July 25 - Running Late

 Title: Running Late

Author: Pompey

Universe: ACD

Rating:G

Warnings: none

Word count: 315

Summary: A sequel to July 24 but works as a stand-alone. Watson fears he's caused them to miss their train.

Prompt: July 25 - train time tables

---

I awoke feeling almost as sore as I had been when I retired but now with the addition of terrible stiffness. Our miles of trekking the day before had done me no favors. At first I was content to lay quietly in the inn's bed before curiosity caused me to reach for my watch. I read the time in horror and promptly sprung out of bed, heedless of the my protesting joints. There was barely five minutes to make our train.

As I threw on my clothes I couldn't help but wonder where Holmes was and why he had let me sleep so late. Moreover, his luggage was clearly unpacked as his articles were still strewn about the room. I had nearly finished tying my boots, badly, when my friend entered our room as nonchalantly as if he were taking the air through Regent Park.

"Holmes!"

"Watson? What on earth are you doing?"

"Packing!" I cried with some heat. "Do you not realize our train leaves in less than a minute? Why in the world did you not wake me sooner?"

"You needed the sleep," Holmes answered simply. "As for your first question . . . " He withdrew two tickets and handed them to me. "Our train now leaves in two hours."

I felt my tension drain away as I looked at the tickets. "You've just come back from exchanging them, haven't you."

He nodded. "When I realized you had gone to bed early without supper of your own volition, I rather suspected we would need a later train. You are rarely that exhausted, my dear fellow, and Baker Street shall be there no matter what time we arrive there. This change of plans allows us for a leisurely brunch with plenty of time to pack. And to re-lace your boots," he added with a smile and a knowing glance at my feet.

July 26 - Crash

Title: Crash
Author: Pompey 
Universe: Elementary
Rating: PG
Warnings: adult word
Word count: 350
Summary: Joan stops the Car Killer the only way she can.
Prompt: July 26 – Winner takes all. Gambling/risky endeavors

 ________________________________________________________________

“Desmond!” Joan shouted at the Car Killer. He swung his attention from Holmes to her. “You want to hit someone? Well, here I am, you cowardly piece of shit!” She held her arms out in invitation, flaring out the front of her ankle-length trench coat.

“Joan, no!” Sherlock shouted back but as Joan stared down Desmond Stevenson through his windshield, they all knew who his next target had just become. Holmes ran towards the car, despite knowing there was a slim to none chance he would be in time to stop a tragedy

Desmond revved his engine once, twice. The only motion from Joan was the fluttering of her trench coat as she bent both arms at the elbows to flash him a double bird. Immediately there was a squeal of tires on asphalt as he gunned the engine and barreled towards her.

“Joan!” Sherlock called, still running after the car.

Joan bent her knees almost imperceptibly and hunched her shoulders slightly. With barely enough time to spare, she flung herself to the left. Her tuck and roll was more of a flail and tumble but it did the job. Desmond hit the brakes but couldn’t stop himself from crashing into the hydrant that Joan’s long trench coat had hidden from view.

A geyser of water erupted, drenching everything in a twenty foot radius, including Joan and a panting Sherlock who had finally reached her. In front of them, the police moved in to bring in their man.

They stared at each other through the falling water. Joan spoke first. “You’re going to say that was stupid risk, that I was gambling with my life. But it wasn’t. I made sure to keep the hydrant hidden before I got his attention. I made sure to insult him so he’d focus only on me and not try any surprises. I timed it perfectly. And I made sure nobody else got hurt besides Desmond. I had everything under control. You’ve got nothing to complain about.”

 Holmes looked at her in silence for a second. Then two.

“Your tuck and roll was sloppy.”