Charlotte woke up to the blaring white of a hospital room. It took her a few minutes to become fully aware of where she was. The room was empty except for John and Sherlock on each side of her bed. John leaning on the bed fast asleep while holding her hand and Sherlock asleep in the chair on the other side. She reached for her glasses which were sitting on the side table when Sherlock woke up.

"You're awake." He sighed with relief. "Thank god you're awake."

"How long have I been asleep?" Charlotte asked.

"Almost three days. You were tortured and hurt very badly in there." Sherlock replied. "Why didn't you say anything about the flash drive?"

"Because I'm not stupid. I knew they were going to hurt me either way and I would rather be hurt and know that London is safe then be hurt and know that bad people have that information." Charlotte replied.

"You were so brave." Sherlock replied. "You went through so much pain and didn't say a word."

"So much pain is an understatement." Charlotte groaned. "Everything hurts."

"You had quite a few injuries." Sherlock said. "Third degree burns, cuts, water in your lungs. They went the whole nine yards on you."

"I'm going to be okay though right?" Charlotte asked.

"Yes, you'll be fine." Sherlock replied. "Charlotte, I'm so sorry about how things have been between us these past couple weeks. I was so worried when you were taken and I don't know what I would have done if something worse had happened."

"Don't say that Dad." Charlotte said. "Nothing worse did happen. I'm okay."

"I know, but what if something worse did happen. I don't think I could forgive myself, and I know I don't say this enough but I love you Charlotte." Sherlock said taking Charlotte's hand.

"I know Dad. I love you too." Charlotte said giving Sherlock an awkward hug.

"Sherlock, what time is it?" John mumbled from the other side of the bed. "How long have I been sleeping?"

"Not as long as me." Charlotte replied.

"Charlotte! Oh thank god." John cried pulling Charlotte into his arms. "Thank god."

"Dad, you're hurting me." Charlotte gasped.

"Oh sorry." John said releasing her. "How do you feel?"

"Everything hurts. But I'm alive." Charlotte replied leaning back in her bed. "What day is it anyway?"

"It's your birthday." John said. "It's your 18th birthday."

"Huh. This was not how I imagined spending my birthday." Charlotte said. "I imagined a bit more festivity. And alcohol.

"I think we can make that happen." John said. "Except the alcohol part."

"Well that's no fun." Charlotte replied.

"Mr. Holmes, Mr. Watson," A nurse said knocking on the door. "Oh, Charlotte, you're awake. I'll send in a doctor to do a quick exam of her. And there's a young boy waiting outside for you."

"A boy?" Charlotte asked as the nurse left. "Just out of curiosity but which boy?"

"You're friend Ryan." John replied. "He's been coming for the past few days."

"Oh okay." Charlotte said.

The doctor came in a few minutes later and did an examination of Charlotte. Everything seemed to be in order but he wanted to keep her for one more night just in case. He said that she would be in some pain for a while and she will be feeling very weak so he suggested to take it easy over the next few weeks. She would also be needing crutches for her ankle.

"What did you do to your ankle?" John asked when the doctor left. "We we're wondering about that when the doctor told us it was on old injury."

"I may or may not have scaled the flat and accidently fallen from the second floor." Charlotte replied. "I'm not saying I did, I'm just saying it's a possibility."

"We couldn't have a normal teenage daughter could we." John smiled.

"So, um is it okay if I see Ryan?" Charlotte asked.

"Of course." John replied. "We'll go get him. Come on Sherlock."

"You both don't have to go." Charlotte said quickly.

"Oh no. I think we do." Sherlock said following John out of the room.

The two of them walked into the waiting room where Ryan was sitting holding a wrapped present. When Ryan saw them he jumped out of his chair.

"Is Charlotte okay?" He asked.

"Yes she's fine." John replied.

"But before we let you see her we need to make a few things clear." Sherlock said.

"If you are going to date our daughter she needs to be home by 11 on weekdays and midnight on weekends. Any later and there will be a problem." John started.

"You must come to the door when you pick her up. None of this texting and meeting outside." Sherlock added.

"We have to know where you are going and what you're doing. No secrets." said John.

"And finally," Sherlock said. "You must respect her. If you do anything to hurt her or make her angry, not only will she hurt you but you will have us to deal with as well. And I am a high functioning sociopath and I don't think you want to deal with that."

"Understood?" John asked.

"Understood." Ryan replied. "I would never do anything to hurt her. Ever."

"Good." Sherlock said. "You can go in now."

"Thank you." Ryan said before going into Charlotte's room.

"Our little girl is growing up." John said sitting in one of the chairs.

"It feels like yesterday we were bailing her out of jail in France." Sherlock added sitting next ot John. "Now we're interrogating her boyfriend outside her hospital room."

"We have quite the daughter." John laughed.

"That we do John. That we do." Sherlock smiled.