Treat for rabidsamfan: Re Solution
Title: Re Solution
Recipient: rabidsamfan
Author: capt_facepalm
Verse: The Seven Percent Solution
Characters/Pairings: Dr John Watson, Mrs Martha Freud, others mentioned
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 525
Warnings: Oblique reference to drug use
Summary: Dr Sigmund Freud is not the only Freud who can treat a troubled mind
Author's Note: The author is not very familiar with this verse. Liberties have been taken. #BetaWhatBeta
Berggasse 19
Vienna 1891
That poor man, Frau Martha Freud thought to herself. Doctor Watson sat watching over his friend’s feverish state as if friendship alone could resolve the illness that had been consuming Herr Holmes for over a decade.
Martha waved and caught his eye. ‘Come away, Herr Doctor. I have brought you your supper. You cannot help your friend if you become ill yourself.’
Reluctantly the man nodded his agreement and after taking Herr Holmes’ pulse once more, he joined her in the hallway.
‘You shouldn’t have bothered, Frau Freud. I do not mean to impose.’
‘Nonsense. You are our guest and I will not have it said that the Freuds neglect their duties as hosts. Besides, you need an intermission. Enjoy this refreshment, and then take a walk in the park. It is lovely at this time of the year. Sigmund will look in on Herr Holmes in the meantime.’
Doctor Watson returned within a half hour and Martha Freud found him lingering outside of Herr Holmes room, gazing at the photo in his pocket watch. It was of a pretty young woman.
‘Your wife?’ asked Martha
‘Her name is Mary and it is hard to be away from her at this time.’
‘You must miss her dearly,’
He nodded solemnly then he spoke.
‘She insisted I come.’
There was more to the story but Herr Watson was hesitant to continue. Martha said nothing. When he looked up, his eyes were filled with tears. ‘My Mary is dying and she sent me away to be with Holmes. She knows her cancer is incurable but she reasons that he might still be saved. She knows me so well. I would never leave her side but she will not have it. She knows how Holmes saved my life when I first returned from Afghanistan.
‘Poor friend that I am, I have tried to wean him off that poison for years without success. I’m sure your husband is trying his best but his methods are new and untried, and I confess I have my doubts. Oh God, how could I go on if I lost both of them?’
Herr Watson’s pain was palpable. Martha’s heart went out to him.
‘Herr Doctor, you must know that in his field, my husband is as brilliant a man as your friend is as a detective. His methods, though new, are effective. I have seen for myself the miracles he has worked. There have been people much worse off than Mr Holmes who have made a complete recovery. With this affliction, being a genius is not a guarantee of success, but I am sure that with your constant support and friendship, he will make it through the dark days to come. Will you be able to do that?’
Watson composed himself and cleared his throat.
‘Yes. I can and I must. Thank you for your kind words, Frau Freud. I shall return to Mr Holmes now.’
She gave his arm a pat of encouragement and made a note to herself to tell Sigmund that they might have more than one patient than they expected under their roof tonight.
More Author's Notes
Dear rabidsamfan, I hope you enjoyed this little exchange. I have seen the movie and have read the book, but that was years ago so the details may not sync well with the verse proper. Also, this is the first time I am writing in this verse and I confess it is a bit of an undiscovered country.
Happy Holmestice!
Recipient: rabidsamfan
Author: capt_facepalm
Verse: The Seven Percent Solution
Characters/Pairings: Dr John Watson, Mrs Martha Freud, others mentioned
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 525
Warnings: Oblique reference to drug use
Summary: Dr Sigmund Freud is not the only Freud who can treat a troubled mind
Author's Note: The author is not very familiar with this verse. Liberties have been taken. #BetaWhatBeta
Berggasse 19
Vienna 1891
That poor man, Frau Martha Freud thought to herself. Doctor Watson sat watching over his friend’s feverish state as if friendship alone could resolve the illness that had been consuming Herr Holmes for over a decade.
Martha waved and caught his eye. ‘Come away, Herr Doctor. I have brought you your supper. You cannot help your friend if you become ill yourself.’
Reluctantly the man nodded his agreement and after taking Herr Holmes’ pulse once more, he joined her in the hallway.
‘You shouldn’t have bothered, Frau Freud. I do not mean to impose.’
‘Nonsense. You are our guest and I will not have it said that the Freuds neglect their duties as hosts. Besides, you need an intermission. Enjoy this refreshment, and then take a walk in the park. It is lovely at this time of the year. Sigmund will look in on Herr Holmes in the meantime.’
Doctor Watson returned within a half hour and Martha Freud found him lingering outside of Herr Holmes room, gazing at the photo in his pocket watch. It was of a pretty young woman.
‘Your wife?’ asked Martha
‘Her name is Mary and it is hard to be away from her at this time.’
‘You must miss her dearly,’
He nodded solemnly then he spoke.
‘She insisted I come.’
There was more to the story but Herr Watson was hesitant to continue. Martha said nothing. When he looked up, his eyes were filled with tears. ‘My Mary is dying and she sent me away to be with Holmes. She knows her cancer is incurable but she reasons that he might still be saved. She knows me so well. I would never leave her side but she will not have it. She knows how Holmes saved my life when I first returned from Afghanistan.
‘Poor friend that I am, I have tried to wean him off that poison for years without success. I’m sure your husband is trying his best but his methods are new and untried, and I confess I have my doubts. Oh God, how could I go on if I lost both of them?’
Herr Watson’s pain was palpable. Martha’s heart went out to him.
‘Herr Doctor, you must know that in his field, my husband is as brilliant a man as your friend is as a detective. His methods, though new, are effective. I have seen for myself the miracles he has worked. There have been people much worse off than Mr Holmes who have made a complete recovery. With this affliction, being a genius is not a guarantee of success, but I am sure that with your constant support and friendship, he will make it through the dark days to come. Will you be able to do that?’
Watson composed himself and cleared his throat.
‘Yes. I can and I must. Thank you for your kind words, Frau Freud. I shall return to Mr Holmes now.’
She gave his arm a pat of encouragement and made a note to herself to tell Sigmund that they might have more than one patient than they expected under their roof tonight.
More Author's Notes
Dear rabidsamfan, I hope you enjoyed this little exchange. I have seen the movie and have read the book, but that was years ago so the details may not sync well with the verse proper. Also, this is the first time I am writing in this verse and I confess it is a bit of an undiscovered country.
Happy Holmestice!