Holmes threw himself headlong into the case more than he ever had before. Scotland Yard and the local police had all agreed to help him in anyway they could. Over the next several days, it often came to the point where Holmes was so obsessed and wrapped-up in the case, that Mrs. Hudson would have to force him to stop long enough to eat and get some sleep. She did what she could to help, but usually the most help she gave was making him stop to eat or sleep.

She understood why he was obsessed with this case far more than any other. Unlike his other cases, this case was personal. Now he had his strive for justice urging him as well as his own personal feelings. The extreme dedication Holmes had for the case showed that he had truly cared for Watson.

Cared? No. He hadn't cared for Watson. He had loved Watson, at least for the past few years. Watson had loved him back, proving that when he sacrificed himself for Holmes. They had been far more brothers than Sherlock and Mycroft ever were or would be. They had been different but had some similarities, and over the years, they seemed to take on some of the other's personality.

Both wanted justice to be done. Watson, the tender man that he was, had wanted to put an end to all crime. Holmes wanted as many criminals caught, charged, and punished accordingly, with the faint hope of putting an end to crime. He had taught Watson that there was no possible way for them to put an end to all crime, and Watson had taught him that a crime is a crime and should be punished accordingly, no matter how small.

Watson took on some of Holmes' methods, in a way, intellect, and stubbornness. Holmes took on a bit of Watson's kindness, friendliness, and gentlemanly traits. He taught Watson when to be serious and sober and how to know when that is, and at the same time, Watson taught him how and when to be more relaxed, laid back, and lighthearted. They had rubbed off on each other. They had become partof each other. They had understood each other better than anyone else in their lives did. Their relationship, their bond, had been unique, and a puzzle to nearly everyone they met.

Now it was no more. There would be no more joking by the fireplace, walks down memory lane of their cases over the years, or good-natured bantering.

Watson was gone, and Holmes was once again alone.