Chapter 8

The next thing John Watson was aware of was a hand on his arm. He listened but he couldn't hear any voices this time. He slowly opened his eyes to see his best friend asleep beside him. He couldn't think of anything he'd rather see right now. He laid still watching Sherlock sleep, he didn't want to disturb his friend and it hurt too much to move.

In the waiting room Lestrade was also awake. He'd been that way most of the night. For some reason even though he knew John was doing well he couldn't settle. The nurse had given him reassurance every time she'd seen him but he still needed to see John awake with his own eyes to totally believe it. He'd lost count of the amount of times he'd wandered down that corridor just to see him sleeping. This time was different though, when he got to the door and looked through the glass he saw John looking at Sherlock. His heart missed a beat. He blinked trying to make sure it was real and he wasn't just imagining it. John was definitely awake.

He went in quietly. "Hey. How you feeling?" he asked.

"Like shit if I'm honest" John replied smiling. At least he still had his sense of humour Lestrade thought. Finally he felt himself relax. John really was going to be OK.

"You really had us worried there for a while you know"

"Yeah, sorry about that." John moved slightly to face Lestrade. As he did so he winced. Seeing the pain his friend was in Lestrade suddenly felt the need to make sure everything really was alright.

"I should get the nurse to check you over" he said and turned to leave.

"Greg wait" John reached out to him. "Thanks"

"What for?"

"Everything. You looked out for me at the scene right? I'm sure I heard your voice. And for looking after Sherlock. I know you would have done that."

"Yeah well, I did what I could. I'm not sure I was much help though, he was pretty distressed. I've never seen him like that. Kept blaming himself."

"Thanks anyway, you're a good friend."

John realised that the voice he'd thought was just a dream had been Sherlock talking to him. As Lestrade left the room he wondered how on earth Sherlock could possibly think that he would be better off without him. He sighed.

After telling the nurse that John was awake, Lestrade went to the waiting room to give Mrs Hudson the good news. He put his hand gently on her shoulder. "Mrs Hudson" he said quietly.

She woke with a start. "What is it?" she asked slightly panicked.

"Shh everything's fine" Lestrade reassured "John's awake. The nurse is just going to check him over but I've spoken to him. He's awake"

"Oh thank god" she uttered with tears falling from relief.

Lestrade put his arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. "Come on let's take you to see him."

The nurse entered the room and spoke to John "So, how you feeling?"

"Everything hurts" he groaned.

She pressed a button on a machine that administered pain relief and then handed it to John. "Here you can use this when you need it"

Sherlock looked up as they were talking. "John you're awake." he stated.

The nurse laughed "You have a very observant friend I see"

"You have no idea!" John grinned looking at Sherlock.

"How's he doing?" Lestrade asked the nurse as he followed Mrs Hudson into the room.

"He's doing well" she answered "He's certainly a strong one."

Lestrade felt the last few doubts fall away from his mind and he smiled. Not a forced smile but his first real smile since all this started.

"You've got 2 minutes" the nurse added sternly "Then I want you all out so my patient can get his rest."

Mrs Hudson went over to John "Don't you ever scare me like that again. Do you hear?"

"I won't. I promise." he replied as she kissed him on the cheek.

Lestrade walked over to join them "We'll hold you to that you know"

The only person who didn't say a word was Sherlock. As relief flooded over him he found he couldn't speak. Not even the simplest of sentences about how pleased he was to see his friend would leave his mouth. Lestrade and Mrs Hudson were telling John how happy they were that he was safe and he couldn't even get that right.

John looked over at him. He could see the pain on Sherlock's face. He smiled "You OK?" he asked.

Sherlock didn't get chance to answer as the nurse re-entered the room "Sorry, times up. Dr Watson here needs to rest." Sherlock knew she was right, he could see how tired John looked but he didn't want to leave. "You can come back later" she added. "You need to get some rest too."

"Come on you two" Lestrade said "I'll take you home"

"I can't. I need to stay with John." Sherlock pleaded with the nurse "There are things I need to tell him."

"Later" the nurse said firmly.

John could see how distressed his friend was and at that moment he realised that if he hadn't been shot he would never have understood how much Sherlock cared about him. It was worth it he decided.

He put his hand on Sherlock's arm. "It's OK." He gestured for Sherlock to come closer. When Sherlock leaned over him he whispered "I heard you and you're wrong you know. When I was alone you were the one that gave me a reason to carry on Sherlock." As he straightened up Sherlock looked into John's tired eyes and he saw that his friend knew exactly what he wanted to say. John was right, everything was OK.

"Now, I'm your doctor remember. Go home Sherlock and get some rest." he smiled.

I hope you enjoyed my first piece of fanfiction.

Thank you for reading and thanks to those who have left comments and encouragement. It's much appreciated.