Fic: The Definition of Success
Title: The Definition of Success
Author: Alone Dreaming
Rating: PG for minor illness and minor language
Characters: Watson, Caleb Coleson, Doctor Shoburn, Miss Catherine
Warnings: Absolutely nothing in this mystery solved.
Words: 500
“Mister Coleson.”
“Doctor Watson! I do hope Mister Holmes has convinced you to take heed of my warnings.”
“Mister Coleson, if you would have this message sent immediately. And he has told me to obey your every whim, Doctor Shoburn.”
“What a sense of humor on you, sir. Now, sit-not on the floor, on the bed, man! Honestly, has this injury finally addled your good sense?”
“Apologies, I don’t know what just came over me.”
“Well, I do. Your pulse is absolutely racing, your pouring sweat; here, feel for yourself. If you had a patient exhibiting these symptoms, what would you say?”
“I… I can’t feel it.”
“Well, you’re shaking like a leaf on top of it all. Unsurprising. Yes, Caleb? Must you hover so?”
“I just need to know who the message is for.”
“Mycroft Holmes, Mister Coleson. If you could leave as soon as possible. Holmes wishes his brother here at the earliest possible convenience.”
“Of course, I’ll go straight away. Do you need anything while I’m gone, Doctor Shoburn? The pharmacist always has a booth at the festival.”
“I forgot about that damn thing. And no, I have enough for now. Tomorrow, maybe, I shall brave the crowds and see what I can come across. Thank you, Caleb. Steady! Blast it, man, why won’t you listen?”
“The festival’s today? Then perhaps Mister Coleson should not go alone. He does not know who he must look out for and wanted individuals can easily hide in crowds.”
“Caleb, go.”
“Yes, Doctor Shoburn.”
“And you, Doctor Watson, will settle yourself on the bed for a nap while I seek out something light for you to eat. Easy, slowly, there we are. Can you sit on your own?”
“My apologies, I keep having these head rushes. I must be more tired than I thought.”
“And shocky, feverish and dehydrated. Don’t! I’ll help with your shoes. Just stay where you are.”
“You have an atrocious bedside manner.”
“Only with the most recalcitrant patients; normally, I am a joy to be around. Just ask my wife.”
“I will… make a… point of it…”
“Legs up and a blanket over you. I would ask you how you feel but you would no doubt tell me you feel fine.”
“Exhaust’d…but other than… tha…”
“Doctor Shoburn?”
“Miss Catherine, I apologize for leaving you and Miss Sarah with such a mess.”
“Nonsense, it was hardly a bother. How are they?”
“Well, Mister Holmes is no doubt finishing his discussion with the Constable even though he should sleep. Doctor Watson is my greater concern for the moment. With his arm bound, he may keep the stitches in, but whatever poison he has been drugged with has severely depleted his sense of reality and restlessness will only heighten his illness.”
“Disturbing-has Mister Holmes revealed who he believes is behind this?”
“No, but with his sudden change in pace and mood, I have a faint inkling who might be involved. Be wary, Miss Catherine. Something dangerous is afoot.”
Author: Alone Dreaming
Rating: PG for minor illness and minor language
Characters: Watson, Caleb Coleson, Doctor Shoburn, Miss Catherine
Warnings: Absolutely nothing in this mystery solved.
Words: 500
“Mister Coleson.”
“Doctor Watson! I do hope Mister Holmes has convinced you to take heed of my warnings.”
“Mister Coleson, if you would have this message sent immediately. And he has told me to obey your every whim, Doctor Shoburn.”
“What a sense of humor on you, sir. Now, sit-not on the floor, on the bed, man! Honestly, has this injury finally addled your good sense?”
“Apologies, I don’t know what just came over me.”
“Well, I do. Your pulse is absolutely racing, your pouring sweat; here, feel for yourself. If you had a patient exhibiting these symptoms, what would you say?”
“I… I can’t feel it.”
“Well, you’re shaking like a leaf on top of it all. Unsurprising. Yes, Caleb? Must you hover so?”
“I just need to know who the message is for.”
“Mycroft Holmes, Mister Coleson. If you could leave as soon as possible. Holmes wishes his brother here at the earliest possible convenience.”
“Of course, I’ll go straight away. Do you need anything while I’m gone, Doctor Shoburn? The pharmacist always has a booth at the festival.”
“I forgot about that damn thing. And no, I have enough for now. Tomorrow, maybe, I shall brave the crowds and see what I can come across. Thank you, Caleb. Steady! Blast it, man, why won’t you listen?”
“The festival’s today? Then perhaps Mister Coleson should not go alone. He does not know who he must look out for and wanted individuals can easily hide in crowds.”
“Caleb, go.”
“Yes, Doctor Shoburn.”
“And you, Doctor Watson, will settle yourself on the bed for a nap while I seek out something light for you to eat. Easy, slowly, there we are. Can you sit on your own?”
“My apologies, I keep having these head rushes. I must be more tired than I thought.”
“And shocky, feverish and dehydrated. Don’t! I’ll help with your shoes. Just stay where you are.”
“You have an atrocious bedside manner.”
“Only with the most recalcitrant patients; normally, I am a joy to be around. Just ask my wife.”
“I will… make a… point of it…”
“Legs up and a blanket over you. I would ask you how you feel but you would no doubt tell me you feel fine.”
“Exhaust’d…but other than… tha…”
“Doctor Shoburn?”
“Miss Catherine, I apologize for leaving you and Miss Sarah with such a mess.”
“Nonsense, it was hardly a bother. How are they?”
“Well, Mister Holmes is no doubt finishing his discussion with the Constable even though he should sleep. Doctor Watson is my greater concern for the moment. With his arm bound, he may keep the stitches in, but whatever poison he has been drugged with has severely depleted his sense of reality and restlessness will only heighten his illness.”
“Disturbing-has Mister Holmes revealed who he believes is behind this?”
“No, but with his sudden change in pace and mood, I have a faint inkling who might be involved. Be wary, Miss Catherine. Something dangerous is afoot.”