"Redemption"

By: 95

Chapter 7: Awkward Reunions

*Warnings and Disclaimer are the same as they were in the first chapter.

Sherlock sat in one of those classic uncomfortable hospital chairs that stood the closest to John's bedside in the private hospital wing that Mycroft had insisted upon. Though he supposed John would be happy for it when he finally woke up. Machine's beep and Sherlock's eyes trailed up to the heart monitor every few minutes as if to assure himself that his friend was really alright and only sleeping. Though the slow rise and fall of the man's chest also confirmed this as well. It had been 2 days and they had kept John drugged the whole time to give him time to heal a bit, in some respects his friend looked better now than he had when Sherlock had first seen him tied to the chair in Moriarty's base those few short days ago.

He was still a far cry from the strong man that Sherlock had last seen before he fell, at least physically, and Sherlock knew emotionally as well, only time could fix both. He only hoped that John would give him the chance to aid in his recovery, to show how sorry he was, and he really truly did regret what he had had to do to protect the man. A shadow crossed the window and he looked up to see Mycroft standing regally outside looking in with what seemed a stern expression on his face. Sherlock could see concern though lingering behind that though, worry evident in the frown lines that adorned his brothers face and in the slight slump of his shoulder and only a bit less than immaculate suit and demeanor. Sherlock huffed slightly in annoyance before rising from the chair, muscles and joints creaking and protesting the movement after so long sitting in said chair. He joined his brother in the hallway,

"What do you want?" He snapped quietly mindful of John sleeping in the other room. If Mycroft were anyone else he would have rolled his eyes in annoyance, but as it was his jaw only clenched slightly in agitation as he responded,

"I thought you would like to know that any remaining threats to Dr. Watson's safety have been removed and Mrs. Hudson has been alerted that the two of you may be moving back in when John is healed if that is what the two of you decide upon." Sherlock spared a quick glance to the figure in the bed before sighing slightly in worry, shoulders slumping, showing weakness that only the two men nearest to him would ever see.

"I thought that once he saw me and knew that I was alive, that he'd be angry, but I never once thought that he would not accept me back with open arms," He looked again to the man in the bed, looking both fragile and strong at the same time as only John could do, "Now I just don't know. He didn't seem to want to see me, and I have no idea as to what his reaction will be upon awakening."

Mycroft pursed his lips and shifted slightly bringing the umbrella to rest in his other hand the metal tip tapping slightly on the ground as he did so, He looked at John for a long moment before sighing in exasperation,

"I do not know what to tell you Sherlock, absurd as that idea may seem to you, a relationship like you have with John has never been something I held interest in or even contemplated to be possible for someone such as us before you two met. What will come of it, will come, and you must respect his decision Sherlock, no matter what it may be."

Sherlock glared wishing that his brother did not speak the truth, even though he knew that he did. Mycroft slid his phone out of his pocket as it went off.

"What? Yes I see. I will be there shortly. Don't touch anything." He snapped into the phone before ending the call and looking to Sherlock something akin to apology in his stance. Sherlock gave into the childish urge and rolled his eyes,

"Go. They wouldn't call if it wasn't important." The silent agreement to never mention this conversation again was unsaid but still very much there. The Holmes brothers cared for each other, but it only showed when it had to.

John blearily opened his eyes, mind foggy, meaning he was on some form of pain killer. Wonderful. He noticed the two figures standing outside his door and blinked in shock before the memories came flooding back in. Sherlock was alive. He'd been tortured because of this fact and would likely bear scars and the road to recovery would be long because of the fact that his friend was alive. But, Sherlock was alive!

The happiness lasted about two seconds though before being buried beneath white hot righteous anger. John had grieved, had mourned his best friend, he had to live without him and try to carry on the memory of Sherlock as he had been despite the vicious words the media had spewed forth for months after his supposed demise. What right did Sherlock have to go gallivanting off somewhere by himself doing God knows what and leaving John alone to grieve and try to pick up the pieces of his life?!

Logically John knew that Sherlock likely had very good reason for doing his, but logic was buried with the happy feelings as the anger grew and simmered the longer he watched the duo speak.

Mycroft eventually left and Sherlock turned to re-enter the room stopping in shock as he saw that John was awake. He entered the room more fully and tried to think of something to say that wouldn't sound horrible or clichéd. John seemed to solve the problem for him though with a gritted out

"Sherlock." That sounded extremely angry and no parts relieved to see him.

"Hello John." He settled on, not wanting to move any farther until he was sure of the welcome he was going to get, going by the clenching of John's jaw and his white knuckles it wasn't going to be very welcome at all.

AN: I know Sherlock might seem a bit out of character right now but he is also dealing with something like this situation for the first time in his life, someone he actually is friends with and cares about a lot is angry with him for very valid reasons and he is not really sure how to handle it. Sorry about the awkward stopping point too but I have a lot planned for the next chapter so I decided to end it here.