Mrs Hudson almost didn't see it when she arrived home that night. Once inside the front door, she did a double take at the coat hangers in the hall. She gasped as she saw a familiar looking tuxedo with all the amenities hanging neatly alongside it. Sighing heavily she quickly went into her flat and put her things away before heading upstairs. She had a nagging suspicion that even though Sherlock put forth an impenetrable facade of bravery, their conversation from earlier in the day had struck a deep chord.

"Sherlock?" Mrs Hudson asked.

A sudden snore caused her to jump. Placing her hand over her chest she glanced over to see Sherlock curled up on the couch. He had his back facing her, but Mrs Hudson could tell something wasn't quite right. Walking closer she glanced down and saw that Sherlock was indeed asleep. But his breathing was sporadic at best. His face twitched as the muscles in his arms tensed.

Gingerly Mrs Hudson placed her hands on his shoulder and shook him gently. He moaned as his whole frame seemed to grow taught. Suddenly he began to mumble incoherently. Mrs Hudson shook him again.

"Sherlock..." Mrs Hudson cooed. "Wake up dear..."

Sherlock gasped suddenly and shot upright. Mrs Hudson jarred backward slightly, but held firmly to Sherlock's arm. He continued to breathe quickly as he looked over towards the kind voice that had rescued him from what appeared to be a nightmare of sorts.

"Mmmrss...Hudso-" Sherlock stammered, scant of breath. "I'm so sorry I-"

"Easy now..." Mrs Hudson soothed, rubbing his arm gingerly.

Sherlock was trembling as he sought to catch his breath. The nightmare had been extensive. In the two years he had been presumed dead by all whom he held dear, he had endured much hardship. He had been captured a few times, and beaten on more then one occasion. But there was one memory that seemed to haunt the detective as he moved through the shadows. As Sherlock had hunted down and extinguished every web of Moriarty's the thought of Johns reaction to his death continued to add to his pain.

He never could shake the way Johns voice had slowed down to mere mumble when John had finally made it to him once he had fallen from the roof top. John hadn't known that Sherlock was alive yes, but it was that very reaction that shook the detective to his very core. And it was a myriad of everything that seemed to haunt Sherlock now.

"Night...mare..." Sherlock stammered.

"It's all right now dear..." Mrs Hudson soothed.

Sherlock looked over and locked his gaze on the kind eyes that now stood opposite him. Mrs Hudson reached over and gently hugged the trembling detective.

"How 'bout I make you some nice soothing tea?" Mrs Hudson asked gingerly.

"Sssoo tired-" Sherlock stammered, ebbing into the couch cushion.

"Rest now..." Came the reply.

Nodding slightly, he lay down and curled up as he rested his head atop the couch pillow. Mrs Hudson turned and took hold of Sherlock's coat. Gently she placed it over Sherlock, making sure to tuck it tightly.

"Tttthank...youu.." Sherlock sputtered, his voice wavering.

His throat was beginning to tighten again. As he saw Mrs Hudson look upon him kindly, his throat tightened even more. He felt his eyes began to pool with tears as he felt Mrs Hudson smooth his hair gently.

"It really is...the end-" Sherlock stammered, his voice hitching.

"Hush now.." Mrs Hudson interrupted.

"You were...rrrright.." Sherlock stated.

"Right about what dear?" Mrs Hudson asked.

"The end...of an era.." Sherlock rasped.

Mrs Hudson sighed, and knelt down in front of Sherlcok. She took his hand in her's and spoke.

"I wish I weren't..." Mrs Hudson answered kindly.

She stopped when she saw the detectives face start to crumble. Sherlock pulled his lips in as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"What...is wrong...with me..." Sherlock asked, drying his eyes. "I don't understand."

"Nothing is the matter..." Mrs Hudson answered. "Rest now..."

Sherlock nodded and closed his eyes. Mrs Hudson didn't let on, but she was sure she saw a tear make it's way down the consulting detectives cheek as she left the flat and proceeded to her own abode.