Shades of gray
"What do you mean I'm coming with you?" Watson's eyes were wide as he backed away from the wall. "I most certainly am not going through that, that thing!" He said waving his arms at the wall.
"Look John" Making sure my voice stayed calm "He needs you, by the time we get back he is going to be weak and delirious, you should know how ugly withdrawal can be. He could use a friend. Someone he can trust."
Watson glanced at the wall then back to me.
"What of Mrs. Hudson."
Of course we couldn't let her think Watson had gone missing as well.
"We will tell her that in order to help me further we must travel to her country home. Tell her you may be gone for several months, but not to worry."
"I suppose that would do." He sighed and rubbed his temples. "Right…let's go then."
Mrs. Hudson had no objection to us leaving.
"It's taken quite a toll oh him." She whispered to me once he was out of earshot. "First Mr. Holmes, then that sweet Ms. Mary. It'll do him good to get out of this house. I hope your mother turns out well."
"Thank you Mrs. Hudson." I turned to face Watson who was coming down the steps. "We should get going John."
"Right." He nodded in agreement and we left Baker Street. I couldn't help but feel a little sad. All the stories I had read, all the adventures I wish I could have been a part of, but after actually being there it had turned out to be just how I imagined it. And now I would have to leave it all behind.
I practically had to push Watson through. You would think a man that has been in so many dangerous situations wouldn't be afraid of a stupid brick wall.
"Now was that really so bad?" I asked him once we were through.
He didn't speak, he was too busy gawking at the sights around him.
"Amazing." He whispered with his mouth hanging slightly open.
"Yes, yes, amazing, impossible, peculiar, fascinating call it what you'd like, now can we go?"
I pushed open the apartment door. "Hannah?"
She came from the kitchen, in the same clothes she had on when I had left a week ago. In her case hours ago.
"Sam…what happened? Boy that was quick. What the hell are you wearing?"
God I missed her. "Went for a very cold swim, apparently there is a massive time difference, and the most uncomfortable dress I have ever worn." I laughed answering all her questions at once and pulling her into a quick hug. Hannah was now eyeing the new addition standing in the doorway.
"Is that who I think it is Sammy?" She asked with wide eyes.
"Who else would I bring back…what is Holmes with out his Watson?" I whispered. "John?" He came over to stand beside me. "John this is my friend Hannah, Hannah this is…"
"John Watson." He finished, placing a kiss to the back of her hand. Hannah flushed a deep pink.
"Hi." She said quietly.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Hannah."
"How's he doing?" I asked pulling her attention away from him.
"Huh…oh…Not to good. He's been having bad dreams, and the sweats." She said scrunching her nose. "He asked for you."
"What?" That seemed a little strange. Of all the people in the world why on earth would he ask for me?
"He was pretty out of it. I felt so bad Sammy. He looked so miserable and uncomfortable. I wanted to do something but as soon as I would try to dab his forehead he would go crazy."
"That is what John's for." I said nodding in his direction.
"I'm pretty sure he's asleep now."
"Good, I'm sure he'd like to wake to a friendly face."
He looked rough, completely drenched in sweat, tossing every so often in his sleep, muttering incoherently.
"I expect this to last another day or so." Watson frowned a little as he wiped the sweat from Sherlock's damp forehead. I felt it was best I stayed behind in the doorway.
"Samantha?" He murmured. His voice sounded dry.
"No Holmes."
"Watson? No your not Watson, he's dead, they killed you." Tossing beneath the sheets.
"That was only a dream Holmes."
"Then I am still dreaming, for it is impossible that you have ended up in this wonderland along with me." He cracked open his eyes. "Or perhaps you are a ghost."
Watson smiled softly.
"No, I am as real as you are. As far as me getting here…well you have Samantha to thank for that."
"No, I'm afraid she's upset with me Watson." He whispered apparently not noticing me in the doorway.
"She's only worried for you Holmes."
"I never meant to hurt her Watson, make sure she knows that. I would never mean to hurt her."
It felt wrong to be witnessing such a moment, especially one he probably wouldn't even remember. So with glossy eyes I quietly shut the door and left them alone.
"Thank god, it feels good to be able to breathe." Hannah had managed to free me from that horrid corset and I was now enjoying the comfort of my own clothes.
Watson had finally come out of the guest room
"I don't know what you've done to him madam but that is not the same Holmes."
"He's delirious John. You'll get your old narcissistic Holmes back before you know it." About the same time I loose him.
"Perhaps, but he has indeed taken a liking to you."
I pushed the hair out of my eyes and sighed. "I'm going to sit with him for a while. John can you help me move the chair in there closer to the bed."
"Already have. I thought you might like be with him for a while."
Hannah got up from her seat on the couch. "So John would you like a tour of our little city?" She asked her eyes big and bright.
"As a matter of fact I think I would." He placed a hand on my shoulder. "Will you be alright with him?"
"Yea, I'll be fine. Go, enjoy yourself, and stay out of jail." I joked. Hannah was practically dragging him out of the door.
Sherlock wasn't tossing as much when I went into the room, but his breathing was heavy. I picked up the towel and pressed it to his head. He groaned and stirred in his sleep.
"Watson…there is no need mother me."
"John went out for a little while." I said sitting down in the recliner Watson had moved next to the bed.
"So he was here? I wasn't dreaming?"
"Yes he is here."
"And you brought him."
"Yes."
"Thank you Samantha." He whispered a small smile was on his weathered face.
"Your welcome Sherlock…you should go back to sleep."
"Are you going to leave?"
"No, I'll stay." He didn't say anything. "Unless you want me to go." I stood from the chair. His clammy hand found mine.
"I don't mind if you stay Samantha."
So stay I did, through the night and into the morning.
As always I would love to know what you think
-Shelly
