John gently opened the door. John had continued to pay for the flat since Sherlock's fall. He figured that Mrs. Hudson deserved the money for multiple reasons. The flat was never really sorted and packed. A few boxes of packed science equipment were in the kitchen. Sherlock's coat was thrown on the boxes in the kitchen.

John guessed where Sherlock would be. He was curled on the couch with his back to the room. Shoes off and wrapped in his silk bathrobe. John walked into the main room and sat in his chair by the fireplace. They sat in relative quiet for a few minutes. John could hear Mrs. Hudson, Mary and Mycroft quietly come into the flat. They stayed in the kitchen and dining room for now.

"I want to tell you how I did it." Sherlock said quietly.

"I could care less about how you did it. I want to know why." John stated.

"To protect you."

"You are going to have to do better than that."

"Damm it, John! What do you want?!"

"I want to know why I had to watch my best friend swan dive off of St. Bart's! Then.."

John stopped and covered his mouth.

"I got it, John."

"Got what?"

"One perfect punch. To produce one perfect reaction."

"Keep going."

"You were attempting to get me sick and breathless. Both of which happened. Then getting sicker with no hope... of any level of...comfort. No comfort because you were not there to...fix me."

Sherlock stopped and drew a deep breath.

"So I had to handle my retching stomach and spinning head alone. Knowing that I needed to stay hidden. Am I correct?"

"Yes. Are you now ready to tell me why?"

In the silence that followed they could both hear another person walking up to the flat.

"Moriarty , the first time we met showed me how unprepared I was for him. I was scared John. You were the fifth pip. You were wrapped in explosives. I couldn't get the upper hand. You were willing to sacrifice yourself for me. Then Moriarty took that away also. Then we were saved by a phone call. This angered me greatly."

"You never mentioned it."

"Of course I never mentioned it! It was my failing! My problem to when Moriarty resurfaced. I wanted to be ready for him. As soon as we found out that Moriarty was masquerading as Richard Brook I knew what I had to do."

John stood up and quietly walked to the coffee table.

"What did you have to do?"

John moved the coffee table so he could sit leaning against the couch. Mycroft sat at the desk. Mrs. Hudson and Mary took the chairs in front of the fireplace.

"I had to die. Or at least appear to. Also yes I know what Mycroft did. What else could he offer Moriarty to make him talk? Moriarty was obsessed with me."

"As much as you were of him?"

"John I can not compare because I don't know what level his obsession was at. Give me questions I can answer."

John sighed.

"Sorry. Please keep going."

"We parted at this point. This is when you went to see my brother?"

"Yes. Where did you go?"

"To the only person who could help me."

"I couldn't?"

"No, because you were a target. I didn't go to Mycroft because he was never supposed to be involved."

"Who was it?"

"The one person who everyone thought was unimportant. Thus wasn't a target. Say Hello Molly."

"Hello, everyone."

John turned and saw her sitting on a dining chair.

"What did he do to you?"

John got up and walked to her.

"John I thought you held me in higher regard than that. I'm insulted." Sherlock harrumphed.

"John he did not manipulate me. Sherlock?"

"I'm a gentleman." Sherlock whispered.

"Ok. Whisper it to me Molly." John said.

John looked shocked. John walked over to Sherlock and placed his hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry. You went to her humble and contrite. Then, what happened?"

John was still above Sherlock.

"Molly?"

John heard a small giggle from Molly. When the giggle reached Sherlock's ears a blush crept up his face. John whipped his head towards Molly. Molly wore a matching blush. John lowered his head to Sherlock's ear.

"Tell me."

Sherlock smiled and whispered: "I killed that nickname Moriarty had for me."
John thought for a minute then wrapped his hands around Sherlock's throat and gently throttled him. Sherlock started laughing. The laugh spread around the room.

"Are you kidding me? Molly?"

Molly was brightly smiling and shrugged. Suddenly Mrs. Hudson was behind John.

"Don't kill him John."

Sherlock huffed at John.

"Don't be cocky young man." Mrs. Hudson swatted Sherlock on the back of his head.

"Who's side are you on?"

"Yours Sherlock. Now scoot." Sherlock placed his head and shoulders across Mrs. Hudson's lap. John sat down leaning against the couch again.

"Now continue." John said.