Ex Files: a collection of short ficlits that cover aspects of Sherlock's world. Not in chronological order, nor linked, but together adding up. Varying points of view, but mostly John's.

Extraordinary

ex·traor·di·nar·y/ikˈstrôrdnˌerē/

Adjective:

1. Very unusual or remarkable.

2. Unusually great.

Even before John moved into Baker Street, he knew his flatmate was odd. If the rapid fire deductions about his own past in the lab at Bart's weren't enough, Mike's comment, "Yeah, he's always like that," confirmed it. After the events of the 48 hours that followed, John was sure that his flatmate was also extraordinary. Who else could have deduced the existence of a pink suitcase, and figured out where it was hidden, as well as the password of a murdered woman, and flushed out a full blown serial killer unless they were rather unusual?

He had been surprised by not just the willing ness of the police to work with the consulting detective, but also their rather unusual relationship. Clearly, both Sergeant Donovan and the forensic specialist Anderson loathed him- probably because they felt threatened. But, John was struck by the Detective Inspector's comment, thrown over his shoulder as he went down the stairs at Baker Street, "Sherlock Holmes is a great man. One day he may even be a good one."

All his life, John had cultivated an air of being ordinary. To succeed in his life, it had been important to judge himself in relation to others- family, school, university, as a medical student, a doctor, an army captain. He wore his clothes to reassure people that he was what he appeared to be: good- the lab coat, the military uniform, the jumpers were all part of building respect with others. He defined himself in the eyes of others as dependable, loyal, trustworthy, honest and capable. If others saw him that way, it confirmed his normality.

Yet, his new flatmate saw him differently. Right from the beginning. A person with a psychosomatic limp that could be cured simply, when every other physical therapist had failed. Someone who loved the battlefield for the adrenaline kick (Seen enough trouble?...like to see some more?) Sherlock had known John's extraordinariness almost from the moment he met him. And he had drawn out those hidden depths – John's willingness to push boundaries (could be dangerous), his skills with a weapon (where's the gun?). What John liked the most about his extraordinary flatmate was how he recognised John was extraordinary, too.