"The Three Favours" by Katie Forsythe (PG-13)

[periwinkle27.livejournal.com]

Fandom: SHERLOCK HOLMES
Pairing: Holmes/Watson
Length: 12,000 words
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: The Seventeenth Step



My last entry for the Sherlock Holmes van this month. It's been fun. I apologize for getting such a slow start (there were these holidays you see...).

I've saved the best for last.

Why this must be read:
I was first attracted to the story because Katie wrote it in Victorian style which made me feel that I was reading canon. But I found myself deeply engrossed in it and I couldn't even stop reading long enough to post a review.

Holmes has returned from Reichenbach Falls, but Watson can not return to Holmes or even forgive him for pretending to be dead. Holmes wants him to return to 221B Baker Street and to resume their love affair but the most Watson can do is assist on some cases. Then Lestrade tells him he has to talk to Holmes about something.

I never thought of Lestrade as an agent between the two men, but it works. The whole conversation is just fascinating, as first Watson finally reveals why he is so hurt and then Lestrade drops some very tantalizing clues.

I rose to go, and he thrust a refilled glass into my hand.  The man was intolerable, I thought as I cast about for a response to this monstrous proposal.  "Simply for my amusement, why don't you outline for me one reason why I might ever, even in my darkest nightmares, inhabit these rooms again."

He shrugged, and took a swallow of spirits.  "I love you.  That is one reason."

I laughed so hard at this that a tiny splash of whiskey leapt from my glass onto the bearskin rug.  "Excuse me, Holmes," I said, setting it down.  "I've no quarrel with your rug.  But that really is extremely funny."

"Why?" he asked.

"Because you don't love me.  You use me."

"Is that the case?" he inquired cordially, though I could see by the tension in his temples he was exerting considerable effort to remain at ease.  "I cannot deny that you are a very useful person."

"Yes, I have many functions for you.  You use me for publicity, for backup, for information-gathering--"

"Physical pleasure, companionship, a second opinion, a reason to live..." he finished with some asperity.

The Three Favours

Comments

[lady-aquill.livejournal.com]

the website is no longer there.

[raveninthewind.livejournal.com]

Question: I am driving the crack_van this month, and wondered if you had created a list of past recs? If I don't have to compile one, it will get me started faster...so I thought I'd ask the previous rec'ers.