A/N: Somehow... I managed to get this out.

It is NOT linked to the last three chapters.

It's a bit different. Hope it's okay.


The taxi ride home had been tense and uncomfortable. John, still in shock, had refused any assistance on Holmes' part. The gash above John's eye had been stitched in the ambulance as Holmes hovered by, dismissing Lestrade, Anderson and all the other brainless members of the Police force. And when the two had returned to the flat and shut the door, Sherlock could tell that John was about to explode.

"Before you-"

"Why did you choose me? There were children, Sherlock. There were small children in that room. You could have saved thirteen people, damn you!" John bellowed, throwing down his coat.

"There is a good reason-"

"Nothing you say will justify what you did." John snapped.

"I know that-"

"Then what could you possibly say? You had the chance to prove everyone wrong. You had a chance to be a good man, Holmes. Why would you choose me?" John cried, slamming his hands on the back of a chair. Sherlock stood perfectly still. John would not understand his reasons. John was a good man. John had a conscience. John had morals.

"You think it wasn't hard for me to choose." It was a statement, not a question. Sherlock could tell that John understood this by the flinch.

"You shouldn't have had to choose." John replied. Sherlock could feel the glare in the eyes he could not bare to meet. He had disappointed John again.

"Of course I had to choose." Sherlock retorted quietly. It had been such a hard decision. There had been people in that room so smart that they could change the world. But in the other room was his only friend. How could he have not had to choose?

"The greater good, Holmes. Have you never heard of it? You choose the option that would be better for everyone." John replied darkly.

"I chose the greater good, John. I did. You just don't realise it yet." Sherlock mumbled.

"Don't try and make yourself believe that! What good am I? I'm an army doctor who can't even save lives. I'm a cripple. I can't change the world." John shouted.

"Yes you can." Sherlock breathed. John looked up.

"What?"

"You can change the world, John. You probably will, because you are good. You're a good person." Sherlock stated.

"What is this? A prep talk? What is wrong with you?" John hissed. Sherlock took a deep breath. He could not convince John that his decision was the correct one. He would not be able to convince anyone else. Who would save boring old John Watson when the smartest people in England were at stake? Sherlock would. Nobody else would.

"I did it because I am selfish, John. I did it because I wanted to save you. I wanted to save someone close to me rather than a room full of strangers. If that makes you hate me then so be it." Sherlock explained.

"I- I'm close to you?" John asked. Sherlock started.

"Yes, of course." He frowned.

"That is why you chose me?"

"Yes." Sherlock nodded. John paused and contemplated the information. Sherlock waited patiently. And then John moved from behind the sofa and walked towards Holmes. Sherlock prepared himself for a swing to the face and was completely shocked to be wrapped in a desperately tight hug. He was less shocked when John began to sob against his chest. Sherlock was completely expecting it when his arms wrapped around Watson and patted the smaller man's back gently.


A/N: Did you like it? I know it's a bit... Depressing? I don't know. Please tell me what you think.