As soon as I thought we'd effectively thrown of our pursuers (by crouching behind a pile of lumber), I set Watson down on the ground, where he stayed in a sitting position but grasped his calf tightly and clenched his teeth.

I didn't ask if he was all right, because I could see was most certainly not. I still needed to verify how badly he was hurt, however.

"Are you in much pain?" I whispered.

"A considerable…amount" He grunted, examining the offending area. I noticed his speech was a bit slurred, but I couldn't be sure if it was from the pain or from a previous injury.

"We should stop the bleeding," he mumbled, and started to remove his coat.

"I have it, old boy." I interjected, removing my coat, then my jacket. I tore of a sleeve then looked at Watson.

"A tourniquet or a bandage?"

He shook his head. "I'm not sure a tourniquet'll do. I'm afraid it may have grazed the Achilles tendon…" He trailed off, blinking slowly.

"Watson," I prompted, and he came out of his reverie.

"Sorry, Holmes, I took a little bump on the head earlier- I'm just a bit muddled" he added, seeing my disconcerted gaze. He took another look at the blood.

"I don't think a tourniquet will do. Better be a bandage."


A/N: "….a half pay officer with a damaged tendo Achillis"- SIGN

All right, I've got at least two more to post tonight.