Felt bad about leaving you guys hanging, so I updated. It's extra long too. ^^I hope you enjoy this chapter now that we're heading towards Irene and I'm hoping to start getting into a bit of fluff between Dani and Sherlock. Hope he's not too OOC in this one, but he'll have to change a bit eventually.

So please review and tell me what you think! :D
Also things have changed a bit.

"word in quotes, italic and bold are flashbacks"

word not in quotes but italic and bold are inner voices

Bullet wound to right knee luckily missed most ligaments. Finger nails completely missing on left hand. Bruises covering most of her body. Ten broken ribs, three cracked. Two broken fingers, dislocated left shoulder and right wrist. Deep lacerations covering her back with various other cuts and scrapes all over her body. Burns from cigarettes on her palms and back of her hand and definite head trauma. As well as the drugs.

They didn't know it was this bad. That Dani was in this kind of shape. She had been joking around before, even when Moriarty was there, she still managed to crack a joke. But now, John and Sherlock finally realized the full extent of her injuries. She was broken. Far more than they realized at the time and secretly, they regretted it. They regretted not noticing how much pain she was truly in back then and they regretted not realizing it sooner.

She was resting now, in a drug induced coma, having been in surgery for the past twenty-seven hours. The doctors had been doing their best to 'put her back together', they said. She looked so calm, peaceful even, but they knew she was anything but.

"When can we wake her up?" John asked the doctor who was looking at her chart.

"It all depends. We could do it now, but it's up to you. She will be in a great deal of pain and it's better to let her rest some of it off before we go about waking her. As I said, it's ultimately your decision though."

John nodded, giving Dani a sorrowful glance, allowing the doctor to leave. Dani was much worse for ware, even as she slept. There were bags under her eyes and bruises shaped like fingers around her neck. There were none on her face though. Not a single mark, as though Moriarty had wanted to keep her face the way it was. Make her appear completely fine just as she had fooled them into believing. John was just as worried about her as Sherlock.

Sherlock hadn't said a word since Dani had gone into surgery and the minute she was out, he was sitting at her bedside watching her. He hadn't moved. Heck, John would've thought Sherlock was dead if he didn't see his chest rising and falling. Not to mention that we don't know what other damage that bastard has done to her. No surgery can fix the psychological scars. Sherlock's probably more eager to see her awake than I am. We can only hope and pray that when she's awake, she'll still be the same Dani.

"Sherlock?"

No response.

John stepped closer and placed a hand on Sherlock's shoulder. "Sherlock, we should go. It's getting late."

"I'm not leaving." He replied, and John sighed.

"Look ,Sherlock, I know you want to be here when she wakes up, but they have her in a drug induced coma. The doctors will look after her and we can have her woken up tomorrow. Let her get some rest and let us get some rest."

Sherlock didn't move. "You can go. I'm staying."

John, having realized that he would not be able to talk some sense into Sherlock at the moment, reluctantly gave in.

"Fine. I'll bring you by some coffee tomorrow morning. At least try to get some sleep while you're here."

Sherlock still didn't move, other than to shift his eyes towards John and then back to Dani, so John left with a small thought running through his head. He really does love her. I wonder if this is when he'll figure it out.

The inky blackness around me was comfortable. Far too comfortable. So comfortable in fact, that it was starting to tick me off. When am I going to wake up? There's nothing to do here. I can't even dream!…Although, I suppose that's a good thing. Slowly, I began to hear something, but I was disappointed to find out that all I was hearing was that insistent ringing. Then I began to panic. Wait, does that mean he's got me again? But how?! Sherlock and John, they-Moriarty left me with them! Why would he just take me back right away?! The ringing was then accompanied by voices and familiar ones at that.

"The doctor said the drugs will wear off in a minute, but she'll be in pain since there isn't much to give her that won't trigger a relapse."

John…Good. That means the ringing is just an after effect…I hope.

"I know that, John. I'm not stupid."

And snarky little Sherlock. Man, I've missed his stupid little comments.

Feeling came back then and I stiffened as pain flared up from every part of my body. My leg especially was sending sharp signals all the way up my spine and I somehow managed a small, scratchy groan.

"She's waking up. Dani! Dani! Can you hear me?"

The pain was too much and I struggled to get anything out of my mouth.

"Dani, if you can hear us, move. Move anything."

I struggled, but managed to grip the sheets in my right hand, ignoring the pain as much as I could from my fingers.

"Good. Now open your eyes, Dani."

It was hard. Very hard and the lights in the room did not help. What's worse, was that the ceiling was white. The same damn shade of white. My breathing became quick paced and my eyes began darting about as my mind associated that white ceiling with all the torture I've been through. Then, I was met by two orbs of icy blue. Sherlock.

"S-Sher…" Was all I could get out at the moment, my throat raw and dry.

Sherlock turned his head and spoke to someone off to my right. "John, get some water and call the nurse in to get something for the pain."

There was shuffling and I went to look, but Sherlock held me still.

"Don't move. You've gotten yourself hurt enough already."

I frowned and opened my mouth to snap at him, but he held a glass to my lips first.

"Shut up and drink, Dani. You can scold me all you want after."

I did as he said and relished the feeling of cool water drenching my throat. Just as I finished, Sherlock pulled the glass away and a nurse came in before taking my IV and putting something in it. Slowly, the pain began to dull, only a little, but it was enough for me and I sighed quietly.

"That's a lot better." I muttered.

"That's good." The nurse smiled, but I could care less about her as she soon left, leaving me with the two dolts.

"How are you feeling?" John asked, and I gave him a look.

"Like I've been tortured over night and stuck in a room full of idiots." I sighed angrily.

He blanched as Sherlock raised a brow. "Idiots?"

"Yup." I said, gabbing the remote that controls my bed and adjusting the head of the bed into a semi-sitting-up position. "Damn noise. John."

"Hm?"

I looked over at him and frowned. "I need music. Is there a radio around here somewhere?"

He raised a brow, but shook his head. "Not that I know of."

"Get one."

"What?"

"I said, can you get one?"

I was starting to get irritable now and I knew John could tell. It was one of the withdrawal symptoms, I knew.

