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An April's Journey (Holmes/Watson | R | 13,528 words): After an arduous case, Holmes is suffering from withdrawal, however the case is not quite done with Holmes yet. There's something about good Sherlock Holmes fic that I will never tire of, and this fic falls in that delightful category. How much Holmes and Watson care for each other shines while still feeling like a Sherlock Holmes story. I had a difficult time choosing a section to excerpt because every scene is so lovely.
Excerpt:
"And who was this ruffian?" I asked. I posed the question carelessly, as if the danger meant nothing. In fact I posed it carelessly because Holmes had let slip a phrase I desired very much to explore.
"His name is LaRothiere. A clever little assassin. We must make our way to Paris, my dear fellow. In this bag I have the garb of a local clergyman, and Michel assures me that you were not observed entering the hotel. I am equally assured we were not observed departing. Therefore you may remain as you are, and I will meet you at the train station. You can find your way there within half an hour, yes?"
"Assuredly," I replied.
"Purchase a single one-way ticket to Paris on the 1:15, find a private compartment, and await me within it," he finished, pushing back his chair. "I must be engaged some little time in altering my appearance."
I likewise arose from my chair. "What of the bill?"
"What bill?" Holmes laughed. "I've just garnered an eight hundred pound reward, and I cannot recall ever having paid you for medical services rendered, including house calls in foreign countries. In any event, francs are worthless when set against the pound."
I stood stock still for an instant without replying, for there it was again. Every so often, always during some remark which Holmes intended to be jocular, I caught a fleeting pensive expression behind those grey pools which boasted over a thousand differing moods: each, I flattered myself, known to me. I was wrong in this assumption, as I was in many others. But at this recurrence of his wistful glance, I was tempted very strongly to pose the question burning at that moment deep within me.
However, I flatter myself I am not a man to give in to temptation until the time is right. "Thank you, my dear fellow. It is a great pleasure to see you again, you know."
Excerpt:
"And who was this ruffian?" I asked. I posed the question carelessly, as if the danger meant nothing. In fact I posed it carelessly because Holmes had let slip a phrase I desired very much to explore.
"His name is LaRothiere. A clever little assassin. We must make our way to Paris, my dear fellow. In this bag I have the garb of a local clergyman, and Michel assures me that you were not observed entering the hotel. I am equally assured we were not observed departing. Therefore you may remain as you are, and I will meet you at the train station. You can find your way there within half an hour, yes?"
"Assuredly," I replied.
"Purchase a single one-way ticket to Paris on the 1:15, find a private compartment, and await me within it," he finished, pushing back his chair. "I must be engaged some little time in altering my appearance."
I likewise arose from my chair. "What of the bill?"
"What bill?" Holmes laughed. "I've just garnered an eight hundred pound reward, and I cannot recall ever having paid you for medical services rendered, including house calls in foreign countries. In any event, francs are worthless when set against the pound."
I stood stock still for an instant without replying, for there it was again. Every so often, always during some remark which Holmes intended to be jocular, I caught a fleeting pensive expression behind those grey pools which boasted over a thousand differing moods: each, I flattered myself, known to me. I was wrong in this assumption, as I was in many others. But at this recurrence of his wistful glance, I was tempted very strongly to pose the question burning at that moment deep within me.
However, I flatter myself I am not a man to give in to temptation until the time is right. "Thank you, my dear fellow. It is a great pleasure to see you again, you know."