Sherlock-Standing alone

chapter 8: Family

Set directly after the end of the Sign of three, S3E02

Spoilers:Season 3

So this is a different take on how things could have happened after the wedding. It talks about Sherlock's insecurities and all around fear of being alone (Sherlock is very insecure in this). Enjoy!

This is it everyone! I'm so sorry for the wait and I'm sure you don't want to be bored to death by my various irratating reasons for not finishing this sooner but here it is.

Ten minutes later, John had managed to get Sherlock changed into light pyjamas after a quick shower and sitting up in bed where he could see him. Now all he had to do was check him for signs of anything concerning. Setting down his medical bag on the desk beside the bed, he sat on the edge and pulled out his stethoscope.

"Lean back and just breathe normally. Im just going to lift up your shirt and listen to your heart." When he lifted it up slightly and placed the end onto his chest, he was glad to see there were no injuries Sherlock had hidden. If the kidnappers had done more damage, John would hunt them down and break their necks. He checked his heart from front and back and pulled out the cuff to check blood pressure.

"Ok heart is fine. B.P. next." Sherlock was watching him silently as the doctor checked his blood pressure. His voice broke John's revere.

"Why?"

John looked up directly at him.

"Why what?"

"Why did you save me? I know why but what I mean is why did you think to come find me? The Yard was looking for me. How did you find out?"

John watched the numbers on the device rise till they reached a constant. "Lestrade called me when he found your scarf. I went straight to the scene and looked around. Your phone told me the rest." John looked up. "And there was no way I was leaving your life in the hands of god-knows-who for longer than necessary. As much as Greg is reliable he's not fast. I didn't want to take a chance."

Sherlock seemed to contemplate this while John took the cuff off.

"B.P is slightly high. I'll need to monitor that tomorrow and probably for the rest of the week."

"So you mean Lestrade didn't send you?"

"What? Oh, no I went on my own. No one knew I'd left except for Mary and Mycroft. He's the reason I got the car."

"Hmm." Though he tried not to let it show, he was ecstatic. John had come for him on his own. He cared.

"Open up." A thermometer met his sight. He frowned.

"No."

John huffed rather dramatically. "Sherlock don't argue. The sooner this is over, the sooner you can rest."

"If you think I am going to willingly place that in my mouth, you are mis-Phmf!"

"Now keep it there." John had quite cleverly used Sherlock's big mouth as a way to get it in. John took the frosty glare as well as the reading a few minutes later.

"You don't have a fever but your temperature is slightly elevated." He placed a hand on Sherlock's forehead to check the thermometer which was in fact right. He calmly and made a note on his piece of paper.

"Maybe because a certain army doctor isn't letting me sleep." The laugh made Sherlock smirk slightly, despite him not wanting to.

"Maybe certain consulting detectives should think twice about getting themselves abducted." He joked and shifted closer to Sherlock and pulled out a pen light from his pocket. He shone the light into Sherlock's eyes (which the detective desperately tried to keep his eyes open to- Wow Sherlock really was doing as he was told mostly!) and observed.

"Well you were definitely concussed earlier but I think you're starting to recover. Pupils are reacting in a more coordinated fashion than before. I need to check your head so if you could sit up for a sec that would be great."

His patient grunted but did as he was told. It pleased him that the detective was actually listening to him rather than being an annoying prat. But he supposed even Sherlock had limits and the man was concussed.

Sherlock sighed and closed his eyes as he felt John's warm and somewhat comforting fingers run through his hair and stop just before the bump.

"It seems to be healing ok actually. Strange, considering its you, I'd think there'd be complications."

"Why?"

"Because you're a bloody magnet for trouble. But I suppose you're our trouble to deal with. Mycroft should pay me." Obviously John was joking but still, Sherlock felt his throat close slightly at the statement. It must have shown on his face because John was looking at him again in concern.

"Sherlock I didn't mean it like that, god, are you that scared of me leaving you?"

Sherlock didn't say anything. He didn't know what to say. A slight tug at his thick curly hair brought his attention back to the doctor and he watched as John moved to sit in front of him.

"Ok. Sherlock I guess you didn't quite understand the first time. Mary And YOU, are the two most important people of my life. I think you are the most incredible and intelligent man I have ever met. You say you're a high functioning sociopath but I know you. I know the most, I think anyone knows about you. If something happens involving you I am there. And I always will be, ok. If you ever need me just ask. And even if you don't, I'll still be there because I need you. You don't realise it but I can't live without your influence in my life and Mary understands that. Which is why she wants me to keep solving crimes with you and spending almost as much time as before with you. If Mary can understand, why don't you?"

He had no answer to that either. In his mind the idea was logical; surely a wife should be more concerned about their husbands safety and was a better judge than a best friend. If Mary thought it was ok then why couldn't he?

Caring is not an advantage.

Sherlock looked up at his best and only friend and gave a small, sad smile.

"If you get hurt John, what will I do?"

"You don't need to worry about that. It's not your responsibility."

"But according to you, I'm family. If what you said is true then surely it is."

"Yes but you can't control what I do and anyway, I let you go on dangerous cases don't I?"

"...I suppose that is true."

John chuckled. At least that was a start.

"Don't worry about it. Just accept that you're not getting rid of me that easily. Now rest up, I'll check on you in the morning alright."

Sherlock nodded and lay down horizontally, feeling a lot better. He felt so much lighter knowing John would be there with him and would continue to remain by his side for a long time even with a family of his own. As he looked up and watched John reach for the light switch, he let out a sigh and closed his eyes. He snapped them open again when he felt a hand brush through his curls gently.

"Don't ever do that again Sherlock. Promise me you won't try to push me away like that ever again."

"I promise John." He whispered and truly meant it. If John was sure to stay then he meant it.

The lights went off and he watched John's silhouette walk across the room of shadows. Just before his blogger was about to shut the door, he turned to speak once more.

"By the way, this doesn't change my plan. You're still going to be my child's godfather because there is no way I'm letting you get out of that job."

Sherlock chuckled lightly and closed his eyes, sinking into the warmth and safety of his best friend's home.

It was good to be part of a family.

Well that's all for now-Thankyou so so So much to everyone who followed, favourited and reviewed this story-I had so much fun writing it and to see others reading it was such a good feeling :)

If you guys want, I could do a sequel! Just let me know, but as it stands this is the end for now so I hope you all enjoyed it! Please do let me know what you think!

Masterlokiseverus159