Secrets and Revelations

 

 

 

 

John Watson was not in the best of moods these days, much to the dismay of his wife. It had been two weeks since is return from Devon and exactly two weeks since she found out she was pregnant.

 

He had arrived home late in the evening and looked exhausted, as usual, he didn't even take the time greet her, just wen to their bedroom put his night shirt on and was fast asleep.  From that moment on she had been trying to tell him that she was pregnant.

The next morning Watson was up and gone before she awoke, and that evening he was home well after she had fallen asleep.  This continued for the two weeks. Mary was running out of ideas on how to tell him. Every time she had tried he was either to busy or on his way out, or to exhausted, or asleep. Dr Jessop says that by the 4^th month you start showing maybe I won’t HAVE to tell him, maybe he'll see. Assuming he takes notice of me!

 

Mary sat upon the bed sobbing, this day was no different than the last two weeks had been Watson was up and gone before she awoke. It was now 8:30 am and she doubted she would see him until well past midnight. Thankfully today was Tuesday, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays Mary worked at Mrs. Forresters helping with the children. She was more a member of the family and most of the employee employer formalities had been dispensed with, it was good because today Mary needed to talk.

 

"Isabelle I don't know what's wrong with me, I just cry all the time I am always tired. And John… He pays so little attention to me."  She leaned against the older woman's breast and sobbed. Isabelle held her as a mother, " For starters child, there's nothing wrong with you, your expecting. I went through the weeping and crying with my first born. And as for being tired well it's natural. You're adjusting to the life inside of you." Isabelle patted Mary's stomach. "Have you told John he's to be a father?" 

 

Mary sat up and wiped her eyes. "No... I've had no time; he's been busy, what with work and Mr. Holmes cases and all. He just doesn't have time for me any more, it's a wonder I'm pregnant at all."  She sighed a deeply. "I'm sorry Isabelle, perhaps I should go home and rest"

 

"That’s a good idea, take the rest of the day off and Thursday too. I'll come down Friday and visit."

 

Mary took her hands and clasped them grateful for a friend, "Thank you, I'll see myself out"  

 

 

 

Watson awoke with a start, he was unsure where he was or what had happened, he only knew that his shoulder was in far more pain then it had been in recent months and his head throbbed. His vision was slightly blurry. He was able to make out that there were two men in the room with him, he tried to focus but it made his head hurt even more. He tried to sit but was pushed back by strong yet gentle hands.  "Easy Watson" the calm soothing words flowed from Holmes lips. "Your safe now, Lestrade found you and brought you back here"

 

"Where's here?" He asked in a hoarse whisper.  He blinked and squinted; his vision hadn't quite cleared yet.

 

"Baker Street" He grasped Watson by the hand, "I was so worried, When Lestrade carried you in here this morning I feared the worst! "  Watson fought off a wave of pain and nausea and sat up. "Holmes what happened?"   The pain in his shoulder won out, as did the throbbing in his head, gingerly he lay back down.

 " I am not sure, Lestrade brought you here after finding you in the alley behind Baker Street, there was a note in your jacket pocket."

 

Watson reached over to touched his shoulder and winced. "Well it looks as if I'm destine to keep this arm immobile!" He sighed then rubbed his head " What did the note say?"

 

"Apparently it was a warning to me, it said something to the effect that if I did not take threats to my own life seriously perhaps I would take this seriously and cease the investigation."

 

"Charming" Watson lay back, he was in more pain than before, the blow to his shoulder had done more than aggravate an old wound, and Watson was trying desperately to hide the pain.  Holmes took out the morocco case and filled the syringe with liquid, He injected Watson, who made no protest at this latest development.  Well I am already in bad shape, cocaine can't hurt.  After a few moments the pain in Watsons shoulder began to ease and he realised with gratitude it was not cocaine that he had been injected with but morphine.

 

"Holmes someone ought to let Mary know I am here." Watson managed to say before he drifted to sleep.

 

Lestrade had sat quietly whilst Holmes spoke to Watson, now that Watson slept Lestrade came forward. "I'll go and tell her" He made to leave but Holmes held him in place.

 

"Lestrade don't go just yet, I want to make sure Watson is alright before we have a hysterical woman to deal with."

 

"Holmes who are you kidding, you just don’t want to face her. She has the right to be here, he is her husband after all."  "And the doctor said it was a concussion and broken collar bone, he'll live." Lestrade freed himself of Holmes grip then sighed "However I shall take the long route and will be back with her in two hours.

 

Holmes managed a weak smile "Thank You"

 

Mary had just fallen asleep when Lestrade knocked on the door, the maid explained that she was not well and could he come back later and at first he thought to do so, but he weighed the pros and cons and decided better of it.

 

"I'm Inspector Lestrade and I am here on police business I must see the Mistress of the house, I understand she is unwell but it is of the utmost urgency that I see her."

 

The maid headed upstairs and woke Mary. "I'm sorry Miss, but the Inspector said he's here on police business and it was urgent."

 

Mary's heart leapt to her throat. JOHN!    She hurried downstairs and to the sitting room where Lestrade waited.  Lestrade could see the fear in her eyes and he went to meet her, he put his arm about her  "Mary, there’s been an incident.” She swallowed hard and nearly fainted, Lestrade supported her. “Oh God please don’t tell me he’s dead… “ She began to sob uncontrollably.

 

" No thank goodness, he's with Holmes at Baker Street"

Mary looked puzzled.  "Just what has happened?"

 

“I found him in the alley behind Baker Street, I brought him to the flat and we summoned a doctor immediately. There’s no need to panic Holmes is looking after him until you get there.

 

A wave of rage washed over Mary “IF Mr. Holmes was looking after MY husband THIS would not have happened. I think it best Inspector that we go straight away!”