"Yeah. I guess." He turned away to speak with Sherlock, who was sitting not far from me. "Keep an eye on her, Sherlock."

Sherlock simply waved a hand, eyes not moving from the case files he now had on his lap.

Once John left, I closed my eyes once more and grit my teeth against the pain that was still left. Sedatives don't work for bollocks. I opened my eyes to the white ceiling again and scowled. The stupid thing was going to give me nightmares and I didn't need that on top of the pain.

"You shouldn't make faces at the ceiling, Dani. It makes you look idiotic."

I turned to Sherlock and gave him a look. "Like it's my fault the ceiling is the same? Hospital or not, they should paint the ceiling a different color."

Sherlock looked up for a moment and frowned as well, before gathering his case files and coming to my bedside.

"Here." He said, handing me a file.

I took it, confused. "What do I do with this?"

He rolled his eyes. "Really, Dani, I knew you could be stupid but not this much."

I grit my teeth, but relaxed. He was only trying to help me by distracting me from the white ceiling, so I couldn't be angry with him, as much as I wanted to be. Opening the case files, I scanned the information, but it wasn't long before I began to notice my hands shaking. Damn it. I don't need the drugs. I don't. But that little voice in the back of my mind kept nagging me about it Yes you do. It'll make the pain go away and the shaking. You know that you need it. Just like you needed it back then. Shut up. I don't need it.

"Dani?"

I only just realized that I had been gripping the file unbelievably hard, crumpling the paper in my hands. Sherlock gently pulled the paper away from me and set it aside as I pinched the bridge of my nose with a shaky sigh.

"Sorry." I muttered, getting more and more irritated as I felt my hands shaking even more.

I balled my fists into my sheets and tried my best to relax as Sherlock gathered up his files once more, but the tremors got worse and it only made the pain intensify.

"God dammit!" I shouted, grabbing the closest thing to me and throwing it at the wall across the room.

The drugs, the fear, the pain. All of it was racking away at my nerves and I couldn't take it. Even after the book had fallen to the floor, I grit my teeth against that stupid little voice echoing in my head. See? The drugs could fix this. Just ask Sherlock or John to bring your pack from home. One hit won't hurt. It will! They will only make things worse! Do you really believe that? They'll stop the pain, the fear, that feeling of weakness. It will stop all of it. Shut up! Come on. Just one hit. Go get Sherlock to pick it up from your flat. No big deal. It is a big deal. I can't do that again. I can tough it out. Just like I always do.

"Uh, Dani?"

I snapped my head up, glaring harshly at John who held my laptop and headphones.

"Finally." I grumbled, reaching for them with a wince. "Give it."

He sighed, but handed them over, allowing me to get some sort of music playing to drown out the insistent ringing. As music flooded the room, I sighed and relaxed just slightly.

"That's better." I muttered, enjoying the sound of the cello and other orchestra instruments. "So how long before I'm out of here?"

"The doctor says at least a month."

"Hmph, I'll make it three weeks." I grumbled, enticing a smirk from Sherlock, but a frown from John.

"No, Dani. The doctor said a month and that's how long it's going to be. You can't take short cuts in a situation like this!"

"You think I don't know that?!" I shouted in return. "You think I want to be in here?! Hell, if you want to talk about situations, let's talk about Moriarty! The man isn't going to just stop and wait, John! I've been through this before! I know how quickly or how slowly I can recover, and if I need to take a short cut, then I will! I don't want to be useless anymore!"

I winced and clutched at my shirt, leaning back against the bed as I tried to catch my breath and slow down my heart rate. Everything hurt after my little rampage and John stood stock still; either in anger, frustration, or shock I couldn't tell. My hands were shaking and I clenched my teeth in a vain attempt to keep my mind off the drug that would keep the pain away.

"Dani…I-"

"You're not useless."

I was a bit surprised when Sherlock spoke, but I frowned, looking down at my hands as they clutched at the sheets once more.

"Yes I am. I'm useless. I'm stupid and I'm weak. I haven't done anything since I came to England other than get people killed."

"That's not true!" John shouted. "You've done all sorts of things to help!"

"Name one!" I yelled back. "Name one thing I've done that Sherlock couldn't have figured out or that hasn't managed to hurt someone! I've killed five people since I've been here, John! And one of them was my friend! The other I left to die and I killed her own fucking brother! I'm no better than Moriarty!"

"Is that what you think?"

It was no louder that a whisper, but I heard Sherlock's voice beside me and gave him a glance as he lifted his head and stared back at me and I huffed from exertion.

"You think that you've done absolutely nothing other than kill people? You've improved a bank's security system. You served your country on the front lines in Afghanistan. You helped figure out a Chinese cipher that led to a group of Chinese smugglers. Not to mention the numerous times you have saved me or John from near death experiences. And you still say you did nothing?"

I looked down at my hands as he went on.

"And who were these people you supposedly killed? Your informant? You didn't kill him, an ex-Taliban did. Soo Lin Yao? You said so yourself, she was ready to die and her brother took that life, not you. Who else? It's obvious you killed her brother, but you did it to save him, did you not? Same with the two ex-Taliban men you took out. You did that for your informant as well. None of this makes you the same as Moriarty. You are, in fact, the last person I would expect to be like him. So do not compare yourself to the likes of him. You are not Moriarty."

There was a short pause before he turned towards the door.

"John, let's go."

John looked between us both so quickly I thought he might get whiplash, but followed Sherlock out the door nonetheless muttering nonsense.

"But Sherlock, I thought-"

"Stop talking. You're insistent blabbering is annoying."

"Sherlock!"

I heard them continue to argue as they walked down the hall, the door to my room closing behind them with a small 'click'. I can't believe him.

"…None of this makes you the same as Moriarty…"

"…do not compare yourself to the likes of him…"

"…You are not Moriarty…"

Tears fell from my eyes and for the first time in ages, I sobbed; letting everything that I've kept bottled up for years pour out in tears and fall onto messy sheets curled up in my fists.

"T-That…idiot…"

Sherlock sat in the main room of his flat, trying to ignore John's pacing, and failing.

"John, quit pacing. It's not going to solve anything. I'm sure she's fine."

