Title: A Study in Grieving
Fandom: Sherlock Holmes (ACD)
Rating: PG
Length: 200 words
Summary:  Dr Watson stands at two gravesides, half a century apart
Warning for major character death

I stood and watched as the coffin was lowered into the grave.  How could they bury someone who a few months ago had been so vibrant and full of life?  As I threw a handful of earth onto the coffin, it was as if I was throwing all our hopes and plans into the grave to join her.  What little remained discoloured my fingers in the same way her death had taken the colour from my life.  I turned away, stumbling in my grief, ignoring the other mourners, for who can comfort a doctor who cannot save his own wife.

***

I stood and watched as the coffin was lowered into the grave.  How could they bury someone who a few months ago had been so vibrant and full of life?  As I threw a handful of earth onto the coffin, I knew that it would be no more than half a year before I would be joining him.  The stains on my fingers bore witness to a full life well lived.  I turned away, stumbling slightly, but an arm reached out to support me.  I would grieve at the loss of my beloved companion, but I would not grieve alone.