Summary: It was only a matter of time. Character death. Angst.

Author's Note: I'm sorry for the delay. And i'm sorry for what's about to happen. I didn't want it either but it was bound to happen eventually. i hope you enjoy the chapter anyway. I'm going to cry in the corner now.

Chapter 5: And I am in them and that is eternity

Sherlock tried his best to slam the gate shut. He handed Mrs. Hudson to John and peered out into the streets. None of the sick seemed to see them coming back here. An onslaught of flesh craving psychopaths was the last thing they needed right now. He turned back to the others.

John was kneeling next to Mrs. Hudson, looking her over. He pressed his hand into her neck, cheek and face. "She's burning up." he said. He reached into his bag pulling the zipper open to look for his medical supplies. John didn't like this. Mrs. Hudson's breathing was too labored for his comfort zone. Her chest heaved and fell frantically as she struggled to breath.

Her eyes finally opened as John managed to find what he was looking for. "Sherlock?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.

John took her hand. He'd thought the wound looked bad when it was red and bleeding. Now, the once red skin was a dying grayish black. The teeth marks stood prominently against the fester skin. Thick pale yellow pus leaked from the abrasion. She jumped when he touched it.

"Sorry." John said.

Mrs. Hudson tried a smile. "It's alright dearie." She closed her eyes as her head lulled to the side. "My head hurts." the words came out jumbled and distorted. John pulled the first needle he could find. "What are you doing?" Mrs. Hudson said.

"I'm giving you antibiotics." he said.

Mrs. Hudson held her hand up to stop him. She gently put the antibiotics down. "I'm sorry. I can't let you do that."

Sherlock grabbed her hand holding it close to his chest. "Why not? You won't get better without them." he said. Mrs. Hudson shook her head. Sherlock glared. "You have to get better." his head snapped over to John. "Give them to her." he said. Mrs. Hudson batted away the medicine. Sherlock took a deep breath. "Why must you be so difficult? You're only getting sicker. We can't just sit here and let you become one of those things."

She smiled at him. "I'm sorry Sherlock." her words were final.

"Mrs. Hudson, you don't have to do this." John said. "We could-"

"I'm old." Mrs. Hudson said. She looked toward the gate they'd escaped through. "I've lived a good long life."

"And you'll live a longer life if you let John help you" Sherlock insisted. He reached for the medicine and she stopped him again.

"One of you boys may need that later. Let's not waste it on little old me." She smiled again giving the bag to john and turning to Sherlock.

Sherlock shook his head. "Mrs. Hudson, I can't just let you die." Sherlock held his ground but his voice betrayed him.

Mrs. Hudson shook her head sitting back again. She reached for him. "Don't cry." she said. She wiped a tear Sherlock didn't know had fallen. "No more tears."

She held her hand before she could pull it away. They'd been through so much. "I can't let you do this."

Mrs. Hudson smiled a bit more. "I know," She turned to John. "That's why you're going to with him."

John shook his head. "We can't just-"

Mrs. Hudson took the needle and bottle. "-yes you can." She said. She pulled her bag over and put her food and supplies inside. She zipped the bag shut. "Now take him as far away from here as you can." She told John.

"No." Sherlock said firmly. He'd deny he was shaking if anyone dared to point it out.

Mrs. Hudson wasn't looking at him. She was talking to John. "Take him and run. Find Lestrade and get out of the city. Go to the country." John took the bag and she patted his cheek. "Please be safe."

Sherlock refused to move. He couldn't have if he wanted to. His legs were frozen. "I'm not going anywhere." he protested like a stubborn child.

"Sherlock please, for once, listen to someone else." Mrs. Hudson said.

John watched form the sidelines for a moment. It was a stalemate. Sherlock wouldn't move and Mrs. Hudson was too weak to make him. But he was strong enough. "Sherlock." he said swallowing the thickness in his voice. "We have to go."

Sherlock glared at him. "You may be willing to leave her but I'm not going anywhere. I told her we'd get out of the city and I meant it."

"And you will." she gripped his leg. "Just not with me."

"I can't-" he began.

" .John." she said firmly. She turned to John. "Keep him safe, please. I need you both to be safe." He nodded and pulled Sherlock put by his coat. Sherlock fought the entire way.

His stubbornness died slowly. Sherlock looked to John. "We can't just leave her." He said. Was he the only sane one left in the room?

John went rigid. "And we won't." he said. "Go wait outside."

Sherlock's eyebrows furrowed. "What are you-" it clicked in his mind. "No, no, no, no, no, you can't-" Sherlock fought for the right words. "It's Mrs. Hudson." he said.

John pulled his gun. "I know. That's why we have to." he looked at Mrs. Hudson. "DO you want me to do this?"

Mrs. Hudson nodded. "I don't want to hurt anyone. Just make it quick."

Sherlock stared between the two of them and darted from the room. From the hall, Sherlock sat against the wall holding himself. He could do nothing but wait. And then he heard it. A piece of his heart died with her.