Kicking the Habit: Chapter 2

   This takes place roughly a week after the first chapter begins. They are about to rehearse for The Devil's Foot. Enjoy! :D
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Chapter 2

"Brett!"

Jeremy smiled when he heard that very familiar voice filled with irritation. He looked up from his script, stood, placed the script on the seat of the chair, and moved to where Holmes was standing.

"You called?" Jeremy drawled, when he was standing in front of Holmes.

Holmes glared at Jeremy and plopped the script for The Devil's Foot on the table they were standing next to. "You didn't tell me about the sudden script change."

"The reason being the script changed suddenly," Jeremy countered.

Holmes narrowed his eyes. Jeremy held his gaze steadily. They were very similar, Holmes and Jeremy, but there were differences. Jeremy had cut his dark brown hair pretty short, was a half centimeter shorter than Holmes, had emerald green eyes, and looked a tiny bit older than Holmes, if one looked closely enough. Holmes, on the other hand, had longish black hair that was always slicked back, and his eyes were an unusual, sharp grey color. Their tempers when provoked, however, were very similar

"You changed the story. Why?"

"Because of this," Jeremy handed Holmes the results from the survey. As Holmes glanced over it, Jeremy explained, "We had to do something about the illegal drugs you had been," here he raised an eyebrow questioningly at Holmes, "using rather too freely since children are watching."

Holmes raised his head and said, skeptically, "So you've decided to dig a hole, bury the hypodermic, on a beach where anyone could get hurt?"

"At least its made clear that you quit," Jeremy responded.

"Jeremy, I am not digging a hole on a beach, even if it is a simulated one," Holmes objected.

Jeremy just shrugged. "You don't have to. I am perfectly capable of doing it."

Holmes hesitated. "You've got the permission?"

"Of course," Jeremy grinned and glanced at the nearby director, who was talking with the scriptwriter, and the producers, Micheal Cox and June Wyndham Davies, nearby. "They wouldn't have written it otherwise."

"Fine, I'll let you do it," Holmes said, reluctantly.

Jeremy chuckled. "Don't sound so cheerful," his smile dropped as he asked, "Just for curiosity's sake, how did you know it was me?"

"You know my methods," Holmes said, picking up his script. Jeremy's lips tightened slightly against his teeth. Yes, he knew Holmes's methods only too well. "And," Holmes continued, amusement lighting his eyes, "add the fact that you have done this before, had neglected to inform me, and had the crew do so as well, until the day we started filming."

"It was a while ago, Holmes, I thought you would have forgotten."

The expression on Holmes' face was akin to the one intelligent birds of prey use when looking down on the other inferior animals. "I hardly ever forget."

Jeremy put his fist up to his mouth and fake coughed. "Penguin."

At Holmes's glare, Jeremy grinned and went back to his chair.

---

From a distance, Edward and Watson heard Holmes' irritated call for Jeremy. When they heard this, Edward looked at Watson and asked, "Think Jeremy heard that?"
Watson nodded. "I think those in the neighbouring studio heard."
They watched the exchange between the two, slightly tense, but were pleasantly surprised when the conversation ended on friendly terms. Well, friendly for Jeremy and Holmes. They let out a breath of relief.
"That was close," Watson muttered.
Edward agreed. Yes, he could remember a time or two when arguments had started between them and had ended in a literal physical fight.
"I wonder why those two rarely get along. Is it because they have conflicting interests?" he remarked to Watson one day, after one such fight.
Watson had looked at him. "It's not because they have conflicting interests. It's because they are so much alike."
Edward thought about that for the rest of the day. Yes, Jeremy and Holmes were much alike, that is probably one of the main reasons why the show has done so well.

End

Kicking the Habit

   Okay, this has the same format  as Contacts. Kicking is the sort of sequel to Contacts. I had forgotten to mention that these two stories were a call to a very good friend of mine's challenge. The Challenge was to write an AU (Alternate Universe) where Holmes and Jeremy actually met. It's pretty fun and there are a lot of possibilities for it. :D
   Anyway, this takes place around the Granada's episode of The Devil's Foot. The episode, itself, is pretty... special... ;)
   Almost forgot to mention that there are two chapters to this story. Oops.
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Chapter 1

"Uh, Jeremy, a word?"

Jeremy Brett looked up from his copy of The Complete Sherlock Holmes Vol. 1 and saw Watson approaching. He raised an eyebrow at the older man's pace. "What is it, Watson? Is something wrong?"

Watson plopped down next to him and said, "I saw the survey results for the show. It showed that children from eight to twelve years- of- age are watching it for educational purposes."

Amazement mixed with shock in Jeremy's expressive eyes. "Children?" his tone was dazed. "Children actually watch the show?"

