Chapter Eight. Partings

The dawn came quickly on the day we were to part. Too quickly. We were all ready and dressed before the maid brought up breakfast, Holmes thanked her warmly, the emotion of what we were to do affecting his usually cold and balanced mind. I could not think, every part of me felt numb, not one thought would enter my head, I remember thinking of the boat journey home and how I would explain to Elaine about Alice, then thinking that it all could wait, that none of it meant anything really. I looked at Holmes, he had barely touched his food and was looking at Alice, maybe unsure whether he would ever see her again. I was unsure whether I would ever see him again, and I could not feel anything. The day went past in a haze, I cannot even recall to this day how we spent it. I remember only constantly watching Holmes' face as he took Alice around the sights of Paris, explaining all that he may never have a chance to say, and I memorised his face, memorised every line, every quirk, I memorised them all should I never see him again. Soon it was dusk and Holmes was due to leave for America, he insisted we were not to see him off. We stood in our hotel room together and said nothing. Alice remained remarkably composed and silently graceful, she took Holmes' hand and raised it to her lips, Holmes flinched slightly but did not pull away. He laid a hand on her head and brought her to him, he held her for a while then released her. He did not look at me. He picked up his bags and gave them to the waiting valet. When the room was clear of our belongings I took Alice downstairs to the cab that was waiting to take us away from Paris and from Holmes and from the life we both knew, perhaps forever. As I helped her into the carriage, she turned and took my hand,

"Thank you Doctor Watson, for saving my life."

"I did not save your life, Holmes did."

She looked up to the window of our room and nodded,

"You gave me the chance of another life, a better life." She released my hand as she sat down, "Maybe I shall change my name to Holmes, do you think he would mind?"

Her voice was so innocent and her eyes so pleading that I wanted to weep for the world,

"I am sure he would be honoured my dear."

She favoured me with the most beautiful and heart-lifting smile, I have ever seen. I left her to go back to Holmes - to say goodbye, and thought filled me with dread. He was standing looking down at the carriage on the street below.

"What was she saying to you?"

"She wants to change her name to Holmes."

He smiled but did not look at me.

"When do you think you will return Holmes?"

"I do not know, perhaps I never will." He ran his hand through his hair. I walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. He sighed.

"Thank you Watson, for everything you have done."

"I have done very little Holmes."

Holmes smiled at me,

"Watson must you always be modest?"

I returned his smile.

"I don't know when I shall see you again old friend but I wish you well, you and Mrs. Watson."

"Thank you Holmes, if wishes could keep one safe you would be indestructible."

Holmes let out a quiet laugh and put his arm around my shoulder.

"Life will be hard Watson, in the next few years, but I believe we will weather this storm as we have weathered others."

"I do hope so Holmes, if you ever need me when you return from America, you know I will be there."

"Thank you Watson. I may take you up on that one day."

He smiled again and let his arm fall to his side, reluctant to leave him I extended my hand, he took it. There was nothing to say, nothing we could say that would mean anything, that would say all we wanted to. My eyes never let his, he held my gaze with some unreadable emotion passing through them until eventually he broke away and released my hand.

"I must go."

"Yes, so must I."

He walked over to the door,

"Holmes."

"Yes, Watson?"

"Don't do anything too brave will you?"

Holmes smiled gently,

"Do not worry yourself my dear fellow, I am merely doing as instructed, I am far from brave."

As the sun set on Paris, and the twinkling lamplights were lit, Holmes rode away out of my life, perhaps forever and for the second time. I watched his carriage from the window until I could see no more. Outside Alice was waiting for me,

"He is gone?" She asked in that peculiar voice of hers.

"Yes he is gone."

"Do you think he will die?"

"No, no Alice he won't die. He's far too brave a man to be allowed to die."

She looked at me strangely but leaned her head on my shoulder. I felt a strange sort of peace settle over us as we left. I knew I should never return to Paris, never again in my life would I set foot on the shores of France.

Not a long chapter I know but just a little update until I can think of where to go next! Hope you enjoy, please let me know and review, thanks ever so…Music97 xx