.

'Sherlock', Sherrinford started, 'what do you remember of me?'

Sherlock evaded the direct question about the past. There would be other times for that. Now he was focused on John, and the whole abduction's goal. 'You were asked questions while held there, Sherrinford.'

'Plenty, Sherlock. Just like they did with John when they got him there. Questions about you and Mycroft. I should probably warn you that you have powerful enemies out there, but it seems obvious enough.'

'Were the questions they had for John any different from yours?' Sherlock insisted, in a cold professional voice. The detective overlaying the brother and friend.

'When it came to John they were more insistent on knowing about you, Sherlock. You know Mycroft, he's not a people's person, I'd guess John to know him less well too.'

'What did you tell him over the time you spent there?'

'Hold on there, little brother. I protected you as best as I could. I gave him just about nothing. I had nothing to give. We haven't talked in a long time. All I know of you is through the papers, and John's blog. And all that they knew all along.' The man was getting agitated now, defending himself, and John immediately tried to intervene, laying a hand gently on his arm, and assuring him that Sherlock meant nothing by his questions.

To Sherlock he gave a heavy look. If he wanted to stay, he'd have to play along. Doctor's orders.

'Why don't you get him a glass of water, Sherlock?'

The detective obeyed in tense gestures. John had that doctor smile on again, when he said: 'Managed to keep quiet about that bee sting allergy you've got, Sherlock. Hopefully you did too, Sherrinford.' The man nodded, still breathing deeply. 'And other things that could have been more important, of course. What does it mean? They'd try to come after you with bees now if I told them about it?'

Sherlock smiled briefly amused. 'Doubtfully, John.'

'Sherlock, this man has been extremely loyal, you should know that.' He was referencing John, who was again too quiet.

'I know that', the detective assured his brother, in a quiet manner. John looked at him with a pleased and slightly surprised expression.

'I tried my best not to disappoint you either, Sherlock. No matter our differences in the past, you're my little brother. I wouldn't want harm coming upon you or Mycroft.'

John assured the two brothers: 'We don't need to go through all this right now, it's all too recent. And you need to rest, Sherrinford.'

The older man had a brief expression of annoyance towards John, probably because he was finally one again reunited with his brother and the off-duty doctor was trying to put an end to the encounter.

'I'm capable of this conversation, John. I appreciate your care, but I'm not tired.'

'You really need to rest, Sherrinford', the doctor in the room insisted. 'I'll get Sherlock to come round later, and share old Holmes family tales.' With a smile he got up and Sherlock followed him at once. 'Take care. I'll have a word with your doctor.'

'Thank you, John.'