A.N. First of all, thank you to Hades Lord of the dead for organizing this challenge! Though this year I might be less punctual than in years past. For these of you who don't know me yet, I'm a fervent believer in Johnlock so that might find his way in sometimes. Flames will be used for the Bunsen burner. Today's prompt comes from Stutley Constable - A punch to the jaw. I've spent the past year in a BBC mood, so I suppose it shows...not sure if I should be sorry about it.
Lestrade would have sworn that doctor Watson was the even tempered one. And then...
To be fair, there was alcohol involved (though not much). Lestrade had invited the good doctor to the pub, which was packed full of policemen. Then again, the doctor was almost a man of the law himself with how often he'd helped them, and after being patched up subsequently to a particularly surprising case, the inspector had moved the doctor from acquaintance to friend.
In all honesty, he'd have invited Holmes too (he owed the man much more than a pint), but the detective was happily experimenting away and wouldn't have liked the interruption. So here they were, both nursing a drink, and with Watson enquiring politely about the missus, when someone came up to them.
It was the youngest of the inspectors (younger than Hopkins, even), newly promoted and not a little arrogant. Lestrade didn't like him much.
"Lestrade," the man greeted with a much unneeded vehemence, "you're the one, right? The one with the consultant. I say to you, be careful. Be very careful. You might find out that he's involved in the crimes he pretends to solve."
Before the older and much wiser inspector could explain that he was certainly not the only one 'with the consultant', as at least a third of the people here had cooperated with Holmes (though it was true that he'd been the first to accept Holmes' help), or just tell the idiot to go away, Watson had sprung to his feet and acquainted his right fist with the dunce's jaw, hissing, "Repeat it." If you dare was very much implied.
The youngster had blinked in shocked surprise, massaging gently the offended part. "What?" he'd uttered, uncomprehending. Thank God someone noticed and came to lead the moronic boy away, while he whined still, "What did I say? Nobody can be that good."
The doctor, who had seemed ready for a honest-to-God brawl, had deflated immediately and sat down grumbling, "Sorry Lestrade but I'm not sorry for doing that."
The inspector shrugged. "He was decidedly out of line, I can't say that he didn't deserve what he got. Though I thought that you were a much more patient sort, doctor. It's a pity that Holmes couldn't come tonight, though. Once he got instantly deduced the boy would be forced to understand that yes, our friend is just that good."