The afternoon was so pleasant and neither of us was busy for a change…I had nothing pressing to do, Holmes had no case at hand, and thus I succeeded in luring him out to the London Zoo. We were strolling leisurely along the paths, enjoying the sunny weather. Even Holmes looked content. In the course of our perambulations, we came to the feline habitat and stopped to observe the tigers prowling the cage. "What graceful creatures," I could not help remarking. "How strong yet how elegant." "Yes, so they are," Holmes quietly agreed, watching them intently…suddenly, his eyes widened and he grabbed my wrist, hissing, "Watson, run!"

"What?!" I blinked, taken aback.

"Run, Watson! The lock on the tiger cage is broken," Holmes insisted, pulling us back along the path.

I dared glance behind us and my throat went dry. "Too late," I whispered as I heard the roaring behind us. Holmes was doggedly pulling me along but my leg already started protesting.

"Holmes—I'll—only slow—you—down," I gasped while stumbling along. "Leave—me."

"No, Watson," and his hand tightened on my wrist.

"Leave me," I insisted, trying to shake him off. "We'll—never—outrun—this—animal—I've my—revolver."

"Bless you, Watson," sighed Holmes, as he released my wrist and redoubled his speed.

I jumped aside and frantically fumbled in my pocket, pulling my weapon out and aiming it. The tiger rushed past me…now! I fired and the animal dropped almost instantly. Holmes came jogging back at a more leisurely pace a minute or two later, having heard the shot.

"Shot directly through the heart," he stated, bending down to examine the tiger. "Your aim is as true as ever, my dear Watson."

Unfortunately, all the commotion has attracted a small crowd of onlookers and we saw the zoo director approaching us as well…this was going to take some explaining.


A/N: this was written for celebration of 1st birthday of Watson's Woes LJ comm in answer to following request: If you want to see Holmes getting chased by an escaped tiger in the London Zoo and rescued by Watson, guns a-blazin', request it. (would like to see that, come to think of it...)