(A/N: Please note that this chapter was uploaded the same day at Optimism and Aggressiveness. Don't forget to read those, too!)

End

Many weeks later, Sherlock wakes to his phone ringing. He answers, and on the other side of the line, it's Lestrade. Lestrade informs them that there's been a kidnapping, so Sherlock hops out of bed and gets dressed. John follows soon after, only because Sherlock tripped over his trouser legs and fell to the ground with a loud crash.

They get to the scene and join Lestrade at his car.

"Why am I here?" Sherlock demands.

"You are my sniffer dog," Lestrade answers.

Sherlock rolls his eyes. "Fill me in," he demands, taking a gun someone offers him and tucking it into his jeans.

Half an hour later, they're walking through an abandoned hospital trying to find the kidnapper and his hostages. Sherlock directs them through the maze of rooms, him being the only one who can see what nobody else does, of course. Blood here, prints there, Sherlock easily moves through the building with many people following him.

They come to a confusing spot and Sherlock instructs half the people to go one way and half to go the other. After the last time he separated from John in a case, Sherlock pulls John with him and they continue through the building.

They wander for a while, and finally they arrive in a room full of hostages. A woman in the corner screams and Sherlock instructs them all to make no noise.

It doesn't work, however, because moments later, Sherlock is on the ground in a pool of his own blood.

"Sherlock!" John shouts, falling to his knees next to him. He takes hold of where Sherlock is bleeding, his arm, and tries his best to stop the bleeding. Around them, fighting breaks loose and shots are fired, but they don't notice. All John is concerned with is Sherlock.

"It's ok, love," John reassures Sherlock.

"I'm ok, John," Sherlock reassures John.

"We got him!" they hear, then they're picked up and pushed out of the room.

John doesn't even feel his own feet carry him until he's being pulled the opposite direction of Sherlock. "Sherlock!" he pleads, but Sherlock is being pushed into an ambulance. "Let me go with him!" he begs.

Lestrade grabs John around the waist and pushes him into a car. Lestrade hops into the driver's seat and follows the ambulance, meanwhile dialing his phone.

"Who are you calling?" John demands, trying not to cry. His head is cloudy and he might be crying already, but he doesn't care.

"Mycroft," Lestrade answers. "Mycroft," he says into his phone. "Sherlock's been shot."

John feels tears fall from his eyes and his stomach clenches.

They get to the hospital and try to find Sherlock's room, but the nurse won't let them back. "He's in surgery," he says, "Are you two relatives?"

"I'm his boyfriend," John absentmindedly says. He knows only family can see patients, he kicks himself for not saying Sherlock is his husband or brother.

"Sorry," the nurse says, "Family only. I'll let you know when he's out, though."

Lestrade grabs John's arm and pulls him to a waiting room. "Come on, John, sit down."

John doesn't sit, though, instead he paces the room waiting for the nurse. Mycroft arrives and joins Lestrade on the room's sofa, and they both watch John pace.

"What's taking them so long?" John wonders out loud.

"They're in surgery, John, it's not like they're—"

"I know what surgery is like!" John snaps.

Finally the nurse arrives and informs them that he's fine. "We removed the bullet, and there is damage, but with physical therapy, he'll be alright."

John sighs in relief. "Can I see him?"

The nurse shakes his head. "Family only."

Mycroft stands from the sofa. "I'm his brother."

The nurse nods and waves an arm for Mycroft to follow him.

Mycroft stops in front of John and grasps John's shoulder. "What would you like me to tell him?"

"Tell him I'm here and I love him."

Mycroft nods and follows the nurse.

In the room, Sherlock is laying on the hospital bed with a bandage all around his arm. Mycroft arrives and Sherlock looks up, hopeful, but when he sees it's not John he falls back against the bed.

"How do you feel?" Mycroft asks.

"Fine. Where is John?"

"John is in the waiting room with Greg."

"Why isn't he in here?"

"He can't come in," Mycroft answers. "Family visitors only."

Sherlock rolls his eyes. "He should have married me months ago."

Mycroft chuckles. "He did tell me to tell you that he loves you."

Sherlock smiles. "Good. They told me I need to rest, so if you don't mind…"

"Of course," Mycroft says, leaving the room.

Mycroft returns to the waiting room. John stands and meets him at the door.

"How is he?" John demands.

"He is fine. He says he loves you, as well."

John nods. "Thanks, Mycroft."

Mycroft nods.

Later that evening, Mycroft calls John. "John, I'm calling to inform you that I've changed your marital status with my brother. You can visit him in the hospital now."

John is shocked. "What do you mean?"

"I changed your marital status with my brother—"

"How?" John demands.

John can practically hear Mycroft smirk. "You're welcome," is all he says before hanging up.

John visits Sherlock the next morning.

"My brother told me what he did for us," Sherlock says. "Nice of him."

"Yes," John agrees, "Though I am very confused. So…we're married now?"

"Well, legally, I suppose," Sherlock answers. "But not…really," he looks up at John with sad eyes.

John kisses Sherlock's forehead, taking hold of Sherlock's face with one hand. "I love you so much," John says. "I was so scared yesterday."

"I know. But I'm fine, see?"

John nods, pressing his forehead against Sherlock's.

Sherlock closes his eyes. "John," he starts.

John vigorously nods, not needing Sherlock to finish his question. "Yes, I'll marry you, Sherlock."

Sherlock smiles. "Really?"

John nods again. "Of course. I need to. I need you."

Sherlock places his good hand on the back of John's head. "I need you, as well, John."

John kisses Sherlock. "I love you so much," he mutters between small kisses.

"Now you two," John hears a voice say behind them. "We have rules about sex with patients."

John turns around to see Sherlock's nurse entering the room. A different nurse from yesterday, this one is a young woman who smiles at both of them.

"Ahh, John this is my nurse, Gladys," Sherlock says as he beams at her. He looks back at John and whispers. "She hates me!"

"I do not!" Gladys playfully replies. "You're being a delight."

John smiles at Sherlock. "Is he now?"

"I'm hoping to be rewarded for good behavior," Sherlock says, leaning up to kiss John.

John kisses him once then redirects his attention to Gladys. "Hi, I'm John, his—"

Sherlock cuts him off and quickly says, "Husband."

John smiles wide at this. "Yes, I'm his husband."

Sherlock smiles up at him and John smiles down at Sherlock.

"Newlyweds?" Gladys asks.

John smiles. "Yes. Very new."

Gladys beams at them and leaves the room.

"When should we get married then?" Sherlock asks.

"When you get out of here."

Sherlock smiles. "Do you promise?"

John kisses him deep. "I promise."

Sherlock smiles and kisses John back. When they part, Sherlock mutters, "It's about damn time."

John smiles. "Oh, shut up. I love you."

"I love you, too, John."

*So this is the final chapter for this story. Thank you for reading! Please review. And if you'd like to, check out my other stories. Thanks!