I don't own the characters of the BBC show Sherlock.

Chapter 2

„Poppy." His voice was nothing more than a whisper when he spoke her name.

„Sherlock." She looked him directly in the eyes and gave him a sad smile as more tears started to built up in her eyes. She quickly looked away. She could not stand him looking at her like this. His glaze was full of pain, surprise and pity.

Poppy felt the strong urge to run away. How could she be so stupid to believe that he would help her after all this years.

„Maybe this was a stupid idea….you can't help me." She said and got up already.

„No. I promised you long ago that I would always protect you and I keep my promises." Sherlock said, his eyes still fixed on her.

„You had to break your promise over ten years ago.I'm not mad about it but you don't need to protect me now. I didn't know what I was doing. I'm sorry I wasted your time." Poppy said. This time her voice was stronger but she still seemed sad and hurt. The room was silent for a moment.

„I understand nothing. Whats going on?" John asked.

„I think you need to go home to Mary. She is probably already waiting for you." Sherlock said without looking at him.

„I think she will understand." John said.

„You. Leave. Now." Sherlock commanded. John looked at him in shock but did as he was told because he knew discussing with Sherlock would not help him now. „Night." he said as he left. Poppy also wanted to leave but when she started to move towards the door Sherlock almost screamed „ ."

It made her jump a little. The anger in his voice frightened her. She stood there in shock not able to move any further. „Sorry." Sherlock said a little softer after few moments.

She looked up shyly just to find his eyes looking directly in her own. He pointed at the couch she had sat on before and Poppy took a seat again. Sherlock now sat across from her in his armchair.

„Now tell me." Sherlock said simply.

„What do you want to hear Sherlock? I think you already know what you want to know. Obviously I'm not clean. I wasn't as strong as you. I couldn't stay away from that stuff."

„Bad excuse. I know you are strong." he sad coldly.

„I had bad friends."

„Excuse."

„It's hard. You know how hard it is."

„Excuse."

„I tried." She cried out. „Ben, that is my boyfriend…." She paused for a moment. „was my boyfriend." she corrected herself quickly. „We tried it so often, but it wouldn't last for long. One would always have a relapse and then pulling the other down as well."

She felt miserable talking about her stupid life. She hated it so badly. She hated the drugs, she hated that she needs them but mostly she hated herself. She could have stopped Ben. If she only would have been stronger he would be alive now. Tears were falling down her cheeks and she couldn't stop them.

Sherlock watched her. He didn't know what to feel. So much time had passed since he last saw her. Ten years, two month and six days, to be precise. But seeing her now so close to him again made it feel like it was yesterday. He had tried to delete all memories of this time or at least he had but them into room with a huge lock in his mind palace.

He looked at the small women crying her heart out and had no idea what he should do now. He was never clueless. He always had a plan, but no in this moment, his mind was blank. He could think of nothing but of the time when he was in her place and she had tried to convince him that hey needed to become clean. She had been there for him in a really dark hour of his life and now he had to do that for her. If it wasn't for her he probably wouldn't be here now.

„Ben is gone. My parents shut me out a long time ago.I have nobody. I scared them all away." she whispered.

„You still have me." ,he said, „I'm going to be there for you."

This simple sentence tipped Poppy over the edge. More tears streamed down her face and she started sobbing again.

Sherlock had no idea how to handle crying people but he got up and went over to the couch. He sat down beside her and put his arm carefully around her. Poppy first stiffed at his touch but quickly realized that that was all she needed for now. She needed somebody to simply hold her. She needed him to hold her from falling apart. She then turned her body towards his and put her arms around his chest. First Sherlock didn't move but then he put his other arm around her tiny body and fastened the hug. They didn't move or speak but just sat there holding on to each other. Sherlock felt that Poppy slowly relaxed, her breathing became calmer and the tears stopped.

Poppy wanted to thank him, wanted to explain everything but she didn't know what to say so she just sat there in silence holding on to man she used to know so well. She slowly felt very tired. Sherlock noticed it as well and slowly loosened the hug. „Sherlock…I…" she started but Sherlock cut her off softly. „I know but we can talk about it tomorrow. You should get some rest now.". He got up and Poppy laid down on the couch and as soon as her head hit the pillow she started to doze. Sherlock put a blanket over her body. „Thank you." she mumbled but it was not only for giving him a cover but for everything he had done for her.

Sherlock looked at her sleeping, still in disbelieve that she had appeared in his life again. He was not completely sure how he felt about it but one thing he knew. He needed to find a way to help her. Sherlock wouldn't sleep tonight, because he would be busy thinking of a plan.