Someone stop me.

Title: Should Ol' Acquaintance Be Forgot
Pairing: Holmes/Watson
Rating: G
Spoilers: None overtly
Summary: Sometimes you have to help others ring in the new year



Watson stood outside of the room, waiting. The sound from Holmes' rooms was, for the first time in years, only silence. Watson shared a concerned look with Mrs. Hudson.

"Holmes."

No answer.

Watson twisted the calling card he'd intended to leave in his hand - Holmes should have been dealing with Lestrade's case all night. He'd left him, briefly, to go and appease Mary before returning to check on Sherlock. The case may be complete, but Sherlock was ever one to overwork.

"Most peculiar."

"What Doctor?"

"It's almost as if he's fallen into a pout."

"I assure you Watson, it is nothing of the kind!" Holmes' voice sounded slightly... morose. Watson shared one more look with Mrs. Hudson and opened the door.

"Holmes." Watson paused, staring at the wreckage before him. "What are you doing?" Holmes held a miniature version of the bank in front of him - the very one that they had stopped the theft from. Although, Watson could only recognize the wreckage of the model because he'd seen the pieces together.

"I am getting into our suspect's mind."

"Haven't you already caught him?"

"Of course, dear Watson, but that doesn't belie the fact that this model is absolutely ingenious."

"Of course, Holmes."

"What do you have there, Watson. Is that a calling card?"

"Yes, Holmes. I was to leave it and return to Mary -"

"Why Watson, I do believe you may be breaking the tradition early -"

"Holmes, I was here inquiring to your health. You've not slept since we started this case."

"It has been two months, Watson, and only now have you entered your old lodgings. How does it feel?"

Countering with questions was, Watson knew, Holmes' way of divining truth. It was, however, damnably irritating. "I quite like what you've done with the place. What with the cobwebs and increased bullet holes."

"Why thank you Watson."

Holmes finally stood up, examining Watson fully for the first time. "Married life does not suit you."

"Holmes -"

"But enough! I must continue my dissection of this man's mind. Such a banal want, gold, and yet, here we are. These traps and -"

Watson hauled Holmes to his feet. Pressing a New Years card into his hand. Heavily gilt, Watson hoped Holmes wouldn't see Mary in the design, but the words - taken from song - were all his. "Auld Lang Syne, Sherlock. The past is past. But not forgotten."

Holmes simply stared at him. Intent, as he always was. "Things have not changed, Holmes."

"But they have, Watson. But they have."

"And yet -"

"And yet." Holmes patted him on the cheek. "Come, let us drink to health. For auld lang syne, if nothing else."

And if Holmes left his hand on Watson's knee a moment too long here and there, neither said anything.




Happy New Years everyone! Wishing you the best and luck into the new year!