Sherlock stayed in the waiting room all day. He was glad he could see anyone who entered or exited John's room. It meant he had access to any information on how John was doing. The nurses were easy to read and Sherlock was content with the results. They weren't worried, and they didn't have looks of pity on their faces either. It mean John's condition was as Molly had said. He wasn't in any critical condition.
Still, Sherlock didn't want to leave. He needed to see John, and spent much of the time working out a plan to do so, whether the nurses let him in or not.
Sherlock glanced up when a nurse entered John's room before Sherlock had estimated they would check on him. He tried to tell himself he wasn't worried. Though he couldn't deny the relief when he saw Greg enter the waiting room, right after. The nurse was just checking if Greg could see him, and Sherlock could tell that Greg wasn't too hopeful on the matter.
Greg raised an eyebrow at Sherlock, but didn't seem too surprised. He moved to sit by him. "Been here all day?" He asked. Sherlock merely glanced at him in response causing Greg to nod. "He really didn't seem too bad when they took him.. I mean.. well it was bad… but he's had worse.." He winced at his own words, knowing they really weren't helping anything, and watching Sherlock's face just reinforced that knowledge.
Sherlock's eyes widened a fraction when the nurse returned. "He's letting you in." He said, causing Greg to frown at him before the nurse motioned toward the door. "John will see you." She said kindly. Understanding showed on Greg's face before he glanced at Sherlock again. "Sorry…" He said, not sure what else to say. "I'll put in a word for you… if I can.." He said before going into John's room.
Sherlock watched after him with mixed feelings. On the one hand, he was jealous that John wanted to see Greg and not Sherlock, on the other hand, he thought that the fact that John was now willing to see Greg meant improvement in John's feelings regarding the whole situation. And perhaps that meant he'd see Sherlock after. Sherlock could only hope.
Greg walked in slowly, almost expecting John to change his mind, or just start tearing him apart verbally. He cleared his throat, getting John to look up at him. He looked defeated really. It was different to any other time Greg had seen him in the hospital or sick. He didn't quite like the look on him.
John stared at him for a moment as Greg shifted slightly, standing near the foot of the bed as if afraid to move closer. "Um.. so.. how are you? I mean.. I know you've seen better." He said, smiling a bit, trying to make things lighter, ease the tension a bit.
John started to give a half-hearted smile before giving up halfway through. "Yeah. I guess I have." He said quietly. "But then, I've never had to deal with any of this, and when I had problems I usually had a friend on my side." He said, now not looking at Greg.
Greg frowned a bit. "Hey.. none of that. You still have me." John's eyes flickered to him, almost glaring. "Do I? Because it sure as hell didn't seem that way." He said quietly.
Greg took a deep breath. "I know John. I know you're mad at me, and I can't blame you." John shook his head. "I'm more than mad Greg. You betrayed me, after everything. You know why I'm still here? Because they've gone after my father. They're going to take him in and after that? My mom can't take care of Harry or me. She doesn't even have a job. What the bloody hell are we supposed to do now? I'm so bloody close Greg. I was so bloody close to getting out of this hell, and you've just sent me in a new one."
Greg shook his head, feeling his own anger rising in defense. "John. He was beating the crap out of you! What the bloody hell was I supposed to do?! Watch you die?! Is that what you wanted?"
"Maybe!" John snapped. "It would have been better than this! Better than all of this. The only thing I had to look forward to was the army."
Greg took a deep breath, knowing they had to get through this conversation and yelling wasn't helping anyone. He didn't want the nurses to kick him out after he just got in there. "You can still get into the army John. This isn't going to change that. You don't know about your mom. Maybe she'll be able to take care of you now.. maybe she'll find a way. She's strong, you know.. she's been dealing with this too.. I know you don't always think that. I know you sometimes blame her. And I know she could have tried to do something.. but maybe give her a chance now.. and besides all of that.. I know you're going to hate me more for bringing this up, but what about Sherlock? I'm not an idiot. I know how you feel …felt.. about him." His last words were quiet, spoken just loud enough for John to hear.
John shook his head at first before hanging his head, slightly defeated. He felt exhausted suddenly, both emotionally and physically, from everything he'd been through in the last twenty-four hours. "I'm still mad at you." He said quietly, deciding not to address the other issues for a moment. Greg sighed softly in relief. At least they were getting somewhere. He walked forward and finally sat down in the seat next to the bed. "I know."
They sat in silence for a moment, Greg giving John time, letting him talk when he wanted to. "Even if my mum tried.. I don't see how she would be able to find a job suddenly.. especially not one that would support us.. We'll lose everything. And then, I won't be able to leave, because I'll have to take care of Harry and my mum. I mean.. I was going to anyway. When I got back from the army, I was going to take care of them so they didn't need dad." He sighed softly. "I'll just have to get a job now.. just something to help...I'm sure I can find something." He said, face becoming determined, which was more of the John that Greg was used to.
Greg nodded slowly, knowing he was determined for the moment and nothing he said would affect John. He'd wait and try to talk some sense into him later. "Alright. That's the John I know. Thinking about what to do next." He said calmly, giving another half-smile. "And.. the other part?" Greg prompted.
