"Why do I have to change my mattress and move my room around? I like my mattress and room as it is," Sherlock whined as Mycroft and Greg stood in his bedroom next to a wrapped mattress. They planned to create more space in the room.
John had informed Sherlock earlier he wouldn't be home until morning which meant the brothers could have a night by themselves in 221B. Mycroft knew it would make his brother happy to share his home with him instead of them always going to Mycroft's.
"Because if you want me here tonight and occasionally in the future, I need a firmer mattress than you have. Now you can either help Gregory and I place it on the bed, so we can spend a lovely night or be woken at the crack of dawn by the men putting the new security system in my place."
Looking at the grin on Greg's face, Sherlock quickly said, "I'll help."
It soon became apparent that Sherlock was more of a hindrance than a help. Greg looked at Mycroft when Sherlock had turned the other way. Nodding, Mycroft addressed his brother.
"Don't you have to get back to that experiment that you were working on?"
"I thought you wanted my help?"
"Mycroft and I should be able to handle it from here," Greg assured him. "If we need extra hands, we'll give you a yell."
Sherlock escaped the room before they could change their mind.
Hearing the front door slam against the wall, Sherlock knew John had returned early from his date. His steps on the stairs were unsteady and heavy. As he shoved the door open and staggered through it with the smell of alcohol filling the room.
Looking John over, Sherlock stated, "You're home early and you're drunk," before returning to his experiment.
Seeing Sherlock's disapproving look, John dropped down into his chair to prevent himself from falling. John said angrily "Oh you decide to come home for a night? How considerate of you!"
"I told you this morning that we'd be staying here while they upgraded Mycroft's security. I assume your date went wrong?" The look on John's face told him that the comment was 'a bit not good'.
"What could possibly be wrong? After all, I went out on a date and returned in less than three hours covered with spaghetti sauce and no girl. Obviously, with that brain of yours, you can figure it out for yourself." John insulted him.
"I'm sorry the date didn't work out but I sure you'll find someone." The detective wanted to avoid upsetting John more than he already was.
"And you would be an expert on dating and love with your incestuous relationship. You couldn't manage to find a normal lover." John's anger intensified with cruelty.
Sherlock spoke softly with the hurt audible in his voice, "What did I do to make you so angry with me?"
Ignoring the question and in no mood for his roommate at this time, John snapped. "Don't see your brother around. What happened? Did he wise up and send you home?"
Walking into the living room, Sherlock began "John, I…."
"Don't John me," he continued. "You're in a depraved, immoral, and illegal love affair with your brother. You call that acceptable sexual behavior and love. It's a perversion of love. Your selfishness will cause the downfall of everyone who cares for you."
Greg and Mycroft had stopped placing the linens on the bed as they heard John's nasty reply. Greg began to head toward the voice, but Mycroft stopped him.
Although angry himself, Mycroft explained "If we interfere now, Sherlock won't be pleased. He has told me over and over he wishes to handle the situation with John himself. I'll honor his request but only so far."
The men listened as John continued to get louder but they were unable to see that Sherlock was beginning to shake and pale.
"John, please."
Jumping out of his chair, "You dare to compare sibling incest with true love."
Sherlock started to walk toward him to calm him, but John was too drunk and angry. He struck out at his roommate who was taken by surprised. The first punch hit Sherlock's eye while the second hit could be heard as the fist connected with his cheek knocking him down.
Hearing flesh hitting flesh, they rushed into the room just in time to see Sherlock fall making himself as small as possible. John bent over to punching him again until Greg yanked him away from the detective. Mycroft rushed to his brother. The voice of the livid British Government bit off each word.
"You'll regret the day that you touched him. You're under arrest for assault and battery," Greg grabbed his arms to place cuffs on him.
"No please don't," Sherlock begged as Mycroft gathered him into his arms. "He's drunk. Mycroft, Greg, please. He doesn't know what he's doing, promise me you won't do anything. He's not himself."
The men were shocked to hear Sherlock saying please and begging.
"But he assaulted you. Plus, those things he said were cruel and untrue." Greg countered.
"I'm begging you, let him go."
Greg dropped John's arms while shoving him, "Get out of my sight before I do more than arrest you."
John glared at the three men before storming down the stairs, but prior to reaching the door, he saw the look of fury on Mrs. Hudson face. She was standing on the landing preparing to serve tea to them all.
After John left the room, Mrs. Hudson walked in. Seeing the mess of Sherlock, she dropped the tray, "Oh Sherlock, what did he do to you?"
Mycroft looked up from the floor. "Mrs. Hudson, please leave. I need to calm my brother."
"Keep me informed as to how he is." she requested.
Mycroft nodded. After she left, Greg offered his arm to help the brothers up. However, although Mycroft moved, he could feel the tremors intensifying in Sherlock and see that he seemed to be looking into space.
"Lock?" Mycroft noticed tears beginning to stream from his younger brother's eyes. Sherlock's body began to shake violently as he began apologizing repeatedly to the two men for ruining their lives.
"What's happening?" Greg's concern was growing as he watched his friend.
"It's okay Lock, shhh now," Mycroft tried to reassure his brother then explained. "He's having a meltdown. A person with Asperger's will temporarily lose control because of emotional responses usually with environmental factors, Sherlock is just beginning to accept emotions, so John's outburst probably triggered this. Everyone is different, but he will need a quiet place to recover and people who make him feel safe."
"He can't stay here where John might show up again," Greg said. He wanted to hug his detective but was afraid it would cause more problems for him.
"He'll feel safer at my house. However, Gregory, once he comes out of this he'll feel ashamed, embarrassed, and very tired. With him, I'm not how sure how long it will last. The only thing we can do is give him time and love."
Mycroft called for his car telling Greg. "We need to limit the amount of input he is receiving. Could you get me a blanket to wrap him in?" While waiting for the blanket, he called Athnea and told her to notify the men who would begin working on the house early in the morning not to come until further notice.
Once the car arrived Mycroft carried his wrapped baby brother to the car reassuring him all the way. Although Sherlock was tall, he was very thin, 'not eating again' Mycroft thought. Greg opened the door and held Sherlock until Mycroft climbed in then handed Sherlock to him before climbing in after him.
As they arrived at the house, Mycroft advised Greg, "Don't turn on lights except what is needed. When we get to the bedroom just turn on the ensuite light, so I can see what I'm doing. Also, try to make as little noise as possible. His senses are all hypersensitivity at this time."
As Sherlock was laid down, he stopped his chant of being sorry but had an empty stare.
"Lock, are you okay?" Mycroft asked but received no answer. The light from the bathroom showed a blackening eye and a deep purple bruise on his cheek while other bruises were beginning to blossom. Touching the bruising softly, he whispered. "I'll be right back if you need me." With a light kiss on his brother's forehead, he left the room to find Greg.
"How is he?" the DI asked after Mycroft found him in the den.
"Staring into space. I'm worried about his face but don't want a strange doctor looking him over,"
"How about Molly? He knows and likes her." Greg suggested.
"I'm not sure. He doesn't like people to touch him when he's not well." And thinking silently 'except Watson who I will not allow near him'. "Can you call her and inform her I'll send a driver if she agrees. I want to get back to my brother."
Greg called Molly explaining Sherlock needed to be examined but not why, and after she agreed, sent Mycroft's driver for her.