Chapter Twenty Three.

"Oh Jesus ..."

Watson exclaimed as he walked back into the kitchen and found Sherlock Holmes sitting on the kitchen floor in front of the sink unit, head slumped forward, chin on his chest, legs splayed out and stretched out in front of him, trousers round his knees and both arms hanging loosely down by his sides.

He had passed out and slid down the kitchen unit and now looked like some kind of grotesque puppet with its strings cut.

Watson was at his side quickly.

Medical training and instinct kicked in straight away, and he quickly took both of Holmes' ankles and gently pulled the younger man toward him so that he was soon lying flat on his back, yanking off his trousers and casting them aside out of the way, and then, after checking his breathing, quickly and gently manoeuvred him into the recovery position, rolling Holmes over onto his left side, right arm over left, which was secure under his body, head titled slightly back to open his airway and right leg over left, to stop him rolling over flat on his face.

Watson was instantly aware that this was more than just shock at burning himself.

Sherlock!

You steaming great nit, why didn't you say something!

Why didn't I see that something was terribly wrong!

No, you were too busy feeling sorry for yourself!

Too busy being angry with him just for being him!

Watson silently chastised himself.

"Cass!" Watson yelled out. "Cassia!"

Watson checked the pulse throbbing rapidly in Holmes neck, it was erratic but strong and the younger man was breathing easily.

He was out cold, but his vital signs were good, which was something of a relief.

He needed someone to stay with Sherlock while he called for an ambulance, to make sure that he didn't vomit and choke, or he didn't suddenly stop breathing.

Dammit, where is everyone when I need them?

"Cass..."

Holmes suddenly let out a soft, low moan and began to stir.

"Take it easy, Sherlock."

"John?" Holmes, slurring the word groggily, tried to roll over, but Watson stayed him with a gentle hand.

"Stay put. Give yourself a minute. You passed out. I'm going to ring for an ambulance."

"No, no ambulance," Holmes mumbled in a croaky voice.

"Don't argue, Sherlock, this is serious."

"John," Holmes continued to struggle, trying desperately to roll toward Watson. "John, I can't see."

"What?"

"I can't see. Everything is black."

There was a note of panic in Holmes voice now.

"Did you hit your head?"

Watson, full of concern moved to allow Holmes to roll carefully over on to his back and saw immediately that his friend's blue/grey eyes were wide open, pupils fully dilated, moving rapidly as though trying to focus on something, anything, and there was an expression of shock and disbelief on his face. "Sherlock, did you hit your head?"

Oh Lord ...

Was this it?

Was this the beginning of a serious deterioration in Holmes condition?

"John ..."

"Ok, Sherlock, I'm right here," Watson placed his hand on Holmes arm now to reassure him that he was close by. "Try to relax. It might only be temporary," he assured, although he didn't feel confident of that assessment. "And I'm definitely going to ring for that ambulance. Did you hit your head?" he repeated, but could see from his friend's expression that he wasn't going to get much sense out of him, he was too busy waving his hand infront of his useless eyes.

"No... No ambulance, John," Holmes implored. "No, not yet. You said it could temporary."

"And maybe it isn't! Blood hell, Sherlock, will you behave!"

At that moment Cassia Ingram appeared in the doorway.

"Sorry, John, I heard you calling but I was naked, just about to get in the shower..." she spoke breathlessly, looking down as she cinched the belt of one of Holmes' smart dressing gowns around her waist and when she finally looked up she found Watson and Holmes on the kitchen floor.

"Oh hell, what happened?"

"Sherlock fainted," Watson explained. "Would you stay with him while I phone for an ambulance."

"No!"

"Sherlock!" Watson and Cassia Ingram spoke in unison.

"Just let me sleep in my own bed. Please."

"Dammit, Sherlock ..."

"Please John. This too shall pass."

Holmes' voice was so low it was barely audible.

"What?" Watson frowned, not sure if he had heard correctly. "Are you delirious? Sherlock? Sherlock!"

"It's alright John," Cassia Ingram stepped in now, walking into the kitchen toward both men. "I think he said its passing."

She gave Watson a meaningful look.

"No, Cass, it's not bloody alright! You know as well as I do what's wrong with him..."

"John, you can always call for an ambulance later if you think he's worse," she reasoned gently.

"John, please ... I'm feeling much better." Holmes slurred, still blinking is unfocused eyes rapidly.

"Sure you are, and I'm Brad bloody Pitt!"

"John, while the two of you are sitting there on the cold floor, bickering, we could get him into his room and lie him down," Cassia Ingram suggested softly.

"Ganging up on me are you?" Watson scowled.

However, he knew that she was right.

"Two on to one, that's not fair, folks," he grumbled, but as he returned his attention back to the younger man, Watson could see that Holmes appeared to be getting some of his strength back now as he pushed against him, struggling as he fought to try to sit upright, and he decided that it would be far less embarrassing for Holmes if he were to exam him in the privacy of his room.

He'd probably be mortified if he knew he was laying there in just his shirt and under pants as it was.

Never a sheet around when you need one!

"Alright." Watson acquiesced with a deep sigh.

The doctor in him really needed to take a closer look at Sherlock, to assess his condition, so, as far as he could see, the only thing for it was to get him to his room.

"Cass, would you mind helping me to get him up, please?"

"Sure."

"Thank you, John," Holmes spoke with genuine relief and gratitude.

"Oh, shut up, you plank. This is definitely against my better judgement, and I'm not promising that I won't still call for that ambulance after I've checked you over," Watson told Holmes in no uncertain terms as Cassia Ingram joined him and together they set about getting the still rather unsteady young man to his feet.