The Final Chapter

Last Chance

*John POV*

"Wrong."

"What?"

"You're wrong."

"I haven't even said anything."

We managed to convince Sherlock to play Cludeo with us, but it already isn't going well.

"But you're thinking it."

I make my guess, finding that Sherlock is correct about my being wrong.

"I still don't know how you manage that every time."

Mycroft and Greg take their turns quickly, passing the die off to Sherlock. He goes slowly, inspecting his cards and his note sheet closely before making his guesses amd passing me the die. The game ends quickly, Sherlock wins. Will and Hamish come downstairs soon after, heading into the kitchen for a snack.

"Dont eat too much, dinner is at five thirty."

"Okay Papa."

Sherlock leans against me, lying his head on my shoulder.

"Did you move them?"

"Yes."

"Where to?"

"Our medicine cabinet in our bathroom."

"All of it?"

"Yes."

He relaxes, grabbing my hand gently.

"Thank you."

"Its okay Sherlock."

I lean back on the couch, Sherlock curling up against my side. Honeycomb lies protectively at Sherlocks feet, head on his paws.

"How are you feeling?"

"My head hurts. I'm fine though."

"Are you sure?"

"Yep."

He presses his face into my jacket, breathing a tad shaky.

"What's wrong?"

"I cant stop."

"You can't stop what?"

"Thinking."

"About what?"

"Everything that happened."

"You're okay."

Mycroft shifts on the other end of the sofa, causing me to look up. Greg is lying against his side, sleeping. Their fingers are entwined, Mycroft is about to fall asleep as well. I wrap my arms around Sherlock, waiting for his breathing to even out.

"See? Its okay."

He nods, pressing closer against me.

"Relax. Focus on breathing. Here, breathe with me."

I slow my breathing, rubbing his back soothingly. Slowly, I am able to coax him out of my jacket. Honeycomb starts barking again, someone is walking into the room. The boys stop in the doorway when they see us, watching.

"Its okay, come sit down."

They slowly cross the room, knowing sudden movement will set off Sherlocks anxiety again. Sherlock sits up, wiping tears off his cheeks.

"Do you need to go lie down?"

"No. I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

He nods again, biting his lip.

"Let me know if you need to leave."

"Mhmm."

I pull him back against my side, runing my fingers through his hair. Hamish passes William the telly remote, switching on the reruns of a game show. Sherlock lies his head against my shoulder, grabbing my hand. We sit here for a while, no one speaking until Greg wakes up. Will suddenly stands up, running over and shaking Mycroft awake.

"What are you doing?"

"Can you get it?"

Mycroft looks confused for a few seconds until William points at the book case.

"Go grab me the stuff. Ill pull it out."

"Wait! Dont destroy it."

Sherlock gets up, returning a few minutes later with a tool set.

"What are you doing?"

"I need to see it."

"See what?"

"What type of camera they are. If I can trace anything."

"Be careful."

He nods, prying the wood away from the lense.

"I need my computer."

I run out, grabbing his laptop.

"Table."

It takes twenty six minutes, but Sherlock is able to pull the camera without damaging it.

"John."

He waves me over, asking for help with everything.

"Stop talking. Mute the telly. No moving."

Everything freezes, providing Sherlock the silence he needs to think.

"Who is that?"

"Who is what? No one is moving Sherlock."

"Honeycomb."

I run back out of the room, taking the boys and the dog out back to play.

"You three need to be quiet. No yelling or screaming. Try to keep the dog from barking."

"Okay Papa."

I run back inside, quieting my breathing before getting too close to Sherlock. Mycroft is helping him right now, trying to trace the signal.

"Its gone."

"What's gone?"

"The signal."

"You said you had it!"

"I did. But now it is gone. I should suggest working faster next time."

Sherlock groans, tipping his head up.

"We'll get it next time Sherlock."

"No, we wont."

"And why is that?"

"Because that was the last camera. Our last chance to find him."