Betaed by the oh so wonderful CrazySockGirl.

A New Home

"John." The sound of his name being called made John stir from a sleep he hadn't been aware of.

"John, wake up." He was being shaken awake in such a gentle way that if he had not already been mostly awake he would have been lulled back to sleep.

"I'm up, I'm up." It wasn't until after he stretched and had whipped the sleep out of his eyes that he remembered where he was. "Sherlock!" he hugged the tailor so hard that it caused him to start coughing from lack of oxygen. John lets go looking a bit sheepish as he sat back down.

"Good morning, John."

"Good morning. How are you feeling?"

"A bit sore. Do you know what happened? I remember starting to cook and then waking up to find you asleep with your head by my hip." John blushed a bit, but Sherlock had such a kind smile on his face that just help easezz John's mind.

"All I know is that I was in the library and I was headed back to the kitchen to see how the food was coming as well as to see if I could help. I also learned a thing or two about cooking." John had a teasing smile on his face causing Sherlock to have a serene one cross his. "Then I smelled something burning. I eventually realized you were in a room that was on fire and I did my best to handle the situation. Ensuring that you made it out alive."

"Thank you."

"Your welcome," they fell into a silence that was not quite as comfortable as the one they had shared the day prior. There was a tenseness that wasn't there before. A feeling rang between them that words had been shared, but unspoken and spoke ones had left things unshared. When it seemed that the words that needed to be said would be, they were interrupted.

"Little brother, you've finally woken up!" Victoria's entrance startled not only John, but Sherlock as well. "

"Where's Mycroft?" Sherlock demanded.

"Still on a date I believe."

"Humph. I'd much rather deal with him than you."

"Sherlock, is that any way to talk to your big sister?" Victoria was feigning having her feelings hurt in such a sarcastic way that it was surprising that she wasn't simply oozing essence of sarcasm.

"Is there a specific reason you are here or are you here to threaten John again?"

"You mean I can't come to check on my little brother, who was rescued by his boyfriend from a burning building?" Sherlock gave John a sideways glance before responding to his sister, he was a bit surprised John had not told him that when he said he handled the situation he meant it literally.

"No."

"You're right I'm not. I used up all of my sentiment for the year last night. I came dear brother of mine to see if there was anything you remember before passing out if that is indeed what happened."

"Of course I only passed out from smoke inhalation. There is no way it could have been anything else."

Victoria sighed, "Sherlock, there are time, like now, were I don't understand how we are related. Then I remember father and how irrational he is and how much you and Myc are like him. It would make my job much easier if you and he were more like mum and I." Sherlock had started to lose his will to fight his sister once she brought up the subject of their mother. John was this and was not able to hold back the anger that started to boil in his blood seeing Sherlock like that.

"Wait one blood second. Sherlock is not irrational and he does have the ability his mother has. It just happens that he uses it differently. There is no need to treat him like a dog you dislike and would rather feed to a pack of wolves. He is one the brightest men I know, and if you can't see that you need to leave." Victoria stormed off, but not before giving a look at to her brother while John looked away from her and the she left.

Sherlock had so many feelings and responses to what had just happened that his heart monitor had started to beep. When John noticed this and noted that Sherlock was not in danger, he hit the temporary mute button. When he looked back at Sherlock it was only to have his vision and all other senses be immersed in Sherlock. When the kiss ended it was done to a lack of oxygen of both participating parties. John, even though he managed to get past his initial shock, was in a different kind of shock that had him sitting on Sherlock's bed again. When John was finally able to speak again it was to ask one question,

"Do you always get this close to your clients?"

"Only the truly fascinating ones."

"Oh Sherlock, it is so nice having you back in the house, it go far too quiet without you." hugged Sherlock and then grabbed his things to go put them away. "Don't forget dear you are not to work on any of the clothes for your clients, we can't have you pushing yourself too far." With that warning she left.

"Sherlock, let me show you to your new room. Now I know it's not 221B, but you will be back there as soon as my men have combed it for evidence and rebuilt it. I have made sure there are things here so that if John stays he will be fully accommodated." Sherlock gave his sister a look of contemptment.

"I assure you that John would be fully accommodated with or without you help."

"Regardless," she responded, not missing a beat," Your new room is to your right, sewing room down and to the left, not that you should have to use it, bathroom is across the hall and guest bedroom is right next door to yours. You already saw the kitchen back to your left as well as the dining and living spaces of the main entrance. If my calculations are right, and they always are, John will be here in no more than five minutes. Best get ready, ta ta!" The click of her heels faded back down to the entrance hall and out the door.

Sherlock went into the bathroom to inspect it and himself. He would not admit it, but his heart skipped a beat at the knowledge that John would arrive soon.

Before he had a chance to double check the bounce of his curls the doorbell rang, followed by the sound of answering the door and John being let in. "Right through there, dear."Could be heard as Sherlock just managed to position himself in the sitting room, looking as if he was busy reading when John walked into the doorway.

"Are you aware you are reading that upside down?"

"I heard somewhere that you can learn different things by reading a book upside down."

"Is that so?"

"No. Not really. I'm not even sure what this is. The dictionary. "

"Interesting read that." They both laughed nervously as John sat down across from Sherlock.

"Nice house, temporary or-?"

"Temporary, my sister says that 221B will be rebuilt and I will move back in. Till then, here is where I shall reside."

"'Snice. Wonder who decorated it?" It wasn't a real question, but of course it was to be answered.

"Mycroft. This is the house he decorates and redecorates to keep up with new trends. It is not normally lived in, but he offered this place as opposed to putting me in an Inn."

"I see four doors, which is the bathroom and, uh, which is yours? "

"I can give you a tour, if you like?" Sherlock stood up, John following right behind.

"So what did you think of my little present? I do hope read the part in there about supervision otherwise there can be nasty consequences."

"What do you want?"

"I'm bored. Everything is boring, you interest me or rather your reactions interest me. You always do the silliest things when rattled; like thinking you can hide mummy and daddy from me or even better trying to hide baby brother and his itty bitty little postman." With that the phone call ended leaving a dial tone ringing in Victoria's ear. Moriarty had struck and was poised to do it again.