John turned to him and sighed, but ceased his pacing and took a seat in his own chair, picking up the newspaper to stare at the first page for at least an hour.

At least he's quiet. Sherlock thought, but with John sighing every few minutes, Sherlock was very easily becoming annoyed. Getting up, Sherlock went and grabbed his coat as John called out to him.

"Where are you going?"

Sherlock headed towards the door, but paused, not facing John. "Out. Your constant sighs are starting to bother me and I have an experiment at Bart's that needs to be finished."

"O-Oh. Okay."

Sherlock walked down the stairs and started to walk towards Bart's, but stopped with his own sigh. Neither him nor John had seen Dani since the day she'd woken up and he knew that she most likely didn't want them to be there anyway. She already admitted that she hated feeling weak and having someone there while she was in such a state would most likely just make things worse. It's better for both of us if we all stay away from her for now. He couldn't help but want to check in on her though. As much as he knew she would hate it if he were there, he knew the effects of heroin withdrawal and the first week was always the most brutal. Technically, she shouldn't be alone during this time, but she can take care of herself. He thought, and yet, he still hailed a cab and headed towards the hospital despite his better judgment.

"What am I doing here?" He sighed to himself once he reached the doors to the hospital. He hated the place just as much as Dani and would rather not be there, but he supposed he owed it to John to at least make sure she was doing okay. After taking the elevator up to her floor, he headed down the hall to her room, only to hesitate outside the door. I shouldn't be here. Dani's probably fine and I know for a fact that she would be displeased for me thinking her so weak.

"If you haven't noticed, John, she is easily capable of handling herself."

"Maybe physically, but mentally? You really think she won't start turning towards drugs? Or suicide, even?"

Sherlock frowned at the flashback to the conversation he had with John back during the bombings. He wasn't too far off. She has been turned to drugs before and even I wonder if she's going to turn to harming herself. His thoughts were stopped when the door suddenly opened and a nurse went to hurry out, holding a bowl of water and a towel.

"Oh! Are you here for Dani? I'm so glad someone is here for her. She's been dealing with the withdrawals rather hard." The nurse gave a glance back into the room before turning back to Sherlock. "If you could, could you watch over her for a while? Her fever is very high and I'm worried about leaving on my break without anyone here to keep an eye on her."

"I, uh…"

"I'm really sorry, but she needs someone right now. She only seems to be getting worse." The nurse muttered, concerned. "Poor lass. I'll only be an hour, tops. So please try to comfort her as best you can. She bares through it with a smile, but I've seen her suffering when she thinks no one is looking."

Sherlock, not seeing a way out of this, nodded. "I'll do what I can."

The nurse gave a small smile. "Thank you. I'm sure she'll be happy knowing her boyfriend is here to help her deal with this."

Before Sherlock could correct her about not being Dani's boyfriend, the nurse had already hurried off, leaving him standing in the door way of Dani's room. Swallowing thickly, Sherlock turned to enter the room, closing the door softly behind him before turning to corner and witnessing the state in which Dani was in.

The breathing mask was back on her face and her skin was a sickly shade of white while sweat glistened off her body. Her hair, although short, was messy and tangled; sticking to her forehead. Her brows were scrunched up in obvious pain and Sherlock felt sick to his stomach at seeing Dani like this.

Walking over to her side, Sherlock stood above her, staring down at the woman who had always been so strong and feeling anger burn in his stomach at knowing that it was Moriarty who had caused this to happen to her. One day, and this is all it took for him to turn Dani into this. He suddenly noticed the soft sound of music in the room and glanced over her bed to see her laptop sitting on the table beside her playing classical music. That's right. She mentioned needing music because of some noise that only she was hearing.

Sherlock looked back down at Dani and brushed a strand of hair away from her forehead, silently wishing that she didn't have to suffer through this. The moment that the strand was off her face though, she slowly opened her eyes and Sherlock froze, fingers a mere hairsbreadth away from her face. Her eyes shifted to look at him, and a small smile formed on her face.

"I-I'll be okay." She muttered, eyes glazed over in pain and exhaustion. "I have to be okay…Sherlock will be angry…if I'm not."

Her eyes slowly closed and Sherlock couldn't help the small smile that made it's way onto his face. She probably doesn't even know who she's talking to. He then heard the door close and turned to see the nurse giving him a knowing look. He swiftly removed his hand from near Dani, and began heading towards the door, trying to pretend he didn't hear what the nurse said to a sleeping Dani as he left.

"You're lucky to have such a caring boyfriend, dear. He's definitely a keeper."

A few weeks have passed since my knee surgery and the doctors were pleased with how well I was turning out. The only thing they weren't too happy with was how often they found me wondering around the hospital when I was supposed to be taking my pain medication. I couldn't help it though. I wanted to get out of this place and the sooner it happened, the better. I hate hospitals.

"You should listen to the doctors, you know, Dani."

I turned my head and frowned at the elder Holmes as he leaned against the wall casually with his umbrella.

"Che, says you. I can't wait to be out of this hell hole."

I grunted as I walked onwards, relying on the crutches I was using to hobble down the hall. He followed beside me, easily matching my pace.

"Yes, well you certainly have been causing numerous problems for the nurses here."

I scoffed. "Really? I hadn't noticed. Maybe if they'd stop trying to feed me that nasty stuff they call food, I'd cooperate."

Mycroft sighed, but continued to walk with me. "I've noticed Sherlock hasn't been visiting. Neither has John."

"I told them not to." I muttered.

"I assume it has something to do with the fact that you haven't been taking any pain medication since the first day?"

I flinched, turning to give him a glare. "That's none of your business and they don't need to know."

He chuckled. "And you don't think they already know? This is Sherlock we're talking about."

I sighed, making my way back to my room as I began to grow tired from walking around the halls. "I don't remember much from the first week, but I know Sherlock knows. He's probably the whole reason why John and Mrs. Hudson haven't been down here. He's smart enough to know that I need some time to myself, unlike someone else I know."

I frowned at Mycroft who simply rolled his eyes and reached into his coat pocket to pull out a flash drive as we arrived to my room. I sat down on the edge of my bed and pulled my leg up onto it, before grabbing my laptop and holding my hand out for the flash drive.

