John's hoping for some well needed rest when he returns to Baker Street, but when he finds he isn't alone he wishes that he was.
John rushed up the stairs of his flat, carrying with him a small gem. On his walk home he found the beautiful sapphire sitting in a gutter of all places. Good thing there was a stick nearby for him to fish it out. He was planning to send it to the jewelers so they could find the owner of the lovely stone. He just needs to get to the phone since his had unluckily gone dead. Then he would be able to get some much needed rest since his aching head kept him up last night. Sherlock was doing an experiment with a whole container of fireworks, reassuring John that it was all for a good cause. He had told John that you never know when a man will get shot down by fireworks.
As he opens the door he is engulfed by angry screams. John stands frozen in the doorway as Mycroft shakes his fist at his younger brother, yelling at him like a madman. Sherlock had probably commented on Mycroft's dental health or weight again. He should know better than to tease the British Government by now, but siblings will be siblings. Sherlock shouted back at his older brother, not even noticing John standing in the doorway. John let out a sigh and stepped into the room. The Holmes brother's instantly grew silent as he returned, each yanking on their unbreakable masks. John hated it when they did that. They act like showing emotions is something to be ashamed of, but John never said so. There's probably some mouth dropping explanation about that in their unknown childhood and John was too afraid to ask about that of all things.
"Oh, please don't stop for my sake, please carry on. I love listening to a fight when I come home from work with an aching headache," John stated sarcastically. The Holmes brothers didn't register it as sarcasm in the slightest though and carried on with the fight. John shook his head and slumped into his chair, yanking out the sapphire he had found hours ago. He quickly stole Sherlock's magnify glass from the fireplace and looked over the blue rock carefully. He didn't know much about jewels, but on one of Sherlock's cases Sherlock had pointed out how to tell costume jewelry from real jewelry. John knew that it was safe to say that this lovely little rock was genuine. John got up, walking over to the phone to call the jewelers when Sherlock's hand snatched the blue stone from his fingers.
"Hey, what the hell are you-"
"Found it!" Sherlock shouted to his brother, holding up the gem. Mycroft's wild eyes grew calm by the sight of the lovely stone.
"Wonderful! John Watson, I am forever in your dept," Mycroft sighed, snatching the precious gem from his brother. John frowned at the two of them, unsure what was happening.
"I'm guessing this has to do with some case?" John asked, staring back at the glistening jewel that disappeared into Mycroft's jacket.
"If you want to call it that," Sherlock grumbled, slumping into his chair with his violin. Mycroft glared at his brother and then looked back at the old doctor, who was still waiting to hear the story.
"Yes, well, my supervisor came to me asking about a rare gem that had been missing from the palace for months. When I told him I hadn't found anything yet he almost strangled me and threatened my job if I didn't-"
"Holed up, you, the British Government got threatened because of some jewel?" John asked. Sherlock started snickering at his brother and Mycroft's face grew a light shade of red. John almost wanted to break down laughing too, but he didn't need to get on Mycroft bad side today.
"Anyway," Mycroft growled, attempting to carry on with his story. I came to Sherlock here for…assistance, but when he was chasing after the man who had stolen the priceless gem the thief tossed it into the gutter," Mycroft grumbled, glaring back at his little brother. Sherlock shrugged, not caring that his brother was stabbing him with angry eyes.
"You said get the thief so I got the thief," Sherlock sighed, ruffling his dark curls.
"I also said to retrieve the gem!" Mycroft shouted at him.
"Not my fault I couldn't hear you when your mouth was full. You seriously must get that sweet tooth of yours taken care of. Don't want to lose any more teeth do we?" Sherlock teased, glancing at his older brother with wicked eyes. John jumped back as Mycroft began to shout at his younger brother, calling him things John never thought would ever come from Mycroft's mouth. Sherlock seemed unfazed as Mycroft shouted into his face. In fact, Sherlock seemed to be enjoying his brother's rant. John, on the other hand was sure that his head was going to explode if Mycroft didn't stop shouting soon. "I wouldn't be the one calling me pompous if I were you, just look at yourself-"
"Shut it, Sherlock!" John shouted, but he was too late. The words had been heard and Mycroft was out for blood. The elder Holmes slammed his fist against the table, cracking it slightly. Sherlock muttered about how Mrs. Hudson was going to kill him for that, but he soon found himself dodging the deadly swing of Mycroft's umbrella. John jumped back, making his way to the doorway. There was no way he was staying around today. Not when Mycroft Holmes was on the loose. John didn't feel like going to the hospital for a blow to the head. It already was throbbing from last night's fireworks and the fight from only a few moments ago. John pushed the door open and flew down the stairs, bumping into sweet old Mrs. Hudson on the way.
"Something the matter, John?" she asked, smiling at him with concern. John let out a long tired sigh, flinching as he heard something shatter from upstairs. He turned back to the sweet little lady and pointed back up at the flat.
"Sherlock Holmes was home, that's what the problem is," John grumbled. Mrs. Hudson glanced up at the flat. Her eyes widened as something broke against the wall. Mrs. Hudson's sweet little smile flopped into an enraged frown that John had only seen during Black Friday sales. His eyes fallowed Mrs. Hudson as she disappeared into the room that was clearly being destroyed by the two Holmes brothers. John heard Mrs. Hudson shout at the two, but from the sound of crunching glass falling to the floor she was unsuccessful. John Watson realized there was only one last thing to be done. He had to hide out at Speedy's until the endless war was finished, which most likely was not going to be anytime soon.