On their way back to Baker Street in a taxi, John contemplated what he had achieved - and what he hadn't.

Sherlock had admitted that he had a problem with drugs. And that, whether he liked it or not, was the first step to recovery whatever system or theory you looked at.

He had also, in his usual roundabout way, admitted two very important further things; that he needed John's help, and that he would accept it. John, in turn, had made it very clear that there were conditions for him springing Sherlock from hospital without a mental health assessment. Sherlock had to agree that he as going to stop using, or rather that he was going to try to stop using, and he had to agree to let John help him.

And Sherlock, surprisingly, had acquiesced to both of John's conditions.

'No NA meetings though, and no methadone,' he had bargained.

'Buprenorphine then,'

'No.'

'Why not?'

'Because I don't need it, I'm not going to withdraw, and we have a case. That will keep my mind occupied for a while, at least. As long as I don't need to go into my Mind Palace, then I'll be fine until it's over.'

'And what then?'

'And then we'll see.' He had stopped and stared at John for a long moment.

'You can do this, you know,' John told him. 'You're the most stubborn bastard that I've ever met. If you set this mind to it, then there isn't going to be a problem.'

'Do you honestly believe that it's going to be that easy?'

'No, I don't think it's going to be easy at all. But I'm here for you, Sherlock. Whatever it takes, I'm going to help you to stay clean.'

'And if I can't?'

'Then I'm here for you too. I just want you to promise me one thing.'

'Go on.'

'I want you to promise me that you'll tell me when you're thinking about using and before you do. In return, I promise that I won't try to stop you. I'll support you, but if you feel that's the only option then I won't stop you.'

'I wouldn't ask you to do that.' Sherlock had been sitting, fully dressed, on the side of the hospital bed, John occupying the only chair. They were waiting for the medical registrar to come and talk to John so that John could convince her that it was safe to allow Sherlock to leave without a mental health assessment.

'I know you wouldn't, and that's why I'm making it a condition. Better make your mind up quick, or you're not going anywhere' he said as there was a knock on the door.

'Fine,' Sherlock had snapped before fixing his expression into a fixed grin to greet the medical registrar who could enable his escape.

...

Back at Baker Street, Sherlock seemed to simply deflate. He stood staring around the room, looking distinctly unsettled.

'You okay?' John asked.

'You were right, John,' Sherlock said, wandering over to the skull on the mantelpiece and picking it up, staring at it. 'In a way, I did want to escape. I was disappointed when the plane got turned round.'

'Is it that bad?'

'It's - no. It's not that bad. It's just - complicated.'

John waited for a further explanation, but none came.

'I'm going to stay here with you,' he said. I've talked to Mary and we've both agreed, it's for the best. The baby isn't due for another seven weeks. Plenty of time to get you straight first.'

'I don't need a babysitter, John,' it was a reflex response, but Sherlock didn't even sound as if he was convincing himself.

'I know. But I thought perhaps you needed a friend?'

'A friend? Perhaps you're right.'

'Will you see somebody? An addiction counsellor? It would help.'

'No. I can't talk to a stranger.'

'Will you - maybe - talk to me? Properly. Talk it through, tell me how it started, tell me why you use and how and what it feels like when you do?'

'You might not like what you hear.'

'I'm willing to take that chance.'

And Sherlock had nodded, quickly, and claiming fatigue, taken himself off to his room to sleep, leaving John to contemplate what the next few weeks were likely to hold, and wondering where he could get a crash course in addiction counselling from.

John was in over his head and he knew it, but if he'd learnt one thing from Harry, it was that what got people through was compassion, and understanding, and simply refusing to be pushed away, no matter how bad things got. He hadn't been able to be that person for Harry, but he was sure as hell going to make sure that he held on in there for Sherlock. He might not know a lot about addiction, but he knew a lot about Sherlock Holmes. He just had to hope that that was enough.

And that's it - well for now at least. Hope you enjoyed the bonus chapters.

If you would like to see more of this, then let me know. I might just be persuaded...

Extra chapters for The Plus One coming soon. And if you haven't read Explanations yet, then there are five more possible outcomes to the initial scene just waiting to be discovered!