John heard the knock at the door to 221b Baker Street and knew it was time. He left the flat to greet the woman from social services, leaving Sherlock to watch Zara.

He knew how happy she had made John these past few days, even though he hadn't had much sleep, but still couldn't understand it. He knew that it was human instinct to start a family to pass on their name and knowledge but he had thought that John knew it was impossible when they had entered their relationship. Raising a child in 211b would never be authorised what with all of Sherlock's experiments and memorabilia he kept there which potentially endangers his life never mind an infants. There was also the fact that the flat was empty most of the time while he was on a case and John had his work. Even when not on a case Sherlock would still have his down days although less frequent now that John occupied most of his time.

So for once Sherlock thought about life from the point of someone who wasn't himself (or John of course). He knew from personal experience that having parents who were never there was damaging, look at Mycroft although I turned out fine he thought. He also knew that a having a child there, however happy it made John, posed a threat which could tear him apart if Moriarty used it against them. He painfully remembered the day at the pool he saw John stepping out strapped to Semtex and knew that if that happened to Zara, John would never be the same again.

Sherlock looked directly in her eyes and saw innocence, something that was forced out of him before he could walk, and willed that her new parents would cherish that in her. He would swear that at that exact moment dust decided to invade his eye causing more tears to be produce to fight it off, the reality being that he saw the bit of himself he never knew in Zara and that she needed to be as far away from him as possible to keep that light burning.

John returned to the flat followed by a woman in her thirties, dresses in a black knee length skirt and cheap suit jacket.

"You must be Sherlock. My name is Jodie Wilson."

They shook hands and Sherlock offered her his armchair and sat on one of wooden ones with Zara back on his lap. John on the other hand stood behind Sherlock looking at the floor.

"Well I think we had better cut to the chase so little Zara here can get to the Way's house. Mr Wat..."

"Doctor."

"Sorry doctor Watson. You need to sign these forms to say that she will no longer be in your sister's custody."

"Of course."

John grabbed the papers and signed them with, Sherlock noted, a slightly hesitant hand. He passed them back to the care worker will a guilty glance at Zara. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was abandoning her but reminded himself that a family with children to play with who had a house which didn't contain all the acids under the sun was the best place for her. He thought of how different his life would have been with a father who wasn't an alcoholic and a sister who was always there to help and support him.

"Thanks. That's all I really need. I'll take her off your hands so you can go back to your normal life with sleep."

The corner of John's mouth twitched as he picked Zara of Sherlock's lap into a hug.

"Goodbye, Zara. Live. You won't remember Harry thank God." he whispered so quietly that even Sherlock's finely tuned ears couldn't hear, though he could deduce word for word what John was likely to have said.

Mirroring John as he found he was doing a lot lately, Sherlock took Zara whispering, "We will never forget you." which John gasped at, knowing how important his brain space was to him.

Jodie stood and Sherlock fastened Zara into her carry seat and handed her over. He followed her out of the building and stopped her getting into the car after Zara was fastened in.

"I hope this family you have chosen do right by her because if not I have people in very high places that can make your job and any possible livelihood disappear."

Watching this from the window, John knew that everything was going to be alright even though he couldn't hear what Sherlock was saying. Sure he may be depressed for a few days about the prospect of Zara never remembering their short time together but he knew him and Sherlock would stay perfect.

John flung his arms around Sherlock as he returned who returned the embrace with as much gusto.

"I want you to know John that I would have your babies if I physically could. And if I didn't have as many enemies I would adopt any that you had with a surrogate."

"And I would have yours too Sherlock if OUR enemies suddenly decided to give us a break. The only way I can ever see it being possible is if you somehow find and kill Moriarty and his cronies."

Sherlock clutched his lover tighter and thought: I will one day John, I will.

oOo

Thanks to everyone who reviewed, alerted and favourited this story it means so much to me. :-D

I feel bad stopping it there, will they ever be able to adopt a child?