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So thanks so much!
Enjoy!
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Sherlock could only hear beeping throughout the room. His body was still numb and he felt as if he were floating. He couldn't move, he couldn't talk, he couldn't think, he could only float in a state of unconsciousness.
"God, John…"
What? Who was that?
A soft hand trailed through his hair, making a small warmth flow through this numb veins.
"What on earth do you think set him off?"
"I have no idea, Ky. He was moaning an clutching his head by the time I got back in here."
He heard a sigh.
"Thomas did a lot of damage," the woman's voice said as the hand gingerly stroked through his hair once more, "That, and I did lay some pretty hefty information on him."
Silence.
"Wait, what?"
More silence.
"You told him, you loved him?"
"I had to John! I wasn't going to originally, but then he kept saying about how it wasn't worth us coming to save him. Then I got mad about the fact that he didn't think of himself as 'worthy' to save, and emotions just started pouring out of me."
There was a pause.
Sherlock tried to move, every limb feeling as if they were weighed down with two tons. He tried to open his eyes, but found he couldn't.
The voices were so clear now… the fog was passing.
"You told Sherlock, you loved him… right after he woke up from a head injury and a coma?"
"I know," Kylie groaned, moving slightly, muffling her voice, "I know I shouldn't have told him."
"I never said that," John countered immediately, "How'd he respond?"
Kylie sighed next to him as he felt her began to slowly toy with his fingers that were beginning to regain feeling.
"He just stared at me," she said quietly, "No words. Nothing. Not even a micromovement on his face. I shouldn't have told him."
It was John's turn to sigh from his other side.
"Kylie, he may not admit it, but I know he loves you too."
…I do…?
Photo.
Thomas.
Thomas holding a smiling Kylie…
"I hope so, John. I just hope I didn't freak him out too much. The last thing I want is for him to pull away from me."
Pain.
The pain came on at a full force as the narcotic the nursing staff gave him quickly faded out; the pain growing by the second.
He still couldn't move, but his limbs were beginning to feel lighter.
"His heart rate is speeding up," John said as there was some shuffling on either side of the bed.
"Sherlock?" Kylie's voice said as the soft hand rubbed his chest gently, careful not to hit any of the electrodes on his chest.
Brighter, why was it brighter?
Sherlock finally opened his eyes, blinking a few times until everything came into focus. Kylie was leaning over him, a look of concern plastered on her face, while John was hovering over the monitors, a similar expression on his face.
"Hey," Kylie said gently, a small, concerned smile playing over her face, "How are you feeling?"
Pain…
"Fine," Sherlock replied through gritted teeth, trying not to show how much pain he was in. He had to admit, the pain was still lower than what it had been when Kylie had left the room.
Maybe she does have that strong of an effect on him?
…Scientifically impossible. A human's presence cannot help with pain relief.
Love has healing qualities…
Who are you?
…Good question…
"Why wouldn't I be?" Sherlock finished simply.
Kylie gave him a pointed look and a frown while John rolled his eyes lightly.
"Um, maybe because you were hit in the head with a bat and a lead pipe multiple times and now have a large, serious concussion and multiple fractures?"
Sherlock shrugged, staring at his blanket, focusing on remaining stony-faced.
He felt eyes on him before a soft hand covered his.
"You do know that John and I see right through you, right?" she asked him softly, "Stop lying to us and let us help you. We know you are hurting."
Her fingers trailed through his hair comfortingly once more, causing his body to unconsciously relax.
He shut his eyes, feeling himself caving quickly towards this woman.
Kylie smiled, knowing she had won this round.
"You want some pain meds?" she asked getting up from where she sat on the edge of the bed.
"No," Sherlock told her quickly, grabbing her hand, preventing her from getting up.
Kylie gave him a strange look as he refused to look at her, he just began toying with her fingers, staring at her hand in his.
Why did he so desperately not want pain medication?
….At least he isn't pulling away…
"Okay," she muttered, sitting back down on the edge of the bed, allowing Sherlock to keep toying with her fingers, watching his body slowly relax once more.
"You need pain meds Sherlock," John stated, "With your injuries, you need to stay in front of the pain."
Kylie gave her friend and sharp look as Sherlock didn't respond.
"Just… drop it for now John," she told him quietly.
John gaped at her before he rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, what do I know? I'm only a doctor…" he huffed to himself.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
There was a knock on the door, causing the three of them to turn and look to see a familiar petite blonde dressed in her work clothes, knocking on the door.
"Mary!" Kylie exclaimed, happy to see her friend.
"I'm sorry," she apologized as she stepped into the room, seeing her friend perched on her boyfriend's bed, "I hope I'm not interrupting. I just heard that Sherlock was in the hospital and I came to see if you all were alright."
