New Year's Eve, John sits down to write another letter to Sherlock, having actually had a relaxing holiday, as much as he can under the circumstances at least. And he ends up treating a lot of soldiers who have hangovers or were a bit roughed up from drunken fighting. He uses his new pen and the pad that Sherlock gave him, relaxing as he starts to write.
~oOo~
Sherlock,
Thank you, for the gifts. They were... beyond amazing. Very thoughtful. I didn't expect anything. And your sketches have improved, yes. They were beautiful. Thank you for everything.
As for your deductions. You were spot on. It was brilliant. I have no idea how you got everything from just a few letters. Amazing. Simply amazing. I wish I could see what you would do to a person who was standing right in front of you. Blimey.
You were even right about my father and his drinking problem. He and my mother died in a car crash, he was driving, drove the car straight into a cement barrier. Harry saw what alcohol did to our family and she still drinks. It's one of the reasons we don't really get on. I don't understand how she could do that when she saw how our father's drinking tore our family apart. All we ever do when we get together, is fight about her drinking.
It's New Year's Eve tonight as I write this. I have the night off, and I realized I hadn't written you. I'm afraid that I'm not able to get you anything this Christmas, so if we're still writing next Christmas, then I will have to get you something then. For now, all I can say is that I hope you had a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.
If I'm not mistaken, you're in the home stretch now. Not too many more months until you get to go back to normal life. Have you heard anything else from that Detective Inspector Lestrade you mentioned? You said that after you got sober he was considering bringing you in on some cases. I hope that works out for you. It's obvious to anyone that you're brilliant, they would be lucky to have someone like you on their side. If for no other reason than to keep you from going to the other side of the law. Heh. I don't think you would actually do something like that though. Despite everything you've tried to do to convince me otherwise, you are a good man, Sherlock.
I have not had any more bad days, not like that one. There have been a few days where the injured have come in, but nothing as serious as that one day. No blown off limbs, no one invalided home for some time. Which is a good thing, it means no serious injuries. The worst I've had recently is treating the results of a drunken brawl and a lot of hangovers. Now, don't get me wrong, I like a pint as much as the next man, but there is no way I would drink enough to get drunk out here. Not unless I'm safe in London at a pub. Or at least somewhere where I don't have to worry about sudden surgery or needing to fight. Mostly it was some of the younger guys, though. To be expected, I guess.
As far as the phone number, it would be good to have a voice to a name, if nothing else. Let me know when they release you. Bloody hell, it sounds like you're in prison or something. I guess to your point of view it might be like that, huh? Not sure exactly when I'd be able to call, but I'm sure I can arrange something. I never really worry about those things I might have to actually ask one of the doctors how to arrange that out here. Huh. I don't think I've needed to make a call once since being in the desert. Well that's slightly depressing isn't it?
Well, seems that I will have to cut this short, I have another drunk to attend to. I hope you had good holidays, and you haven't gotten into too much trouble. I look forward to your next letter.
Sincerely,
John
~oOo~
Sherlock can't help but chuckle as he reads the letter a few weeks later, shaking his head a little as he imagines the drunken soldiers over the holidays and John lecturing them on the stupidity of their actions. For some reason that actually makes him rather happy. What is more surprising though is the praise he gets for his deductions, he expected at least some anger or disgust, not the exclamations of 'brilliant' or 'amazing'. He has to read it twice just to see if he's getting it right, and then he shakes his head a little, wondering just what type of a man this John Watson is.
Bonus chapter again! Because you guys are awesome, and there are 150 people following this story now. And that is the most of any story I've ever posted, I think. Which makes me bug out a little bit. And... I got some seriously awesome reviews from my last chapter, so I hope this shorter one doesn't disappoint. Thank you, everyone!
Reviews/Comments welcome!