A/N - MINI RANT: I did not want this photo. It was not the one I wanted. I COULD PICTURE IT SO CLEARLY - and yet could not find it 😂😂😂

Anyways, enjoy the chapter, my lovelies!

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It was safe to say their second kiss had changed things.

They still weren't too sure of what to call it, but they knew it was something. They had something and they were happy to have that until they were more comfortable around each other.

In the days after their kiss, John had become increasingly aware of the more at ease atmosphere, their more frequent glances towards each other and their occasional touching of hands. He was convinced they had sorted whatever issues they were having - the real question though, was were they together-together now? This, the doctor struggled to deduce by himself.

The thief and detective were more affectionate towards each other but more so when no one was around. Like the rare hugs in secret from the detective, the little kisses became just as hidden. Admittedly, it was a little more fun like that when the others didn't know.

Both didn't feel quite comfortable admitting anything in a full statement as of yet. They just wanted to test the waters first and make sure that their something wasn't nothing.

This would be understandable, of course, if explained to John out loud.

But, it hadn't.

So on the Sunday when they were all sat around the kitchen table, including Mrs Hudson, having breakfast, he thought it the best time to ask.

Especially when Sherlock, who had a light pink blush in his cheeks, looked over the top of his newspaper at Elizabeth who smirked after shuffling in her seat. She was attempting to play footsie with him as she found it amusing when he tried badly to pretend like nothing was happening.

"So," John began as he cut up his egg on toast, "Have you two resolved your issues yet?"

Both thief and detective looked at him like lighting to mask the effort of bringing their legs back under their own chairs.

"Sorry, John?" Elizabeth said.

Sherlock was mouthing 'don't' at the doctor. But John didn't care. He wanted to be right and so he would be right and he would confirm it.

"Oh, surely it's quite obvious, John." Mrs Hudson added, quite unexpectedly to everyone.

Sherlock enquired, "What is, Mrs Hudson?"

"Well, it's clear to see!"

The three blinked at her, totally lost.

She sighed, "I'm not blind! Oh, I think it's lovely that you two boys have asked Elizabeth to be a surrogate! I think it's fantastic!"

Elizabeth choked on her tea. Sherlock just closed his eyes in despair and John threw his knife and fork down on his plate.

Both men said loudly, "We're not gay!!"

While Elizabeth had simultaneously said, "Not a surrogate."

Mrs Hudson chuckled, "Oh, you should have seen the looks on your faces," She took a breath, "Well, it's either that or you two," She gestured to the thief and detective, "Are finally a couple!"

Again the three stopped. This time Sherlock hid behind his newspaper and Elizabeth just went back to drinking her tea while staring at the table. John looked from Mrs Hudson, to Sherlock, to Elizabeth and back to the landlady again, stunned. Naively, John thought he would be the only one that had noticed but he guessed not.

The landlady smiled, "Oh don't you think it's obvious, John? I mean look at them, pretending like they've heard nothing. And I know when two people are playing footsie."

Sherlock glared over the top of his paper at Elizabeth.

She threw her hands up in defence, "Honestly, Mrs Hudson, you're wron - "

"I'm not wrong and you know it." She snapped at her suddenly, "I helped a man break his ankle to help get you two together so don't you play that game with me."

"I'm sorry, you what???" Was the resounding question from the three in one form or another.

John asked, "What do you mean you 'helped' Victor to break his ankle? Do you understand how dangerous that could have been?"

"Why? Why would you do that, Mrs Hudson? He had a job - he needs to make a living!"

Sherlock remained silently shocked at this revelation, more so because he couldn't argue it was a terrible idea considering he almost drugged the poor man.

Mrs Hudson rolled her eyes, "Oh please. If I hadn't have done something, there's no telling what Sherlock might have done."

John shared a knowing look with Sherlock who gave no reply verbally or through facial expression.

"And Elizabeth, as valid as your point is, the three of you also have a job. If something had happened to break your bonds then how could the three of you possibly work together? I was thinking of the greater good." She stated, unphased by her actions, "A broken friendship and/or relationship is much harder to fix than a broken ankle."

Elizabeth ran her hands over her face. Mrs Hudson had a point but damn! The lady was nuts if she thought that had been a good idea. Yes, she had mentioned Sherlock got jealous too and had seen his jealousy firsthand but he was more overprotective than anything. What could he have possibly done that could have been worse?

"How did you 'help' him to break his ankle then?" Sherlock asked (always thinking of the important questions).

"Oh, rather simply in all honesty, dear." She shrugged nonchalantly, "I was sweeping the hallway at the time and when I saw him come down the stairs first, I just poked the end of my broomstick through the stairwell bars. Once he tripped, I pulled the broomstick out and well, you know the rest, dears."

John shook his head at the woman. Sherlock struggled to fight back a smirk and Elizabeth peeked through her fingers at the landlady. She would call her crazy but she was too good to do that to. There was wisdom in her words but, surely there could have been better ways to go about this?

Mrs Hudson stood up, clearing the empty plates, "Thank you for inviting me to breakfast but I have some cleaning to get on with now." As she passed Sherlock, she placed a hand in his shoulder, looking between him and Elizabeth dotingly, "And congratulations, dears. You make a lovely couple. I can see it already."

"We're not - "

"Oh, yes, you are. You so are." John interrupted Sherlock before he could continue.

Elizabeth sighed, sharing a look of defeat with Sherlock. Apparently nothing got past the doctor and the landlady.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

The blue skies gradually melted to richer purple, pink and amber hues. Elizabeth grew more and more nervous as evening approached. She was supposed to meet with Jim tonight. She still was. She had to. If she didn't, then God knows what drastic measures he would take.

God knows what drastic measures he would take when she told him she was going to reject his offer of return.

That was if he was offering her return without consequence instead of death.

As she lay on the sofa, staring at the ceiling, the anxieties ate away at her. Perhaps she should have told John and Sherlock? But what if they would get hurt? If she got there and Jim was on a mission to kill, she would prefer only herself perishing rather than risking their lives too.

She still had to find a way to sneak out or get out.

Sherlock was sat at the table by the window, laptop open and writing another random post for his blog, no doubt. But it wasn't for long when he looked over to John in his chair and Elizabeth on the sofa.

"We have a case. He wants to meet with us now if possible." He announced as he stood up from his seat, going over to fetch his coat.

This was Elizabeth's opportunity. She wished she could call it luck but in this situation it could be a death sentence.

"I'm actually kind of tired, Sherlock." She stood too, stretching as she walked over to him by the coat stand, "Is it okay if I miss this one out?" She looked at him with weary eyes, mainly weary from the exhaustion her overthinking caused.

He smiled softly at her and nodded, "Of course. I hope we'll be back soon."

"Me too." She smiled, pecking his cheek, "Stay safe."

John stood there with his mouth agape slightly. It was the first PDA he had witnessed from the two of them. Elizabeth saw his look and smirked.

"Do you want one too, John?" She teased.

He blinked then joked, "Well, I wouldn't mind one."

"Haha, nice try." She rolled her eyes, "Keep him safe, John."

"Always do."

"Why keep me safe? I keep John safe." Sherlock looked to her offended.

John and Elizabeth shared a look.

"Hm, opposite way 'round mate." John chuckled, patting Sherlock's shoulder as he walked out of the flat, "See you later, Elizabeth."

Sherlock looked at Elizabeth fondly before following after John.

The moment they left, Elizabeth's entire demeanor seemed to drop. She felt horrible for exploiting their trust and kindness.