"Sh.......Sherlock........?" John managed to finally say. His old friend getting to his feet and making his way over to him. Misses Hudson still bewildered by the whole thing as Sherlock placed his hand on the doctor's shoulder. John looking between the hand and the younger Holmes' face.

"Yes, Wat........" Sherlock not able to finish his greeting, before he found himself on his backside on the floor. His hand gripping tightly to his chin. The doctor finding the same spot where (Y/n) had punched him, not long before.

"You......you bastard!" Watson continued, as he glared down at Sherlock.

"You let us all believe that you were dead.......me, Misses Hudson, (Y/n)......God, poor (Y/n)......." The doctor not sure whether (Y/n) would prefer the news that Sherlock was alive, or that she had just been seeing things; especially after all she had been through. For at least he had had Mary to turn to; (Y/n).......well, she had had no one. Both Watson's aware how badly she had taken Sherlock's loss; how she had even been quite unwell for a time. So, this......this could be as much of a shock to her system, as losing him had been. John not sure how he was going to explain all this.

"That is true, Watson. But instead of assaulting me, you would listen; I will explain. And then perhaps we can go and see (Y/n). It obvious that she was going to make her way to your house. I can only imagine that it must have been quite the shock for you and Mary when she turned up on your doorstep........"

"A shock when she turned up on our doorstep...........?" John knocking Sherlock's hand out of the way as he held it out for his friend to help him from the floor. The doctor choosing instead to make his way over to Misses Hudson.

"The poor woman was beside herself. Her feet were bare, and I had to tend to them while trying to get a straight answer out of her. She was a wreck, believing that she was having hallucinations or seeing ghosts. She was even paler than poor Misses Hudson, here. You have no idea what she has been through since you went over those falls......what we have all been through......." The doctor explained, as he looked into Misses Hudson's eyes. Doing his best to assure the landlady that she wasn't seeing things, as Sherlock dragged himself from the floor and brushed himself down.

"Yes, I agree that I have gone about this the wrong way. I have been keeping my eye on her since I got back to London; and seeing her come back to Baker Street, it seemed like the moment to reveal myself. But I will confess that perhaps in this circumstance, I may have been mistaken........" Sherlock replied. John just huffing under his breath something about all this being far beyond a mistake, as he continued to see to his former landlady.

"Now......can I explain what happened and why I had to make it appear that I had died, without you punching me again.........?" John making no promises, before taking a seat in the chair next to Misses Hudson.

                                                    >>------------------------------------<<

"So, what you sent me...........?"

"Mycroft's personal supply of oxygen.......yes, that is how I did not drown when Moriarty and I fell into the falls; though I must confess that I am fortunate that I was able to maneuverer the professor to ensure that he took the brunt of the fall, though the impact did still render me unconscious for some time. When I awoke it became clear that only I had survived, so I used the obvious notion that everyone would have that I had died, to my advantage; it allowing me to go after all those that might still be under the employ of Moriarty, as well as Colonel Moran, to ensure that this was over, once and for all. That no one would come for you, Mary and (Y/n) again. And I would have been back in London far sooner, it just that the Colonel proved to be a much slipperier fish than I had expected........." Sherlock explained, as Misses Hudson consumed her third cup of hot, very sweet tea that John had slipped some brandy into. The poor older woman finally having recovered the cooler in her cheeks, as well as her ability to speak. The landlady already having made it more than clear that she was not too pleased with what Sherlock had done, either.

John sat back in his chair, mulling over what Sherlock had said. He could not fault him for what he had done in protecting all of them. There no guaranteeing that even though Moriarty was dead, there would not be someone else to come after them; the doctor relieved that the threat was no longer hanging over their heads. And Sherlock actually did seem to be contrite for he and (Y/n) having gone through all the pain of losing him. But was this the moment to take Sherlock to his house and show (Y/n) that she had not been seeing things? Had she not been through enough for one evening. John deciding that it was best to leave it for the night; that in the morning when she had hopefully calmed herself, he would then explain to her what was going on, and he would then bring her back to Baker Street, if that was what she wished to do. Though he would certainly not be forcing her into anything.

"So, (Y/n).........." Sherlock continued, as he got to his feet.

"Not tonight. You need to let her rest; you gave her quite the shock. She is a strong woman, but not even she could be prepared for something like this. She has mourned you more than you can know, Sherlock. That night at the summit, it was fortunate that she didn't join you over the falls. So, you need to give her a little time. I will sit her down in the morning and explain all this; and if she wants to see you, then I will bring her here........." John explained, as he got to his feet. It obvious that Sherlock was a little disappointed; but he did not let it show on his face for too long. The younger Holmes simply nodding, before placing his hand on John's shoulder

"It is good to see you again, Watson........"

"And you, Sherlock.........."