Prompt from Winter Winks 221: Candlelight vigil

"Will 'e be alright, Doctor Watson?"

Watson closed his bedroom door softly behind him, sighing as he looked down into the small fearful faces clustered around him. "I will watch him tonight," he said, voice weary. "If he can hold on 'til morning, he should recover. Now, all of you, off to bed."

After a momentary hesitation, the boys drifted away towards the study, talking quietly amongst themselves, and some sneaking fearful glances back at the bedroom door.

Watson leaned against the door, sighing agin, more deeply than before. It was hard to believe that something as simple as a snowball fight had led to this. Really, it should have been harmless, but one slipped foot, a young face frozen in terror as Jamie careened backward, followed by a terrifying crack as the ice broke beneath him... Watson shook the thoughts away, unwilling to recall again that petrifying moment when Holmes had pulled the boy out the ice, lips turning blue from cold and lack of air.

Reentering the room, he pulled his chair over to the bed, settling in for a long stay. Until morning... if Jamie could only survive until morning.