Sherlock could hardly bare the uplifting mood he was in the next few days. When Clara was around, he felt so much happier and alive than when she wasn't.

This particular morning, three days after Clara appeared in 221B and decided to stay, Clara and Sherlock were just sitting alone in the flat. Sherlock was on his phone again and Clara was doing her best to make a soufflé. The oven dinged and she rushed to open it with her oven mittens on, to see how it had turned out.

No sooner had she opened the oven door than dense smoke came billowing out into the kitchen. Clara felt the smog tickle her throat and a series of coughs came rising up from her throat as she reached into the oven. Without wasting a second, she pulled out the pan and set it atop the island counter. Squinting in the smoke and kicking the oven door closed with her foot, she waved her hands in the air to ward off the smoke. Once her sight was somewhat clear, she slipped off her mits and set them on the counter next to the soufflé.

Clara stood and stared at the soufflé. It was entirely, most definitely burnt. The edge where the soufflé and the pan touched was black as coal, and crispier than a well-done croissant. An exasperated sigh escaped her lips and she leaned against the counter.

"Dammit." she muttered, frustrated.

Her phone pings from next to her. Sighing again, she picks it up. The screen is lit up to a message from Sherlock.

Don't worry--I'm sure the next one will be perfect. -SH

She smiles and looks over at Sherlock. He's finally looking up from his phone at her. Clara knows full well that Sherlock could just tell her these things in person, but she doesn't really care. She's just glad he is telling her.

"Come on," Sherlock says, standing and tucking his phone away into his pocket. Inside he may feel extremely content, but he does his best not to show it. He still somewhat believes that sentiment is a weakness. "Let's go for a walk."

"Sure," Clara nods. The air in the flat is to muggy anyway--some fresh air would be nice.

After Clara had gotten the burnt soufflé taken care of and the pair are ready to go, they find themselves walking down Baker St towards the Diner to visit Ash. She just got back a day ago.

With Sherlock in his coat and Clara in her jacket, they wander about, Sherlock spurting deductions about people walking past with Clara objecting every once in a while.

"She just got back from Sephora's--there's cosmetics on her wrist. She owns four small poodles and she lives in--"

"Sherlock," Clara interrupts his deduction of an angsty teenager at a bus stop. "How long has it been since you last saw John?" she asks.

Clara links her hand with his large, violin-weary calloused one as he answers. "A while." he frowns. "Maybe a week."

Clara raises her eyebrows. "A week? A week the famous detective has gone without his blogger? The press will hear about this!" she jokes.

Sherlock's gaze darkens. "Yes, well, it's not as long as this detective has gone without his Impossible Girl."

A twinge of guilt stabs Clara's heart. "Well..." she stutters. "It was hardly my fault."

She looks up at him. He looks away. "Anyway..." Clara continues. "Let's call him up. See if he'll meet us at the Diner."

"Alright." Sherlock's baritone answers as Clara leans on him.

By afternoon, Clara and Sherlock are sitting in a booth in the Diner, with Ash wiping tables nearby. She smirks at the two of them, knowing full well that her plan worked like magic.

The door rings to signal John's arrival, and he walks in with Mary after him. The two sit down across from Clara and Sherlock, and awkward silence settles in after them. Mary props her elbows up on the table, displaying a ring on her left ring finger. Clara raises her eyebrows and grins. She didn't know the were engaged.

"So, Sherlock," Mary begins. "How've you been?"

"Better." he answers. John has definitely noticed this. Sherlock's face is shaved and his clothes are neat and clean again. He no longer smells of cigarettes.

"And..." Mary turns to Clara. "I'm sorry, I don't think we've been introduced, you and I."

Clara smiles. "I'm Clara Oswald. You must be Mary Morstan. I've heard wonderful things about you," Clara shakes Mary's hand from across the table.

Mary grins. "It's Mary Watson, now." Clara and Sherlock both notice her brush the ring on her finger--a sign that she wants to call attention to it.

"Nice to see you again, Clara." John reaches over to shake Clara's hand.

"You too, John. I trust you're feeling better?" she accepts.

John smiles. "I am, thank you."

Everyone's attention turns to Sherlock, the man who hasn't spoken yet. Clara nudges him. "Nice to see you, John." Sherlock smiles. "Mary."

"You too, Sherlock." John grunts and Mary nods. John pauses, "You two... are dating now?" he asks, referring to Sherlock and Clara.

"Yes." Sherlock responds. A smile creeps upon Clara's face. Just to hear that confirmation makes her heart flutter.

"So," Clara says, "How did you two meet?"

Mary grins, obviously ready to take that question.

The rest of the night they sit talking, until Sherlock gets a message from Lestrade. Everyone is silent while Sherlock reads.

"What is it?" Clara asks first.

Sherlock grins, his eyes getting that glint they get when there is a puzzle to be solved.

"Lestrade has a case he needs me to solve. He says he wouldn't message me this late if it weren't important."

"Well, what's it about?" John asks.

"Some man drowned in his pool. They need me to go in and investigate." Sherlock answers.

Clara looks at him, confused. "He just drowned. Why do they need you to investigate?"

He grins. "The pool is bone dry--and there was no drain."

"What kind of pool doesn't have a drain?" Mary scoffs.

"This one!" Sherlock says, standing. Then, turning to the rest of them, he asks, "So, what do you say? Another case, for old time's sake?"

Clara smiles the smile Sherlock so loves to see.

"Of course!"

~~~~~

 That's it for "But I Saw You Die!"

I can confirm that there WILL be a third book! (Mainly because I love writing this was too much and you all still enjoy reading my crap)

Some of you have requested certain things and I can say that I will do my best to honour those requests. For instance, Capt. Jack Harkness is going to make an appearance throughout the book and Sherlock will get a glimpse of the TARDIS, per requests of and .

I'll let you guys know the title of the book once I've got it figured out. And as always, you can find it in my profile. 

-O

NEXT CAST LIST:
Clara Oswald
Sherlock Holmes
Mycroft Holmes
E/Faith/John's Therapist/Eurus Holmes
John Watson
Mary Morstan/Watson
Sally Donovan
Ash El Dir/Ashildr/Me
Jack Harkness
Philip Anderson
Missy
Irene Adler
Mrs H(udson)
Greg Lestrade
Bill Wiggins