"Watson, perhaps I could…"

"No, Holmes. The absolute best thing you can do at the moment is stay exactly where you are and continue exactly as you have been. Your quiet, retired life will protect you better than anything else. Please, Holmes, don't become one more thing I need to worry about at the moment; this is not a fight you can help with. And in the meantime, you can always ring me on the phone like you've just done."

"Watson… you're sure it's your fight?"

"I'm a doctor, Holmes."

"Yes. Of course. My apologies... What is it exactly?"

"They're calling it the Spanish Flu. The symptoms are like those of the regular flu, but more severe."

"And I suppose it's more deadly towards the elderly?"

"Holmes, I'm needed here, and I will do what I can. There are so many doctors that are still off fighting in the war..."

"Of course."

"... Someday, Holmes. Someday I'll retire, sooner rather than later, likely, now that Jeanne..."

"Watson..."

"Yes, well, I promise I'll retire and move to Sussex. But not now. Not yet."

"A war, a lifetime of work, another war. Isn't that enough?"

"Not when there's an outbreak like this."

"Watson…"

"Listen, Holmes, I've got to go. Ring me again sometime, yes?"

"Watson… of course I will. Goodbye, my friend."

"Watson? Watson, are you still there?"

"Hmm? Oh, yes. Apologies, Holmes. I have the telephone down on the table while I work. I can hear you."

"Oh."

"Ah, don't be upset about it, old man. After all, I used to fall asleep during some of your lectures and you never minded that."

"I wasn't lecturing, I was telling you about my bees."

"And very riveting it was."

"Watson, you sound tired. Why don't you hang up and go to sleep like those old days?"

"As you can imagine, I've had an influx of patients. Speaking of, I need to go soon. Was there anything else?"

"Only a reminder that you have a standing invitation to come take a break here."

"Right. Goodbye, Holmes."

"Watson… goodbye."

"Watson? Watson, what's that sound? Please talk to me; it's a patient, yes? Watson! Watson answer me or I shall call Scotland Yard to come check on you. Watson!"

"Holmes... my apologies... I need to go."

"Watson!"

"He's not available? Will you have him call me when he's able?... Yes, Sherlock Holmes... Thank you."

"Thank you for the information… Can you share any details with me?... well, is he expected to recover?… Thank you… Goodbye… oh, Watson, what have you done?"

"Yes, I'm calling to inquire about a patient by the name of John Watson… Still? But it's been nearly a month…. Of course. Thank you."

"Watson?"

"Holmes."

"Watson… it's good to hear your voice."

"I assure you, it's good to hear yours… You stayed in Sussex."

"Of course I did. You asked me to, and I always do as you ask."

"That is not quite true."

"Nevertheless."

"Holmes… I appreciate it. Truly."

"Yes, well, you would have killed me if I'd gotten sick, so I had no choice. But I rang you as you asked."

"Yes. They informed me how often you called. Really, Holmes, asking them to bring the phone to my bedside was a bit much."

"Yes, well, I have a new hive you need to hear about… or perhaps you'd like to come see it? I have a spare room I might be persuaded to let you use."

"I… I think I'd like that very much. I might not be very good company at the moment, but I will come… Holmes? Are you there?"

"Yes, Watson, I'm here. Just had a little tickle in my throat. I'll arrange for a car to come get you. I suppose I'll see you soon."

"Yes, Holmes, I'll see you soon. And I assure you it will be very nice to actually talk to you, no phones necessary."

For the prompt from Michael JG Meathook: Telephone.

I really like this story idea. I might have to come back to it sometime :)