"So what's this for, Teddy?" I asked, taking the drive and plugging it in to view it's contents.

He took a seat in the nearby chair and crossed his legs. "Some things to keep you entertained for the week, as well as some information I thought you'd want to know."

I opened the files and gave the case files a glance. They seemed easy enough and didn't involve any leg work, but the last document had my eyes widening and my face growing pale.

Turning to Mycroft, I asked. "W-Why is she coming?!"

Mycroft shrugged, smiling slightly at my pained expression. "I haven't the foggiest. I simply received news that she purchased as ticket and will be here around the time you get released next week. I assumed you'd want a heads up before John found out why you'd begun to rush your recovery."

I groaned, dropping my head in my hands. "Ugh, this is not good at all. You're right about rushing it. I'm going to have to at least be able to do stairs by then. God, Sherlock's going to kill me."

Mycroft raised a brow. "What would my brother have to do with her arrival?"

I gave his a blank look. "You obviously have not met her. Not to mention the fact that she'll probably end up staying in my flat. Ah man, that's another thing I have to worry about."

I messed up my hair in frustration, closing my laptop and placing it to the side as I tried to ignore the slight shaking of my hands. Mycroft though, seemed oblivious to my suffering and got up from his seat, ready to take his leave.

"Well, I best be going. Enjoy what time you have left here and I'll see what I can do about changing your diet."

I nodded, thankful that Mycroft didn't hate me enough to force me to eat the hospital's food, but called out to him at the last second.

"Ah! Wait!"

He paused in the doorway, brow raised. "Yes?"

"Could you, uh, possibly see to it that the evidence in my flat gets taken care of? I'd rather her not find out about my profession."

I winced, just imagining her reaction should she find out what I'd been doing.

Mycroft nodded. "I'll see what I can do. Anything I should worry about?"

I shook my head. "No. All the traps are taken down since I haven't been around and Mrs. Hudson likes to clean. So your eyebrows are safe."

I snickered and he frowned before biding me farewell and walking out the door. Silently though, I wondered if I should have told him about the drugs I had stashed away in my pack. He won't go looking through my stuff other than the safe and the other hideaways, but maybe I should've had him take care of it. He wouldn't nag me about it and probably wouldn't ask any questions either. But then you'd have to buy some when you get back. And what a waste. You need it anyway. The shaking still hasn't stopped and the pain, although tolerable now, will come back. Besides, you've never dealt with the hallucinations. The drugs will help that too. I shook my head and instead decided to distract myself with the work Mycroft had given me. Then, what had just happened made me groan once more. Ugh, my mother's coming to visit.

I sighed, closing my laptop and gathering the rest of my things. I had been trying to catch up on the cases John and Sherlock had been doing lately and John's blog was keeping me up to date so far. He even mentioned information on the cases that Sherlock hadn't taken and I was mentally shaking my head at Mycroft and his craftiness. Half of these are obviously connected to this stupid file he sent me about the Bond flight. I wonder if he'll ever tell Sherlock and if he doesn't, I wonder when Sherlock will figure it out.

Today was my last day at the hospital and also the day of my mother's arrival. She still hadn't called me to inform me she was coming so I knew she was going to go out of her way to try and surprise me even though Mycroft had informed me of her arrival in the airport not ten minutes ago. That gives me about an hour, considering how long it will take her to find her luggage and leave the airport. Knowing her, she'd probably want a bloody tour of London as well the moment she gets here. It's a good thing I'm capable of taking the stairs again.

Pulling my hand through my hair once more, I hailed a cab outside, favoring my injured leg and relying on the cane I had with me. Once one pulled up and I gave the cabbie the address, I picked up my cell phone and sent Sherlock a message.

I'll be returning to the flat in ten minutes.

Oh, and I'm expecting someone…unexpected.

-D

Setting the phone into my breast pocket, I waited and not five minutes later, it buzzed, alerting me that Sherlock had replied.

Expecting someone unexpected?

-S

I rolled my eyes, sending him another text.

You'll find out.

I'm not pleased about it either.

-D

He didn't text back after that and I soon pulled up to Baker Street just in time for Sherlock, John, and Mrs. Hudson to come out and greet me. John being the nicest of the group and taking my bag from me.

"Thanks John." I muttered, still not pleased about my mothers arrival that should be happening in a mere forty-five minutes.

He gave me a concerned look, but I just gave him a look that said drop it and he did. He'll find out soon enough anyway. I walked towards the few steps leading up to the door and slowly made my way up. I frowned even more, hating my lack of mobility, but a hug from Mrs. Hudson helped ease my frustration.

"Oh Dani! I'm sorry I didn't visit. Sherlock was adamant that I didn't leave even to check up on you." She gave him a glare to which he ignored her.

I shook my head. "That's alright. I told him that I didn't want any visitors anyway. You wouldn't have wanted to see me the way I was."

She waved her hand about, leading me into the hall. "Oh nonsense. Someone should have been there to take care of you! I'm sure you were bored there."

I gave her a small smile, and headed towards my flat. "It's alright, Mrs. Hudson. But I'll have you know, I'm expecting someone who's trying to surprise me, so would you mind letting me answer the door when they get here?" I glanced at my watch. "They should be here in about thirty minutes."

She gave me a look, glancing down at my leg for a moment. "Are you sure, dear? I don't want you exerting yourself."

The grip I had on my cane tightened, but I kept my face calm. "I'll be fine. The doctor says I need to exercise my leg as much as possible anyway. Can't have myself getting lazy just because of something like this."

She nodded, hesitantly. "If you say so, dear. Should I bring you some tea later then? For your guest?"

I shook my head, walking into my flat as John walked out of my bedroom, having put my bag on my bed.

"No thank you. My guest doesn't like caffeinated beverages and she'll probably have a heart attack watching me drink tea anyway."

I rolled my eyes and Mrs. Hudson nodded solemnly. "Alright then. If you need anything though, just holler."

I waved her off and the moment she closed the door to her flat, I let out a deep breath and groaned.

"She just doesn't let up, does she?" I complained, taking a seat on my sofa and leaning my head back as John and Sherlock sat down on my armchair and couch respectively.

