Chapter Text
John didn't understand why everyone was surprised whenever he protected Sherlock's life. They were even more surprised when he chose Sherlock over himself.
They were at a crime scene when John's sacrificial tendencies came to light. Sherlock had been rattling deductions as quickly as you could test someone using flash cards, when a noise had startled John out of his thoughts about Sherlock and the milk he'd have to buy.
It was a rustle of clothing and the click of a gun.
John heard the gun go off as soon as he had started moving towards Sherlock in a hurried panic, and he felt the same pain he had felt before during his time in the army-a gunshot. The pain burned through him, John clenched his teeth in an attempt to lessen the pain although he knew it wouldn't do anything and he heard more than saw the thump of a body hitting the floor. Was it his body or the one that shot him? He didn't know and he didn't care, all he knew was the pain and the black dots clouding his vision. He found himself falling and hitting the floor with a loud grunt before he lost consciousness.
Sherlock twisted his body towards the sound of the gun going off and he had expected to feel the excruciating pain so many people had described but it never came, instead he got pushed over by John and landed on his ass. Then he realized that it was John that got shot not him. Sherlock jumped to his feet and hovered his hands around John in case he passed out. Which he did. Lestrade came over along with Donovan and Anderson. Sherlock couldn't be bothered to make any comments about Donovan and the she felt the same, after all she liked John-not the freak.
Nobody could hate John. Sure there were times when he could be just as irritating as Sherlock but that was what happened when you were best friends with someone who didn't understand social normalities or etiquette, but John was someone everyone could rely on. He wouldn't do everything for you (he only did that for Sherlock) but he helped-gave people advice. John had an air about him, something that made him likeable. (John thought his opinion wasn't important, he was only useful to make Sherlock look more approachable).
Lestrade called an ambulance and arrested the criminal then handed the man over to the officers outside for them to deal with so that he could help John in any he could. He was about to take off his coat to use as a makeshift bandage and to put pressure on the wound but Sherlock bet him to it, Sherlock had taken off his scarf, the scarf that he didn't allow anyone to touch no matter what-it seemed that it was a sort of sentimental object for him. Despite what Sherlock said, Lestrade knew he wasn't without emotions. He just didn't know how to express them. It seemed that John got the Sherlock that no one had seen before.
"John please". Sherlock's voice had an odd tilt too it and Lestrade realised that it was the sound of fear, a glance over to the others had him see the realisation on their faces. "John you can't close your eyes please".
John opened his eyes after an agonisingly painful moment of scilence, "You won't get rid of me that easily Sherlock, where's the ambulance". John's own voice had turned raspy and croaky, it was layered with barely concealed pain.
This time it was Lestrade that spoke and his eyebrows had furrowed (is that what it is) thinking back to the emergency call that he had made, "The ambulance should have been here by no-". He was cut off by the sound of the sirens and the engine rumbling to a stop. John would be getting help now.
The Paramedics rushed onto the scene and lifted John onto a stretcher, he loaded into the ambulance, Sherlock attempted to follow him but Lestrade held him back saying he would drive him to the hospital so that you won't bother the paramedics with your question-yes I know you're worried Sherlock but you have to let them do their job.
They-meaning Lestrade, Sherlock, and for some reason, Donovan and Anderson- got into a cab and reached the hospital at the same the same time as the ambulance. Sherlock opened the door before the cab had even stopped driving followed closely by Lestrade and Donovan leaving Anderson to pay for the lengthy ride.