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Post by Irene on Dec 3, 2007 15:52:49 GMT -5
"I know."
*She sighed*
"I've been in enough operas to know a tragedy when I see one. This is not going to end well for any of us."
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Post by Sherlock Holmes on Dec 3, 2007 16:37:30 GMT -5
"That is pure fancy," *Holmes said dismissively.* "Operas are written. Life is not."
*Holmes paused, torn between wanting to stay and needing to seek Irene's cure.*
"Madame, I... I wonder if you would permit me, to... Before I go, I should like to ask you for something. One last kiss. I will determine the cause of your illness, and I will restore you to health. And I will not interfere; even if I thought you wanted such. But I would like that one memory, at least. Of you, in your right mind, sending me off."
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Post by Irene on Dec 3, 2007 17:48:57 GMT -5
(("Kiss me, Rick Irene. Kiss me as if it were the last time."))
"Oh, Sherlock- "
*She broke off, fighting back tears. Gently, she kissed him on the lips, growing stronger as she embraced him. Finally, she pulled away*
"I love you. I always will. Know that, if we must leave."
*True, she also loved Francis. But this was a different sort of feeling, though impossible to explain how.*
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Post by Sherlock Holmes on Dec 3, 2007 18:13:27 GMT -5
*Holmes' eyes closed at the first electric touch of her lips.*
"Don't say that, Irene. Don't... don't allow me to believe..."
*But he grabbed her closer, deepened the kiss, hating all the while whatever had taken control of his emotions and his limbs. Should he be locked up here, as well?*
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Post by Irene on Dec 3, 2007 18:32:09 GMT -5
*She leaned against him, her heart breaking. She didn't want to losehim- but there was no other choice*
"God, what have I done to you?"
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Post by Sherlock Holmes on Dec 3, 2007 18:56:12 GMT -5
*Holmes drew in a shuddering breath and pulled himself away.*
"Forgive me, Ms. Adler. I... don't know what came over me. I should never have let myself become sexually involved with you. It did us both a disservice, I fear."
Though I would not give up that night for the world.
"You have no more to fear from me. I will fulfill my duty to you, and nothing more."
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Post by Irene on Dec 3, 2007 19:46:26 GMT -5
"But I don't fear you!", *she cried.* "That's the worst part."
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Post by Sherlock Holmes on Dec 3, 2007 23:00:24 GMT -5
*Holmes' eyes bored into hers.*
"Irene. You know this cannot be. Aside from you being married, there's... I'm unsuitable. I cannot function with this... this..."
*Words failed him.*
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Post by Irene on Dec 4, 2007 15:58:10 GMT -5
"I know."
*She buried her face in her hands*
"It's only made things worse. I've hurt both of you so much."
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Post by Sherlock Holmes on Dec 4, 2007 16:07:24 GMT -5
"Shh."
*Holmes took her hands in his, forcing them from her face so he could look at her calmly.*
"You did nothing wrong. I am responsible for my own actions. If I'd been stronger..." *His jaw twitched.* "We make our choices and we live with them. And right now, I choose to help you. Then I will go away, and learn to forget you, as you will forget me."
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Post by Irene on Dec 4, 2007 16:11:47 GMT -5
*Irene's memory was as good as Sherlock's. She knew she would never forget him, and he knew it, too.*
"I can only thank you for this. And we'll manage to move one. Somehow..."
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Post by Sherlock Holmes on Dec 4, 2007 17:00:53 GMT -5
*He nodded curtly, as he must lest he lose all control again.*
"Then. When next I see you, I will have good news," *he promised.*
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Post by Irene on Dec 4, 2007 17:02:56 GMT -5
*Irene nodded, trying to believe him.*
"I'll be waiting for you."
*She attempted a laugh*
"What else do I have to do?"
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Post by Sherlock Holmes on Dec 4, 2007 17:19:59 GMT -5
*Holmes smiled grimly at her feeble joke, but worried about the ability of bars to keep someone as intelligent as Irene in. And even if she did stay, he shuddered to think what she--one of her--might do with the guards. He hated to think of it, but what could he do?*
"Do not despair. I am the greatest detective the world has ever known," *he told her.* "You alone have beaten me; but I do not intend for it to happen again."
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Post by Irene on Dec 4, 2007 17:20:53 GMT -5
*She smiled at that*
"Don't worry- madness has taken its toll."
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