Holmes' pov of JWP #1: Homecoming
Endings are also a beginning.
The phrase rang in Holmes' mind as the motorcar pulled away. The end of one thing meant the beginning of another. The end of Von Bork's freedom meant the beginning of his stay in jail. The end of Holmes' time abroad was also the beginning of his resumed retirement.
The end of his pre-war work meant the war would start soon enough.
He pushed the thought away with the click of the closing door. Watson would not enlist. Not again. He had not been far from retirement when Holmes had left for America, and he could certainly be no further now. Holmes merely had to convince his stubborn friend to stop procrastinating. Once he got Watson to Sussex, all would be right again. Watson would not want to leave after so many years apart. Mycroft's account had indirectly said as much when Holmes had finally reached a serviceable telephone.
"He collapsed into a chair when I told him," his brother had rumbled, words strangely subdued over the distorted line, "and he did not answer me for several seconds. When he finally did, his voice—" There was a pause. "Three days, Sherlock. You cannot do that."
"I understand," he had replied, and he did. Watson had struggled horribly during the years Holmes was presumed dead, and Mary's death had only compounded the issue. Losing Holmes would send Watson right back to that blackest pit just as losing Watson would do the same to Holmes. Holmes had not intended to miss a check-in. He had simply been unable to take passage on another ship that would get him home in time to capture Von Bork.
That same worry loudly declared that Watson would join Holmes in Sussex soon enough, however. He would move to the second bedroom where he belonged, and he would have no more wish to leave than Holmes did. Holmes just had to return home.
"The doctor has left for his practice?" Mycroft asked as Holmes entered.
"He will meet me in Sussex when we are done," Holmes confirmed with a nod. "What do you need?"
"The rest of your notes," was the slightly frustrated answer. "Despite what the doctor claims, Sherlock, I cannot read the notes you keep in your head."
Holmes allowed a twitched grin, but he claimed a piece of paper and began writing. He would not have to stay in London for long.
This one's a two-shot, so another chapter coming on Tuesday. Don't forget to review :)