Counting (Sherlock)
Jan. 16th, 2012 12:39 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
morganstuartTitle: Counting
Author: Morgan Stuart
Fandom: Sherlock
Disclaimer: This universe does not belong to me; I'm just an appreciative visitor. I make no profit from this fan work.
Description: Moriarty had ended his tally one name too soon.
Historian's Note: This takes place during events depicted in the second-series Sherlock episode "The Reichenbach Fall." (Spoiler alert!)
Author's Note: This is a 221b ficlet (221 words, the last beginning with "b").
When Jim Moriarty explained the "extra incentive" he'd arranged to ensure the suicide and disgrace of the world's only consulting detective, Sherlock knew exactly for whom the three bullets were intended.
The man who was not his date.
The woman who was not his housekeeper.
The man who was not his handler.
The ones he trusted, the ones on whom he'd relied for so long. The ones who even now struggled against the poisonous lies that scuttled forth from Moriarty's web like so many thin-legged, eager arachnids.
The three were Sherlock's closest friends in the world, to be certain. But not his only ones.
Moriarty had ended his tally one name too soon.
"I don't count," she'd said, and in a manner of speaking, she'd been correct. Moriarty hadn't counted Molly Hooper. Fortunately, in the eleventh hour, Sherlock had.
He'd counted on her, in fact.
The thought struck him as he balanced on the ledge and considered the pavement below. For a heartbeat Sherlock allowed himself a silent laugh at Moriarty's oversight, which nearly had been his own, as well.
Molly Hooper, his friend, counted very much indeed.
It would be a testament to how much she counted when Sherlock disappeared into the background of his beloved London, whilst Moriarty lay cold in a viscous pool of his own blood.
THE END
Vital Stats: Originally written in January 2012.
Author: Morgan Stuart
Fandom: Sherlock
Disclaimer: This universe does not belong to me; I'm just an appreciative visitor. I make no profit from this fan work.
Description: Moriarty had ended his tally one name too soon.
Historian's Note: This takes place during events depicted in the second-series Sherlock episode "The Reichenbach Fall." (Spoiler alert!)
Author's Note: This is a 221b ficlet (221 words, the last beginning with "b").
When Jim Moriarty explained the "extra incentive" he'd arranged to ensure the suicide and disgrace of the world's only consulting detective, Sherlock knew exactly for whom the three bullets were intended.
The man who was not his date.
The woman who was not his housekeeper.
The man who was not his handler.
The ones he trusted, the ones on whom he'd relied for so long. The ones who even now struggled against the poisonous lies that scuttled forth from Moriarty's web like so many thin-legged, eager arachnids.
The three were Sherlock's closest friends in the world, to be certain. But not his only ones.
Moriarty had ended his tally one name too soon.
"I don't count," she'd said, and in a manner of speaking, she'd been correct. Moriarty hadn't counted Molly Hooper. Fortunately, in the eleventh hour, Sherlock had.
He'd counted on her, in fact.
The thought struck him as he balanced on the ledge and considered the pavement below. For a heartbeat Sherlock allowed himself a silent laugh at Moriarty's oversight, which nearly had been his own, as well.
Molly Hooper, his friend, counted very much indeed.
It would be a testament to how much she counted when Sherlock disappeared into the background of his beloved London, whilst Moriarty lay cold in a viscous pool of his own blood.
THE END
Vital Stats: Originally written in January 2012.
no subject
Date: 2012-01-16 05:52 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-16 07:10 am (UTC)(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2012-01-16 07:12 am (UTC)I think we saw true unconditional love there because it wasn't based on his behavior at all but upon her giving and forgiving heart. sniffle
I am so glad that he gave her his trust which is likely bigger than his love. I hope they hugged.
Thanks for getting something out quickly. My flist has been paralyzed, with shock and grief, I guess.
This was good.
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Date: 2012-01-17 01:11 am (UTC)I adore your description of her truly unconditional love. That's it exactly. And thanks to it, Sherlock has the chance to take a great step (leap?) in his journey toward becoming a good man (and live to take more such steps in the future).
Thank you so much for reading this and for sharing your beautiful insights on this amazing episode. I'm so happy this little ficlet worked for you. I appreciate your thoughtful words very much!
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Date: 2012-01-16 07:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-17 01:12 am (UTC)Thanks again for reading and commenting. *applauds Molly and you in return*
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Date: 2012-01-16 07:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-17 01:16 am (UTC)I think you and Maggie are quite right about her (and the brilliant way she was used in this episode). I love the fact that, in helping Sherlock, she's not only giving him a chance at life, but also a chance to become that good person she (and Lestrade, and Mrs Hudson, and of course John) believes he can become.
I'm grateful for your kindness in reading and commenting and leaving such wonderful food for thought. Cheers!
