The ballroom was crowded, something that wasn't particularly unusual except the guests of honor were standing on opposite sides of the room. One watching the other with the eyes of someone who sees everything and misses nothing. Steel grey eyes, that would light up in pleasure at the sight of his partner or could turn ice cold in his rage if someone so much as harmed him. His gaze currently tracked the short blond haired, blue eyed ex-army doctor. Watched the way he spoke to their guests, the hand movements, the smile on his face, the light laugh that would escape him. To any other person it was normal but to him, to the one who knew him better than anyone else, he could see the underlying thread of nerves and anxiety. Two emotions he never wanted the other to feel for any reason.

"Instead of watching his every move, why don't you try going over and talking to him, yeah? I mean, it can't really be all that bad now, can it Sherlock?" The voice belonged to Detective Inspector Greg Lestrade. He watched the tall, pale brunette as he watched Dr. John H. Watson move around the room.

"He isn't speaking to me right now." Sherlock looked over at Lestrade and frowned. "Did John tell you why? What did I do Lestrade to have upset him?" Sherlock wasn't the most astute when it came to emotions of others or his own feelings. He had been trying however, since he and John had started dating, he had been making a genuine effort to try and understand things the way he did. To try and see others the same way John was able to. He was not always successful but he still tried nevertheless because it's what John wanted, what would make John happy. The fact that he even made the effort meant more to the short blond than anything else. "I did not forget our anniversary, nor did I hurt anyone's feelings today..." Sherlock drifted off as he tried to figure out what he'd done to upset his John.

Greg looked at the other man and shook his head, for all of the younger mans intelligence he wasn't very good at reading his partner. Neither is his brother for that matter. The bitter thought filtered through Greg's head and he just as quickly brushed it away. This was about John and Sherlock not him and Mycroft. Unconsciously, his warm sienna gaze scanned the room in search of the tall ginger.

"He's in the back by the dessert table, trying not to touch the sweet cakes and tarts." Sherlock muttered as he continued watching John. He knew Lestrade was avoiding his brother as well, wasn't sure what had happened but he was sure it was all his brothers fault.

"Sod off Sherlock, I wasn't really looking for him." Greg felt the heat of his blush moving from his face down to his neck. He looked away just as Mycroft looked up and over at him. He wasn't going to ruin the night for John because he couldn't handle his emotional hell with Mycroft. "I would have found him eventually anyway, you just like to show off sometimes." Greg muttered, irritated he had been so transparent in the first place.

"I do not care about my brother or his current situation or where he currently is. I do care about anything that is going to upset John tonight." He needed to figure out exactly why his blogger was upset. Things had gone well at the beginning of the evening, they had been laughing and dancing and celebrating with family and friends. After dinner had been served, everyone had moved to the ballroom. Couples had drifted to the dance floor and enjoyed the benefits of the string quartet Sherlock had insisted on.

"They will be perfect John, I swear to you they will. You will love the music, you love when I play, correct? Well think of it as me playing for you with others there for back up."

He'd been able to convince John to keep them and was pleased with the results. He was not however, pleased at the fact that his partner seemed to be upset and if he had to deduce the reason he was sure it was because of him. "What did I do, Gregory for him to be upset with me tonight, of all nights?" Sherlock asked the question softly, surprising Greg with the use of his first name.

He felt bad for the tall brunette, he couldn't tell him that John wasn't angry with him just nervous. He couldn't tell him that this night meant something more to John than just the two year anniversary of them getting together. Looking up at the other man he offered him a smile, "Maybe you didn't do anything Sherlock. Maybe John is just tired? He has been pulling doubles at hospital, just be patient it looks like he's headed your way as we speak." Greg grinned as he noticed the short blond move from the group he had been conversing with and headed to where he and Sherlock were currently standing.

Sherlock glanced over at Lestrade then back to John. He tried to figure out the expression on the tan face. What did the smile mean, the bright sky blue gaze that never left his. Sherlock shifted his stance, the familiar heat curling through his stomach. He didn't understand it, this feeling of need, the urge to feel the tanned, muscular body pressed against his but he wouldn't question it, not as he had in the beginning. It still unnerved him, this feeling of intense desire and need he felt for John. To protect him and keep him safe was on Sherlock's list of priorities as numbers one and two. He couldn't help the shiver that slide down his spine as he watched John move through the crowd, headed in his direction. He had been stopped in the process but his gaze never left Sherlock's. He knew that look, the determined, former army captain look that demanded to be obeyed and nothing short of obedience would be tolerated. It was the one look from John that gained him Sherlock's complete and total compliance. Taking a deep, steadying breath he closed his eyes and tried to calm the roiling of his stomach. When he opened them again he jerked in surprise, looking around wildly for the blond head of his blogger.

