Shades of return,

..a few opening chapters or drabbles on some of the ways Sherlock could have "returned, some more fanciful than others. If you want me to continue with any let me know, otherwise feel free to use as prompts for stories or ideas (please contact me first).

Enjoy!.

1. Rat

"Tell me when it's starting John; I'm just making a cup of tea."

"Right, the news is still on Mary, another five minutes. Wha..what the heck was that?" He squinted at the TV screen which was showing a quirky item at the end of the nine o'clock news.

"And finally," the newscaster had just announced, "we are going to go live to Jake Bunt, our man in the Far East, where a surprising development has taken place in the local animal population , Jake?"

A reporter was standing in some hot place, microphone in hand, where he was reporting that the local vermin there were running riot and proving difficult to exterminate..."Here in the island of Sumatra, the rats are taking over. Not just in numbers - they seem to also be increasing in size."

As if to prove his point a rather massive specimen ran over a wall and the reporter jumped out of the way.

"Mary, come and take a look at these bloody huge rats!"

"What?" His partner called from the kitchen, "You know I can't stand rats John, urghh, tell me when Downtown starts. I am making your tea."

The reporter came back into shot trying to look professional again.

"A team from Cambridge is here to investigate what is causing these rats to grow so large, meanwhile the local population is being told to be patient and an evacuation plan is being drawn up."

The screen shifted to a team of what appeared to be scientists working. John suddenly jumped up, startled, "Is that...it can't be! That's Dr Stapleton from Baskerville! Cambridge my foot- something's going on!"

Dr Stapleton kept avoiding the camera and as the footage shifted, John caught a glimpse of someone in the background bent over a microscope. It was a fleeting flash but he felt his heart burst. Quickly he picked up the remote and rewound back to pause on the figure. Trying to keep calm he went up to the television to try and make out who it was. The picture was grainy and indistinguishable and he was unsure of his first instincts. It was impossible, he must be mistaken. He must be.

"Has it started yet?" Mary came into the living room with two cups on a tray and some nibbles. She stopped in her tracks.

"John, whatever's the matter? You look like you've just seen a ghost! "

John recovered and took the tea from her, moving towards the door. "I'm, I'm going into the other room to call someone, don't delete that recording."

"Oh, you're recording Downtown then? Thought you didn't like it. It has won awards, you know. I thought we could watch it together -John, can't you phone whoever later?"

"I've recorded the news, not your silly Downtown." He snapped.

"No need to shout! Look, what on earths the matter John? "

"It's nothing, probably. Sorry Mary, you watch your programme. "

He went into the bedroom and took out his phone; shakily dialing the number he had memorized but hadn't phoned for quite some time. He heard the phone ringing as his heart pounded and a familiar voice call his name in answer. John took a deep breath.

"Tell me he's alive," he pleaded, a mixture of hope and anger running through him.

The voice on the other end of the line sighed patiently. "I was waiting for your call, John." There was a long pause. John held his breath.

"You can leave tonight if you like. I have a private plane waiting for my signal. Do say you'll come, we have need of a former military man with surgical skills and you have precisely the skill mix we are looking for on her majesty's service in the Far East".

John swallowed. "Is it really..."

"Say no more John, there are mice in the wainscotting, listening and tapping about. Vermin are everywhere aren't they? But yes, our special agent, code name Altman is indeed miraculously alive after a terrible accident and he has been asking for your services day and night. I do hope you won't disappoint. The plane can leave in one hour. It was unfortunate that footage got to the news but it has now been lost. I was rather expecting this call as soon as I saw the broadcast. We must move quickly now."

John let out a shaky sigh. He went to shut the bedroom door.

"What do I tell Mary?"

"Tell her an old friend is of need of your medical expertise. You will be a few days possibly longer, but we will take care of any expenses and loss of earnings. She will be fine John, no need to worry."

As he ended the call, John felt as if his life was beginning again. He knew what he must do.