Prompt: Gossip
From: Kitschgeist
A/N; This is part 1 of 2. Part two will come in a few chapters 😉
...
Rows are deucedly awkward businesses to deal with.
Holmes and I had had an argument the previous evening; the details of which I shall not go into, but they involved hurtful words, oaths and near-strikes.
Such as it goes.
What made it even worse for the both of us was that Lestrade needed 'assistance' on yet another case, and we were both needed; Holmes for his deductions, and I for medical purposes. Thus, the cab ride to the Yard was difficult and terse, with Hopkins and Lestrade accompanying us- thus bearing witness to the strains in our friendship.
...
"Right, Holmes, you're coming with me," Announced Lestrade grimly on our arrival. "I could do with you looking at those wretched files in my office."
"Certainly, Lestrade." Holmes had already read them, of course, but he had no intention of staying with me anymore than I had no intention of staying here with him. So, I too was relieved when my flatmate disappeared with the good inspector behind an oak door.
I was not one for grudges, however, and I knew once my bad mood had dissipated, I would forgive my friend for his churlish behaviour.
"Alright, Watson?"
I jumped as Inspector Small, with whom I was acquainted from Holmes' three- year hiatus, stopped beside me.
"Yes, thank you, Inspector." I answered, dryly. "I just had a quarrel with Holmes, that's all. I'll be fine once we've a discussion."
"I see." Small sounded sympathetic. "Well, I do hope you and Mr. Holmes do make up again."
"Thank you," I replied, managing a smile. He gave me a quicksilver grin in return before hurrying off again.
I slumped in my chair- only to wince as I felt my shoulder wound ache. Damnation- I forgot my wound objected to rows, and now it hurt like the devil himself was branding it with a red-hot poker.
I sighed, and gladly accepted an offer of some coffee from Hopkins, who was also making some coffee for himself, Lestrade and another colleague.
...
I was sipping away inconsolably at my lukewarm coffee when I saw Hopkins hover back to me like a planet in orbit. When I looked closer, I noticed his face looked very pale, and I was concerned for his health.
"Is something wrong, Hopkins?" I asked.
"Oh- nothing's wrong, Watson," He replied- too quickly for my liking. I sighed and patted a chair next to mine.
"Sit, and we'll talk." I said, as kindly as I could.
Sheepish and ashamed at being caught out on his lie, he shuffled over to me and sat down, his shoulders tense and knees quaking. I wondered what had bothered the poor fellow so.
"Now, what's wrong, lad?" I asked him concernedly. "Are you ill?"
"No, no, nothing like that, Watson." He replied, quietly, looking at his interlocked hands in his lap. "But I am afraid to tell you, sir. I..." he looked over his shoulder fearfully. "I do not wish to lose your confidence or your friendship if I tell you..."
"Hopkins, clearly something is wrong. You can tell me," I replied firmly, but gently. At that, he relaxed slightly, and he finally looked at me directly in the eye before taking a deep breath.
"Well, sir, I... I was just in the other room, and I heard Inspector Small talking..." he trailed off, tensing as though sensing someone behind him; prompting me to take his hand in my own and gave it a comforting squeeze. Hopkins was a brave Inspector, but he was terrified of Small?
He seemed to be a respectable sort...
My young friend gave a grateful smile for my attempt at comfort before continuing. "I overheard Inspector Small telling a group of my colleagues that you were planning to move out of Baker Street after your argument with Mr. Holmes." He said quietly. "I thought it sounded off, and I thought I should tell you... but I didn't know how to say it without making you feel awful."
I was silent. Small had said I was moving from Baker Street? How dare he! I had no intention of doing such a thing! Not only that, but our row, although particularly rough, had not destroyed our bonds of friendship permanently!
Riled, I leapt from my seat with a low growl.
"Doctor, please!" Hopkins gasped in shock and horror at my sudden reaction.
"Well, I can't just let him tell deuced lies about me and Holmes!" I spluttered indignantly. Holmes would be hurt if he heard this false gossip, and I had no intention of allowing my best friend to endure this without a fight.
And yet, I had no wish to agitate poor Hopkins further. "I shall go and have a word with Small," I said finally, trying to keep my temper under control at the situation, although the bull pup was astir. "I do appreciate you telling me, Hopkins."
He nodded minutely. "I know you wouldn't do that to Mr. Holmes. I didn't feel right saying so, but I felt awful at the idea of leaving you to find out for yourself. But please be careful, Doctor Watson- Small is not a man to be crossed."
I nodded slowly. But I was only half listening to my friend's warning; my mind was more occupied on how to confront Small...