Charlotte went and settled herself on the floor next to the chair.

"Thank you," she said, touching Bree's hand. Already, she felt a bit better about things. "Sleep. I will wake you in the morning when it is time to head to the breeding grounds."

Bree didn't even argue. She just curled up in the chair and fell asleep. She really was exhausted, and the sleep would do her good.

Charlotte stayed near her all night, just dozing on and off. She was too wound up to really sleep, so she just kept an eye on things for the moment.

When it came time to wake Bree in the morning, she gently nudged her partner.

Bree groaned and blinked blearily at her. "Wha' time 's'it?" she mumbled. Clearly it was too early, and she didn't want to move.

"Nearly time to leave," Charlotte said softly. "You need to get ready. We leave for the breeding grounds today."

"Right." Bree yawned and got to her feet with a little struggle. "I'm packed, I'll just go change and wake up a bit and then we can go."

"I let you sleep as long as I could," Charlotte said, fretting a bit over her partner.

"I know. It's okay. I'll be able to sleep more once we're there and I've settled into the house." Although she hadn't been there with a dragon before, Bree had been to the breeding grounds. A house had been added for the handlers with modern conveniences, so they would be self-sufficient while their dragons were distracted.

Charlotte nodded after a moment and stepped back so Bree could finish getting ready. She was anxious; she had no idea how well the breeding would go, even with Sherlock, and what if her clutch was too small for her to keep an egg?

Bree got ready quickly and then nodded to Charlotte. She locked up the apartment after they left, and then headed to the train. They were heading out to the country again, although not in their usual direction.

Even though it wasn't the usual direction, Charlotte knew where to go. She'd been born on those breeding grounds, after all, so she knew how to get back there.

It took a while, but they got back to the breeding grounds. Bree headed for the human house to settle in, though she wasn't sure how relaxed she'd be able to get now.

Once Bree was safely dropped off at the human house, Charlotte went to scope out a suitable cave. It had to be just right, and it might take her a while to find the perfect one. After a couple of hours, she found one and cautiously got settled in it to wait for Sherlock.

John and Sherlock had arrived in the meantime, and John went to settle into the human house. He knocked, since he knew Bree was there, and then went inside.

Bree was in the kitchen making tea, and she looked over when she heard John.

"Hi," she said with a little smile. "I see you made it okay."

Sherlock went to go see where Charlotte was, taking his time and trying very hard not to startle her in any way.

"We did," John said, nodding. He sat down at the table and grinned at her. "Seems we'll be here for a while."

Charlotte was busy creating a nest in the cave. The nest had to be perfect, and she was fussing over it even as she shaped it.

"At least a week," Bree said, bringing the kettle over to the table to fill up the pot. "Probably longer. At least we've got plenty of food."

Sherlock made noise deliberately as he made his way into the cave she'd chosen. He didn't interrupt her building the nest, though; that was her right, and her right to invite him to join or ignore him for the time being.

"We will likely hear from Sherlock, at least, in a few days," John said as he watched her move around the kitchen. "From what I understand, Charlotte will likely chase him out before she lays."

"Probably," Bree agreed. "Although he may not want to leave just because she chases him off. We'll just have to play things by ear."

"We'll have to see," John agreed.

Several days later, Sherlock did indeed emerge from the cave and make his way down to the human house. It took him a good few minutes to remember to take human form again before he could knock on the door.

Bree answered, because she was up and closer, and blinked at Sherlock.

"All done?" she asked mildly.

"Charlotte wants you to join her." Sherlock's eyes hadn't gone back to human yet, still shining faintly and very much dragon. He hadn't blinked, either, just watching Bree.

Bree blinked before she nodded. "Just let me grab a few things," she said, leaving the door open to let him in as she headed back to her room.

John went to keep an eye on Sherlock as Bree went to get her things.

"Is everything alright?" he asked, visually checking the dragon over briefly.

Sherlock nodded. "It was a successful mating," he said, though he was still distracted. "All is well enough."

"Good," John said. He could tell Sherlock was distracted. "Are you sure you're alright, Sherlock? Or are you just anxious to get back to Charlotte?"

"I do not think she will allow me back in," Sherlock said with an eloquent shrug. He had expected it, but it still stung.

"From what I understand, that's normal," John said, watching Sherlock's expressions. "You can still leave things for her, yeah?"