John chuckled. "Yeah, she's like that, remember? You should've seen her when I first came here. She was always going on about my leg and comparing it to her hip problem."

"Yeah, well, it's only going to get worse from here." I muttered, closing my eyes with a frown.

"Why's that?" John questioned, but Sherlock responded for him.

"Her guest who's coming over. An overbearing person apparently."

I nodded. "Overbearing is an understatement." I suddenly brought my head up and narrowed my eyes at the two men. "Don't listen to a word she says and most of all, don't bring up religion. I don't know how long she's planning on staying here, and I don't need her nagging me about you two along with my latest injuries. If she asks, I was in a car accident while jogging. Got it?"

Sherlock raised a brow and John snickered. "I got it. I got it. I'll try to keep Sherlock here in line as well."

Sherlock scoffed and I glanced at my watch once more. Ten minutes left. Getting up, I began wandering the room, checking to make sure that everything had been properly hidden so that my mother wouldn't discover what I was doing for a living.

"What's she doing?" John whispered to Sherlock as I went into the bathroom. I could just barely hear them over the ringing in my head.

"She's obviously trying to make sure everything is put away and hidden from her guest."

"Everything? What are you talking about?"

I walked back in the room, having made sure all my things were away and went over to my hidden safe in the back of the fireplace.

"What he means is, I'm trying to keep it a secret that I kill people for a living, John. I think it'd be best if she didn't know, don't you?"

John nodded, face pale as he saw me checking my weapons in the safe before locking it up and heading towards the door with one last glance at my watch.

"One minute. And she hasn't once been late." I muttered, hating who I was about to let into my flat. Turning to Sherlock, I gave him a look. "Have you figured out who she is yet, Sherlock?"

He gave me a look in return. "I believe so and judging from your description of her, neither of us are going to be very pleased while she is here."

I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. "You don't have to live with her." Just then, the doorbell rang and my eyes went to my watch. "Right on time." Glancing at Sherlock and John, I headed out the door with a sighed. "If I'm not back in five minutes, call an ambulance."

"Huh?" John questioned and I turned back to give him a blank look.

"I'll have died from over-extensive nagging."

With that, I turned and headed towards the front door, forcing a shocked look on my face as I answered and looked down slightly at the person who would make the next week more than difficult.

"Mother? What are you doing here?" I faked surprise.

She smiled widely and waved her hand about, dropping a rather heavy sounding piece of luggage onto the porch and pulling me into a hug, making me wince. Gah! I'm still not fully healed yet, woman! She pulled back, having noticed my stiffness and frowned as she looked me over and spotted my cane.

"You've done something stupid again, haven't you?" Before I could answer her, she went on. "I can't believe you! Every time you go somewhere you end up causing trouble!"

"Mother, I-"

"Oh no. I don't want to hear your excuses." She said, in a royal manner. "Grab my bags and show me which one is yours. I'll be staying with you for the next week, so I hope you're prepared."

I rolled my eyes and grabbed her luggage with some difficulty. Prepared? Yeah right. You're the one who decided to show up out of nowhere. I'm lucky Mycroft told me or I'd really be unprepared. Sighing, I gestured towards my flat with my hand.

"It's that one. My neighbors are over though, so please try not to embarrass me." I whined, knowing that she'd probably do the exact opposite.

She immediately hurried over to my side, grabbing one of her bags. "Are they cute?"

I groaned, ignoring her question and walking into my flat, begging John with my eyes to come over and help me with my mother's heavy luggage. Surprisingly, Sherlock was the one to get up and help me and I briefly thanked him as we both headed into my bedroom that would now inhabit my mother. Looks like I get the couch. Oh joy.

"John, Sherlock, this is my mother, Margaret Evans. Mum, this is Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson. My neighbors."

Sherlock simply nodded his head before heading into the bedroom and I followed after him, leaving John to deal with my mother for the moment. With a grunt of pain, I set my mother's things down and sat on the bed to rub my knee, muttering under my breath.

"What does she have in these things? She'd bring the whole house with her or something?"

"I highly doubt she would've been able to fit her entire house within these bags."

I lifted my head and gave Sherlock a look. "Did you really just say that?"

He raised a brow and I saw a small smirk on his face, making me smirk as well, before getting up and glancing at him as we walked back into the main room.

"Didn't know you cracked jokes, Sherlock."

"Only if it will be amusing." He replied, but we both fell silent when we went back into the main room to find John and my mother chatting along pleasantly.

I shivered and turned to Sherlock, not taking my eyes off the two on the couch. "She's already brainwashed him."

"It would seem that way." He muttered, just as my mother caught sight of us. "What are you two whispering about over there in the corner? Dani, you better not be talking poorly about me."

"now mum, why would I do that?" I replied sarcastically, heading towards the kitchen. "Sherlock, John, you two want some tea?"

"Sure." John said, while Sherlock nodded.

"Mum, you want anything?"

"Some water would be nice."

I rolled my eyes and turned away. "Of course."

As I got their drinks, I listened in to the conversation they were having.

"So Dr. Watson here has been telling me you two work with the police."

"Please," John said, "call me John."

I heard my mother laugh and Sherlock decided to interrupt.

"Yes. John and I help when the Yard is incompetent, which they almost always are."

"Oh? And I'm guessing Dani has been helping you as well? She was always one for getting into trouble."

"That's an understatement." John muttered as I walked out with a slight frown.

"Mum, do you have to bring this up all the time? It's not my fault that trouble seems to find me."

She scoffed, taking a sip from her water. "Oh please. You and I both know that you go looking for trouble. At least your sister knows better than to do that."

I grit my teeth at the mention of my sister and sat down on a kitchen chair that I had brought in with a huff. "Yeah, well, sorry I'm not like my sister."

John raised a brow. "You have a sister?"

I nodded, sipping my tea and ignoring the disapproving look my mother was giving me. "Yeah. Younger by a few years."

"You never told them about your sister?" My mother questioned. "Definitely the better out of the bunch." She went on. "Decent paying job, decent living, good husband-"

"Mum."

