Chapter 24

John sat across from Sherlock on the train, who was finally fast asleep. Dangling from his hand, was a sheet of paper. The note Molly gave him when he left for the train. Knowing it was likely private, but not being able to stand the curiosity, John carefully took the letter from Sherlock's fingers.

mmmmmmmmm

My dearest Sherlock,

As much as I love the man you have become, you must learn to balance the two men you are inside. Sherlock, the loving husband and father is not going to solve this case. So, while you are at Dartmoor, I will not be sending or accepting phone calls or texts. Take your mind off Laura's condition. Put your sentiment somewhere in your mind palace. The only way you will hear anything at all from me is if something goes wrong. So, if you don't hear from me, assume Laura's condition is unchanged.

If that means sending me mean awful texts or voice mails, so be it. I will take them knowing the truth. Don't worry about hurting my feelings.

Laura is what matters right now.

She needs Sherlock Holmes, not her daddy.

All my love,

Your devoted wife,

Molly XXX

mmmmmmmmmm

John smiled at that. Who knew so much could change in such a short amount of time? As he thought this, he looked back up at his friend. Sherlocks eyes were moving all over the place under his lids. R.E.M. state. Good.

Until he also noticed that Sherlock's hands twitched now and again as well. John sighed.

No. Not sleep. He was deeply embedded in his mind palace.

He decided to pop out a quick text to Mary.

On our way. Sherlock in mind palace. -JW

In moments he got a buzz.

Good. Hopefully he will find answers. How's Laura. Want to go see her when my shift ends- MM

Same as before. Thank you, by the way. You have been more than patient.- JW

I read your blog, remember,r you clot? :) I know the world needs Sherlock, and he needs you to do his job. I feel safer knowing you two are out there. But I do miss you. - MM

Miss you too. I will make it up to you - JW

That making it up to me thing is my favorite part *wink* -MM

I have a favor to ask - JW

Yes? - MM

After all this is over, I would like to take Laura for a few days. Sherlock will argue, but he needs to recharge. He is a wreck. His already scrawny physic is nothing but bones. He can't do his job if he destroys himself. - JW

I would love to! Besides, they have that romantic holiday to go to anyway, right? - MM

After a few moments, John responded

My love, you are a genius! - JW

What did I do? - MM

You can sit with Molly and plan the get away. It will help her take her mind off of what's going on, as well as how badly she's going to miss Sherlock. It will also help keep her hopes up that this will eventually be over. - JW

Will do. On my lunch break I will get on my laptop and scout a few areas. Bring them to Molly. -MM

Thank you, love. I better get going. I want to catch a nap before we get there.- JW

Ok. Sweet dreams - MM

Only of you XO - JW

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Sally came into Laura's room. The little one seemed consumed by the large bed. The steady beep showing the only sign of life her. Molly was asleep, curled into the chair near the bed. It was easy to see the weight loss on Sherlock. His cheekbones getting sharper was a dead giveaway. But Sally now noticed it on Molly. Her's was easier to conceal in the ill fitting clothes she tended to wear. She wanted to blame the poor woman's condition on being the side effects of a life with Holmes, but she knew better now. Mycroft had filled her and Lestrade in on her little performance earlier that day. After a sigh and a well meaning " Remind me never to piss her off " from Lestrade, the two detectives earned an extra ounce of respect for the usually sweet tempered pathologist. This horrible situation was the cause of Molly's state. Not her marriage. It was odd. Molly...and of course Laura...brought out Sherlock's vulnerability. His humanity. Maybe even a little humility. But for Molly, he gave her strength and the ability to stand up for herself. With a shake of her head, Sally looked at the sleeping form. Maybe those two really were meant for each other.

Turning her attention back to Laura, she took a chair on the other side of the child's bed. Sally reached for her still hand and held it tightly and spoke softly.

"I may not be a genius, like your daddy. But I have read enough to know that you can probably hear us. "

Sally watched the girl, knowing she wouldn't get a response. This wasn't a normal coma though. True she couldn't move or talk or even open her eyes. But her eyes would twitch now and again, which gave them hope she would open them eventually. She wasn't that deep in. She was just asleep and couldn't wake. The rest of her body was technically sleeping.

"Gabriel misses you. He wants you to wake up too. He needed looking after. So uncle Greg put him to work. He is still healing, but he is learning how to be a police dog sort of too. Isn't that neat? Of course, living in a house with your dad, that might not be such a ...great idea. " Sally's voice broke a bit at the last couple words.

"Laura, we are all here for you, and your dad. Do you know how lucky you are? To have him as your daddy? How many people owe their lives to him? I owe him a lot more than my life. We all do. I have been so mean to your daddy sometimes. Thought there was something wrong with him. But I was wrong to do that. You have to know that. I just didn't understand him. But you do, don't you little one? I bet you are like him. That's good. That means you are a special gift to this world. And I will stand by your side and help just like I promise to do for your daddy from now on. But you have to wake up. Ok? "

Sally sat back and watched Laura's eyelids dance. She hoped the child was able to dream, and that the dreams were good ones. Not nightmares she was unable to escape due to her state.

"Thank you. "

Sally startled and looked up to see Molly looking at her with unshed tears.

A smile passed between the women, as a new understanding bonded them.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Sherlock showed his badge at the gate to Baskerville, being immediately let in. As they moved towards the entrance, John had difficulty keeping up with Sherlock's much faster strides.

The door slid open and Sherlock almost hit a brick wall.

A wall in the form of Major Barrymore.

"Holmes. In my office. Now. "

Sherlock and John followed him into his office. Sherlock was fidgety. He wanted to get to Dr Stapleton and get to work as quickly as possible.

He refused the chair offered him.

"Your brother and Dr Stapleton have filled me in on what's going on. "

"Has the word classified lost all its meaning? " Sherlock growled.

Major Barrymore held up his hand.

"He did it to ensure you wouldn't be disturbed in any way. Look, Mr. Holmes. I have done my research on you. That whole Moriarty business... "

"Yes. Moving on. " Sherlock said with a bored expression.

"Look. I have children of my own. I understand completely. If any of mine had...how anyone could do such things to a child... " He coughed and straightened in his seat.

"I just want you to know that we are at your disposal. Anything Dr Stapleton does not have access to, I do. I will stay here as long as you need me. Only she and I know what is going on. But the facility has been informed you are to be allowed to do whatever you need to. "

Sherlock nodded, not having the words to say.

They left the office and went down several levels to one of the smaller labs. Small but very well equipped. Dr Stapleton was already waiting for them.

Sherlock shrugged off his coat and immediately started barking orders, telling John to fetch him coffee, and generally...being a complete ass.

As John left to find the coffee, he smiled hugely to himself.

Sherlock Holmes was back.