"Yeah," Kylie smiled at her as she got up off the bed, going over to greet her friend, making Sherlock feel suddenly cold and empty without her touch.
"Lestrade told me you all were down here and so I had to stop in to see if you were alright," Mary said as she pulled back from the hug, looking her friend up and down, "Which I have to say, you don't look it."
"Yeah, I'm fine, no worries," Kylie said as she brushed her off, turning back around to face the men, stifling a laugh. John was gaping at Mary like a fish out of water once more, a love stricken look on his face as he admired the petite blonde. Mary obviously caught it as well as she shifted, blushing slightly.
Sherlock on the other hand, hand his eyebrows furrowed as if he were trying as hard as he could with his injured brain to figure out what was going on.
"John, Sherlock," Kylie said trying her best not to smile or laugh at her boys' reaction to the woman, "You both remember Mary?"
"Mary… right," Sherlock muttered, his question obviously been answered as he turned his attention back to staring at his blanket.
Mary raised an eyebrow at the detective.
"I heard he was hit in the head more than a few times?" Mary asked Kylie, knowing Sherlock wasn't going to talk to her.
"Yeah."
"You have someone give you a second opinion?" Mary asked, "Doctors do get things wrong…"
"Yeah, John took a look," Kylie told her with a slight smile, "He's a doctor as well."
"Oh," Mary said as she looked back at the still staring doctor.
There was a pause.
"Maybe you two should go take a look at Sherlock's file?" Kylie suggested as she walked back over to the bed, sitting on the edge once more.
Mary gave her a look.
She was quite flattered that the handsome doctor was staring at her. Not to mention, she had found his stuttering of their last conversation quite endearing.
No, Mary. You do not think that he is handsome… You cant play into this…
You like him.. you know you do… all because Kylie put thoughts in your head.
You gave him your phone number already…
Dammit Mary!
"I also hear the coffee is quite good here," Kylie hinted more, her smile growing.
John finally snapped out of his trance, looking over at his friend.
"Wait, what about the coffee?"
"That you were about to take Mary out for coffee as you two talk about Sherlock's diagnosis, hopes, aspirations, and dreams?" Kylie said with a smirk.
John stared at her as if he had no idea what she was talking about.
"You know, Mary?" Kylie hinted, "Remember her?"
"Yeah, how could I forget," John said, blushing as he realized he had said that out loud.
Kylie tried her best not to laugh as she heard her friend giggle slight next to her.
Giggle; Mary Morstan had giggled…
John smiled bashfully as he stood up, scratching the back of his neck as he looked at the beautiful blonde.
"I, uh… did want to ask you out for a cup of tea," he rambled nervously, "Would you care for a cup of coffee?"
Mary stared at him for a moment, an eyebrow raised as she smiled.
"You know, I think I would like that."
John perked up and smiled immediately.
"Brilliant," he smiled as he grabbed his jacket, motioning for her to lead the way out of the room.
The pair of doctors walked out of the room, nearly running into Lestrade as he walked in.
Lestrade paused, staring after the pair in bewilderment. He turned back to the room finding a grinning Kylie and an uninterested Sherlock.
Lestrade laughed as he put two and two together.
"You are shameless, you know that?" he told Kylie as he took John's seat, " You just arranged that whole thing, didn't you?"
Kylie grinned even wider, "Have you met the both of them? They are perfect for each other, you have to admit."
"So you just arranged for them to 'run' into each other?"
"Well, no, that just happened. But I have been hinting at them for ages."
"More like droned on and on about it," Sherlock muttered as he rolled his eyes.
Kylie gaped in offense as she lightly slapped him in the chest.
"Did not!"
Lestrade laughed and smiled at the pair of them, "Glad to see that you are awake, Sherlock."
Sherlock looked at the DI and nodded slightly before Lestrade sighed and took a more serious note.
"I wish this visit was mainly social, but I thought the two of you should know something."
Kylie looked up at him, slightly scared of what he was about to say.
"With Thomas now in custody, we are going to charge him with both Sherlock's kidnapping and assault as well as your kidnapping and sexual assault, Kylie."
Kylie froze. She had forgotten about the fact that Thomas wasn't imprisoned forever quite yet; he had a right to a fair trial… a right to face his accusers…
"We'll need both of you to testify at the trial," Lestrade continued.
Sherlock nodded. Obviously, Lestrade would require their testimony. He had no idea why on earth he would think that this would be a surprise for them.
Then he looked over at Kylie.
Oh… that's why…
She was stark white in fear. It was as if the very thought of having to face Thomas once more was terrifying.
She's a good liar… you know that. It could all be an act.
That fear though…
The photograph.. you saw that photograph.
