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capt_facepalm ([personal profile] capt_facepalm) wrote2011-07-03 09:25 am
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Duty's Siren Call

Author: [info]capt_facepalm
Rating: PG
Fandom:  Sherlock Holmes (Gaslight)
Characters: Major John H. Watson, RAMC
Summary:  The Great War is nearing its end
Warnings:  Historical accuracy optional
Word Count: 100
Author's Notes:  (Link to a related drabble)

Late October 1918
Calais

John Watson would not be returning to England as planned. With heavy heart he penned his apologies.  How could he accept early discharge when there was so much to be done?  Who would stabilise those remaining patients for evacuation, oversee the demobilisation of his field hospital, or see to his men?

As the ship filled with the last of the invalids, he handed the envelope to a pale young soldier.

‘Please give this to my friend. He was expecting me.’

Hoisting his duffle, Watson turned his back to the ship. Holmes would be furious, but at least he would understand.

.oOOo.

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[identity profile] scotlandyarder.livejournal.com 2011-07-03 02:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Beautiful, and so perfectly in character. There's something really heart-rending in those last two lines, especially: you've captured both the strength of the friendship, and that strength of Watson's character that we (and Holmes) love him for.

[identity profile] capt-facepalm.livejournal.com 2011-07-04 08:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you so much for the lovely compliments!
I'm glad I could write that convincingly.

[identity profile] capt-facepalm.livejournal.com 2011-07-04 08:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Don't cry, there will be other ships!
methylviolet10b: (watson and holmes)

[personal profile] methylviolet10b 2011-07-04 04:01 am (UTC)(link)
Ouch. Perfectly in character for Watson, and poor Holmes.

[identity profile] capt-facepalm.livejournal.com 2011-07-04 08:15 pm (UTC)(link)
It's okay. Holmes can wait a couple of months. What could possibly go wrong?

[identity profile] scotlandyarder.livejournal.com 2011-07-04 09:06 pm (UTC)(link)
You realize of course that a comment like that absolutely /demands/ a follow-up fic...

[identity profile] capt-facepalm.livejournal.com 2011-07-05 02:40 am (UTC)(link)
In case you are interested, there is another part of this storyline which comes next... LINK
methylviolet10b: (modern 'stache)

[personal profile] methylviolet10b 2011-07-05 03:15 am (UTC)(link)
Oh irony, thy name is Capt_Facepalm. Emphasis on *facepalm* ;-)

[identity profile] dork-nerd.livejournal.com 2011-07-05 08:33 pm (UTC)(link)
OMG YOU ARE CONTINUING IT!!! YES!!! I AM SMILING FIT TO SPLIT MY FACE IN TWO!!! I LOVE IT!!! PLEASE KEEP GOING!!! <3 <3 <3

[identity profile] capt-facepalm.livejournal.com 2011-07-06 02:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Such enthusiasm makes me grin!
I think this will evolve into a multi-chapter WWI story.
Thank you so much for your original Mycroft prompt!
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