Sherlock moved the boat toward the light. There was nothing for it now but to wait for who or whatever sent up the yellow flare. John prayed it wasn't pirates or worse, but this area wasn't known for it so he tried to continue breathing normally as he watched their ship get closer to the light. The sun began its slow climb in the east and lightened up the sea in increments. It took another 25 minutes before they could make out the shape of another ship.
It looked like a freighter ship and John's heart skipped a beat. Could be a legitimate boat? he thought fervently.
"Could be a human trafficking ship, or…." Sherlock said squinting off into the distance.
"Don't," John said. "Don't say it. It'll just bring bad luck. They'll have a radio at least and we can buy a few minutes on it if nothing else."
"It's fine," Sherlock acquiesced, shading his eyes with one long fingered hand. "They are not pirates, at least."
"How do you know?" John asked hopefully.
"I recognize the name," he said smiling. "The Dreadnaught. It's a boat I'm familiar with. I had to use it once before during…"
John looked up at him sharply for a moment. "During my absence?" he finished.
"Yes. I used a few of my own contacts to help me stay under the radar. I know this captain. He'll help us."
John breathed out a lungful of breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding in. "That's a relief," he said.
"John, we're saved. You're saved. That's all I care about. But, you'll never know how much it meant to me when you showed up on this ship while I was captured. I didn't know how it might end with Wells. I suspected it might end the way it did, but I'm glad you were there for it after all. I wanted you to see the end of it."
"We're going to be all right, Sherlock," John said and took the detective's hand. "This was the hardest part. To be honest, I didn't think we'd both survive it and now that we have, I'm looking forward to getting back."
"I'll do whatever it takes to gain your trust again, John," Sherlock said and brought John's had up to his lips to brush a kiss over it.
"I know you will," John said.
The boarded the Dreadnaught a half hour later. Sherlock and John were escorted directly to the captain's cabin and were allowed to use the radio. Sherlock made contact with the mainland and then to a secure channel to Mycroft's men. They made their way back to 221B Baker Street.