John returned it, although he kept it quick. He wasn't huge on public displays, but kisses were okay.

Abby knew by now that John wasn't big on public displays of affection, which was why she kept the kiss short. She figured it was just a side-effect of living with Sherlock; the detective practically screamed 'don't touch me ever or I'll break off the offending limb' with every move he made.

John settled into dinner with her quite happily. The restaurant was nice, they were both relaxed, and his phone didn't once go off. It was a very nice evening.

Abby enjoyed dinner with him. When it came time to leave, she gathered her things.

"So where to now?" she asked John.

John was quiet for a moment. "Back to my place?" he suggested. "If Sherlock is there we can go somewhere else, but I think he's still gone. We could have some tea." Or something.

Abby smiled a bit.

"That sounds nice," she said, taking his hand gently.

John nodded and kept hold of her hand as he hailed a taxi for them. His heart had started to beat a bit faster, but he didn't let on about that.

Abby's pulse also sped up a bit, and she squeezed his hand gently. She wasn't too nervous, though. It was John, after all.

Since Sherlock was indeed still gone, John let them both into the apartment, grinning briefly at her. "Shall I make us some tea, then?"

"By all means," Abby said, settling on a spare chair and getting comfortable. She knew better than to sit in John's chair, or Sherlock's.

John nodded and put water on to boil for them. The ritual of it was rather calming, fortunately, and by the time he handed her a cup of tea he was calm again.

Abby accepted the tea with a murmured thanks and took a sip.

"Very good," she commented, smiling a bit. Leaning over carefully (so she didn't spill her tea), she gave him a kiss.

John returned it with some interest. Things between them had been getting steadily more serious since their weekend trip.

"You could stay the night," he suggested quietly when he pulled back.

Abby blushed a little even as she looked at him with a bit of heat in her eyes.

"Are you sure?" she said. "I don't want to impose or anything, and I mean, you've got a roommate to consider..."

"Sherlock can find somewhere else to stay for once," John said, grinning briefly. "So yes. I'm sure."

Abby smiled and kissed him again.

"Then I'd be glad to stay," she said between kisses.

John nodded and put his tea down, going to go lock the door. He had no idea if Sherlock had his key on him or not, but at least the process of him having to unlock the door would give them some time.

Abby finished her tea while he did that, and watched him as he came back. Her pulse picked up a little again in anticipation.

John didn't jump right in, instead sitting across from her and drinking his tea. He figured he could give her a bit of time to settle in and get used to the idea. He could be patient.

Abby couldn't help but grin a bit.

"Now you're just teasing me," she accused playfully.

John grinned. "I'm just making sure you're not going to change your mind," he said. "Besides, it's a shame to waste tea."

Abby rolled her eyes and went to sit next to him.

"The tea will be there later," she pointed out.

John chuckled and set his tea aside. "I'm sure it will be quite cold by the time I get around to thinking about it."

"There will always be more tea," Abby pointed out. "And I'm sure the sacrifice of this one cup won't be in vain."

John grinned. He really couldn't help it now. "Oh, I don't know, this is good tea." By now he was completely teasing.