Sherlock was sitting on the couch when the shrill ring of his phone cut through the peaceful silence.

"John…" He murmured lazily,

John stood up,

"Where,"

"Coat pocket,"

John walked over to the door where the coat in question was hanging.

"Sherlock Holmes' phone"

"Does brother not wish to speak with me?"

John glanced at Sherlock, watching him intently,

"No, I don't think so Mycroft," Upon hearing that name Sherlock lay back and closed his eyes,

"What do you want Mycroft?"

"I wish to ask a favour of my dear little brother,"

"He has too many cases now, we can't help,"

"This isn't a case."

John paused, mulling this over. Since when did Mycroft NOT have a case for Sherlock? And just what was this favour that he needs? John walked over to Sherlock and handed the phone over,

"Mycroft needs a favour and it isn't a case. Sherlock's eyebrows shot up. He held his hand out expectantly, getting up from the couch. John passed it over and Sherlock walked into the other room, answering the phone with a casual 'Hello dear brother'

Ten minutes later the shouting still hadn't stopped

"WHY MYCROFT, YOU HAVE NOTHING TO MAKE ME... No… YOU WOULDN'T! But I can't care fo- …Yes I know that you have every power t-… YES I KNOW. FINE, FINE. I'LL LOOK AFTER THEM"

Seconds later the sound of Sherlock kicking the door closed behind him echoed through the flat and Sherlock came storming through, throwing himself on to the couch angrily.

"So what was that about?"

Sherlock glared at him

"Well? You haven't shouted that much since your Aunt Je… No. Please tell me she isn't coming back here!"

"No, thank god. She was crazy! Dear brother cornered me into looking after Aunt Jenny's grandchildren, Annalise and Neville. "

John snorted,

"You, looking after children? Does he even know anything about you?"

"He wouldn't have done it anyway but Auntie is going to France for a while and Mycroft is in the middle of some negotiation that prevents Britain from blowing up or something. Mummy and Father are out of the country which leaves me alone to look after them,"

"Can't they just hire a babysitter, or a friend?"

"No. The Holmes family likes to keep family values. Screwed up with me I imagine. But the point is they don't trust anyone but family to look after them, they are the 'babies' I suppose and only the best is good enough. Yet another point that they messed up with."

"So when are they coming?" John asked, stopping Sherlock's ranting,

"Mycroft is dropping them off tomorrow,"

"Well then, I suppose that we'll have to take it day by day from tomorrow on,"

"Fine."

"And Sherlock?"

"Yes John?"

"How did Mycroft blackmail you into this?"

Sherlock's eyes widened,

"You heard that?" John nodded "Well… um. He threatened to send my baby photos to the team at the Yard…"

John stared. And burst out laughing. Sherlock groaned and rolled over on the couch, his back facing John. "If you're going to laugh then go away!" John laughed some more.

"Goodnight Sherlock. See you tomorrow." Sherlock groaned in response.