I don't own BBC's Sherlock

Chapter two: A lost sociopath

Sherlock signed himself into the school thinking about how silly these security measures were as well as multiple ways criminals could outsmart them. Walking down the hall to the nurse's office he frowned when he saw Angelica. The young girl's cheeks were flushed and her face was pale. As soon as Sherlock walked in she broke out in a rough cough. Sherlock winced at the , flushed cheeks, rough cough,...require more information for deduction. "Ah, you must be Mr Holmes." Nurse Johnson said.

"Sherlock Holmes yes. And you are Nancy Johnson, recently married and having fertility troubles..."

"Sherlock? Can we please just go home... I don't feel very well." Angelica said interrupting her foster father. Sherlock looked at the young girl with pity. Angelica's voice sounded hoarse and dry. He mentally added it the list of symptoms he had observed. "Of course love. Let's go." Angelica smiled weakly and swung herself off the bed grabbing Sherlock's hand. Sherlock looked concerned as her other hand went up to rub her temples.

-in the car

Sherlock looked in the rear view mirror watching Angelica who had her head resting on the door and was staring absentmindedly. Sherlock cleared his throat.

"Love? I'm going to call John at the office when we get home. He's better at illness diagnosis than me. What are your symptoms. And no lying. I'll know." Angelica coughed slightly.

"Um i had a 101.3 (38.5 celcius) fever, my nose is runny, and my throat and head kinda hurt."

"Describe kinda." Sherlock stated as they turned onto baker street. Angelica sighed. "My throat feels rough and scratchy and I'm pretty sure there's a rubber band stretch around my skull." She said annoyed. Sherlock nodded slowly. Parking the car. He walked over and opened the door for Angelica who glared at him.

"I can take care of myself Sherlock. This isn't the first time i've been sick. I've never never needed to be cared for and I'm certainly not starting now" Sherlock was taken aback. Angelica had never had someone take care of her? Unlocking the door he watched to make sure Angelica went to her room. Then, Sherlock dialed John. After being linked to John's receptionist and telling her it was an emergency he was connected.

"John?" He asked

"Sherlock what is it I was about to see a patient."

"Angelica's sick." Sherlock said with a deadpan. John was silent for a moment.

"How bad?"

" 101.3 (38.5 celsius) fever, runny nose, rough and scratchy throat and she said she's pretty sure there's rubber band her head." He recited. John hummed sensing Sherlock's nervousness. He had no doubt that sherlock was mentally recalling all severe illnesses with these symptoms.

"Sounds like a bad cold to me. She probably has a tension headache as well. Make sure she gets lots of rest and fluids. Take her temperature every hour and text me if it changes. Do you remember how to rub her neck and head to ease the headache?"

"Yes." Sherlock said remembering how john had done it for him. "Alright. I'm going to stop at the store to pick up some kids cold medicine. I think we're out. I'll be home as soon as possible. I love you."

"Love you too."

Sherlock put his phone back in his pocket and made his way upstairs. Knocking on Angies door he entered.

"Feeling any better love?" He asked. Angelica shook her head.

"I'm sorry for snapping earlier."

Sherlock gave her a rare smile

"That's alright Angie. Has no one really ever taken care of you when you were sick?"

"My mom used too." She muttered Sherlock nodded.

"Well I'm going to do my best. Change into your pyjamas while i get you some medicine for that headache and fever." Angelica sighed. "You should be on a case. Not home taking care of me." Sherlock frowned.

"For such a brilliant girl you still don't seem to understand. You are my daughter, I want to do this." Angelica nodded. Sherlock left the room and grabbed the pills and a glass of water. Re Entering the bedroom he inhaled sharply when he saw Angelica sitting on the floor in her undergarments shivering so hard it looked like convulsions. Setting down the water and medicine Sherlock quickly grabbed her nightgown out of the drawer and pulled it over her head before picking the small girl up bridal style and tucking her into the bed.

"Cold." Angelica whimpered shivering. Sherlock looked worried as he laid his hand on her forehead flinching from the temperature.

"You're burning up." He muttered.

Going back into the bathroom Sherlock grabbed the thermometer. Taking Angie's temperature he frowned concerned. "102 (38.9) degrees" he murmured praying it didn't get any higher. Reaching for the medicine and water he handed them to Angelica to take. After Angelica took the medication, Sherlock took off his shoes and climbed into the bed with with Angelica.

"Your headache is probably tension related. I'm going to try to relieve some of that. Lean against me Angie." Angelica smiled at the use of her nickname. Sherlock pulled the covers off the younger girl and helped her sit up in front of him. Sherlock gently placed his hands on Angelica's shoulders and began to rub.

"Relax" he said softly as he moved up to her neck and the base of her skull. Angelica could slowly feel herself turning into jelly and sighed as the headache lessened.

"Thank you Sherlock." She said before breaking into a coughing fit. Sherlock frowned while he gently rubbed her back. She lifted her nightgown sleeve to wipe her nose. Sherlock got off the bed and reached for a box of tissues.

"Rest Angelica. And no experiments or reading. John will kill me if you get worse from not resting" Sherlock said sternly. Angelica rolled her eyes but nodded.

Sherlock left the room and texted john that Angelica's fever had risen