Sherlock-Standing alone
chapter 7: The fiasco
Set directly after the end of the Sign of three, S3E02
Spoilers:Season 3
So this is a different take on how things could have happened after the wedding. It talks about Sherlock's insecurities and all around fear of being alone (Sherlock is very insecure in this). Enjoy!
It was just as well that they'd left when they did. The police had called to tell John they hadn't found Sherlock but had found the remains of fire, but John quickly reassured them that it was ok-Sherlock was with him, asleep and leaning against the window of his seat in the car. John mentally kicked himself for forgetting about Scotland Yard and wondered if Mycroft knew he'd found Sherlock.
Stopping the car for a few minutes (it was about ten o'clock now and they still had an hour to go till they got back. And Sherlock was due for a concussion check now anyway) John pulled his phone out and called Mycroft.
"Good evening Dr. Watson. I assume by the dreadfully long time it took to phone me, you have found my dear brother, well and intact?"
John knew a question when he heard it- Mycroft wanted to hear Sherlock was safe even if he was more or less sure. A hidden plea for assurance.
"Sherlock's here, but he's asleep. We're driving back now and we're about an hour away from home so not too long till we get back thankfully."
"Thankyou Dr. Watson. Not only for informing me but also finding him. I do not think I could bare telling mummy if something happened to him."
Again that was most likely code for; I couldn't bare it if something happened to my brother. John had spent enough time around Mycroft to know what he really meant (though he knew the man would never admit it) and he knew he cared deeply about Sherlock too. He just wondered why Sherlock didn't see it sometimes.
"I'm gonna take him back and keep an eye on him for a few days. I won't take him to the hospital, I don't think he needs it but I will treat him just in case he does get worse."
"Worse?"
"He has a concussion, rope burns and he inhaled a lot of smoke. But otherwise he's fine, just a bit disorientated."
"Will you be requiring anything to assist you John?"
"No. But if I do need something, I'll call you." John pocketed his phone and turned to observe his passenger. He looked a lot younger in his sleep, far too young to die.
It had almost come to that.
Never again.
He lightly turned Sherlock's face towards him and tapped his forehead. Sherlock's mouth twitched and he groaned when John repeated the action which made him laugh.
"Come on Sherlock. Time for a check. I need your name, the date, your address and where we are now." Sherlock deadpanned at John and answered in a monotone voice.
"Sherlock Holmes, 221B Baker Street and we are currently in your car where you are hounding me with useless questions that are unnecessary. Now leave me in peace." The detective tried turning away but John pulled him back to face him, studying him intently.
"You forgot the date. The date, Sherlock what is it?"
John could tell Sherlock, even though his face had deadpanned, was unsure. Sherlock's brow was furrowed slightly in confusion. He was taking too long to answer and it was creating more concern for John. Giving up on waiting, he started the car and began to drive at a significantly faster speed than previously. After five minutes of fast driving, he flashed a quick look at Sherlock who was actually looking slightly scared. Seeing his expression made the ex-army doctor think of the many nightmares he'd had where Sherlock had held that exact look of fear. In his dreams, his mind imagined Sherlock looking just as scared before he fell.
"Don't look at me like that!" Sherlock flinched at the sudden very un-John-like outburst and turned away, towards the window but John could see he looked even more scared. Perhaps even terrified now. John instantly felt horrible.
"I'm sorry Sherlock. I just need to get you home so that I can check you properly."
"...it's Monday. The 23rd of August." It took John a second to process that Sherlock actually did know the date. He slowed down marginally and asked.
"How come you took so long to answer?"
"I month ago, on the papers it said the date. I had to calculate the number of days that has passed in between. I had deleted any past recollection of dates. I also have a headache."
"How bad?"
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not. If it slowed you down then it's still a concern. When we get back you better listen to me but for now just get some rest." His patient grunted and turned back to the window but John was just glad he hadn't said no.
"Wake up Sherlock. We're here and I don't want to carry you inside."
The detective slowly opened his eyes and blinked away the last traces of sleep. His head was throbbing now and he was glad to be home. All he'd do now was relax with a nice experiment or perhaps play his violin-
"Sherlock? Come on, Mary's prepared the guest room for you and I need to check your head for anything that could lead to problems."
"Mary? Why do I need a guest-John why are we at your house?! I thought we were going to Baker Street." It seemed he had only just grasped his surroundings. John just stared at him.
"What? John, what is it?"
"Sherlock, you're really not thinking properly are you? How am I supposed to make sure you're ok if I can't monitor you through the night? I need to keep an eye on you."
Oh. Oh. John needed to keep an eye on him. Strange, he had thought that after this was over, John would drop him off at Baker Street and that would be-
"Stop it, right now. Whatever you're thinking, just stop." Then John stopped talking suddenly and gave him a fond smile.
"You know, for the worlds best consulting detective who happens to be the cleverest man I've ever met you are very insecure."
"I am not!" But the slight red tinge running across his cheeks told him the detective was in fact feeling Very insecure. John just rolled his eyes.
"Ok whatever. You just get inside quickly."
Sighing, he slid out of car and began to make his way to the door. On the way, he stumbled and would have fallen had it not been for John grabbing at his shirt from behind. It was then that John realised Sherlock's coat was missing.
"What happened to your coat?"
"I don't know. My kidnappers must have taken it off me while I was unconscious. I don't know where my scarf is either."
Sherlock watched as John pulled out his beloved blue accessory from his pocket. It was intact, however it was also covered in blood. A lot actually. Was I that badly injured?
"I found this in the ally. You tried to fight back, didn't you?" He nodded and made to reach for it but John pulled it away.
"Let me wash it first and then you can wear it. And I'll buy you another coat so that you don't go after it."
Sherlock perked up at that and made his way to the door where Mary stood to greet them. She rushed up to Sherlock and hugged him and John tightly which surprised him, to say the least. She welcomed him with open arms.
"What have you been doing Sherlock?! Do you know how much worry you caused not only to me and John but also Mycroft?!" She looked almost as angry as John did when he found an experiment on fire in the kitchen at the flat.
"Hold on, Mycrofts' here?" John didn't wait for an answer and instead walked past Mary into the living room. Mary sighed and, with Sherlock in tow, she followed. They could both heard the conversation down the hall.
"What are you doing here?! You can't just come into my house without a reason! And especially when I'm not here!" The two spectators entered the warm, bright room to see Mycroft Holmes sitting contently on the sofa with his legs crossed and with a cup of tea in one hand and his omnipresent umbrella in the other. The politician looked unimpressed.
"Dr. Watson I do believe-"
"I invited him John." Everyone stared at Mary. Sherlock asked the question.
"Why?"
She let out a sigh and rubbed her eyes. It had been a long day and she didn't need this.
"He's your brother Sherlock. You know how concerned he was for you? He wouldn't stop calling."
Sherlock raise an eyebrow and looked over at his brother.
"You were concerned? Over my safety? More like you were worried you'd lose my utility." Mycroft deadpanned and stood up, placing his finished tea on the table beside it.
"Thankyou for the tea Mrs. Watson. Dr. Watson I shall call you later at some point to enquire as to how my brother is faring. Should you need anything at all, do not hesitate to ask." He made his way to leave while the others followed. Just before he stepped out, he turned and looked at Sherlock for a moment before he made eye contact with John.
"Please take care of my brother John. His loss would break my heart." He spoke in a solemn voice. The door shut on gobsmacked faces. John was the first to speak after what seemed like a long few minutes.
"Well. Anyway lets get you to the bedroom so that I can have a look at you." The detective nodded and followed John upstairs.
Thankyou so much to all of you!
As always, your reviews bring joy to my heart :D