John shook his head. "The other part is built on a lie." He said, laying back, and closing his eyes as if that would make it all go away. Greg shook his head. "You know that's not true. You care for him, if nothing else. And just because he didn't tell you.. it doesn't mean it was a lie… right? I mean, maybe he didn't know at first. Maybe he found out later." He started. He felt like he was pleading with John, but watching John's stoic face, he stopped and leaned back in his chair. "I can tell you he's out there now. And he's been there since he came here this morning right after he found out you were here. I don't know what you expect John. I don't know why you're pushing him away."
John opened his eyes again and glanced at Greg. "I'm not. He did that himself. He could have told me. And don't tell me he didn't know. He's freaking Sherlock Holmes. He knew. He.. He's a bloody genius and you'll do well to know that. He knew things from just my blog, he knew things from the first time he saw me. I'm an idiot not to have put it together. There could only be one person that smart… He didn't want me to know. It was an experiment or something. I don't care. I really don't. I'm over it." He said, closing his eyes again. "You've come, I'm fine. You can go." He said.
Greg started to argue before sighing and standing. "You're too stubborn for your own good, John." He said quietly. "I just hope you don't let your stubbornness get in the way of something that could be amazing."
John didn't reply as Greg stood and left. He merely met Sherlock's eyes, watching understanding flow over Sherlock's face, and watching him look even more forlorn if possible. Greg just shook his head and left the hospital, knowing there was nothing more he could do at the moment.
Sherlock sighed softly as he watched Greg leave. He was in there for a while, so presumably they spoke. And the look Greg gave Sherlock was almost apologetic, telling Sherlock that he tried, but John didn't want to see him. John would see anyone but Sherlock. He felt himself collapse more in his chair. He thought about leaving at that point. No one would care. John obviously didn't care. And he was starting to annoy the nurses.
He started walking down the halls, thinking. He needed to talk to John, but John didn't want to see him. Perhaps it would be better if he just left it. He could leave John, let John get on with his life without Sherlock.
Sherlock was almost at the exit when he changed his mind. He couldn't give up on John yet. Not yet. If anything he had to put John in his place, explain how he was wrong. John could hate him after that, but he had to have the facts straight first. Newly determined Sherlock turned and went down another hall. He had a plan. John didn't want to see him, so the nurses wouldn't let him in. That was simple enough. Sherlock just had to wait until the nurses switched shifts. He'd fool the new nurse before she knew otherwise.
Sherlock walked past the nurse's station to get a glimpse of the schedule. He had to cause a bit of a raucous in order to see it and then after decided to stay in another part of the hospital for a while. He didn't like being away from John, but he also didn't want the nurses pointing to him and telling the new nurse that he wasn't allowed in, especially after the commotion he caused.
He found his way to the security rooms, deciding his best bet would be to watch her via security cameras. It was simple getting inside. And he realized the man in charge at this hour was as daft as could be. It took less than five minutes to convince him he was supposed to be there. He ran some story about being the new intern and found it worked like a charm, though he hated listening to all the rules and regulations and what his duties would be, but it was worth it.
He waited an hour and a half after the new shift, spending the hour and a half watching the new nurse to learn what story would get him inside. He plastered a grin on his face as he met the nurse. "I'm on my way to see John Watson." He said, a bit happier than called for. The nurse smiled politely and nodded. "I'll just check with him to.." Sherlock reached out a hand, catching her arm as she started to turn. "Oh, that won't be necessary. I was here earlier. He's expecting me. Told me to make sure I hurried."
He knew from what he had watched that she had a lesbian sister and was slightly homophobic and instead overcompensated by being overly friendly with gays. He learned that from a picture of her sister and significant other she had in her wallet, along with the conversation she had with a gay couple whose child was her patient. It was simple really.
"He's probably already going to be upset with me for being late. I'm always late. I was on our first date, and I have been since. Please, can I get by?" He asked, cheesy smile plastered on his face. The nurse's eyes widened a bit and he could see the forced smile she plastered on her own face. "Oh? You're.. you're with him? That's wonderful. I mean.. just.. I think it's great that you're out.. and all." She continued, making Sherlock want to either hit her or vomit.
"Of course you can see him. I'm sorry I kept you longer." She said, stepping aside. Sherlock sighed, almost ashamed of how easy it was. It wasn't really worth the effort it took. He probably could have had it figured out without practically stalking her for an hour. But he was in and that was all that mattered. He smiled back and walked past her.
This was it now. He had his chance to at least get John to understand. He took a deep breath and opened the door, walking in slowly. He was ready for John to glare at him, yell at him, call the nurse in to get him out, almost anything. He wasn't ready for John to be asleep, completely asleep, and looking peaceful at the moment. Sherlock again thought about fleeing, but shut the door behind himself before he could change his mind.
He sat in the chair next to John, watching him, but not wanting to wake him, not just yet. He sighed softly, and relaxed, knowing that at least now he'd be able to talk to John once more. He'd have his moment. Again, the unexpected happened, and he found himself drifting to sleep, comfortable merely in John's presence, sure that John would have to hear him out now that he was there.