"Sherlock, what are we doing? What made you think of this?" John asked after he noticed that Sofia had fallen asleep, smiling fondly at her.

"We are making her feel better, obviously waking up in an unfamiliar room only added to her distress. She calms when both of us are around, John. This way, she can feel both of us here and get some decent rest." Sherlock said smoothly, looking over at John as if it's child's play.

"Right. What happens when we have to go to bed, then?" John pointed out, knowing that his flat mate probably hadn't made it that far, or he just assumed they would stay on the couch all night.

"Well, my bed is big enough for the three of us, but f you were concerned about disturbing Sofia, that is why I planned on having her head in my lap, she is statistically less likely to wake up if you move her feet than if you were to move her head and shoulders. And as you know, I rarely need sleep."

John sighed a little, laughing lightly. "Right. Your bed. Of course. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad you're finally thinking about someone else other than yourself, but you can't just expect three people who are practically strangers just to share a bed, especially when they're not involved in any sort of relationship!" He hissed over at his flat mate, shaking his head a little. "People already get the wrong idea about us, Sherlock, we don't need to encourage it."

Sherlock sighed a little. "Not the 'I'm not gay' protestations again. There is a woman, albeit right now she is emotionally scared, but Sofia is most definitely female. If it makes you feel more comfortable, I could refrain from sleeping, I slept last night, I can go a few more days." He aid thoughtfully as he considered the arrangements.

John sighs a little, pinching his nose for a moment before he reaches over, putting his hand on Sherlock's arm. "Sherlock." he says in a soft, firm tone, waiting until Sherlock had turned to look at him. "You need sleep. And this isn't about my comfort or yours, do you think Sofia would be comfortable waking up in bed with two men she barely knows, after her trauma?" he points out as he looks at Sherlock, trying to make his friend understand.

Sherlock tilts his head to the side a little, considering, then to ease some of the tension he does something that always makes John smile, if only a little. "Not good?"

And it works, John relaxes a little, and he knows Sherlock understood, chuckling lightly, the corners of his lips quirking up in an almost not-there smile. "A bit not good, yeah." He said in response, one of the call-response phrases they seemed to have settled into. But this moment, this reassured John that Sherlock understood and that he was ok, that he wasn't upset.

Sherlock smiled, rather proud of himself for making John laugh, not something that he found easy, and he treasured it every time it happened. He smiles a little down at Sofia, stroking his thumb over her shoulder lightly.

"John." Sherlock noticed something and it had him concerned. "If you continue to remain in that position much longer, you are going to put unnecessary strain on your shoulder." He frowns a little, noting John's hand still on his arm, but more than that, the fact that it's his bad shoulder which causes him enough problems as it is.

"Oh. Right. Sorry." John jerked back his hand. Now he had to figure out whether Sherlock was being caring or if he merely didn't want to be touched anymore, which makes him having a slightly perplexed look on his face, pursing his lips in thought before sitting back and turning his attention back to the tellie.

It was a few hours before John spoke again, mostly because he was getting tired. "We need to wake up Sofia, and get her to bed, she won't be comfortable if she sleeps the whole night through like this, and we don't need to add to her discomfort." he notes reluctantly.

The detective didn't move for a moment, deep in thought. "If I suggested my previous idea to her, and she was amenable, would you then agree to it?" For some reason this was somewhat important to him.

The doctor pinched the bridge of his nose again, sighing. "Maybe. But she should be warned, I.. tend to be a bit of a cuddler in my sleep." The tips of his ears turned pink as his face flushes as well. Ah, that must be where some of his embarrassment comes from.

"Mmmm. Interesting." This was a slightly scary reply from the younger man, as far as John was concerned.

"No, Sherlock. Just.. no." John knew where this was going. "Please do not make me put a deadbolt, which you can't pick, onto my room. You are /not/ watching me sleep." His voice was firm and a little annoyed, willing himself not to smile as Sherlock gave him an innocent look.

-oOo-

A/N Wow, this is a really short chapter. NaNoWriMo is kicking my butt. I think I'd almost rather be writing this story actually. Let me know what you all think, I may or may not be able to finish another chapter tonight. Thank you to everyone who's read this far!