"Yes. For that reason I wanted to talk to you about Holmes's use of drugs."

Jeremy nodded knowingly. "I understand completely. You would like me to get rid of the drugs."

Watson's relief showed in his voice. "Right. I know I weaned Holmes off gradually, but would greatly appreciate it if he got off sooner."

Jeremy held out his hand. "May I see the results?"

Watson wordlessly handed over the printed white sheet he had been carrying. When he read the statistics, Jeremy raised his head. His mouth was open slightly, his deep green eyes were wide, and his face had gone white.

Edward Hardwicke had been walking past, but stopped when he caught Jeremy's expression. "Watson, what's wrong with Jeremy?"

Jeremy handed the paper to Edward in response. As he did so, Watson saw a more thoughtful expression replace the shock and awe reaction earlier.

When Edward saw the numbers, he raised his eyebrows. He looked up from the paper, at Watson and Jeremy, then back down. Jeremy watched his friend, amused. "Watson and I were planning to get rid of Holmes's... usage. What do you think, Edward?"

"Of, course," he looked up from the paper agian and noticed something in Jeremy's eyes and slightly narrowed his own. "Do I want to know how you are going to convince Holmes to quit quickly?"

A slow grin that, Watson had to admit, was slightly sinister stole over his face. "He would have to do anything according to the script."

"He could always complain," Edward pointed out.

Jeremy's eyes fixed on Watson's. "Do you know if Holmes has seen this yet?"

"No, not yet."

Jeremy's grin grew more sinister. "Excellent," he turned back to Edward, "He wouldn't complain if he saw the results." Jeremy looked at Watson for confirmation.

"He does care about the children even though he doesn't really show it," Watson agreed, slowly.

With that statement made, the actor stood and made a beeline to where the director was arguing about the script with the producers. Watson and Edward shared a glance that said, There he goes again.

"I hope it won't be like last time," Watson said, thinking about the last "fast- number", as the Americans put it, Jeremy pulled on Holmes.

Edward nodded. "Holmes certainly didn't like it."

They turned back to the not- really- argument, but not really heated discussion. Watson and Edward were too far away to make out the words, but they heard the voices.

At first, the discussion had seemed to be going fine between the director and one of his star actors, but as Jeremy was presenting whatever idea he had, the director started shaking his head and gesturing at another man, who was sitting nearby. Watson recognized him as the next director for The Devil's Foot, Ken Hannam.

Jeremy turned to him and started to talk again, but the next director turned his head to June and Micheal and asked something. There was a pause as June and Micheal looked at each other briefly before shaking their heads. Jeremy opened his mouth, undoubtedly to protest, but Ken raised his hands and said started to explain something, quietly. Whatever he was explaining, made Jeremy close his mouth and blink once. Edward and Watson exchanged a slightly concerned look.

Edward was about to go to them, but Watson, who had anticipated Edward's intention, grabbed his sleeve and said, "Not yet. Jeremy's not done yet."

And indeed he wasn't. After thinking something over, Jeremy handed the paper to the directors and said something. It was, apparently, a compromise. This seemed to appease everyone and they nodded. A triumphant smirk spread on Jeremy's lips as he made his way back to Edward and Watson.

Watson stood as he approached. "What was that all about?"

Jeremy's smirk became a grin. "The acceptance of my plan."

Watson and Edward looked at each other skeptically, then back at Jeremy, who sat in the chair he had vacated earlier.

"What is your plan?" Edward promted.

"Basically, Holmes buries the needle," Jeremy said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. Then he sobered and said, "If I can get permission from the Doyle estate, that is," he said this with an apologetic glance at Watson, who just shrugged it off.

"And if you don't get their permission?" Edward asked.

Jeremy sighed. "Then the needle will stay unburied."

End of Chapter 1

Contacts

   This story is special. It combines sort of real events and two fictional characters. It's actually kind of difficult to explain. *sheepish* Maybe I should have said it combines Holmes and Watson with 1980's Granada Sherlock Holmes which, I highly recommend. The TV series includes The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, The Return of Sherlock Holmes series, The Case- Book of Sherlock Holmes, and The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. Their lead actor, Jeremy Brett, is Holmes to a lot of people, myself included. He played the character to very near perfection. He, also, had two actors to play his Watson.
   The first actor was David Burke and the second actor was Edward Hardwicke. David had left the show after filming The Adventures and recommended Edward. Edward played Watson until the end. He was a very good post- Richenbach Watson. While David was a very good pre- Richanbach Watson. These are the three men who actually made their respective roles. I actually owe them a lot. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have been interested in Holmes at all. I actually tried to read A Scandel in Bohemia and I dozed off. *blush* Oops.
   Anyway, back to the story, I combined Holmes, Watson, Jeremy, David, and Edward (not at the same time for the latter two. ;D) for a challeng a very good friend of mine issued in one of her stories. This is, actually, the second call. It's the prequel to the first one I wrote called Kicking the Habit, which takes place during The Return. This one jumps sometimes, but no fear I have indicated when it jumps. ;)
   One more thing, if you are curious s to these three actors, then I recommend going to your local library and getting one of the series I stated above, or watching them on Youtube. The episodes are only an hour, but they feel like thirty minutes. I suggest starting with A Scandal in Bohemia. :D I hope you enjoy! :)
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Contacts