Something is off about it. You know Kylie would never do that.
You cant think… You need to think…
Sherlock noticed her hand close to his, waiting for him to grab it in reassurance; her back only a foot away for him to rub. But he didn't move, he couldn't. No matter how much it was eating at him to reach out and touch her, comforting her, he couldn't. The picture of the photograph bringing forth a new wave of anxiousness.
He saw her stiffen and slouch slightly, noticing his lack of comfort, but she covered it up pretty well by just looking downwards.
Sherlock promptly stared back down at the blanket as well, ignoring the situation fully.
There was a silence.
"Right…" Lestrade said suspiciously, obviously picking up that there was something off in the room, "I'll leave you two alone. But I just thought you should know."
Lestrade got up and walked towards the door, pausing before he left as he turned back, "Glad to see that you are awake," he told Sherlock before walking out the door, and shutting it behind him.
Silence took over the room once more.
Sherlock just sat still, not moving a muscle. Usually, he would have tried to awkwardly comfort Kylie in someway, usually looking to John to tell him what to do. He hated seeing her visibly upset, which made him upset with himself. But right now, he was frozen with doubt as the photograph was fresh in his mind.
Seeing her this scared was bringing out his protective side, but his logical side was stronger at the moment…
That photo….
GOD! HE NEEDED TO THINK! HE NEEDED HIS BRAIN TO FUNCTION!
He kept staring at the blanket, feeling Kylie look at him with sad eyes. She sighed and moved from the bed to the chair, creating some distance as she faced him.
"I didn't mean to overwhelm you when I told you how I felt," she told him meekly after a moment, "I'm perfectly fine with how everything is right now. Nothing has to change. I just don't want you to be uncomfortable and pull away from me."
Sherlock just sat there for a moment.
Silence.
He glanced at the bedside table, careful not to look at Kylie, knowing if he looked at her, he would crumble.
This woman was quickly becoming his Achilles heel.
… you don't have one. She is just a woman… one who may be deceiving you.
Love really was a dangerous disadvantage.
Love…?
"Phone? Where is my phone? I need to send a text."
Kylie just stared at him, feeling a dagger go through her heart as she tried her best to hold back tears.
He didn't care. He was pulling away…
Sherlock didn't move or look at her, so she closed her eyes and ran a hand through her hair before getting up and retrieving his phone from the top drawer of the bureau.
She stared at it in her hand for a moment, seeing Sherlock reach out his hand for it.
She hesitated giving it to him.
"I'm serious, Sherlock," she told him sincerely, "I want this to work. I don't want to lose you."
"My phone," he said flatly, avoiding her eye.
Kylie felt her heart break at his monotonous tone, his walls obviously back up.
She handed it to him quickly and muttered something about going to the bathroom before walking quickly out of the room, trying to hide her tears.
Sherlock stared at his phone, hating this terrible feeling he was holding in his chest. Guilt was eating at him for hurting her; for him being the reason she looked so visibly hurt. His heart wrenched when he heard her sniffle slightly, but he couldn't focus on that. He needed to think.
That picture was eating at him. It was the only substantial proof to Irene's story and in order to put his mind to rest, he needed to disprove that picture.
He looked down at his phone and began to type a text to the one person who could read body language and lies better than he could.
Though, it killed him to do it, he needed advice and help from his brother.
Mycroft. I need a favor
-SH
Ah, so you are awake now. Good to hear, brother. You had Miss Gibbs and Dr. Watson slightly worried there.
-MH
I know you have been keeping tabs on Kylie. I need to know where she has been and what she has been doing when she is not with me.
-SH
Trouble so soon? I would have expected you to be too stubborn for jealously.
-MH
Information has came to me that she may be working with Thomas Moore.
-SH
…Information from whom?
-MH
It doesn't matter. I was shown a photograph. I need to know if it is real or fake.
-SH
I thought you could from a glance. You are brighter than that brother dear.
-MH
I cant in my…condition.
-SH
I see. Information is only as reliable as the source. Pictures can be altered.
-MH
I don't trust my own instincts right now. I cant think. My mind is inactive. I need you to look into this for me.
-SH
What makes you think that I've been keeping surveillance on her?
-MH
Because you keep surveillance on anyone and everyone remotely close to me. You are overbearing and overprotective for no reason whatsoever. So Mycroft, tell me you will get me the information that I need.
-SH
I'll find out what I can
-MH
Sherlock tossed his phone to the side, sighing as he tried to pull up the photo in his mind.
Nothing.
He needed to get to the bottom of this photograph as quickly as he could. If he didn't, he wasn't sure how much longer he could take hurting the auburn-haired anthropologist.
Thoughts? Feelings? Review?
