life. It wasn’t until month three when John got a reply from Sherlock, apologising for the way he acted. Frequent letters came from Bakers Street after that, providing comfort to the doctor and his camp mates, keeping them going during the war.
Now, cane in hand and dressed in uniform, John carried his bag through the waiting room scanning around for his family, hoping they’d be there.