Author's Note: Sorry this took so long but it was the end of term and today I finally got a few minutes to myself to get the next part of this story on to paper. I always love to hear what you have to the think about the story, plus it inspires me to write faster.

SHERLOCK SHERLOCK

The events at the crime scene left Sherlock exhausted; John sat reading a book while Sherlock napped on the sofa. Mycroft had called John while in the cab, wanting to know if Sherlock was okay. John told Mycroft that he was taking care of things, Mycroft seemed happy enough with his answer. John was prepared to give Sherlock a sedative if he had not fallen asleep on his own when they reached Baker Street. After reading the same page three times John realized his mind wasn't going to focus on anything until he figured out what had triggered Sherlock's reaction to the crime scene, John knew that they had to find a solution because it would destroy everything Sherlock had left if he couldn't do his job. John had learned many things from Sherlock over the years and he tried to recreate the crime scene in his mind and examine it for what may have triggered Sherlock's extreme reaction. John knew it had something to do with an object or an event related to his torture. With Sherlock sleeping soundly next to him John focused his mind going to his own mind palace to find some much need answers.

SHERLOCK SHERLOCK

"John, Sherlock." Yelled a male voice from the stairs.

John was pulled from his mind place.

"John" called the voice again.

John climbed off the bed and headed to the living room, he found Detective Inspector Lestrade in the kitchen.

"Ah, John." Said the detective. "How is he?"

"Asleep." Replied John going to make a cup of tea. "Tea?"

"Please."

"What can I do for you?" asked John filling the kettle.

"I wanted to apologize for today, it was too soon and too gruesome."

"Greg, its not your fault." Said John. "I asked you to call us if you got a new case, it's my fault. I thought he was ready and I still believe he is in many ways."

Lestrade looked at John oddly, he had to trust John, no one knew Sherlock as well as John. Sherlock had taken John's departure very badly just as John had done when Sherlock had faked his suicide some years before. They were two halves of a whole, the other could not function without the other.

"Something at the crime scene caused him to remember something that he has buried deep in his memories, I am trying to figure out what because he has to remember. He has to remember or he is never going to be the man he once was."

"Will he ever fully recover?" asked the detective.

John poured the boiling water in to the tea pot.

"I don't know but I can't stop trying. He didn't give up on me after his death so I am not going to give up on him."

"I wouldn't expect anything less."

John smiled, of all the people in the world Lestrade knew more of his and Sherlock's relationship than anyone.

"Just give it a couple of days, I will text you when he has had some sleep and eaten something."

"He's still not eating." Said the detective taking the proffered cup of tea.

"Has he ever?" John paused. "I just want to get a few more pounds on him."

Lestrade followed John into the sitting room.

"Happy to be back in London?" asked Greg wanting to give John something to talk about other than Sherlock.

"Anything is better than Afghanistan." Said John. "Although it is nice to not have tip toe around Mycroft's staff."

"Do you want me to stay with him for a few minutes, I don't imagine you get much time to go out these days." Said the detective.

John looked at his watch, he wasn't sure how much longer Sherlock would sleep for and leaving him was risky, he could not predict how Sherlock would react if woke up to find John not there.

"Let me think about it, I don't know how he would react if he awoke and I wasn't here."

"I understand."

Lestrade took the hint and quickly turned the subject to cricket, something that they both enjoyed watching when they had the opportunity. John seemed to be enjoying the chance to do something normal, Greg suspected that John hadn't done that since he had been dragged from the deserts of Afghanistan.

SHERLOCK SHERLOCK

"John" Sherlock called out.

John quickly rose from his chair, putting his mug on the mantle before hurrying down the hall.

"John" called Sherlock again.

"Sherlock," said John pushing open the door.

Sherlock was sitting up in bed, his knees pulled up to his chest, arms wrapped around them. He was rocking back and forth, he was very agitated. John quickly went and sat down next to Sherlock. John's proximity was enough to calm Sherlock slightly.

"You okay?" asked John.

Sherlock just shook his head, unable to put his answer in to words.

"Is it about what happened at the crime scene?"

Sherlock nodded in response.

"You did very well, you solved the case." He paused. "And you knocked out Anderson."

Sherlock responded with a huff. Neither knew what to say, John knew that the issue needed to be addressed but he could see that Sherlock was still exhausted.

"Lestrade's here." Said Sherlock.

"I know, do you mind if he stays with you for a few minutes, I need to run to the store we are out of milk." Said John testing the waters.

"As long as he stays out there." Said Sherlock looking towards the door.

"Will you okay without me?" said John.

Sherlock nodded.

"Try to go back to sleep, we can have dinner when I get back, and if you need anything text me." Said John.

John quietly closed the door on the bedroom and returned to the sitting room.

"Is he okay with me being here with him?" asked Lestrade.

"Yes, text me if anything happens, I am only going to the Tesco's up the street." Said John getting his coat.

John headed to the door, for the first time in nearly three months he was leaving Sherlock, he was looking forward to the few minutes of personal time but scared of what might happen while he was way. He took a deep breath and pulled up the door to leave 221 Baker Street.