Disclaimer: I dont own Sherlock Holmes, Dr Watson et al, they belong to Sir Athur Conan Doyle! I am just borrowing them for a while !! :)

Walking Into Darkness

Chapter One: The Fall of Night

They had been running for nearly five minutes in the worsening weather as the falling rain got heavier and heavier and with each alley that they went into the ground became slippery and more treacherous. Dr Watson was struggling to keep up with Holmes's pace as the pain in his leg intensified. His breathing was becoming more laboured but he was determined to keep up with Holmes in this chase. It had been a long and difficult case in which Holmes had been commissioned to track down a particularly ruthless gang of thieves who had been responsible for a number of robberies in London for the past year. They had already killed and Watson was glad he had taken his revolver with him. Tonight they were chasing the feared ringleader of the gang, Victor Bateman, who had successfully slipped the net the previous night when Holmes, Watson and Lestrade had apprehended the gang. Watson caught up with Holmes and stood at his side. He had been concerned at how much the case had taken out of Holmes who was close to exhaustion. When this is over, I will insist on Holmes taking a break somewhere in the country, thought Watson grimly.

"Watson we have caught our man, there is a dead end up ahead, he cannot escape now!" exclaimed Holmes whose eyes shone brightly with barely suppressed excitement.

Holmes turned to face Watson and looked in concern at Watson who was trying to regain control of his breathing. Watson acknowledged Holmes's concern and placed his hand on Holmes's arm and squeezed it firmly.

"I'm alright Holmes. Just need to catch my breath a moment". Whispered Watson as he rubbed his aching leg.

Watson drew his revolver and Holmes turned to his quarry and saw Bateman running back in their direction.

"It's no good Bateman, the game is up, and you have nowhere to run, give up now". Shouted Holmes.

Bateman lunged forwards and threw himself at Watson trying to grapple for his revolver. Watson gave a startled cry and desperately tried to hold onto his revolver, his finger still on the trigger.

"Watson!" Cried Holmes as he pushed himself in between the two struggling men, defending Watson.

Suddenly the revolver fired and there was a cry of pain and Watson, turned to see Holmes collapse heavily onto the ground.

"Holmes!" Cried Watson as he watched his friend fall.

Watson looked in horror at the crumpled form of Holmes who was groaning raggedly. In a surge of anger Watson managed to wrestle free of Bateman and struck him across the head. Bateman collapsed with the blow and he lay still in on the ground. Watson bent down and checked Bateman's pulse. Alive but unconscious. Good. Thought Watson. Watson wasted no time in rushing over to Holmes.

"Holmes, I'm here, where are you hit, please talk to me" said Watson whose voice was quaking with fear, as he gently turned Holmes over onto his back.

"Watson" said Holmes weakly, his voice full of pain, covering his face with his hands.

Watson gently removed Holmes's hands from his face and was horrified to see burn marks had scorched across his face.

Holmes looked up and Watson felt a strong tremor go through Holmes.

Holmes struggled to stand up and Watson placed his hand round Holmes's waist and helped him up. Holmes suddenly appeared to lose his balance.

"Watson where are you?" asked Holmes, his voice was unsteady and shaky.

"I'm right here in front of you Holmes" said Watson softly.

Holmes held out his hand and felt Watson and then groaned, shutting his eyes and opening them again. He again wavered and this time Watson steadied Holmes, looking at Holmes with increasing concern. And then came the words that would haunt him for many nights to come.

"Watson, help me, I can't see anything, I'm blind. Oh God..."

And with those words Holmes lost consciousness and collapsed only to be caught in the strong arms of Dr Watson.

Watson held Holmes tightly, with tears running down his face. He shut his eyes and knew that he had to face an unpleasant truth. Holmes may never see anything ever again. He felt himself responsible for what had happened. I had my finger on the trigger when the revolver fired. Oh God Holmes forgive me, I have failed you! He bent his head into the unconscious form of Holmes and his whole framed shook as he sobbed bitterly.

Watson did not hear the rush of footsteps behind him, or the concerned voice of Inspector Lestrade as they secured Bateman and took him away into custody. A firm but gentle hand placed on Watson's shoulder caused Watson to look up and saw Lestrade in front of him.

"Dr Watson, is Mr Holmes alright? I will arrange to have him taken to hospital..." said a clearly distraught Lestrade.

Watson gently lifted Holmes into his arms and slowly stood up, his eyes red rimmed. He looked at Lestrade and replied

"No thank you Lestrade, Holmes is my responsibility now, I will take him home, back to Baker Street".

Watson carried Holmes to a nearby cab and gently placed Holmes on a seat and instructed the cabbie to take them to Baker Street. As the cab sped away taking them back to Baker Street Watson looked at Holmes. His lips were set grimly and Watson placed his hand on Holmes's shoulder and softly said to the unconscious form, his voice shaking.

"I swear to you Holmes, what ever happens, we will get through this together. I failed you tonight, but I will not leave you to face this alone. I can only hope you can forgive me".

And with that Watson broke down completely and put his head in his hands, sobbing. Holmes was facing a world of darkness, and Watson was about to face the encroaching darkness of his worse nightmares. Only time would tell if they would survive the dark days that lay ahead for both of them.

TBC!! Hope you enjoyed that!! What will become of Holmes? Will Watson cope with what has happened? More coming very soon!! I will hopefully be able to update over the weekend!! :)