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Date: 2012-01-16 08:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-16 10:43 am (UTC)(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2012-01-16 09:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-17 01:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-16 09:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-17 01:22 am (UTC)Thank you so much for your kind words. It sounds like we were on the very same wavelength during the episode. I'd love to read that story you described!
I really appreciate your reading and commenting. I'm really tickled that this little ficlet worked for you.
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Date: 2012-01-16 10:44 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-17 01:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-16 12:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-17 01:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-16 12:33 pm (UTC)I love that at last, AT LAST, Molly and Sherlock seem to have reached a form of equality. You certainly showed it here.
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Date: 2012-01-17 01:39 am (UTC)Oh, yay! If you feel this way, I know I'm on the right track! :D I loved the comment you described on the meme. I didn't post it, but I agree with it wholeheartedly.
I love that at last, AT LAST, Molly and Sherlock seem to have reached a form of equality.
Yes, yes, yes! I'm with you 100%.
Thanks for your lovely comments, my friend. I owe you yet another one. ;)
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Date: 2012-01-16 12:48 pm (UTC)Although, this was beautiful!
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Date: 2012-01-17 01:41 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-16 01:21 pm (UTC)Yes, she could be counted on, and Sherlock has more than one friend, for they are NOT dates, housekeepers or handlers.
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Date: 2012-01-17 01:44 am (UTC)Yes indeed! I wholeheartedly agree. And I really appreciate the fact that her love is one of the factors that's helped Sherlock on his path toward become a good man (as opposed to merely a great one).
I can't thank you enough for all of your kindness in sharing Sherlock with me. You're the very best, and I'm grateful for you, my friend!
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this little ficlet and comment. I appreciate it very much!
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Date: 2012-01-16 01:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-17 01:45 am (UTC)Thanks so much for reading and commenting. I'm delighted that this worked for you.
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Date: 2012-01-16 01:28 pm (UTC)*chuckles*
Oh, yes, I was going to leave feeback! Hee. One thing this episode brought out was that Sherlock has learned the value of friends. I was reminded throughout of John's comment to Sherlock, "Friends protect you" - something Sherlock has already taken to heart even if John does not yet realize that. I like how you ended this on a somewhat chilling note.
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Date: 2012-01-17 01:48 am (UTC)I'm so tickled that this worked for you. (Thanks so much for reading and commenting!) I love your insight about John's earlier comment to Sherlock about friends. How beautifully "full circle" this episode took us! I'm beyond ecstatic that we get another series. I look forward to sharing it with you, my friend.
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Date: 2012-01-16 02:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-17 01:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-16 02:44 pm (UTC)That act of brave decency on her part may have been the one thing that saved his life. And to top if off she told him without self-pity she knew she did not count to him. Not one bit.
I would have been far more convinced of Moriarty's death if Sherlock had rolled over his body and examined the head wound. If fighting monsters has taught us anything it is to never assume an unexamined monster is dead.
Defining the friends by what they are "not" was painfully poignant, as was this entire piece.
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Date: 2012-01-17 11:59 am (UTC)That act of brave decency on her part may have been the one thing that saved his life. And to top if off she told him without self-pity she knew she did not count to him. Not one bit.
Wasn't that amazing? Such beautiful writing there. I agree with you wholeheartedly. I like to think that Sherlock at last recognizing her worth and accepting her help (with humility, even) represents another step toward his becoming a good man.
Excellent point about Moriarty. You're quite right: we shouldn't assume anything!
Defining the friends by what they are "not" was painfully poignant, as was this entire piece.
Oh, I'm so pleased that you think so! Thank you for letting me know that worked for you. I appreciate your kind comments and feedback very much.
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Date: 2012-01-16 04:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-17 12:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-16 05:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-17 01:39 pm (UTC)I really liked your comments here. Thanks so much!
I'm very happy that you enjoyed this little ficlet, especially my play on the word "count." Your kind words have put a big smile on my face! I appreciate them.
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Date: 2012-01-16 05:57 pm (UTC)I loved it. Great story. Short, but very, very poignant.
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Date: 2012-01-17 05:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-16 06:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-17 05:25 pm (UTC)I appreciate your reading and commenting. Thanks!
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Date: 2012-01-16 06:28 pm (UTC)And I really, really love your three "not's":
The man who was not his date.
The woman who was not his housekeeper.
The man who was not his handler.
Once again a joy to read.
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Date: 2012-01-17 05:28 pm (UTC)I really appreciate your kind comments! Thank you.
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Date: 2012-01-16 06:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-17 05:30 pm (UTC)I really appreciate your reading and commenting. Thanks again!
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Date: 2012-01-16 07:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-17 05:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-16 07:21 pm (UTC)The woman who was not his housekeeper.
The man who was not his handler.
Had to take a breath here. Beautiful.
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Date: 2012-01-17 08:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-16 07:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-17 08:07 pm (UTC)