Sherlock paced around the warehouse, watching John out of the corner of his eye. He'd really rather John wasn't there. It was much too dangerous. His stomach twisted much the way it had when Moriarty had strapped a bomb to John at the pool or when he knew the only way he could save John was to sacrifice himself on the hospital roof. He didn't like this one bit, being responsible for the potential pain of his friend.

"I still don't think you should be here, John," Sherlock said, "It's not too late to go back to the Tardis."

John snapped, "Stop it, Sherlock. I wasn't about to let you be bait for a killer statue by yourself. Stop trying to get me to leave. It's not happening."

Sherlock sighed. Something wasn't right. Something awful was about to happen. They'd chosen the warehouse to keep the angel away from other people. It was a private location away from the city where a weeping angel could really wreak havoc. The Doctor had the Tardis just outside the building, completely cloaked and scanning for any unusual activity. Dean Winchester stood behind the building, waiting for the signal. They'd sent a transmission attempting to catch Moriarty's attention, but John had been smarter. He announced on his blog that Sherlock was officially moving his business to the warehouse and that he wouldn't be seeing clients for the next week or two. Judging by the large amount of internet traffic the post had gotten, Moriarty knew exactly where they were. So, they waited.

John didn't need to be there, though. Every part of the plan made sense except for this.

"And what happens if the angel attacks you?" Sherlock asked.

"Someone will have to get me from the past," John said.

"The angel moves faster than we can see, John," Sherlock said, "What if it tries to physically harm you rather than send you back in time?"

"I'll probably get hurt," John said nonchalantly.

"Then, why are you here?" Sherlock asked.

John cleared his throat and straightened the hem of his shirt. "This is dangerous, Sherlock," he said, "Two pairs of eyes is better for this thing, you could use the help, and if you get hurt, I can help since I'm a doctor."

Sherlock continued to pace, trying to get the sinking feeling out of his head. "I don't like this," he said.

"You'll deal with it," John said, watching Sherlock wear a rut in the floor. There had to be a way to get through to John. There had to be some way to make him see he was being horribly stupid.

"What if you die, John?" Sherlock asked.

John said lightly, "I don't think I will."

"But what if you do?"

"Then, I'll be dead."

"What about Mary?" Sherlock tried.

John sighed, "Sherlock, I'm not leaving. If I die, Mary is a strong woman. She'll be sad, but she'll be fine."

"You'd make her a single mother?" Sherlock asked.

John snapped, "I'm not going to die, Sherlock, and Mary will be a great mother with or without me, so just stop it."

Sherlock stopped pacing. "What about me, then?" he asked.

"What about you, Sherlock?" John said, looking towards the warehouse door.

"If you die, what do you think that would do to me?" Sherlock asked.

"You'd be fine," John said.

"No," Sherlock said, "No, I wouldn't. You have no idea what I'd go through if you died on my watch while I could've protected you."

"You're being dramatic."

"And you're being nonsensical."

"How is trying to help my best friend so he doesn't die considered nonsensical?" John asked.

Sherlock sighed, "I'm not going to die."

John walked up to Sherlock and fixed him with a stern stare. "You don't know that," he said, "And I can't lose you again. I just can't, Sherlock."

Sherlock said quickly, "And you think it'd be easy for me to lose you again?"

"You've never lost me," John said sharply.

Sherlock grabbed John's shoulders and looked him in the eye. He said, "Moriarty kidnapped you and strapped a bomb to you. You were taken and almost burned alive in a bonfire. You had a sniper on you when I was on the roof of St. Bart's. I had to fake my death and lose you for two years to keep you safe. I've lost you plenty of times, and I'd rather not add to the list. Please, I'm begging you, go back to the Tardis."

John swallowed nervously but protested, "I can help."

"You can help me by not being in danger for once," Sherlock said.

"You won't lose me. I'm not leaving you," John said, stubborn to a fault. Sherlock let out a frustrated sigh and took a step away from John. This was ridiculous. He was going to get himself killed.

"Why?" Sherlock asked, "Why do you care so much about me that you'd do something so senseless?"

The door to the warehouse slammed open, and the weeping angel stood just outside.

"Sherlock," John said. Sherlock's eyes were glued to the angel.

"Do you have it?" Sherlock asked.

John said quickly, "Yes. Give the signal." Sherlock pulled the Doctor's sonic screwdriver out of his pocket and aimed it at the back door. Nothing happened. No lights flickering as was the plan. Nothing.

"Sherlock!" John shouted. Sherlock turned around and the angel was frozen only a foot away from John, looking as if it were lunging and snarling.

"I thought you had him!" Sherlock said, hurrying over, "Back away from it." Sherlock stared at the statue as John tried to move away.

"I can't," John said. Sherlock kept his eyes on the statue as he moved his gaze to the angel's hand. It had a hold of John's wrist.

"Don't worry, John. We'll figure this out," Sherlock said. Fear clutched at his breathing. Why didn't John just go in the Tardis like he'd asked? Sherlock tried the sonic again, getting closer to the door, but still nothing happened. He never took his eyes from the statue.

"I love you, Sherlock," John said quietly, "That's why I wanted to stay. I love you. I couldn't just leave."

"Yes, I know I'm your best friend, but that doesn't mean you should've risked your life to-"

"No, that's not-I'm in love with you, Sherlock," John said.

It took every ounce of Sherlock's will power to keep staring at the statue and not look at John when he said those words. He never expected to be best friends with anyone, but he definitely never expected anyone would ever have feelings for him. He controlled his shock. Danger first, feelings later.

"You have impeccable timing, John," Sherlock said, "Are you looking at the statue?"

"Yes," John said.

"Okay, close your eyes," Sherlock said.

"What?" John asked.

Sherlock said, "I need to get Dean. You need to be able to stare at it as long as it takes. Trust me, I won't let anything happen to you. Close your eyes."

"Okay," John said, "I closed them."

"I'm going to get Dean. Open your eyes when I say," Sherlock said. Everything was going to be fine. Dean would take the angel to Purgatory. They'd get out of this. John would be fine.

"Okay," John said.

"For the record," Sherlock said, feeling his eyes start to really strain, "I love you, too, John." He'd be able to say it again later. This would work.

"Sherlock-" John started.

"Open your eyes," Sherlock said quickly, "Are you staring at it?"

"Yes," John said. Sherlock blinked and looked at John.

"Don't blink," Sherlock said, "Please."

Without a moment's hesitation, he ran to the back door and pushed it open.

"Dean," Sherlock shouted.

Dean quickly ran in the warehouse and asked, "What happened to the signal?"

"It didn't work. I tried, but the lights didn't flicker like they should've," Sherlock said.

Dean ran up to John and the angel. "How the hell did this happen?" he asked, gesturing to John's wrist.

John said, "I blinked."

"Okay," Dean said, "Here's what we're gonna do. When I take this thing to Purgatory, you pull your wrist as hard as you can. Hopefully, it'll work." John looked at Dean and nodded. It wasn't like they had a better plan.

Suddenly, the statue was grabbing for Sherlock's throat, frozen centimeters from contact with Sherlock's skin. John and Dean reached for the weeping angel at the same time. In a quick zap, Dean teleported the angel with the vortex manipulator.

"John!" Sherlock shouted. But Sherlock was alone. John was gone.