"Who are you looking for and why are you looking for them?" A deep voice asked softly behind Sherlock. A hand slid around his waist and rested lightly over his stomach as a kiss was pressed against the back of his neck.

Sighing softly, Sherlock couldn't help the feeling of relief that slid through him. They've had to deal with kidnappings in public places more than once and today wasn't the best day for such an event to occur. Turning his head to the side, he offered a smile to the man behind him. "I was looking for you, actually. Are you enjoying yourself this evening, John?" Sherlock had to be sure, he had to know if there was something he may have missed or forgotten. He placed his hand over the one resting on his stomach and pressed it against him.

John smiled into the back of Sherlock's neck. He knew the pale brunette was nervous, could see it written all over him. "I am enjoying myself immensely Sherlock. Thank you, this has been one of the best nights." He meant it, he hadn't had to plan the party or do the guest list. Sherlock had, surprisingly, done it himself with the help of his brother and Greg. Surprising John with his tux, a limo, and then the party. John pulled him tighter against him and sighed softly. "Thank you so much Sherlock, for remembering and for doing all of this. I know it was probably a hassle but...but I adore you all the more for it." He knew how difficult Sherlock could be at times, had probably drove Mycroft and Greg crazy on how he wanted things done but he had gotten it done and John was hoping that he could end it with an equally surprised Sherlock.

Sherlock beamed at the praise, turning to face John he leaned forward to give him a kiss. "You are most welcome John. I was unsure about how well it would turn out, especially with my brother in charge of the food, but it turned out better than even I expected." He was pleased that John was enjoying himself, even happier to have him pressed against him. When he leaned down for another kiss he felt the hand at his back tighten and the light tremor that ran through the tan body. Softly, he whispered against the lips so close to his, "How much longer must we stay?" He wanted to go home...now. He wanted to be able to show his partner just how much he meant to him, how much he needed him. He needed to be able to undress John and reveal all the treasures that were hidden from view of others but seen only by his eyes. Pressing a kiss against the lips before him, Sherlock pulled John closer. "I do not wish to be here any longer than necessary John." He wanted to feel John's skin against his, his hands moving over his body, his hands sliding into his hair, pulling until it hurt but felt so good. He wanted to go home and be man handled by the shorter man, the only person who could make Sherlock fall apart and then put him back together again.

"We'll be leaving in a few Sherlock. Please don't get bored just yet." John whispered shakily. He knew how the detective could be when his brain was unoccupied and if he became bored now then he'd ruin John's surprise. Giving him a long, slow kiss, John waited until he felt Sherlock give in and pulled away slowly. When Sherlock moaned his name, John almost made the decision to leave right then...Almost. "Just be patient for me a little longer love, I promise you I'll make it all up to you when we get home." He whispered the words heatedly across the perfect pink lips.

Sucking in a quick breath, Sherlock leaned closer and moaned, "John," he was ready to go now, their guests be damned but when he looked into the beautiful blue eyes of his blogger he knew he would stay. Stay and endure the mundane conversations going on around him just to see the smile that curved John's lips. "I will try my best to not be bored, but in another thirty minutes I am going home." He jerked John closer to him, sliding a hand down his back, past his waist, and down to the swell of his ass. Squeezing gently, he made sure that John understood what he meant, returned the kiss he had been given and slowly let him go. Reluctant to release him despite several eyes having turned towards them.

"I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere just yet Sherlock." When the brunette curls bounced with his head nod John gave him a quick peck on the cheek then took off. He needed to find Greg before they left. Reaching into his pocket he wrapped his hand around a ring box, shaking as he thought about the number of ways things could go wrong. John loved Sherlock, was in love with Sherlock and would admit it freely that he had been for years. He didn't admit to being gay, refusing to label his relationship with the World's Only Consulting Detective. He still loved the curves of a woman, they were pleasant to look at but he adored the pale hard body of his partner, preferred his touch over that of any woman he's ever known. John loved to lose himself in his kisses and come apart while Sherlock thrust in and out of his body or he thrusting in and out of Sherlock. John just couldn't get enough of him, had tried his best to get over him. He tried dating other people, would even have them stay the night at the flat, only to have them leave an hour after they had retired to bed. Had even cut back on the amount of time they had spent together but nothing had worked. He still couldn't get over Sherlock. Eight years later, two of which were spent as a couple, John was ready for the next step. He scanned the room quickly, knowing Sherlock was watching his every move. He glanced back behind him and smiled as he looked into the steel grey eyes. He prayed he was doing the right thing, prayed that this would help Sherlock understand that when he says I Love You, he means it and he isn't going to leave him no matter what. He headed off in the direction he'd last seen his friend and prayed that Sherlock held onto his patience for just a while longer.