My Virtual Reading Room

A/N: 1st draft of 1st part of story for WW comm challenge 005; suggestions and concrit welcome, as always!

I blindly stumbled into 221 B Baker Street…I did not even know how I found my way there; my feet seem to have carried me there by themselves, without my volition, along the well-worn path I have trod so often in the bygone years…

Holmes, for once, did not question me but drew me towards my usual armchair in front of the fire and gently pushed me down into it.  He sat down in his chair opposite and regarded me with his usual sharp scrutiny.

 “It isn’t—Mrs. Watson—is it, my dear fellow?” his voice was unusually hesitant.

“Yes,” was all I could manage to mutter at the moment.  I saw his features twist in sympathy.

“I truly am very sorry, Watson…would it help you to talk about it?”

“No…not now…but thank you, anyway…”

I buried my face in my hands, striving to retain some vestiges of control.  Suddenly, I felt a tentative hand on my shoulder.  That simple gesture of friendship undid me; I could no longer restrain my tears.  Holmes’s hand never left my shoulder as I sobbed for what seemed like an interminably long time, but in reality, was probably no more than a few minutes.

“My apologies, Holmes,” I finally managed to say.  “I know you have no patience with emotional displays.”

He looked visibly startled—at least as far as I could tell with my still-blurred vision. 

“My dear Watson, I assure you, it is no hardship to make an exception in your case.” His voice was unusually soft.

“Thank you,” was all I could say as I was embarrassed to realize that tears threatened to blur my vision once again.  I could not stop replaying the scene of earlier in my mind…