Thank you for all the reviews, both on here and Holmesslash.
Sanguinary
Tears – I'm glad you liked it
despite the sadness, I'm afraid it'll remain somewhat 'angsty'
for a while but I'm a sucker for happy endings so we'll see what
happens!
Mrs. Jean Valjean – I'm glad you like my story and hope you continue to do so- thanks for reviewing!
SylviaStout – I'm glad you like my Watson voice, I hope I manage to make him remain true to the character- let me know if you think I succeed in this!
Notyoustabby
– Thank you for your candid review, constructive criticism is
always good. I'm afraid this story is going to continue to contain
more sharks than a Steven Spielberg movie; I hope you manage to come
to more amiable terms with my friend Jaws but if not I am working on
another 'safe water' fic which I hope you will approve of :-D
Callum – Here's some more for you, I'm glad you've enjoyed it thus far! There are a fair few chapters to come yet
Elena – Thanks for the review, I hope this lives up to your expectations for this topic- there's certainly a lot more angst to come!
And now, the story, review and I shall update again :-D…
Holmes said little on the way home from the club and his silence remained absolute as we entered our rooms. I was of course accustomed to Holmes' long periods of introversion, having observed the man for many years, and I knew better than to disturb him when he was deep in thought. Thinking that Holmes would be likely to mull over our new case for quite some time, I picked up my book and began to read, leaving the world's foremost, and indeed only, 'consulting detective' to his meditations. It was not long, however, before I noticed that something was amiss.
Holmes is not by nature a languid individual, indeed, periods of inaction commonly led to fits of great distemper from this highly energetic and enigmatic man whose body and mind are in need of constant stimulation. I could not recall ever having seen my colleague and friend motionless; when on a case one could almost see the cogs of his mind whirl as he pondered, his elegant hands seemingly solving intricate puzzles of their own as they fiddled with his pipe or tapped a nameless tune. Even in the black moods that accompanied criminal inaction, listlessness was still always mingled with restlessness and commonly followed up by the use of chemical stimulants. Now, however, he sat perfectly still, staring sightlessly into the empty grate of the fireplace.
I put down my book, closing it with more force than necessary to try and provoke a reaction. He did not blink. Frowning, I stood and made my way nearer to his chair. Still, he did not move an inch. "Holmes?" I questioned softly, unable to keep the concern I felt from creeping into my tone. My frown deepened as he appeared not to hear me. I was now very seriously concerned about his wellbeing and, positioning myself directly in front of him I grasped his shoulders firmly; whatever reaction I might have expected, it was certainly not the one I was met with.
Holmes started violently when he felt my hands upon him and his eyes snapped away from the fireplace. I was very much alarmed by what I saw in those grey orbs- usually so calm and impassive they were now filled with a tumult of emotions one of which I recognised at once to be fear. "Holmes, it's me, it's Watson" I had realised with no little sense of panic that he was in need of this affirmation for in that instant he had not a clue who I was. Slowly the look of fear dissipated and his expression cleared "my dear fellow…" he addressed me in the queerest of tones, his voice weak. I removed my hands from his shoulders and he proceeded to visibly shake himself before springing to his feet and leaving the room. Without a backwards glance he closed his bedroom door behind him with a click of finality.