Lessons Learned

Untitled Part 25

"Yes," Mycroft's men are outside at a safe distance and will be here shortly. "Sherlock reached out and plucked off the top button of John's cardigan. "This will be invaluable in helping us put him away again, John."

"What?" John asked. "You bugged me, Sherlock?"

"Minature camera, John. It's been visually and audibly recording everything you've done today," Sherlock said eyes dancing over John's astonished face.

"Why didn't you tell me you'd bugged me, Sherlock?"

"It was for your safety, Watson," Mycroft, a man John had only met a few times in person, said as he entered the room and looked imperiously around. "I see you've got the situation well in hand."

"Here's the proof you need, Mycroft. Now put him away and keep him locked up for the rest of his bloody life!" Sherlock yelled placing the button camera in Mycroft's outstretched hand.

"I knew you'd prove yourself, Doctor," Mycroft said smugly taking in John's battered appearance. I knew from the beginning you and my brother were good for each other.

John huffed a laugh. "I wasn't sure myself until I did it."

"Never fear, brother dear," Mycroft said turning back to Sherlock. "Along with kidnapping, and attempted murder, we've found more evidence against him. He'll be in prison for a long time.

"John," Sherlock said putting an arm around the doctor's shoulders and helping him out of the room. His head pounded, and he felt nauseous. Concussion then. "I may need to get a scan, Sherlock. Mind taking me ..."

"You!" Sherlock shouted at one of Mycroft's agents. "Call an ambulance. "University College Hospital is closest. Call ahead and have them get a room ready for..."

"Wait," John said placing a steadying hand on Sherlock's arm. "Taxi's fine. I just need to sit down now." The world had started to spin, and John felt his stomach rebelling. Just get me out in the fresh air and we'll wait for the cab out front. Okay?"

Sherlock assisted John out of the building and down to the street. He insisted on holding on to his arm the entire way. They weren't too far from the city center, and John felt the spin subside a bit after leaving the site of his near execution. He now felt an overwhelming sense of tiredness.

"I'll be fine," he said trying to put the most reassurance into his voice as possible. "Thanks so much for coming to my rescue," John said looking up into Sherlock's impossibly blue-green eyes. Working with Sherlock had been the best thing that had ever happened to him, and he couldn't think of doing anything else. He'd almost lost everything today, but now he only felt happiness at being allowed to continue with it all.

"I'd never let anything happen to you, John," Sherlock said leaning in touching his forehead to John's. "You've become indispensable to me."

"Ta, then. If I've become indispensable then I'd better carry on," John said trying to keep the waver out of his voice. Sherlock's breath ghosted over his face as he spoke and despite the weariness and adrenaline letdown, he felt his heart begin to speed up.

Sherlock wrapped one hand around John's neck and pulled him so close their lips almost brushed. "I'll keep you as close as I can, Doctor," he said and kissed him softly.

John didn't move for fear he'd scare Sherlock away. He wanted so much to wrap his hands in the detective's hair and kiss him urgent and hard, but they'd just defeated his horrible, possessive ex. The last thing John wanted to do was make a dominant show of his passion. So, he kissed back gently, tenderly and made to pull back.

"No," Sherlock growled. "I almost lost you today. I don't want to wait another second to show you how I feel about you, John."

A fire lit in his belly at Sherlock's words. He didn't want to wait another second either, "Well then," he said and did what he'd wanted to do almost the moment he'd been introduced to Sherlock all those months ago. He put his hands into Sherlock's curls and pulled him into a scorching kiss.

John licked into Sherlock's mouth until he heard a moan from the genius. Sherlock had to lean down, so John surged up on his toes to close the distance. His other hand sought out the warmth of Sherlock's skin under his jacket. He wanted free the tight-fitted shirt from those tailored trousers and run his hands up and down Sherlock's chest but remembered they were still standing on the kerb. He stopped, breathless and said, "I think I'm feeling better, let's just go home."

The taxi finally arrived and the got in. "University College Hospital," Sherlock told the driver. "I'm not taking any chances with you today, John," Sherlock said and put his arm around the doctor's shoulders and pulled him close.

Another wave of nausea washed over him, and John agreed it might be a good idea to get checked out. Doctors made the worst patients.

Epilogue to follow.

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