A/N: Oh dear, I am out of time! In attempt to redeem these moments, I have taken the liberty of combing two prompts into one chapter. I hope my prompters do not feel slighted. Both are lovely.

Prompt from W. Y. Traveller: Books

Prompt from BookRookie12: We're out of time.

Holmes lounged about the flat, ruminating with the aid of his pipe. In the corner at his desk, Watson sat penning their latest adventure. "Holmes, I do wish you would at least open the window. The atmosphere is decidedly thick." He massaged his forehead. " I fear a headache."

"And I wish you make your account an educational exercise of the science of detection rather than that whimsical prose you are prone."

"You must admit my 'whimsical prose' has increased the number of interesting cases though," the doctor retorted.

I don't deny you have biographical skill, my dear fellow. I just wish you'd confine yourself to fact and less fiction."

Suddenly, a very flustered Mrs Hudson burst through door. "I'm so sorry, Mr Holmes," she fluttered. "The lady was most insistent."

A plump woman with auburn hair and a fashionable violet dress pressed into our sitting room. Holmes stood abruptly with a resigned air, ears keen to hear whether such an insistent client might present an engaging case. "I am Mr Holmes," he nodded for the woman to sit in his consulting chair.

"Oh no, I'm looking for a Dr Watson, author of those charming little mysteries in The Strand." She remained standing and glanced anxiously around the room.

The detective's features registered his shock only momentarily and were quickly replaced with a bemused smile. "Why, the doctor is here, I believe." He gestured toward the corner where said doctor was rapidly rising to meet the visitor.

"Doctor Watson, my name is Amanda McKittrick Ross, a pleasure to meet you."

"Equally," he replied and indicated the chair nearest the fire. "Do sit down Ms Ross. How can I assist you? If it is a medical malady, I may suggest we meet at my surgery…"

"No, Dr Watson! I am not ill. It is your skill with the pen that has brought me here."

"Oh?"

"You see, Dr Watson, I too am a writer, along with the likes of Defoe, Eliot, and Dickens. I have just finished my latest novel and have come to ask you to read my manuscript. I would be grateful for someone with your talents and fame to bestow an endorsement."

"Well, I suppose I could read it over," Watson said hesitantly.

Before the doctor could continue, the aspiring author grasped his hand. "Thank you! I'm sure you will enjoy reading the novel as much as I did writing it." She glanced at the clock as she waved adieu to Holmes (he quickly wiped the smile off his face). "Oh, I must dash. I'm out of time. I'll be back in a few days to collect my manuscript." She picked up her coat and plunked the bundle of papers in Watson's arms.

An hour later…

Holmes let out a groan, "I cannot complain about your literary romantics having now read such utter frippery. She is sadly misinformed how literature works."

"My headache had taken a decided turn for the worse. In spite of the Ms Ross' confidence, I have read better books." Watson sighed. "She defines purple prose. Her metaphors are circumlocutory and impenetrable."

In unison, both men abruptly raised their heads and glanced at the mantle's timepiece. "Alas, we're out of time. I leave you, Watson, to the pleasures of reading the rest of Amanda Ross' manuscript. Shall we break from our literary travails and avail ourselves of the dinner Mrs Hudson has brought up?"

"Certainly, dinner will be a welcome change."

Somehow, Ms Amanda McKittrick Ross' manuscript was never fully scrutinised by the doctor. He always found a more pressing case. Ms Ross didn't seem to mind though. She published all the same.

~o~

"She tried hard to keep herself a stranger to her poor old father's slight income by the use of the finest production of steel, whose blunt edge eyed the reely covering with marked greed, and offered its sharp dart to faultless fabrics of flaxen fineness." ~ Amanda McKittrick Ros in Delina Delaney.

The above quote is thought to mean that the she (Delina) worked as a seamstress in order to avoid using her father's money.