Joan was abruptly awakened from an otherwise peaceful slumber by someone suddenly kicking at the side of the couch. She opened her eyes to see Sherlock standing over her, his ribs still wrapped up but his pallor a much healthier shade than the night before. His posture was almost military with perfection and his eyes were focused intensely on her waking form.
"Morning Watson." He greeted flatly, almost sarcastically.
"Morning..." Joan rubbed her tired eyes with her hands. "I see you're feeling better."
"Much." He eyed her inquisitively as she slowly pulled herself upright on the couch, he continued on. "It's amazing how a single nights rest can rejuvenate a weary body with fresh life."
"I wouldn't know."
"Shouldn't you be at your apartment tending to Clyde?"
Joan sighed in a half amused, half exhausted manner. "Only you could be moments from death, twice, in less than twenty-four hours, just to end up focusing on a turtle."
"Nonsense Watson. I am not focusing on a single turtle, I am merely concerned with Clyde's well-being considering he has yet to be fed this morning."
"Is this your 'subtle' way of asking me to leave?"
"Yes." Sherlock just stared at her gaging her response to his blunt request.
"Okay. Ill leave." Joan heavily swung her legs off the side of the couch and put her bare feet on the floor. "But before I go, I have to know how you're feeling."
"I feel Well. Ah, correction: I fell as well as one could possibly feel when recovering from two fractured ribs."
"Is the pain bearable?"
"Quite. Fortunately I had taken the liberties of increasing my overall threshold for pain during my brief stint in London. Pain is no longer an immediate concern, nor a potential threat to my sobriety."
"Great." Joan slipped her shoes back on and proceeded to gather the rest of her belongings. She checked her phone and was grateful to see that Andrew hadn't been trying to get in contact with her all night.
Sherlock spoke up again. "I assume you and Kitty had a pleasant chat last evening before turning in for the night."
Joan stopped fast in her tracks worried that he might feel resentful toward them. "We talked, yes."
"And she is still holding her own emotionally? Her traumatic event hasn't affected her judgment?"
"No, she's fine. Why do you ask?"
"Curiosity. Although I also find it reassuring to ask a trusted colleague about the current health of another. Confirmation is key; you know this as well as I."
"Right." Slipping on her coat Joan headed for the front door. "Well, when you see Kitty, tell her thanks for all her help for me."
Sherlock nodded once to acknowledge Joan's request.
As his former partner left the brownstone, his current protégé emerged from her own bedroom. Her hair was slightly messy and she had small dark circles under her eyes from the previous days exhausting events. "Has Joan gone?"
"Yes. She left only a moment ago."
"Are you alright?" Kitty didn't want to babysit a sick consultant again. Alone.
"Indeed. I am fit enough to thumb through cold cases, whereas errands throughout the city may be a burden you will carry in my stead."
"Wonderful." Kitty put her hands in her hair and shook the messy strands loose. "I need coffee, shall I pour you a cup as well?"
"No thank you, I am well rested."
Kitty just stared at her mentor trying to sense whether or not he was lying. Unable to read his body language Kitty accepted his answer and chose not to press the matter further.
As Kitty turned to walk into the kitchen, Sherlock called out after her. "Kitty?"
"Yes, Sherlock?" She stopped in the opened kitchen doorway and leaned out of the frame toward Sherlock's direction.
"Thank you."
His answer struck her odd. "For what?"
"Despite everything that had transpired last night, you managed to tend to my needs, work efficiently with Watson and kept a promise that I had egregiously bestowed upon you during my delirium."
"Which was... what? Exactly?" Kitty was struggling to sift through the previous night's events.
Sherlock approached her calmly and gave her a look of appreciation before finally answering. "You didn't leave me."
-The End
Author's Note: Thank you SO much to all readers and reviewers who followed this story from start to finish. I had no idea when this story began that it'd get so much feedback so quickly! When I know I have at least one person looking forward to the next chapter, it inspires me to keep writing. When I have several people looking forward to the next chapter, it inspires me on a whole new level! :) I appreciate you taking the time to review, and I hope I can create another story that you will enjoy all over again!