This is the last chapter everyone. I hope you like it. Thanks for following all the way to the end :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Sherlock.

EPILOGUE

-John POV-

He was finally being released from the hospital. After 9 days of doctors, nurses, concussion monitoring, the infection in some of his burns finally abating, his ribs healing, and the worst of it all…hospital food, John Watson was allowed to go home. Home to Baker Street to rest and recuperate for another couple weeks. At least no doctors or nurses were going to bother him at 5 AM to do checks, and he would have a comfortable bed and real food.

He had been surprised that Sherlock stayed with him the whole 9 days. The detective didn't leave his side once, he didn't complain about boredom, and he didn't use (too) many nicotine patches. After he had explained over and over again that 'yes indeed, we can kiss Sherlock', 'no it was only my recently injured ribs, diaphragm, and concussion that made me hyperventilate after kissing you', 'YES! I promise, we can bloody kiss again and I won't stop breathing!' All John's talk finally made it into the stubborn detective's brain and since then they had shared many kisses and touches while John was in the hospital.

-Flashback-

Sherlock. Bomb. Moriarty. Bomb. Sherlock. Snipers. 'Sherlock limp in my arms.'

He was underwater, wait no, that wasn't right. He was at a pool, but the colors were too bright for it to be real, and everything was moving slightly like he couldn't focus.

John bolted awake, heart racing, gasping for breath.

He looked to his right and breathed a sigh of relief. Sherlock was right there, sitting in the chair next to his bed, absently playing with John's fingers and staring into space. He abruptly looked back at John; he knew Sherlock could tell he had woken from another nightmare. Sherlock squeezed his fingers and leaned down to give him a reassuring kiss, quickly and lightly. Luckily the kissing had become a regular occurrence. Unluckily the nightmares had as well.

"It's all right John, I'm here, we're both safe. It's all right." Sherlock said quietly into John's fingers clasped in his hand.

What Sherlock said was mostly true, John knew, they were safe for the moment. Sherlock had not died, though John's dreams usually leaned towards that scenario, and John was leaving hospital soon, but Moriarty was still out there. They didn't know what injuries he had sustained, but knew he would be scheming again soon. John's eyes flicked to the case files Sherlock had Lestrade bring to the hospital for Sherlock to read. John knew after this, both him being injured so badly and their relationship changing drastically, that Sherlock planned to shut Moriarty, and his network, down. John was terrified that Sherlock would do this even if it was the last thing he ever did. John tensed again; he saw the images from his nightmare reappear, flashing through his eyes. He clenched them shut and tried to force the dreams away. He felt Sherlock run a hand through his hair soothingly and then he leaned in to put his lips on John's forehead.

"Mycroft has assigned us guards for awhile. They'll make sure we're safe… I'll make sure we're safe. And I won't leave you John… I promise I won't do anything rash." Sherlock kissed his forehead when he paused each time.

John felt his muscles relax from their tensed state, but his mind could still see every image like it was tattooed on his retinas. A single tear slid down his cheek and he wiped it away quickly.

"Sherlock, could you…maybe..." John looked down embarrassedly, "…I swear just one more time. I just need…to feel you." John said a slightly guilty whisper.

Sherlock smiled and then proceeded to climb into John's hospital bed. He slid in right next to John, laying along John's side, lightly wrapped his arm around John's torso (being careful of his tender ribs), and nestled his face in John's neck. They lay there for a while, and just listened to each other's breathing and felt each other's heartbeats. They cuddled together, both grateful the other was still alive.

"Thank you," John said in a quiet voice, "I'm fine now, I promise. Sorry."

Sherlock huffed, the warm breath tickling John. "John it's fine, really, I've found I actually quite enjoy it. Besides we'll be doing this a lot more when we get back home." He smiled into John's neck.

-End Flashback-

John blushed at that thought; it was both nerve-wracking and exciting.

He continued to get together some of his belongings that Mrs. Hudson had brought for him to wear and use while in the hospital. Sherlock was filling out some paperwork for the release at the front desk. 'I love that man' John thought.

-Flashback-

John was finally able to sit up and use the facilities comfortably now. He could move around a bit, although he was still assigned to bed rest. Sherlock was sitting in the chair next to him reading a book. He still had a penchant for holding John's hand, especially with his fingers around the army doctor's pulse point. He knew Sherlock didn't think he noticed this but he did.

Sherlock looked up to notice John watching him with a part happy part desirous look in his bright hazel eyes.

"I know we haven't exactly talked about all of this in detail," Sherlock said suddenly, "but I've wanted to say this for a while now. I've waited so long because I thought I would scare you away." Sherlock paused anxiety flashing through his eyes before he attempted to put his indifferent mask back on. "And you don't have to say anything back, I know it's soon in our…relationship?" Sherlock stopped for a second seemingly having trouble getting his words out. "...But, I love you John Watson." Sherlock said. John could see obvious trepidation and fear in his eyes, but also hope and sincerity.

John couldn't stop himself from beaming, "I love you too Sherlock Holmes. I love you too."

Sherlock's eyes lost the fear, and it was replaced with pure joy radiating out of his whole body. He leaned in and snogged John damned good; steamy, hungry, owning kisses, with a hint of a smile. Their lips fit together perfectly like puzzle pieces. And it felt amazing.

-End Flashback-

John smiled as Sherlock walked into his hospital room for the last time. Sherlock took his hand, wove their fingers together and they walked down the hall and out into the brisk sunny day. They had long gotten used to ignoring the two guards in suits who had stayed outside the hospital room and followed them everywhere.

"Let's go home Sherlock. I really want to go home, although I suppose that's anywhere you are, isn't it?" John smiled. "By the way we have one huge decision left to make." He said with a mock-serious face.

Sherlock looked at him with genuine worry for a split second before realizing John was kidding him on the last part.

"And what would that be pray tell?" Sherlock replied, cocking his eyebrow and smirking.

"Which bedroom is going to be OURS?"

"Ours?" Sherlock repeated lamely. Sherlock hadn't thought that far ahead…ok well he had thought pretty damn far actually…but he wasn't sure how far John was willing to take this given how emphatically he had described himself as straight; apparently quite far.

"Yes. OURS!" John pecked Sherlock on the lips. Well tried to peck, but it seemed Sherlock would not stand for that short of a kiss, so he pulled John into his arms, and they found themselves snogging in the middle of the street in front of the hospital.

The End

Thank you all for reading I appreciate all the lovely reviews and favorites. You all rock my socks!

-I'm thinking of doing a sequel, sort of an after story for anyone who's interested, as a seperate fanfic. The rating might go up though if you know what I mean ;)

-Update: I'm definitely doing a sequel. It's mostly written. I promise to have it up within the week. Thanks for all the support everyone :)