Ellie stays quiet and listens, making sure not to interrupt, eyes fixed on him as she gives him her absolute attention. It barely sounded real, like something out of a book- but then, her life was like that sometimes.

The worst problem is, it all makes perfect sense for what she knows of Sherlock and John. She can see exactly how it'd all fit together. How there wasn't a way out.

But worse, the first thing she pictures is Joel, in that same position. Someone threatening her. No way out.

Shit, she knows exactly what he'd do. But she can see herself in John's place, think of how she'd feel, and it leads them to precisely the same result. Punching him in the face as hard as she possibly can. And fucking Joel would probably do the same thing. Insist that he was in the right, that it was the only thing to do. Expect her to get it.

Well... he's gotten better, nowadays. But back then? Yep.

"He probably doesn't think it's your fault. He probably gets it- but you scared the shit out of him. Did you say you were sorry?"