A/N

Sherlock/Next to Normal crossover! (Well...technically a song-fic, I suppose.)
I've been wanting to do this for ages - Next to Normal, if you haven't heard of it, is a brilliant, heart-wrenching musical about a dysfunctional family. There are a few tie-ins, thematically, to Sherlock, and once the muses started swarming my head and I had to get this out.

I'm structuring these as a series of short, stand-alone vignettes based on songs from N2N.

This one, for example, is an alternate version of the "I know you for real" scene in series 2 Reichenbach, re-imagined/transcribed to fit the song "I Am the One" (one of my favorites in the show).

So in this particular scene, John basically fits into the role of Dan, which would make Sherlock Diana (though all the lyrics I've copied down are sung by Dan). Gabe, obviously, doesn't really fit into this scenario...

Shipping: ship however you wish - nothing is explicit.

Warnings: mild language, dark themes

Disclaimer: The Sherlock characters aren't mine, and neither is the song. (Lyrics are by Brian Yorkey)

/

Can you tell me

What it is you're afraid of?

And can you tell me why I'm afraid it's me?

I am the one who knows you

I am the one who cares

I am the one who's always been there...

I am the one who's helped you

And if you think that I just don't give a damn

Then you just don't know who I am

/

"Moriarty is playing with your mind too - can't you SEE what's going on?"

John turned calmly, and just looked at Sherlock - taking in the harsh shadows cast over his face by the cold glow of the laptop on his desk, the lines that spelled out frustration, and indignant anger, and something else...

"Does it scare you?" he asked after a moment.

"What?"

"That they might've got to me? That I might not trust you?"

Sherlock didn't answer.

"Because it sure seems like it," John said bluntly. "Tell me - why is that? Why are you acting like you're afraid of me?"

"Don't be stupid. Of course I'm n-"

"Because if you really think that I'd betray you..." he went on forcefully, "or...or just...walk away..."

He held eye contact, staring at Sherlock resolutely.

"then you really don't know me as well as you think you do."

Sherlock looked a bit stricken to be told off so candidly. At least, he couldn't immediately summon a response.

John hesitated, turning back to face the window before he went on.

"I do know you, though."

The words were quiet, but his tone left no room for doubt.

"I know you for real. Or haven't you noticed that I've always been there for you?" He smiled dryly. "I'm the only person who puts up with you, Sherlock, remember? And...I'm not about to stop now."

Sherlock stared at him, and then spoke hoarsely,

"John, I -"

But John interrupted, turning back to him a final time, and his voice sounded both angry and entreating as he snapped, "Don't try to tell me I don't give a damn about you, Sherlock. You should know quite well by now that that's not. bloody. true."

Then there was a rather loaded silence, and neither of them spoke for a long moment.

Speech over, John cleared his throat, suddenly feeling self-conscious.

"I just...thought we should clear that up."

"Right...Yes..."

The anger in Sherlock's eyes had died, and now he simply looked tired.

"Alright?" John asked.

"...yes."

"Okay...Good."

/

R&R! :) I do love feedback.

Also, check out the musical Next to Normal. The soundtrack is on iTunes/YouTube, and there's also a performance from the (2009?) Tony Awards.