Disclaimer: Don't own, not claiming, not making any money!
Author's Note: This 221B ficlet is a gift for ladyprydian on the occasion of her birthday and was inspired by a wonderful fic she wrote called "101 Deductions" - link in my profile.
Tess of the Baskervilles
The growl was deep and loud, vibrating through the flat with vicious, primeval menace. It was followed by a flurry of barks that promised, if not actual evisceration, then something just as painful.
John smiled, impressed despite himself; Tess had barely made a sound in the three days since they'd brought her home but she was clearly hell-bent on making up for that now.
'What is that?' Mycroft brandished his umbrella towards the quivering bundle of black and white fur that had planted itself firmly between him and Sherlock.
'Mycroft, meet Tesla.' Sherlock smirked at Mycroft's pale face. 'And can you really not identify a ten-week-old Dalmatian when she's three feet away?'
Tess - needle teeth bared, hackles bristling, and tail held stiffly aloft - inched forward deliberately.
'It must sense my … dislike of canines,' Mycroft said, swiftly stepping back.
'She dislikes uninvited guests,' John said, scooping up the still protesting Tess and cuddling her close. Sherlock stepped up behind him and wrapped his arms round them both.
'Goodbye, Mycroft,' John said pointedly, over the continuing snarls.
Mycroft fled.
Sherlock gently caressed her silky ears, John murmured "shush" and kissed the black spot right on the very top of her head, but Tess's grumblings didn't cease until the front door slammed.
'Well I never.' John grinned up at Sherlock. 'That's an unexpected bonus.'