Chapter 23

"Sherlock!" John cried out, his head swaying back and forth in terror. Lights were being shined in his eyes and people were yelling all around him. Where was he? Was he in heaven? Why was everything so bright? John tried to pull away, but his body ached all over. The pain was unbearable. "Sherlock!" John screamed again, holding his hand out in hope the detective would find it and take hold. A hand took it, but it wasn't Sherlock's. These hands were rougher and covered in a sticky liquid.

"John! John, open your eyes! Please!" the voice of the owner of the hand cried. John did as the voice asked. Maybe it was god or an angel. Bright lights blinded him instantly and John forced his eyes shut in pain. "John!" the voice pleaded again. John forced his eyes open again, forcing back the spots that filled his eyes. He glanced around himself, heart beating fast. People were all around him, dressed in white. Oh god, he was in heaven! He was dead! John tried to sit up, but the angels pushed him down. "You have to stay down!" the voice shouted. John's eyes flew around, searching for the owner of the voice. His eyes fell on a familiar figure sitting by his side, clutching onto his hand for dear life.

"Lestrade?" John gasped, in surprise. "Why are you…how did you die?" Lestrade frowned at him.

"John, you're not dead. We found you…you're safe now," Lestrade stated, brushing back John's hair gently. "We traced your call, I'm so sorry it took so long." Relief flooded through John's body. He was alive. He had made it. His eyes looked over Lestrade. His eyes were underlined with bruises from lack of sleep and his hair was a matted greasy mess. Blood was all over his hands and clothes as well. John's eyes widened suddenly, in realization.

"Sherlock?" Lestrade shushed John, holding his hand tighter. John's heart beat faster in his chest. "Where's Sherlock?" John asked again, terror seeping through his words.

"Just calm down John." Calm down?! Calm down?! Why wasn't he telling John? Was something wrong? Where was Sherlock? Why won't they tell him?!

"Sherlock!" John screamed out, calling for his friend in hope he would answer back. Lestrade tried to hold him down, but John kept struggling. "Sherlock! Sherlock, please answer me you clot!" John cried, tears tracking down his face.

"John! John, calm down! You're going to hurt yourself! JOHN!"

"SHERLOCK!" John cried out, sobbing now. Why wouldn't he answer? John felt his heart beginning to crack as the idea started to form in his head. No, Sherlock can't be dead! He just can't! "SHERLOCK!"

"For god's sake!" a new, but familiar voice shouted. John's eyes spun around, searching for the owner of it. His eyes fell on Mycroft Holmes. Well, at least he thought it was Mycroft. His eyes were red and his clothes were wrinkled and messy with dirt and…blood. Suddenly, John felt a hand slip something cool into his. John's fingers wrapped around the thing in his hand. Fingers…he could feel fingers. He was holding someone's hand. John let his eyes follow to where the hand had come from. Laying on a stretcher right next to him was Sherlock Holmes. His shirt was partially open and a mask was on his face, forcing him oxygen. John let out a sob at the sight of his friend. His living, breathing friend. His grip tightened around Sherlock's fingers and he didn't hold back the tears. He didn't care if Lestrade and Mycroft were watching. He didn't care. All he cared about was that Sherlock was alive. ALIVE!

"Sherlock?" John whispered, rubbing his thumb gently against Sherlock's palm.

"John…" John turned his gaze to Lestrade. Lestrade looked as if he was going to cry. His eyes were glittering with tears. Mycroft just looked tired. It looked as if his entire world had just came crashing down. Lestrade finally cleared his throat and stared over to where Sherlock now slept. "He…he lost a lot of blood, John. When we found you two he was…well…he was already…gone." John's heart tightened. Where was Lestrade going with this? Why was he telling John this? Lestrade cleared his throat and began talking again. "I guess I'm just trying to say…to say…"

"He's not going to be able to make it," Mycroft finished, wanting the discussion to end already. John turned away, looking back to his sleeping friend. A long tube was connected to Sherlock's body and blood was being transfused into his cold form from a small bag. Paramedics were bustling around him, checking his pulse and poking at his body.

"Sherlock…" John pleaded once again. Sherlock didn't say anything. He just lay there, dead to the world. John held back a sob and closed his eyes tight. "Please...please wake up, Sherlock. Don't leave me," John prayed to himself, wrapping his fingers tighter around Sherlock's. Lestrade and Mycroft lowered their heads. John sniffled as he cried, praying over and over again. "Come on, Sherlock, I kept my promise," John stuttered. "Don't you dare leave me after all that! I believe in you, you…you…" John stopped as he felt Sherlock's fingers squeeze around his hand. John opened his eyes staring into the pale eyes of Sherlock Holmes.

"I believe the words…you're looking for are brilliant detective," Sherlock moaned, weakly. The doctors, Lestrade, and Mycroft shouted in surprise as Sherlock's eyes began to focus and brightened with life.

"I was going to say idiot, but sure…I guess that works too," John teased, brushing at his tears with his free hand. Sherlock smiled at him, licking at his dry lips.

"Looks like we're going to be taking down the criminals of London with crutches after all," Sherlock teased. John broke out laughing and Sherlock joined him. Filling the cool night with their laughter on their long journey to the hospital.

On a pale crisp night in London an ambulance sped down the road, carrying two detectives. Their eyes beamed with life and their laughter brightened the night. Death stood on the sidewalk, watching as the ambulance passed him by. You can run from death all you want and one day you'll trip and fall and he will catch you, but you always have someone to help you back up and take your hand and run away with you.

Glad to hear how much you all enjoyed last weeks chapter. It was probably one of my favorites. I wonder why? Anywho...I hope you enjoy this happy chapter. One more chapter until it's all over. Talk to you all next week!