Kitty walked back into the bathroom, the green towel was now being used to dry her damp brunette hair. She had dressed into a relatively worn out pair of jeans and thick hoodie. She had also taken the liberty of removing her smudged, running make-up and reapply fresh powder to her naturally pale skin.

"You look warmer." Joan smiled gently and sincerely. She was wadding up the towel she used to dry Sherlock into a ball and placing it under his head. "And you're not blue anymore."

"Wonderful, I was never too fond of the 'Smurf' complexion myself." She tossed her damp towel into the tub. "How is he faring?"

"He's alright but he needs to keep resting." Joan gave her a sheepish look. "Think you can help me carry him back to his bedroom?"

Kitty sighed a little, more amused than annoyed at the request. "Sure, if I can lug his heavy carcass down the hall one way, I can do it again the other."

Together the two women grabbed ahold of Sherlock's arms and proceeded to wrap his limp limbs around their necks and shoulders once more. Working as a single force they sat Sherlock upright and slowly rose him up to his feet.

"Okay," Kitty carefully shifted her weight to keep him from falling over. "here we go."

Step by slow, clumsy step the patient duo managed to carry the ill consultant back down the hall and onto his messy bed. Brushing her wet hair out of her face Kitty shot Joan a look. "This is becoming quite routine, isn't it?"

"Unfortunately." Joan agreed as they gently laid Sherlock down onto the mattress.

To their surprise Sherlock a slight moan of pain despite being in such a deep slumber. Curious as to the cause of Sherlock's discomfort Joan checked his head for any sign of bump or bleeding, worried that Sherlock may have hit his head at some point during his collapse.

"What is it?" Kitty saw Joan examining Sherlock once again.

"I'm not sure, but he's in some kind of pain."

Kitty only took a moment to remember an odd behavior she saw Sherlock exhibit just before she hefted him into the shower. "Earlier he groaned in pain and clutched at the right side of his ribcage."

Believing Kitty's observation Joan ran her hands gently down Sherlock's ribcage to locate a potential source of pain or injury. It didn't take long for her to find the damaged area as Sherlock let out another moan of pain, yet remained asleep.

"He has a fractured a rib, maybe two." Joan took her hands from his chest. "He must've been coughing very hard for this type of injury to occur. He should've told us."

Kitty sat on the edge of the bed fascinated. "Are you certain? I thought that repetitive coughs breaking your ribs was an urban myth."

"No, that myth is in fact true. And fortunately for him the fractures are stable."

"What can we do for him?"

"Well, there's very little that can be done to treat fractured ribs other than limited physical exertion. But with his coughing fits I think wrapping his ribcage to prevent further damage would be best."

"There are ace bandages and gauze in the closet downstairs. I'll go get them." Kitty swiftly left the bedroom.

As Joan was waiting for Kitty to return she proceeded to try and make Sherlock as comfortable as possible on the bed. Propping a pillow under his head and neck to ensure his airway was clear and draping the soft quilt over his lower body, she placed her hand on his forehead to check the fever.

"Watson..." Sherlock slurred, only partially awake.

"Sherlock, how are you feeling?" She took her hand away from his forehead relieved with hos much cooler his skin felt.

"You've returned."

"Yeah, well, Kitty's still your protégé not partner. Babysitting someone as stubborn as you takes some experience."

"You're kindness is overwhelming, Watson."

Kitty returned to the room with the required bandages in hand. "How can I assist?" She handed the items to Watson.

"First..." Watson took a small hairband from her coat pocket to pull up her hair after tossing the coat aside. "I need you to sit him up as straight as possible so I can wrap his ribs, without hurting him."

"Right." Climbing awkwardly onto the bed Kitty did as she was instructed. Thankfully Sherlock was awake enough to hold most of his own weight and spare Kitty the exertion. "I believe I much prefer this method of treatment over cold showers."

After a few awkwardly silent minutes of wrapping Sherlock's ribs Kitty and Joan helped Sherlock lie flat on his back once more.

"Now, stay put." Joan scolded the sick man. "You need to rest or your health with relapse. Again."

"At this moment Watson, I agree with your assessment."

"Good." Joan rose from the bed with Kitty mimicking her moves. "I'm going to stay the night just in case. If you need anything..."

"I'm familiar with the concept of a house call. Thank you."

Kitty was exhausted and coveted sleep herself. She quietly took her leave of the bedroom and disappeared from sight.

Joan picked up her coat off the floor and turned toward the opened doorway.

"Watson?" Sherlock called after her, his eyes were shut and body relaxed beneath the covers.

"Yes, Sherlock?"

"You are right."

"About what?"

"I am aware that I have a gift for selecting excellent partners."

Joan blushed a little at his (almost) compliment before walking out of the doorway and into the hall. She stepped down the staircase quietly toward the study. From the opened doorway she saw Kitty inside the kitchen placing her wet phone in a bag of rice. Kitty sensed Joan watching her and chose to greet the good doctor during their moment of calmness.

"Well? How is he holding up?"

"He might be a little sicker than I thought." Joan teased.

"What makes you say that?" Kitty crossed her arms and stared at Joan curiously.

"He actually thanked us..." She tilted her head. "Sort of."

...to be continued...

Author's Note: Again, thank you to all who review and encourage me to keep going, I truly do appreciate it! :D One more chapter to go, maybe two if I can find a way to keep the story flowing without stretching it too thin.