The first day of a week of dress rehearsal for A Scandal in Bohemia.

"I'm not wearing them," Holmes protested, the latest protest in a long line of protest.

"Mr. Holmes, please, if you do not wear them, then the audience will know that there are two different actors."

Holmes glare up at the young make up girl defiantly. "I will not change my physical appearance to suit a very unobservant public."

The girl sighed. She looked around, caught Watson's eye and shot him a pleading look. Watson took pity on the girl and came to help her.

A week ago, the studio had hired an actor, who looked an awful lot like Holmes himself, but there were noticeable differences. One of those differences were that the actor had green eyes, while Holmes had grey. Hence the torture the studio decided to put him through. Contact lenses. Colored contact lenses. Holmes, of course protested.

"Holmes," Watson said, with a slight smile on his face, "did you know that if you don't wear the contacts, Mr. Brett will do the entire episode?"

Holmes glared at Watson, then reluctantly, more like resentfully, nodded his consent.

Very much relived, the make up artist told him how to put them in and how to take them out. With one last glare at the offending lenses, Holmes put them in.

---

That same day, after rehearsal.

With a grateful sigh, Holmes removed the lenses and rubbed his eyes vigorously.

"Bloody sponges," Holmes groaned.

"Here," a deep voice said beside him. "You'll need this."

Homes lowered his hand and took the small plastic bottle. He glanced at the man who had offered it to him. "What is it?"

"Eye drops It helps produce moisture in your eyes, in other words, artificial tears," Brett explained.

Holmes applied the drops to his dry eyes. His movements showed his immediate relief. "Thank you," he said, handing the bottle back to the other man.

"You don't like me much, do you?" Jeremy asked, accepting the bottle.

Holmes raised his eyebrow. "You know this, how?"

Jeremy pocketed the eye drops and withdrew a cigarette, but didn't light it. "Mainly your mannerisms. You're slightly more formal with me than the other cast and crew."

Holmes inclined his head slightly. "Hum, well done, Brett. I see you can think slightly better than the others."

Pleasant surprise passed over Jeremy's face. "High praise, indeed," he murmured. He flashed a smile, then left, lighting the cigarette as he went.

---

A week later. The first day of filming.

"Watson, if you force me to wear those cursed things again for another week, I swear I will kill you," Holmes growled.

Jeremy, who was leaning against the make up table, laughed. "Oh, yes, now I can see the headlines now: 'Legandary Detective Kills Doctor.' That will get you attention!"

Holmes glared at Jeremy, who looked back innocently. Watson chuckled.

"Okay, children," David said. He had come up just in time to hear Jeremy's comment, and was barely succeeding in holding back a grin. "Holmes, if you don't want to do all the scenes, then Jeremy could stand in." He glanced at Jeremy.

On cue, Jeremy became stiff and his eyes, now devoid of mirth, became inscrutable, and his face was the familiar indifferent mask. "I can, after all, be a convincing you," he intoned, then became himself again, grinning at David's and Watson's stares.

Even though the four of them had spent an entire week rehearsing A Scandal in Bohemia, Watson and David were still amazed at Jeremy's ability to drop his own personality and take on Holmes's at the drop of a hat. Holmes, however, was indifferent.

Holmes nodded. "Gladly, if it means not putting those leeches on my eyes again."

A delighted look lit Jeremy's eyes. Holmes's glare intensified, but Jeremy ignored him. Watson shook his head and muttered something about children under his breath. Then he looked at Jeremy and said, "You'd better get ready, they'll be filming in an hour, at least."

Jeremy pushed off the table and headed toward Wardrobe Department. Holmes watched him go, still glaring at the actor's back. "He's too cheerful."

David snorted a laugh and Watson raised an eyebrow. "That's you, Holmes, when you've got a case," he motioned for David to follow him. "You two are more alike than you think."

With that, Watson left, with David following him.

When they were out of ear shot, David looked at Watson and asked, "Do you think they will become friends?"

"They already are. More like irritating brothers, even if they don't recognize it themselves," Watson said, matter- of- fact.

End