Hi everyone! Sorry it's been so long! I got a second job, which was stupid of me, and I've had literally no time to write. I'm planning on quitting though, for my sanity and to give me more free time, which I really need! Also my nephew was born on Wednesday so I've been a bit busy with that too. This chapter is very short, but I wanted to post something since it's been almost a month. Hope you enjoy :)

Chapter 22

For a few hours all was quiet and peaceful at 221B Baker Street. Addie's medicine had taken effect and she was sleeping, while John and Sherlock sat and watched crap telly for want of anything else to do.

Halfway through some stupid talk show, they heard a loud 'thud.'. They looked at each other curiously but kept watching, thinking it might have just been from outside. A few minutes later they heard a 'crash' followed by more 'thuds' and a small whimper. Both men shot up and quickly followed the source of the noise. Just as they suspected, it came from Addie's room.

John cautiously opened the door to peer inside. There were books all over, a chair turned over, and blankets and pillows on the floor. It was obvious that Addie had fallen out of bed, but the reason for the other mess was unknown. John and Sherlock carefully stepped inside and began seeking out Addie, who appeared to not even be in the room. A small whimper caught their attention and they looked to see a curled up Addie under the desk, hugging her legs and rocking back and forth. Sherlock slowly moved towards her and bent down beside the desk.

"Addie…" he said hesitantly.

Addie didn't answer. Instead she started muttering to herself.

"Addie…" he tried again. This time Addie's head snapped up and her wild eyes locked on his. She was sweating and glassy-eyed and she appeared to be shivering. Clearly the medication had worn off and her fever had spiked.

"Can you hear me?" Sherlock asked. A very unnecessary question seeing as she was looking at him, but he needed to be sure.

Addie nodded slightly, looking confused and dazed.

"Can you come out from the desk, Addie? John needs to check your fever," Sherlock said, appealing to Addie's sickness and her eventual need to be tended to.

John tried his best to be encouraging also. "I can help you feel better, Addie. But I can't fit under the desk with you."

Addie stopped shivering and lowered her arms from around her knees. Sherlock moved to help her out but she sharply recoiled from him.

"NO!" she shrieked and retreated back into herself.

"Whoa, ok, alright. You're fine, kiddo. Sherlock and I are trying to help. That's all," John said.

"Please, stop! Don't touch me! I…I…I won't!" Addie muttered.

Sherlock gave John a concerned look. "Addie…sweetheart. We won't hurt you. Just come out from there."

At his words Addie seemed to come back to some semblance of reality and she crawled out immediately. Sherlock and John backed up to give her room and space In case she felt threatened again.

Addie's eyes were still feverish and wide as she sought out the one person who could make her feel safe. She launched herself at Sherlock and burrowed into his side. Sherlock stumbled a bit then came to sit on her bed while holding her shaking form.

"Sherlock…he…he was hurting me. He said terrible things about you, and My, and mother. He wouldn't…let me go and…" she broke off in a sob and clung to him tighter. "Please don't let him hurt me anymore Lockie!"

Sherlock was speechless as he hugged his sister to him. He had so many questions that he was impatient to ask, but he knew his role right then was comforter, not interrogator.

John discreetly took her temperature and did some other visual scans as Addie cried into her brother's side.

"P-p-please make him stop. I can't-" she cut off again with a whimper.

Sherlock ran his hands through her stringy hair, still wet with sweat and tears, but couldn't find it in himself to cringe at it. "Shhh," he whispered soothingly. "I'm here. He's gone now. You're safe."

"I'm scared, Sherlock," Addie said, looking him straight in the eye and more vulnerable than Sherlock ever remembered seeing her.

"You don't need to be afraid anymore, little sister. I'll protect you."

John left the room briefly and returned with paracetamol and a glass of water. "Sherlock, she needs to take more medicine, her fever is getting dangerously high," John said quietly.

Sherlock nodded and took the items. Addie was silent with her face buried in his shirt and her breathing slowly coming back to normal.

Sherlock knew he needed to get her to take the paracetamol now before she fell asleep again.

"Addie…" no answer, "Addie…" silence, "Adelaide." he said firmer, but no louder than a whisper.

She lifted her head up to look at him.

"John needs you to take your paracetamol. It will help your fever and help you sleep."

Addie's eyes flickered to John and he smiled encouragingly at her. She nodded with a "kay" and took the items. She would have completely soaked her shirt if John hadn't grabbed the glass from her as she accidentally dropped it from her shaky hands. He helped her drink the rest and set the empty glass on her desk.

Sherlock shifted to lay her down on her bed again. He grabbed her fallen pillow and blanket and settled them on her gently. He began to get up when arms wrapped around his waist and pulled him back down again.

"Stay…please," Addie mumbled. "Scared."

Sherlock looked down at her pleading and teary eyes. He then looked to John who was smiling and gave Sherlock a small shrug. With a put-upon sigh, Sherlock slid next to her on the bed, laying her head on his chest.

"Sleep now, love. Big brother will protect you," he said, closing his eyes.

John slipped out quietly, taking the water glass with him and closing the door slightly. Sherlock was just settling into sleep as his phone went off and he squinted to read the text. If it was Lestrade, he'd have to wait.

I'm coming over

-MH

Sherlock rolled his eyes, but smirked slightly before settling back down and falling into sleep.