 

Mary was to enraged to feel sorrow. She had warned John against associating with Holmes. Time and time again she would warn him of the danger, “Mr. Holmes line of work takes him to some very nasty places, you yourself have said so. John, You are my husband and I worry about you, I am your wife and that is what I want to be, NOT your widow.” Time and time again Watson would smile indulgently, kiss her on the fore head and say “Mary darling my wife is what you are, you won’t be a widow any time soon, I may come back a little worse for ware but I always come back.”  Little did she know the double meaning those words held. 

 

In the cab she held Lestrades hand, she needed the comfort , but also because she needed the strength, Dealing with Holmes was not easy for her, though she made the effort for John’s sake.   “Is he hurt badly?”  She queried?

 

Lestrade patted her hand reassuringly, “it could have been worse my dear” He tried to smile a disarming smile as the cad came to a stop out side number 221.

 

Lestrade knew that both Mary and Holmes would have a hard time dealing with this confrontation, and he was just as sure that He and Watson would be in the middle. Lucky for Watson he had been injured, unlucky for Lestrade who felt as if he might be.

 

Mary rushed up the 17 steps and through the sitting room door, she could hear Holmes voice he was speaking lowly. She followed his voice to his bedroom.

 

Holmes sat bedside and held Watson's hand he looked as if he had been crying; Mary forgot her rage and was touched by the sight of this man seemingly humbled.

 

Mary watched as Holmes tended her wounded husband. He soothes John's brow, holds his hand, and tucks him in, almost lovingly. Perhaps I have misjudged him? Mary choked back a sob. Holmes lifted his head a look of grief in his eye. "I… I'm sorry I didn't hear you come in" Holmes let Watsons hand drop and stood up and made for the door. "He just fell back to sleep," He said glancing back at his lover. 

 

Waves of nausea and dizziness washed over Mary and she swayed, Holmes rushed to her aid, he took her gently by the waist and led her to the sofa. He poured a small drink and offered it to her. She looked up, shook her head, and waved away the drink "No thank you, may I have a glass of cool water please." Holmes raised an eyebrow but set about getting it for her. How observant a man are you, shall you deduce my little secret?

 

Holmes returned with a cold glass of water and offered it to her, she gratefully accepted and sipped at it slowly. "I'm sorry."

 

Holmes looked at her, she was pale and looked ready to pass out, He came and sat down beside her. " I know this is quite a shock.  It's not as bad as it looks. He has a mild concussion and I'm afraid his shoulder is dislocated and the collar bone is broken. The doctor has assured me that he will be all right in a few weeks.  I am very sorry this happened I wish I could have prevented it."

 

Suddenly Mary felt the rage well up again. She glared at Holmes. "YOU could have! You could have left him out of the investigation, whichever one it is that has resulted in his injuries. You could have left him to his NORMAL and apparently unexciting life! You could have left him to me!"  Mary was sobbing yet her words were savage, more hurt than angry.   "I am so pleased the doctor has reassured YOU that he will be alright, but what of ME? I am his wife don't I matter? Doesn't this chi…" She composed herself before giving her self away.  "I am sorry Mr. Holmes I said some things I shouldn't have. It's just the shock and strain of all this."  She smiled apologetically.  Holmes nodded and helped her to her feet, "Why don't you go and sit with him for a while. He was asking about you before he fell asleep." Holmes turned away from her and busied himself with straightening his desk. What she says has a ring of truth, this is in part my fault. His heart felt heavy, he had managed to avoid these thoughts until Mary spoke them openly. He glanced back to the bedroom and sadly shook his head. Why did this have to happen?

 

Mary sat down and gazed at her sleeping husband, all bandaged and bruised. My poor John. She kissed his forehead just below the bandage; she ran her hand along the bandage and gently touched his shoulder. She leaned close to him, took his good hand in hers, and moved it to her stomach. " What would WE have done if we lost you?"  She squeezed his hand and began to weep. 

 

Watson moaned softly, and squeezed back “ M…Mary, I’m sorry” his voice was a whisper. “At least I’m not in too many pieces” He managed a weak smile and pulled her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers. She moved forward and rested her head upon his chest. “I love you John”

 

Holmes who had been trying his best not to listen to what was being said, could not help but over hear, and Watsons sleepy. “Me too” reply caused a ripple of jealousy.

 

Lestrade had been sitting on the sofa once again he was like furniture present yet unnoticed. He came up behind Holmes and whispered “Jealousy does NOT become you” Holmes turned to face him with a questioning look. “Surely Holmes if I can read it, so can OTHERS.”  Holmes nodded in understanding. “Perhaps we best go and have a look at the scene of the crime as it were” Holmes was out the door the door with out a word.

 

Lestrade sighed. If this is how he now, I wonder how he’ll be after several days under the same roof as Mary. And he still hasn’t told her that the doctor feels that Watson not be moved for at least a week. Lestrade caught up with Holmes who was half way down the street.  “Holmes” He turned to see Lestrade out of breath.

 

“Nice of you to take an interest in this investigation,” came his rather nasty reply.

 

“Holmes There’s no need for that, I know what you and Mary are going through. After all Watson is a friend of mine and I am the one who found him. Granted I don’t love him, but it is still upsetting to see some one you know in pain and suffering.” He gently rested a hand on Holmes shoulder.

 

“Why do I get the feeling that you don’t just mean Watson?” He sighed and patted Lestrade on the back.

 

“One more thing Holmes. When are you planing on telling Mary that Watson must stay put for at least a week?” Lestrade raised an eyebrow as he looked Holmes in the eyes.

 

“Ah I was wondering when you would get to that. All in good time, now here is our alley we must get to work”