She stopped with a roll of her eyes. "Yes, yes. I know. She's never been fond of her sister." She told John who gave a nervous chuckle at the sight of my glare.

Closing my eyes, I burned the back of my throat drinking my tea, trying to ignore the feeling of Sherlock watching me with this new piece of information. Setting my cup down, I gave my mother a look.

"So what are you doing here, mother?"

"Do I need a reason to visit my daughter who hasn't been home in years? I mean, really. First Japan, then China, Korea and Afghanistan. Now Brazil, Egypt, the Caribbean, Australia, Germany, France, and England? Surely you have something better you could be doing other than wasting your money looking at old buildings."

I could feel my temper beginning to rise, that nagging voice begging me to take a hit as my hands shook with the effort to not loose control. John and Sherlock could see this and John tried to ease the topic away from me.

"Mrs. Evans-"

"Dear, call me Margaret."

John smiled nervously. "Margaret. Perhaps you'd be interested in hearing about some of the cases Sherlock and I have done?"

She shook her head. "Oh no, no. Too much excitement for me. If it's anything like what I've heard about Dani's travels, then I best avoid raising my blood pressure."

"R-Right."

"How about you two tell me a bit more about yourselves. Dani here never speaks about the people she meets. Are either of you married?"

"Mother!" I whined, knowing exactly where this was going.

"What?" She asked, playing innocent. "You need to get with someone sooner or later. I was just trying to see what your options are."

I dropped my aching head into my hands with a groan. "Can't you just drop it, mum? I already said that I'm too busy and I don't need one."

"Of course you do! And you still haven't told me what you're so busy with. The way I see it, you're just trying to avoid the inevitable."

I opened my mouth to argue, when my cell phone went off. I wasn't expecting a call, but I picked it up anyway and took it out into the hall.

"What?" I growled into the receiver.

"My, Dani, and here I thought you'd be pleased about what I had to say."

"What do you want, Mycroft?" I groaned, in no mood to play his games.

"I wished to inform you that I have graciously paid for a room for your mother as payment for completing some of the cases I gave you."

My heart soared. "Thank God for you, Mycroft."

"Of course, but there is a little something I'd like from you."

And my happiness dropped. "What?"

"I am willing to do this, however, I wish for you to become my eyes and ears on what Sherlock is up to."

"You know, that's the exact same thing he wanted me to do." I said with a grimace.

"Apologies, but a simple text every week will suffice and you shall be paid graciously for your services. I may even consider letting you work for me instead of you having to turn one of my people. I'll send you more information on this prospect in the future. I'm sure you have a guest to be getting back to."

"Yeah. I'll read up on this prospect of yours later. And, uh, thanks again."

"Of course."

He hung up and I stared at my phone with a frown. Why do I feel as though I just sold myself to the devil? Ah, who cares. As long as it keeps my mother out of the flat. I sighed, pulling a hand through my hair as I returned to the main room and sat on the kitchen chair once more.

"Really, Dani, it's rude to just answer your phone like that."

I nodded. "Yeah, well, sorry. I was just receiving a phone call from a…friend of mine who says that the room I just booked you is ready when you are."

She raised a brow. "Oh? Is that so. Well, while it seems to me you are trying to get rid of me-" I flinched. "-I will take this offer, but only after I hear a bit more about you Sherlock."

Oh great. I gave Sherlock a desperate look to which he ignored. This can't be good.

"What is it you wish to know?"

My mother's eyes narrowed and I knew things were about to blow up in my face.

"What do you think about Dani?"

I immediately blanched, cursing my mother in my head and yet slightly curious as to what Sherlock would say.

"She is…intelligent and cunning, while loud and annoying on occasion. As you stated before, she has a knack for getting into unexpected situations, yet has always managed to get out of them. She is stubborn as a mule and her appearance isn't something that one would normally expect for a woman. However, it gives her something no other woman I know has, and that strength has helped John and I on numerous occasions."

He seemed to have finished and I was silently grateful that he kept his cool, but then he took a deep breath and went on.

"Therefore, I do not see why you feel the need to compare her to her sister who I doubt is capable of any of the things of which Dani has accomplished while here in England. What's more, you should not be trying to push Dani into doing the very things which you yourself were not able to do."

"Sherlock." John chided as Sherlock's eyes raked in my mother's surprised features.

"Married a mechanic, not a very high paying job, and the man hasn't been home in ages, I'm sure. Your decent living involves living in your dead mother-in-law's home while having been a stay at home wife for a majority of your marriage. Going even further back, I'd say you were constantly scolded by your own mother for not being the perfect daughter despite being an only child. Yet, here you are scolding your eldest child for enjoying her life while you barely have any clue what it is she does."

Sherlock scoffed with a frown and turned away with his arms folded across his chest while everyone in the room was frozen in shock. My mother was the first to do anything and she rose from her seat on my couch, turning towards the door.

"Dani, I wish to leave now."

I blinked a few times, before nodding and rising from my seat with a grimace. I had been sitting too long and my knee wasn't cooperating. Seeing my struggles, John got up as well and offered his help as we gathered my mother's luggage and hailed a cab for her. John went back inside as I stood beside the cab, trying to figure out what to say to my mother.

"I-I'll, uh…see you, then?"

I winced at the glare she sent me before she rolled up her window and had the cabbie drive off. I sighed and walked back into my flat, listening to John trying to get Sherlock to apologize to me at least.

"Sherlock! You just thoroughly insulted her mother! If you're not going to apologize to her, then at least apologize to Dani!"

He simply huffed and I calmed John down as I gathered the cups on the table.

"It's alright, John. I'm sure she'll get over it sooner or later."

"Dani, you can't be serious?! Why are you just blowing it off like that?!"

"Because, John. That's…That's the first time anyone has stuck up for me against my mother and, as much as I love her, I'm thankful that he did that. Maybe now, she'll understand."

I gave a small smile and Sherlock, I noticed, smiled a bit in return while John just sighed.

"Alright, but should you really just leave things like this? I mean, she is your mother."

I shrugged. "Who knows. This is the first time this has happened, but I'm sure she'll come around eventually. Besides, she's never been to London. I'm the only contact here she has."

