A/N: A million thanks to AmatorLinguae for dropping this plot bunny in my lap and letting me play with it. Don't forget to read her 221b series too! Thanks again, A.L.
I paused, cocking my head. There it was again, I distinctly heard my name. Sighing, I tossed down the newspaper and followed the call to...
My ears had to be deceiving me.
"Watson?"
"Finally! Thought you'd never come. Look Holmes, I got some new ideas for my story and by the time I finish my bath, I may lose the exact turns of phrase. Could you just grab some foolscap and jot a few things down for me? That is, um, unless…were you in the middle of anything?"
"No, no, nothing important," I sighed, going to hunt down the writing materials. I returned quickly and sat against the door, my knees drawn up to make a rudimentary table. "Fire away, Watson, my pencil is poised."
There was an awkward pause.
"Watson? I said I'm ready."
"You...you won't laugh, will you?"
"Not intentionally."
"Holmes, you must understand these ideas aren't polished yet--they're straight off the top of my head and--"
"Yes, yes I understand."
"Sort of...diamonds in the rough, you might say..."
"Watson!"
"All right! All right!"
There was an anxious splashing.
By now he could have dried, dressed and re-written the Magna Carta.
At last he cleared his throat and, hesitantly at first but growing in confidence, began to dictate.
I did not laugh...at least, not above my breath.