221B Recs

Title: The Empty Station
Author: ivywatcher
Pairing: Gen
Length: 17,153 words
Rating: Teen
Warnings: None
Verse: BBC Sherlock
Author's summary: In the wake of the Reichenbach Fall, Greg Lestrade confronts a life that is often complicated, never easy, and not even entirely in order. Here's the thing: Sherlock Holmes was no killer, but he always was a liar. Novella-length, non-linear, and character-heavy. Spoilers for...everything. This is one of my favorites.

Author's Note: Thank you in advance for your reading time! I'm glad to have you here. Nonlinear storytelling turned out to be quite the challenge, and as always, the characters of Sherlock turned out to be fantastic material to work with. As always, your comments, thoughts, and criticisms are gratefully accepted, and entirely appreciated. The title comes from the first stanza of Pablo Neruda's Poem, "Don't Go Far Off":
"Don't go far off, not even for a day, because --
because -- I don't know how to say it: a day is long 
and I will be waiting for you, as in an empty station
 when the trains are parked off somewhere else, asleep."

Reccer's comments: This a primarily a Lestrade character study beginning from the moment Sherlock jumps in Reichenbach Falls. You are in the hands of a master storyteller. Trust her and Lestrade and take this journey with them. (Although there are no pairings per se, John's grief and strong feelings for Sherlock are featured prominently.) The reader follows Lestrade through the next several months as he pieces together what happened and tries to right his career.

Through his interactions with John's mourning, Mrs. Hudson’s concern, Mike Stamford’s honesty, Mycroft’s reach, and an original character, Sergeant Leigh Hopkins’s earnestness, Lestrade’s strengths shine and his determination grows. There are many strong moments that linger in my mind’s eye, but one of my favorites involves Lestrade, John, and Mycroft at St. Bart’s sitting on a hallway floor and leaning against the wall. The author’s personal challenge to reveal the story in a nonlinear structure is powerful, and I can’t imagine reading it any other way. This is a “treat” I hope you’ll savor.