Chapter Text
"Molly, I don’t see what the problem is,” Sherlock protested. “I won’t be in there very long.”
“You won’t be in there at all,” Molly Hooper replied. “You only cause chaos whenever I let you into the morgue, even when I don’t let you out of my sight.”
“Isn’t there something I could do to persuade you? Buy you some of those pink and white coconut ice things? I used to have a cousin who liked them.”
“Used to have? What happened to her?”
“I don’t know. She grew up.”
“How old was she when she liked coconut ice?”
“Seven? We didn’t see much of her and her family after that. I don’t know why.”
“No, I can’t imagine either. And no, giving me coconut ice or any other sort of sweets which your seven-year-old cousin used to like won’t get you into the morgue.”
“Oh, I know. You remember you were selling those teddy bear things your friend had made. The ones filled with something smelly, lavender, no, jasmine. What if I agreed to buy one of them?”
“All right, I suppose so. She’s raising funds for charity so at least it will be in a good cause. But don’t let me find that you’ve simply thrown the bear away at the first opportunity.”
“Agreed. Just make sure it’s blue.”
Chapter Text
Sherlock groaned as he heard the creaking of the bed above his head and the occasional shouts. How was he supposed to concentrate if John having yet another nightmare was distracting him? He stood up and stretched; if he couldn’t conduct one experiment maybe he could try out another.
He went into his own bedroom and found the teddy bear he had bought from Molly. Now seemed as good a time as any to find out whether the scent of jasmine really was calming or whether it was simply another old wives’ tale, which worked because you expected it to do so.
Sherlock padded into John’s room, noting the total disarray of the bedclothes, put the teddy in one hand and slid it under the pillow. Then he stood back to see whether anything happened.
At first it seemed a wasted purchase, but then John put his own hand under the pillow and drew out the bear. He held it close to his face, inhaled deeply and with a sigh rolled over. When nothing more happened Sherlock came back to the bed, picked up a blanket that had fallen on the floor, threw it over John and went back downstairs.
How effective it would be long term Sherlock wasn’t sure, but at least it meant tonight John’s sleep would be better.
Chapter 3
Notes:
For KathyG on More Joy Day
Chapter Text
John woke and stretched. He was surprised at how rested he felt. He could vaguely remember having a nightmare, but then, for some reason, it had ceased, at least it must have done, since it was already light and on bad nights he always woke before dawn. He stretched out a hand to reach for the bedside clock and realised to his surprise he was holding a small blue teddy bear. Where had that come from? He dropped it on the pillow, picked up his clock and saw it was already past eight. He couldn't remember the last time he'd slept that late.
He became aware of a slight smell of jasmine, which proved to be coming from the teddy. There was something in the back of his mind about the significance of jasmine. Perhaps he should look it up later. The more immediate puzzle was where the bear had come from. Logical deduction would say Sherlock, but that seemed unlikely, however, eliminating the impossible (that it had mysteriously flown in through the window) meant that the improbable must be true. Perhaps he would ask him. Or maybe not.
John dressed and went downstairs. "Morning, Sherlock!"
Sherlock grunted, concentrating on the newspaper.
"I had a surprisingly good night's sleep," John said.
Sherlock quirked a smile and continued to eat his breakfast.

KathyG on Chapter 1 Sat 02 Sep 2023 03:52PM UTC
Last Edited Sat 02 Sep 2023 03:52PM UTC
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