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Sunlight streamed into Sherlock's bedroom. The brightness wrested Ri from the comfort of a very pleasant dream. She couldn't remember what the dream was about, only the sense of peace and happiness it engendered. Sherlock's arms were still tightly wrapped around her, their fingers entwined.

Ri disengaged herself from his embrace, noting that he was sleeping soundly. He looks much more peaceful now, she thought. She got out of the bed and drew the curtains so he could sleep as long as he needed to. She donned her dressing gown and went to the kitchen to brew herself some coffee.

She curled up in Sherlock's chair, trailing her fingers across the soft leather. It smelled like him. Sighing, she reached for her laptop to resume her search across the zeros and ones of cyberspace for Moriarty.

Maybe, she thought, if I can find him the nightmares will stop.

It was nearly half past two when Sherlock woke. His body ached and his mind was still fogged. He pinched the bridge of his nose between his fingers and shut his eyes tight, trying to clear away the cobwebs in his brain. As his head began to clear, he rolled onto his side to reach for Ri, finding only emptiness.

Was that part of the dream, he wondered. Reality and dream were mixed together, nearly impossible for him to discern which was which. He thought he vaguely remembered John calling his name. But that had to have been the dream, John lived in the suburbs with Mary.

Sherlock sat up in bed, immediately regretting the decision as his vision swam and the room began to spin.

"Ri," he managed to croak out, before falling backwards.

The sound of him hoarsely calling out her name pulled Ri from some internet chatter she had been decoding. She nearly dropped her laptop in her haste to get to him.

"Sherlock," she queried as she entered his bedroom. "Is everything ok?"

He reopened his eyes, relieved that the room had stopped spinning.

"What happened," he whispered, finding that his throat was extremely raw. "I thought...but then...you."

Ri sat on the edge of his bed and took his hand in hers.

"You had another nightmare," she explained. "I tried to wake you, but I couldn't. I called John because I was afraid you were going to hurt yourself. He ended up giving you an injection of Haldol."

"Did he..."

A faint blush crept across his cheeks.

Ri smiled.

"No, I got dressed before he got here. He was more concerned about you than noticing if I was sharing your bed."

"So, we did..."

Ri bent down and kissed him gently.

"Yes, we did," she answered, finishing his thought for him. "Stay in bed. I'll go make you a cup of tea. You're getting honey instead of sugar. It will help your throat."

Sherlock made a face of disgust, but Ri was all ready in the kitchen.

She brought him his tea and a couple of Aspirin, then helped him sit up.

"Do you want me to join you," she asked, looking away shyly.

"Please," he answered, his voice made slightly stronger with the tea.

Ri settled against him and he put the arm not holding his tea around her, pulling her close to him.

"You know you make an awful cup of tea," Sherlock said, kissing the top of her head. "But thank you anyway."

Ri looked up at him in mock surprise.

"Stop the presses," she joked. "Sherlock Holmes just thanked someone for making him tea. I'm sure they will declare a national holiday for this!"

Sherlock looked away from her in embarrassment.

"I meant," he said stiffly. "Thank you for everything.

Ri curled tighter into Sherlock's chest.

"Anytime. Do you want to talk about it?"

"I'm not really..." he started, taking a breath. "I'm not really, goodat expressing feelings. Especially ones that make me vulnerable."

"That's ok, just know that I'm here if you decide you want to."

"I think I'd like to go back to sleep for a bit. I'm still off from the medication."

"I can go if you'd like."

"No," Sherlock answered, quicker than he would have liked. "I'd...I'd rather you stay."

Ri smiled to herself and settled under the covers, her head on Sherlock's chest. She fell asleep to the rhythm of his heartbeat.

Sherlock stayed awake a bit longer, wondering at the fact that holding this woman in his arms made him feel safe.