I chuckled a bit and John shook his head in amusement, before Sherlock spoke up.

"This friend of yours who booked her room…I assume it was my brother?"

I nodded. "Yup. Not sure why he's being so nice to me though. He did mention checking up with him about you on occasion though, Sherlock. You wanna split what he pays me?"

Sherlock smirked, glancing at John. "See?"

John simply rolled his eyes, leaving me out of the loop. "Yeah, yeah. Sorry."

"Am I missing something?" I asked.

"Nothing much. My brother simply asked John to do that once before and John didn't accept. I mentioned he should've and split the fee, but John was disbelieving. 60/40 then?"

I shook my head. "Nah. I'm good with 50/50. It's your life after all. Wouldn't want to cut you short."

He nodded, when his phone went off. John and I waited patiently until Sherlock stood up.

"Lestrade. We've got a case."

"Can I come?" I questioned, eager to have some action after being stuck in a hospital all month.

Sherlock raised a brow. "Why are you asking?"

I shrugged with a grin. "Don't know. Wanted to be courteous, I guess."

Shuffling towards the door, I spotted John giving me a concerned look, eyeing my knee. I bumped into him none to gently as I locked up my flat and headed out after Sherlock.

"Hey now. Don't you start trying to replace my mother. I'm fine."

"Are you sure? You don't have to go, you know."

I rolled my eyes, climbing into the cab beside Sherlock. "I asked to go, John. Limited mobility may be a pain, but I'm not going to let that keep me from the action."

I winked and he chuckled as the car drove off. The case was a pretty simple open-close case and, although there wasn't much action there at all, I was glad to be able to be out and about with Sherlock and John.

"So what's this one? Bellybutton murders?"

"Huh?" I questioned and Sherlock rolled his eyes.

"Not you. John. He titles all my cases for that blog of his."

"Oh, right."

"Hm, the navel treatment?"

I snickered, but Sherlock groaned as we walked through the narrow halls of the theater, meeting up with Lestrade.

"There's a lot of press outside, guys."

"Well, they won't be interested in us."

"Yeah, but that was before you were an internet phenomenon."

I gave them a look. "That can't be good."

"Right. A couple of them specifically wanted photographs of you three."

I winced as Sherlock groaned again. "For God's sake."

"You're telling me." I muttered. "I'm wanted dead by at least one country."

"What?" Lestrade questioned, giving me a look as Sherlock slipped into a dressing room and shoved something onto John's head while wrapping his scarf around my neck.

"Cover your face and walk fast." Sherlock said, walking towards the door once more while I addressed Lestrade's question.

"Koreans. They don't particularly like me at the moment."

He still seemed confused, but I couldn't dwell on him any longer as I pulled up Sherlock's scarf to cover the lower half of my face, trying to ignore his scent embedded into it. Lestrade seemed to get over his slight confusion and led the way once more.

"Still, it's good for the public image. Big case like this!"

"I'm a private detective. The last thing I need is a public image." Sherlock muttered quietly as we were shoved into the waiting arms of the press.

Cameras flashed as microphones were shoved in our faces, but I did my best to hurry down the steps despite my knee's constant complaining. I was lagging behind a bit, but I noticed Sherlock spot me and with a shake of his head, he placed a hand behind my back and ushered me along while telling the press to buzz off. Once we were in the cab and on our way, I couldn't be happier.

"A bit too much time standing around, it seems." I grunted, rubbing my knee.

"Apologies." Sherlock muttered, barely audible.

"It's fine. I've dealt with worse and I had fun." I smiled. "It's been a while since I got to roam about. Just let me sleep in tomorrow, alright."

He nodded. "Very well."

We pulled up to Baker Street and got out, before saying our respected goodbyes and heading to our own flats. Collapsing on the bed after I changed, I sighed to myself with a small grin on my face.

"Man, I've missed this."

Of course, my slumber didn't last long and I awoke feeling nauseous and afraid. My throat was tight and the room didn't look familiar at all to me in my half asleep state. I felt like I was back there, with him. I felt as though he was just around the corner waiting for me and the nightmare I had just woken up from wasn't helping matters. My breathing was coming in short gasps and I hurried out of the bed and into the main room, stumbling over the coffee table and landing painfully on my elbow.

I groaned, trying to ignore the pain radiating from the scars all over my body as well as my newest injury. I have to get out of here. I thought I'd be fine in my own flat, but his voice haunts me wherever I go. I need to leave. I forced myself up and headed to my door, rushing out and not bothering to lock it as it shut behind me. The hall was dark as well, and I suddenly stopped. Where am I going to go? Slowly, I glanced up the stairs and as I heard his laugh echoing in my head, I began to climb up them with difficulty.

My knee was killing me by the time I reached the top and the slow progression up the stairs only made me feel like he was right behind me. My hands were shaking as I reached towards the doorknob and I was silently wishing that the door would be locked and I would have to go somewhere else other than to seek comfort from Sherlock. I swallowed thickly and turned the knob, the door opening without a sound. I peeked in and didn't see anyone and was about to turn back when Sherlock called out.

"Dani?"

I jumped slightly and saw Sherlock coming from where his room was. I shouldn't be here.

"Sorry. I couldn't sleep." I muttered, turning to go only for him to say something unexpected.

"You can stay…if you want."

I stopped, but shook my head. "No. I-I'm fine."

He scoffed. "We both know that you're not fine, Dani. I said you can stay, so stay."

I sighed quietly but took up his offer, turning around and walking to sit on his couch as he headed towards the kitchen.

"Do you want anything?"

"Uh, tea…Tea would be nice." I muttered, crossing my legs underneath me Indian style and rubbing my knee.

Sherlock's flat hadn't changed at all in the month that I had been away, so I had nothing to distract me from his voice whispering in my ear. Hiding from me here, Dani? You should know that isn't going to work. Your temptation may be back in your flat, but I'm with you for life.

"Shut up." I hissed.

"Excuse me?"

I jumped, lifting my head to stare wide-eyed at Sherlock as he set my tea down on the table.

"Ah, no. Sorry. Just…talking to myself." I said, trying to ignore his laughter as I grabbed the cup of hot tea and took a sip.

