A/N: I am on a bit of a roll today. This follows the previous chapter but it's not exactly a sequel. In total there will be about four chapters that deal with cocaine, but it's a series of snapshots more than anything else, portraying situations that might come up. I am not going to rid Holmes of it; "Seven-Per-Cent Solution" tackled that idea with more heart and guts than I could ever imagine. Well then, carry on...
"Holmes, why didn't you tell me your arm was hurting?"
"It's a bit awkward."
"How so?"
He played with his collar. "I thought I was being careful when I…erm…cleaned up last, but…"
I was rolling up his sleeve within the minute.
He squirmed and looked away as I examined his scarred arm. My dear Holmes, why? "Looks like the beginning of an infection," I finally spoke up, probing an inflamed area I'd spotted.
"Yes, that is…what I thought."
"There's not much I can do at this point, except to clean and cover the area. However I don't think this will turn serious." I began to disinfect his arm, changing to a gentler pressure when I felt his muscle tense.
"Aren't you going to lecture me on the evils of cocaine?"
"Would it do any good?"
"Probably not."
"Well then." I bandaged the wound next, going by the tightness of his brow. "All finished. That will be five shillings," I teased.
He dropped his gaze. "Most people in your position would be screaming profanities."
"Because you repeat mistakes like all humans? You're my dearest friend, Holmes; I don't agree with this vice, but that will never change my affection for you. "
"I don't know about you," he stammered finally, "But I think you're the harder one to understand of us both."
A/N: Holy cat-tails, I cut this down from 460 words. Makes me wonder how much padding I generally use. 0o Well, I found a description of a typical Victorian doctor charge at...a website whose address keeps getting eaten here. Argh.