Hey, there. I'm experimenting at a new universe, trying a Non-Victorian Steampunk, so I hope you like it. Any questions, please review. Thanks. (:
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. They are property of the BBC and Arthur Conan Doyle. The OCs and universe are mine. I don't make any profit with this story.
Chapter I
The cafeteria at the Healer Center is always loud. Families trying to distract themselves while waiting; helpers gossiping between coffee and biscuits; and the large monitor on the wall with the news. A smartly dressed man appears at the screen. He announces the new investments in healer centers. At a tiny table in the corner, Rose Foley rolls her eyes.
"I can't believe they are trying to fool us with that again, nothing changed last time", she talks quietly before taking a sip at her tea. She's dressed as a healer, covered with ill-fitting white overalls. Even though she feels ugly in them, her clothes makes her earn respect, very different from the way the female helpers, with their blue overalls, are treated. Her copper hair matches the machinery on the wall.
"Most people still believe them. Him." The other person at the table is John Watson, also dressed as a healer. He crumbles his biscuit, looking angry as if it has offended him personally. He raise his eyes to Rose's. "They censored my latest paper. Too controversial. How can child birth be controversial?"
Rose laughs. "Men have problems with vaginas that aren't for their pleasure. I bet it was the illustrations."
"Yeah." John stretch his back, his right hand going automatically to his left shoulder. He winces, massaging the spot. "This thing is bothering more than usual today."
"Maybe you're just grumpy." She smiles, melting his frown. "Seriously, thought, I can look at it later."
"Thanks." John gives her a little smile, rotating his left arm. His movements are stiff.
They fall into a comfortable silence. John eats his bits of biscuit while Rose finishes her tea.
"Do you miss it? Surgery, I mean." Rose corrects herself, avoiding awkwardness.
John puts his left hand over the table. Instead of flash and bones, there is metal and wood. He moves his wooden fingers, but the movement is clumsy.
"No one wants a one-armed surgeon." John shruggles and smiles. "I actually really like to write for the periodicals and the GP."
Rose opens her mouth to respond when she hears her name from the sound system: Rose Foley. Healer Rose Foley. Your presence is required at Emergency. "Damn, I got to go." She raises, looking apologetic.
"Don't worry, I'll walk with you." John eats the last of his biscuit as he raises. They exit the cafeteria in a fast pace. "I need to talk to Healer Michaelson, I believe he's in the Emergency today."
"Yes, he is. I saw him earlier."
The Emergency is more chaotic than normal. In a stretcher, rushing through the corridor, a young man is passed out and covered in blood.
"Multiple stab wounds. His BP is falling." Heloise, a tiny helper with strikingly blond hair, tells Rose as she approaches. Rose jumps into action. "Rose, he is Sherlock Holmes."
"The Prime Minister's brother?" Rose stills for a second, curses under her breath, but immediately starts shouting orders and rushes the patient to surgery.
John realizes he has no idea what he needed to talk with Michaelson.