I do not own Sherlock Holmes
Watson went downstairs and looked around. He leaned in a doorway and raised an eyebrow. In a flanel shirt and mens pants was Stacey.
"Miss. Langley." He said, loud enough to catch her attention and not startle her. She jumped anyway as if she was being scolded. She stood up and smiled.
"Dr. Watson. We thought you would never wake. How are you?" She asked.
"I am well other than I can't find my detective."
"He passed out about an hour ago. He was up all night."
"Where did he pass out?"
"He actually went to the roof to smoke since he couldn't go outside."
"He's on the roof?" Watson looked up as if he could see through the levels to the other man.
"don't worry. I was up there with him all night while he ran through his ideas."
"He could get down to the streets in seconds from up there!" Watson started to leave. She grabbed his wrist then took it back.
"Sorry but he will not be leaving. He says the most sleep he has gotten was yesterday when you and Mrs. watson moved in. That was three hours. He was exhausted. He's still asleep, I assure you." she smiled then turned back to the tea she was making.
"Excuse me but, are those Holmes' clothes?"
"Yes. I needed fresh clothes so he found me some."
"Is he wearing...?"
"My clothes? No. No, Sir. He has a white shirt and black pants on. Sherlock is fine."
"Sherlock? Your on a first name... Never mind." Watson started back up the stairs, running his hand along the familiar wallpaper. So much had changed since they had bought this flat. Holmes had hated this paper but it calmed Watson. They were such opposites but so much alike. Watson knew he would never be the same if Holmes never came back.
He made it to the landing and looked up. he eventually found the door. He pulled on the string with his cane and a small ladder folded out. He faught his way up into the small attic. He worked his way across the small area and leaning over to keep from hitting his head. Holmes knew Watson couldn't get up there very often so he would come up here to calm down. Holmes tried to not be angry very often so this was his vent. Only Watson had known about this place. So much had changed.
He found the small door and leaned down to get out of it. He walked across the flat area to the small wall that came just barely up to his chest. He leaned on his elbows on the wall. He smiled out and looked down to his right where Holmes was laying. Holmes smiled up at him then closed his eyes. He was laying flat on the wall with his arms crossed on his chest and one leg dangling over the large drop.
"So, Any ideas?" Holmes asked, tapping his foot.
"Her brother may still be alive. I do not think her Father is?"
"Why not?" Holmes smiled.
"The men in that file were all young. The Brother has been in something and he got the entire family involved."
"Good job, Watson. Did you sleep well?" He asked.
"I did."
"Watson, you are not going to like this but we have to go somewhere." holmes grinned innocently.
"Where?" Watson sighed.
"to the home where the brother was taken. I must see it on my own. I must."
"Holmes, what did that picture have to do with anything? The one in the book."
"That's what I need to go see."
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Holmes stepped up the steps of the small home," We forgot to get a key. Cover me." He leaned down in front of the door and started to pick it.
"She didn't want us to come, did she?" Watson asked, turning to stand in front of Holmes, apearing the be leaning on the banister and smoking faceing away from him.
"She has no idea we are here, I admit, but it is for the best." Holmes smiled at the door. Watson rolled his eyes and turned, kicking the door in with his good leg. Holmes followed him in and took off his hat, starting to look at everything.
"What are we looking for this time."
"We are looking for thier mail." Holmes mumbled.
"Why?"
"When I was in the brawl I noticed a letter. One adressed here. I was hopeing it would be a ransom of some sort."
"What does that have to do with the picture?"
"My, you are out of practice, Watson. you have to sharpen your skills. what if I'm..." Holmes' ears suddenly turned red and he turned to rifle through some more papers.
"That I am. Holmes. Can I ask you something?" Watson asked, his back turned to Holmes.
"Of course." he shrugged.
"Why... Why did you... That night with Moriarty..." Watson's lips pressed into a hard line as he struggled for the words.
"Why did I give up?" Holmes said in barely a whisper.
"Yes." Watson said.
"I was weak and injured. He was in full health. The end was inevitable."
"You waited for me to come out. I could have saved you."
"No."
"Holmes, do you have such little faith in me?" He whispered in a hurt tone," After all this time?"
Holmes turned and stared at Watson's back. He thought about how to respond and noticed a scar just barely visible under his collar.
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Watson ran out ahead of Holmes. He tried to keep up with the doctro but once he got out onto the small landing. Watson was looking at something then looked up at him and threw his hand up.
"Holmes!" He yelled then the wall exploded. everything became so loud and so quiet at once. He watched his closest friend be tossed like a rag doll then the wall next to him exploded.
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"Holmes? Holmes?" Watson waved a hand in front of Holmes' face.
"I had to make sure..." Holmes mumbled.
"Make sure of what?" Watson asked.
"I waited for you to make sure you were alright but if I had let you fight then my weakness would have destroyed us both. " He suddenly turned away from watson and smiled, picking up a small piece of paper," Ah, here it is."
He turned on his heal and left the hallway. Watson stood there for a moment in pure shock then froze," Holmes, get down!" Holmes immediatly dropped and Watson fell on top of him as thewalls above them shattered in gunshots. Wood splintered above them. Holmes turned over so that his mouth was near Watson's ear.
"Crawl that way!" He shouted to be heard over the loud reports. Watson nodded and started to cral over Holmes who turned over and started to follow. The reports ceased for a moment and they both stood up and ran into the kitchen where they ducked down near the cabnets. It was silent in the house except for a pair of feet scuffling through the debri.
"There's a door." Watson pointed. Holmes nodded and stood up slowly, creeping to the door. It creaked open and they bolted out the door as it too exploded with bullets. They covered thier heads as they ran down the alley then around the corner to the back of the home. They ran for another block before Watson had to stop and sit down. They sat in an alley, breathing heavily.
"Holmes!" Watson Growled.
Thank you Irene and HannaHazzard for your loving reviews!
Sorry I am using so much of the movies but it's refreshing the memory and it just seemed to fit!