Disclaimer: See part 1.
*****
I managed to slowly make my way up the stairs. Gently swinging the door to our sitting room open with one hand, I leant heavily in the doorframe and tried to govern my breathing. I saw Holmes sitting on the edge of his chair, his elbows on his knees and his chin resting on his clasped hands as he stared into the taunting fire.
"Holmes?" I said rather weakly.
His head snapped around to look at me and as his quick eyes assessed my condition he jumped out of his seat. His strong arms wrapped around me to keep me upright just as I started to slump.
"What happened?" he asked with a concerned frown.
"Someone hit me from behind." I replied quietly.
His frown deepened, "Let's get you to bed and have a look at you."
He got me to my bed and removed my clothes, I remember reddening slightly at his actions, but he didn't seem to notice any discomfort on my part, or at least, he disregarded it.
He turned me over so he could get a look at my back and I heard a sharp intake of breath as he surveyed my shoulder.
"It's not so bad, Holmes. It just took me by surprise." I said quietly as I turned back and carefully sat up.
He left the room and when he came back he held brandy and a glass. "It should be checked by a doctor," he replied firmly as he poured me a glass.
"I shall allow no such thing, Holmes." I said sharply but giving him a grateful smile as I took the glass from him, "As you know perfectly well, I am a doctor, and I say that it is fine." I consumed the contents of the glass in one go.
He shook his head and put the brandy down by the side of my bed. He sat down next to me, "What happened, Watson?"
I explained as quickly as possible, and watched as his body tensed and his expression darkened.
"You will not follow up on this case any further." He said in a carefully controlled tone.
"So you think it has something to do with our inquiries?" I asked easily.
He nodded, "I think it highly probable."
"Then all the more reason to follow up on it." I replied.
"I will not argue with you, Watson. I don't want you continuing with this. I will not have you put yourself in danger." He said, glaring at me.
I met his stare and considered a moment before saying, "Earlier, you said that you and Mr. Wilkinson ...separated because your love was placed elsewhere. Will you tell me where?"
Holmes was silent for a moment as he rose slowly from my bed. "That is none of your business." He replied with a low voice.
"Oh, but I think that it is, Holmes." I waited for a moment, but it was evident that a response was not going to be given. I reached down and picked up the brandy, and poured myself another drink.
"You shan't find your answer there." Holmes commented, but with a gentle edge to his voice.
"Well, seeing as no answers are forthcoming from you, I may as well try." I gave him a forced smile, "Now if you'll excuse me, Holmes, I need to 'hide from the world', as you so succinctly put it."
His eyes closed for a brief moment and his head dropped slightly before he simply left, closing my door without a word.
*****
I managed to slowly make my way up the stairs. Gently swinging the door to our sitting room open with one hand, I leant heavily in the doorframe and tried to govern my breathing. I saw Holmes sitting on the edge of his chair, his elbows on his knees and his chin resting on his clasped hands as he stared into the taunting fire.
"Holmes?" I said rather weakly.
His head snapped around to look at me and as his quick eyes assessed my condition he jumped out of his seat. His strong arms wrapped around me to keep me upright just as I started to slump.
"What happened?" he asked with a concerned frown.
"Someone hit me from behind." I replied quietly.
His frown deepened, "Let's get you to bed and have a look at you."
He got me to my bed and removed my clothes, I remember reddening slightly at his actions, but he didn't seem to notice any discomfort on my part, or at least, he disregarded it.
He turned me over so he could get a look at my back and I heard a sharp intake of breath as he surveyed my shoulder.
"It's not so bad, Holmes. It just took me by surprise." I said quietly as I turned back and carefully sat up.
He left the room and when he came back he held brandy and a glass. "It should be checked by a doctor," he replied firmly as he poured me a glass.
"I shall allow no such thing, Holmes." I said sharply but giving him a grateful smile as I took the glass from him, "As you know perfectly well, I am a doctor, and I say that it is fine." I consumed the contents of the glass in one go.
He shook his head and put the brandy down by the side of my bed. He sat down next to me, "What happened, Watson?"
I explained as quickly as possible, and watched as his body tensed and his expression darkened.
"You will not follow up on this case any further." He said in a carefully controlled tone.
"So you think it has something to do with our inquiries?" I asked easily.
He nodded, "I think it highly probable."
"Then all the more reason to follow up on it." I replied.
"I will not argue with you, Watson. I don't want you continuing with this. I will not have you put yourself in danger." He said, glaring at me.
I met his stare and considered a moment before saying, "Earlier, you said that you and Mr. Wilkinson ...separated because your love was placed elsewhere. Will you tell me where?"
Holmes was silent for a moment as he rose slowly from my bed. "That is none of your business." He replied with a low voice.
"Oh, but I think that it is, Holmes." I waited for a moment, but it was evident that a response was not going to be given. I reached down and picked up the brandy, and poured myself another drink.
"You shan't find your answer there." Holmes commented, but with a gentle edge to his voice.
"Well, seeing as no answers are forthcoming from you, I may as well try." I gave him a forced smile, "Now if you'll excuse me, Holmes, I need to 'hide from the world', as you so succinctly put it."
His eyes closed for a brief moment and his head dropped slightly before he simply left, closing my door without a word.