a/n:my third prompt from DetectiveAtWork-snowing in London-

This one is a bit of an experiment and did not go quite in the direction I intended:-)

Holmes and companions do not belong to me.

POV of Watson

Snow

I button up my collar and I flex my stiffened shoulder and I strive to see my partner in the feeble light remaining.

A busy day in clinic calls for slippers by the fire not a midnight jaunt through London; though I'm really not complaining.

~o~

It's raining.

~o~

I'd been home, perhaps five minutes, and was ready for my supper when my partner bustled in, and barked a hurried, harried greeting.

He requested my assistance in surveillance of a building. He suspected an alliance; an unholy villains' meeting.

~o~

Now it's sleeting.

~o~

So, abandoning hot supper and discarding cozy slippers, I took up my old revolver (and a sandwich from the larder).

As we headed out together, I was told in sketchy detail, of a stolen hoard of silver and a missing Scotland Yarder.

~o~

Sleeting harder.

~o~

I followed Holmes in silence; slipping softly through the shadows, though I really had no clue precisely who my friend was trailing.

I could sense his concentration as he tracked our quarry's movements; for the missing Scotland Yarder was the price he'd pay for failing.

~o~

It's hailing.

~o~

Now, I'm crouched behind some bushes while my partner checks the building; he's been gone for six long minutes and my apprehension's growing.

Do I wait until the signal, as my comrade has instructed? Or has Holmes encountered trouble? There's no easy way of knowing.

~o~

Now it's snowing.

~o~

One more minute, then I'll follow, if his signal fails to reach me. As I count each passing second, the suspense is agonizing.

A distant gunshot echoes through the whirling, swirling snowflakes; and I'm up and out and running. Fear for Holmes is galvanizing.

~o~

Storm is rising.

~o~

I hurtle through the entrance with revolver at the ready, I'm quite heedless of the danger; it's my comrade's fate which matters.

Holmes stands helplessly at gunpoint, as his captor pulls the trigger. And I bless my army training; roll and fire; his weapon shatters.

~o~

Blizzard batters.

~o~

Holmes ducks down, then dives to tackle the remaining, startled villain. I stand up and rub my shoulder (I'd forgotten it was aching.)

We release the bound inspector, and survey the missing silver. Soon the place is filled with Yarders; a successful undertaking.

~o~

Storm is breaking.

~o~

Danger over; Holmes regards me with a dry, amused expression; "Your grand entrance, my dear Watson, though quite late, was not displeasing."

I glare back, "Don't fault my timing! Next time act with greater caution!" But he knows I've got the message underneath his gentle teasing.

~o~

Storm is easing.

~o~

Task complete, we wander homeward through the sleeping streets of London. Snow is falling now, more gently; light as silk or swans down feather.

Breakfast, tea, a change of clothing and a blazing fire are waiting. One more case, in which we've proved that we're unbeatable, together.

~o~

Perfect weather.

~o~