Once a Soldier

[capt_facepalm]

Title:  Once a Soldier
Author: capt_facepalm
Rating: PG
Fandom: Sherlock Holmes (Gaslight)
Characters: Sherlock Holmes, Dr Watson
Summary: A vignette featuring Watson's Woes Challenge 11
Warnings: (none)
Word Count: 100
Author's Notes: July 20th prompt: (an old challenge or something from the plot bunny patch)


Sherlock Holmes joined his friend at the breakfast table later than usual and noted Dr John Watson’s faraway expression with some concern. The cause could easily be deduced. The clues were apparent: the doctor’s breakfast, half-eaten; his newspaper, open to the main article.

‘I take it that the news from Khartoum is bad?’

‘The worst,’ Watson replied.

‘I’m so sorry. Heavy losses, I expect?’

‘Heavy enough. It makes me glad that I’m a doctor; not a soldier anymore.’

‘No it doesn’t. You will always be a soldier.’

‘Not according to the Medical Board.’

‘Fools. The army’s loss is my gain.’

.oOOo.

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Comments

[dante-s-hell.livejournal.com]

This was brilliant! Loved this.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

I love Holmes' practical way of looking at it :)

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

Cleverly done, Captain.

I also like Holmes' attitude: "Well, more Watson for me then!"

[goldvermilion87.livejournal.com]

I love that you have a semicolon between doctor and not. It feels subversive. :-P

[wirral-bagpuss.livejournal.com]

That's a lovely story. And yes. Holmes and Watson were meant to be. The army can go hang! ;)

[maestress83.livejournal.com]

I can't blame Holmes; it's our gain, too.

[hagstrom]

You do wonders with few words. And I enjoy Holmes' practical way of thinking which undoubtly makes Watson feel better.

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Whatever do you mean?
I refer you to my user icon
*Evil Grin*

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Thanks!
Holmes also derailed Watson's pity-party before it could get going full steam!

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Hahaha!
It is the truth. Holmes is glad for Watson's friendship; something that never would have happened if Watson could have stayed with the army.
Although, with your "Well, more Watson for me then!", I picture a delighted RDJ-Holmes and his pleased-with-himself smirk.

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Indeed it is.
Thanks!

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

The army lost a good man and a potentially great officer when they let Watson go. Thanks!

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Thank you!
It's always nice to be appreciated so I'm sure you are right in that Holmes' words do help Watson to feel better.

[med_cat]

For once, Holmes said exactly the right thing...it almost makes one surprised ;)

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

I think that ACD Holmes is more likely to say the right thing than the BBC Sherlock version. The one thing I am certain of is, that despite their differences, these two are great friends. Holmes isn't always distant and rational, and Watson is not always perceptive and needy. There is a balance.

[med_cat]

Very true

:)

[med_cat]

“To me, the Sherlock Holmes stories are about a great friendship. Without Watson, Holmes might well have burnt out on cocaine long ago. I hope the series shows how important friendship is.”

"Watson is much more my kind of person...Watson is a warm, loving, sunny person who's very enthusiastic -- and hurt and slightly upset when his friend is rude to people or him. This is much more like me. Playing Watson was tremendous fun, and it taught me a lot about how to approach Holmes when the Granada series got under way. I learned a great deal about the inter-relation between the two men..."

[Holmes] He's an upholder of the law. He's also a law unto himself. In other words, he releases people and Scotland Yard says 'How could you do that?' He also loves children because I've wondered where his love is channeled. Because no one can be that unemotional. So whenever I can, I have the Irregulars around. I think Holmes loves children.

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Jeremy Brett was right.

[med_cat]

;)