Mourning:

"John?" Sherlock called, pushing open the door to Hamish's nursery. It had been weeks since the funeral, and John had spent the entire time shut up in the nursery refusing to speak to anyone.

"Go away, Sherlock." John said without bothering to turn to look at him.

Sherlock stepped into the room. He was trying to be considerate. Hamish's death hit John hard, but Sherlock was hurt too. So was Dora. Dora was the whole reason he had decided it was time to snap John out of this. Dora was trying her best to be the perfect child in hopes of luring John out of the nursery, and she was scared that her Daddy had seemingly disappeared after her Father said her brother wouldn't be coming home.

"This isn't healthy." Sherlock said.

John remained silent.

"Dora wants you. Why don't you read her a story tonight?"

"Not tonight, Sherlock." John was already annoyed with this conversation.

"When, John? You've been locked in this room for weeks! You can't keep doing this!" Sherlock's voice started to rise.

"I lost a child Sherlock! I am allowed to mourn however I'd damn well like. I know you can't understand it because you can't seem to comprehend human emotions, but I can! It hurts to know that my child won't be coming home, and I'm sorry that you don't understand what I'm going through. It isn't my fault you are an emotional robot. Now if you'd excuse me, I'd like it very much if you'd leave me the hell alone!" John yelled.

Sherlock felt like he'd been slapped. Hadn't he proved in the past five years that he was capable of caring for his children?

The door creaked open again, and a tiny voice came from the doorway. "Daddy?" Dora called, sleepily.

"What is it, Dora?" John sighed.

"Are you okay? I heard shouting." Dora asked moving to stand beside his chair.

"I'm fine. Why don't you and your Father get ready for bed?" John suggested, hoping to get rid of both of them.

"Okay. Goodnight, Daddy." Dora leaned forward to give him a goodnight kiss but was stopped short when he noticed the toy clutched in her hands.

"What have you got there? Sherlock, did you let her have this?" Dora was holding her sock monkey, Elf, and John was angry. It seemed wrong that she should have her gift from Hamish when he wasn't there with him. "Dora, give that to me. I don't want you playing with this."

Dora looked close to tears. Why was her Daddy acting so strange to her? Why did she have to give him her toy?

Sherlock jumped in. "Dora, love. Go wait for me in your room, alright? I will be there in a moment."

Dora ran off, and, once he was sure she was gone, Sherlock continued.

"I've had enough. I've put up with the things you've said to me and I will try to ignore what you said earlier, but you leave Dora out of this. John, I know you are upset, even if you don't believe it I am too, but Dora didn't do anything wrong and I won't have you yelling at her. She's frightened, you know? She thinks you hate her and are going to leave to be with Hamish. She needs us now." Sherlock paused, noticing the harsh expression still on John's face.

"We are leaving. We are going to stay at my brother's house for a while. I think that's best for Dora." Sherlock turned to leave but turned back to John before leaving. "I love her just so you know. You don't think I can feel human emotions, but I care about Dora, and you, and Hamish. You've changed my life. Please come back to us soon."

Sherlock went down the hall to his room and packed a bag. Then he went to Dora's room. "Hey, how would you like to go visit with Uncle Mycroft for a few days?"

Dora shrugged and watched as Sherlock packed a bag for her. The two left the flat and got into a cab.

The ride to Mycroft's was silent. Dora was scared and didn't know what was happening to her family, and Sherlock didn't know how to help her. They arrived at Mycroft's at nine o'clock and knocked loudly on the door.

"Sherlock, what are you two doing here so late?" Mycroft asked, looking down at his niece with concern.

"Can we talk about that later? Dora needs to be put to sleep." Sherlock was exhausted, and he would rather do anything than discuss his problems with his brother but he wanted Mycroft's help.

Mycroft stepped aside and let Sherlock in. "I'll be waiting for you in the living room."

Sherlock nodded and carried Dora to the guest bedroom.

"Father?" Dora asked once she was settled into bed.

"Yes?"

"Why is Daddy so mad at me? Did I do something wrong?" Dora's eyes began to water.

Sherlock hugged her. "Oh, Dora, Daddy loves you so much. I promise. He's just very sad, and it's making him more sensitive to silly things. He didn't mean to get upset with you, and he doesn't mean to hide from you. He'll be better soon."

"Promise?"

"Of course, would I lie to you?" Sherlock asked.

Dora shook her head and snuggled under the covers.

"Goodnight, love. See you in the morning." Sherlock hated not being able to help Dora, he hated being unable to solve his families problems, and he hated having no one to turn to but his brother.

Sherlock sat down on the couch and stared at his brother. He wasn't quite sure how much he should tell him.

"John's still not coping is he?" Mycroft deduced.

Sherlock shook his head and sighed. He fell down onto the couch and looked up at the ceiling. "He snapped at Dora today for having the gift we got her from Hamish. I can't have her there anymore. She doesn't need to see her Dad like this. I just wish he could help her. Then I wouldn't have to bring her here."

"She's always welcome here, Sherlock. You know that."

Sherlock rolled his eyes. "I don't enjoy having to come to you for help, Mycroft. You know that."

Mycroft sighed. Some things would never change. "Well, stay as long as you have to. You know where you can sleep. I'm going to bed." Mycroft stood and headed up the stairs to his room leaving his brother alone to go over the past few weeks in his head.

Sherlock just wanted things to go back to the way it was, and he was going to do everything in his power to make it better. His family was going to get past this even if it killed him.

Sherlock rolled over and went to sleep, not even bothering to get into bed. He knew he would need as much energy as he could get if he was going to get through this.

Meanwhile, back at Baker Street, John got up from his chair and left the flat.

One way or another, life at Baker Street was about to change again.

Author's Note: Alright, not the best chapter, but I wanted to put something out again. I know it's been a while. I said back in November my grandfather passed away. After that things kind of went to hell. My mom had to help out with my grandmother a lot, and I spent a lot of time either helping with my grandmother or doing stuff at home for my mom. Then, when things were starting to get better, my grandmother passed away as well. She passed away in April, and we spent most of the time since then taking care of her house and all of the other stuff that comes with that, so it's been awful. I don't know if I'm back for good yet unfortunately. I got a seasonal job so I may not be around much or at all until that is over, but I will see. I've also got to finish my college applications, but I love this story and I've got tons of ideas so it will continue. I apologize for the ridiculously long author's note, so I'm going to end by saying thanks to everyone who reviewed and favorite. It means a lot. And thanks to everyone who is still with me. You are all fabulous, and it means so much to me!