Sherlock sat in his usual chair and we were silent for a while until I grew uncomfortable with his staring.

"Why are you staring at me?" I asked, holding my tea in my lap.

"I'm not staring, I'm observing." He corrected.

"Right. Then why are you observing me?"

He looked me up and down before saying, "You've changed in a month."

I scoffed. "Of course I have. I'm a coward now, haven't you noticed?"

He frowned, something I barely made out in the dim light. "You're not a coward."

"Yes I am." I argued back. "I can't even sleep in my own flat. I had to come running up here."

"That doesn't make you a coward."

"Either way, it's pathetic. The Black Panther isn't a coward." I bit out, clenching the cup in my hands tightly.

"Then don't be the Black Panther." Sherlock stated, leaning back in his seat with his hands steepled under his chin. "Just be Dani."

"It's not that easy." I muttered, placing my cup down on the table and stretching my legs out with a wince. "Especially not with this leg."

Sherlock gave my knee a glance as I rubbed it and laid down on the couch.

"You should take your medication if it's bothering you."

I shook my head, resting it on the arm of the couch as I closed my eyes. "No point. They hardly do anything. It's only over the counter stuff."

He went quiet and I let out a deep breath, pushing his voice out of my head the best I could.

"Sherlock?"

"Hm."

"You've done drugs before, right?"

"…Yes."

"Mm…Did you ever hear things?"

He paused. "…On occasion."

I opened my eyes, looking up at the ceiling. "The music helps, but I still hear him mocking me. Laughing at me…Will it go away, Sherlock? The voices?"

"Eventually…I'm sorry, Dani."

I frowned and rolled onto my stomach, folding my arms under my chin and giving him a questioning look.

"For what?"

"This…is technically my fault. If I hadn't pushed you, then you wouldn't have gone out there."

I shook my head, giving him a stern look. "It's not your fault. You were just trying to help and I was being hard-headed."

"That's what I was doing, not you." He argued back.

"Yeah, well, we're both hard-headed, so let's just say it's both our faults…Although, my mother being mad with me is definitely your fault." I chuckled, giving him a closed eye smile.

Sherlock seemed surprised, but smiled a bit himself as he rose from his chair. "You should sleep, Dani. You can use my bed."

I rolled onto my back and sat back up on the couch. "No way. It's your bed. If anything, I should be back down in my flat instead of being up here taking up your couch."

I started to get up, but Sherlock pushed me back down.

"No. You shouldn't be alone, so you're staying here and you're using my bed."

He stood back up and pulled my arm to drag me to his room, me complaining the whole way.

"Sherlock! It's your bed, not mine! You should be the one sleeping in it!" I quietly shouted, trying not to be too loud and end up waking up John.

"I don't sleep. Hence, you can take it."

Scowling, I spun around as he could shove me onto the bed and pulled him with me. "If I need to sleep, then so do you."

We both fell next to each other with muffled thumps onto the mattress, but Sherlock sat up.

"As I just stated, I don't need sleep. You, who have just returned from the hospital, do. Goodnight, Dani."

"Ah! Wait!" I grabbed the sleeve of his robe and he stopped, looking over his shoulder at me as I mentally scolded myself.

What are you doing?! He already said he doesn't need to sleep. Just let him go! He'll think you're being childish if you ask him to stay! What are you afraid of?! Afraid of little ol' me? How pathetic. I slowly let go of Sherlock's sleeve and mumbled a small "Never mind." before curling up in the sheets on the far side of the bed with my back facing him. I heard his footsteps leave and the door close, and I curled up tighter as his voice mocked me. What? You thought he'd stay here and baby-sit you? You're nothing like the Black Panther I knew. You're just a child hiding under their blankets, afraid of the monster under the bed.

"Shut up." I whispered quietly.

Then I heard a sigh and I suddenly realized that Sherlock hadn't left, as the other side of the bed sank down.

"You didn't leave." I said, turning my head slightly to see his icy blue eyes.

"Would you rather I did?"

I shook my head, facing away from him once more. "No, no…but…Thank you, Sherlock."

I heard a deep rumble from his chest and slowly smiled to myself as I drifted back off to sleep once more.

Sherlock noticed Dani's breathing even out and he quietly sighed to himself. Why did I come back? I could've went back downstairs. She would've been fine, would she not? So why did I come back? Sherlock glanced over at Dani's sleeping figure huddled under his blankets and remembered what he had been observing earlier.

Dani definitely had changed in the month she was at the hospital. Sherlock had noticed the dark bags under her eyes the moment she walked through the doors of Baker Street and knew that she probably hadn't slept well in weeks. She was slimmer as well, which had Sherlock slightly worried. He hadn't seen her eat anything since coming back other than the two cups of tea she'd had, and he silently wondered if she'd been eating well at the hospital.

The scars were still something he couldn't get used to. Even before, when he'd witnessed the scars on her back, they made him uncomfortable. But now… Now it was worse because, to him, he was the one who caused this to happen to Dani. As much as she would deny it, Sherlock still felt responsible for her getting trapped in that situation and for not being able to find her. That was what bothered him the most. He could have saved her from this, but he wasn't fast enough. Smart enough.

He frowned, but tensed when Dani shifted in her sleep, rolling over to face him. Once he knew she was still asleep, he relaxed as his eyes traced over her facial features. Her nose was slightly crooked, most likely from it being broken once before in her life, something Sherlock hadn't taken the chance to notice until now along with the small scar on her chin. Yet another prize from one of her adventures, I'm sure. Her cheek bones, although not as sharp as his own, stood out slightly as did her ears, which were normally hidden behind at least a few strands of hair but were now in full view due to a haircut she got while in the hospital.

It's so short. He reached a hand up and hesitated before brushing it through her hair. He was always fascinated by it's color and had caught himself wondering on more than one occasion on whether it was as bristly as it looked. As short as it was now, he was surprised that it was so soft and continued to play with the strands as he brought his eyes back to Dani's face. I wonder why she keeps it so short. Surely longer hair would be better suited for a woman.

"I'm not exactly the average woman, Sherlock."

Sherlock chuckled, before relaxing back on the bed. "No, you certainly aren't."