Basil's POV

I'll admit I was terrified. Anyone I my position would be. I scurried after him until I lost him. I sat down at that point and thought about my options. I could go back to where he had left me, wait and hope he finds me before anything else does, or I could attempt to follow him and take the train to London by my self.

I decided that the only solution was to try making my way back to London. I began walking back to the station. Along the way I estimated it would be about two miles. It was five. I was exhausted and weak by the time I made it to the station, indeed, it took a week. I managed to scavenge for food along the way, but it was not enough. I gazed around the station there were no trains there… I tried to figure out when a train would arrive, but had no clues. I waited for about twenty minutes before a train appeared in the distance. To my joy, it was facing in the direction of my sweet, sweet London!

Holmes's POV

I sat on my chair before the fire. My mouse had gone missing five days ago. I gazed miserably into the fire. I was lonelier than ever, even the point after my Watson left me. I had little doubt that he was by now dead. There was just no way that a city mouse could survive in a place full of animals.

I heard a knock at the front door followed by my dear friend's tones of greeting Mrs. Hudson. I sighed; I wasn't feeling up to visitors yet, even my dear friend. He climbs the stairs. He enters without even knocking; after all, I told him he would always be welcome here.

"Holmes! Mrs. Hudson asked me here. What's gotten into you? She says you mope around and not in your usual black mood style, but like you did after I left, only worse… tell me… what is it?" He sat down in his old chair and looked at me. I sighed and told him I was just upset over a failed case. He seemed to believe me and for the rest of the evening we conversed about various subjects. My grief even began to ease with the aid of good company and good brandy.

When I went to bed than night, I felt like I may actually be able to sleep.

Basil's POV

I climbed on the train long before it began to move. To my relief there was a lot of space to hide. The train made several stops before I heard the cry of "Charring Cross!" Ah, music to my ears.

Shortly after exiting the station, I found the cab stand. To my pleasure, I heard two gentlemen call out the name of a street near my home. A lifetime in London had taught me how to jump aboard a cab at the last second to avoid discovery. Rain started to fall while we drove a cold morning rain. It didn't concern me, as I was headed home. Home to my friend, who must miss me terribly. I did not blame him, for I had been late and it was just a mistake. Besides I was alright. I thought a bit and realized that I had been gone for nearly a week! My friend must think me dead!

Holmes's POV

I awoke refreshed the next day. I still missed my friend, terribly, but I could deal with life now. Watson had spent the night and breakfasted with me before going about his rounds.

After he left, I gazed out the window. A cab rattled past and some elderly ladies strolled past discussing something that must have been a big issue with them. The street was coming to life, and yet, I still grieved. Deciding to do something to take my mind off it, I began to organize my papers. I found my friend's handkerchief. It had been mine, but he had loved to sleep on it so much that I just surrendered it to him. A small price to give for all he gave me. I smiled and placed it on the mantle piece. Sighing I went back to my work.

Basil's POV

As I walked back to my home, I found even what had been repulsive about the city to me before had now become almost pleasant. I had read Dr. Watson's stories about my friend a short while ago, and I now felt that I understood what he meant in the beginning of 'A Study In Scarlet', when he talked about coming back to London. Despite the fact that it was several blocks to my home, and a cab could have gotten me there faster, I chose to walk and gaze at my city. Nothing had changed, and there was no reason why it should, having only been gone a short while. But to me it felt like a hundred years or more…

I arrived home towards evening. The gas was lit and I could see my friend in the window, playing his violin. I even heard the melody. Melancholy. I knew he missed me, so I hurried to the sitting room.

He stood there, in a haze of smoke, playing. He reached the peak as I entered.

Finally, I was home.

Holmes's POV

I had been playing my violin to consol myself. As night set in again, I began to feel alone once more. I played a melancholy song of my own composition. Composed, even, for this exact occasion. As I bent down to place my violin on the table, and rest my throbbing wrists, I felt a small tug at my pant leg. I gazed down, thinking I was caught on a chair leg.

To my astonishment and absolute delight, my friend sat to the side of my foot! He smirked up at me as if to say, "I made it out of the country, you're not getting rid of me that easily."

With a cry of joy, that I fear must have woke poor Mrs. Hudson, I picked him up and held him near my heart. He scurried up my shoulder and licked my face. I came close to crying into that soft fur, but stopped myself when I realized that he must be starving. I placed him on the table and offered him the entire scone from my tea earlier. He ate at a furious pace, having not eaten something very filling in many days, I imagine. I watched him and fiddled with his tail. He didn't seem to mind, I was just glad to have him back.

When he ate his fill, I picked him up and headed to my bedroom. I grabbed his handkerchief on the way. I placed it on the side of my pillow. "Sleep here tonight, my friend, and tomorrow tell me of your adventure." I said as I got ready for bed.

Basil's POV

He set me down gently. I managed a single yawn before I was in a deep sleep that lasted until the middle of the next day.