John woke to a woman's shriek and a horrendous snarl and went flying out of bed. "Damn it Mrs. Hudson," he snapped as he went flying down the stairs. The woman in question was cowering on the floor at the base of the door and Sherlock in full dragon form was in the middle of his living room, wings fully extended and teeth bared in a snarl.

"Sherlock no!" John cried out, stepping between them. Sherlock stopped baring his teeth, but continued to growl, trying to peer around John at the elderly woman. John stepped closer, pushing against Sherlock's shoulder. As soon as his hands touched scales, the dragon snapped, pulling away from John's touch. He shambled off behind the couch, glaring back at both the humans as he grumbled and curled up on the floor, only his tail visible from behind his barrier.

"Mrs. Hudson you should probably go," John finally turned and told her, offering a hand to help her up.

"What is that thing doing in my house?!" she demanded, pointing accusingly at Sherlock who smacked his tail against the floor in agitation.

"He's army issue Mrs. Hudson. I put it off as long as I could, you know I did," John sighed, shuffling her towards the door. "We'll be out of your hair in no time." She started sputtering, but John managed to get the door shut and locked before she could get anything else in. "You should probably change and get dressed," John called to the dragon. "We'll have to get going soon." Another tail smack was his only response as he headed to take a shower quickly before they had to report to the army base.

When John returned to the living room washed and clothed Sherlock was waiting in his half human form and had even managed to cut and tie the t-shirt John had left him to his needs. He looked bored but followed John out of the apartment and even managed to hail a cab when John's tries had failed miserably.

When they arrived at the army base John led the way to a large warehouse looking building and stopped at the desk to check in. Sherlock looked around, noticing a few other dragons nearby. Most of them were collared and chained, being led around like dogs by their masters. The ones that weren't looked so miserably beaten and depressed that had the opportunity to escape risen they probably wouldn't even have tried taking it. Sherlock found himself growling under his breath when John realized what his source of distress was.

"I don't like those things either," John whispered. "Stay close and I don't think they'll try and make me use one on you." Sherlock growled again, but followed John to the next room and stood at John's shoulder as the man sat filling out papers. People and dragons alike were watching him and looking at John and that annoyed Sherlock even further. His wings twitched, stretching and closing in agitation.

"John Watson," a voice called suddenly. "And dragon: Sherlock." Someone snickered and Sherlock spun, fixing a piercing glare on the snivelling dragon that had dared laugh at him.

"Come on Sherlock," John said gently. "Forget about it." Sherlock gave the dragon one last glare that made the other visibly shrink before turning and following John, wings unfurling slightly. As soon as they had stepped into the next room a man was beside him and grabbed one of his wings without warning or asking. Sherlock snarled, whipping the appendage away and knocking the man back.

"Get your dragon under control!" a voice barked from across the room, a man stepped forward, a beaded grey dragon beside him. The dragon bared its teeth at Sherlock in challenge that Sherlock accepted full heartedly, starting to move forward still in his human form.

"Sherlock!" John pleaded. Wings twitched and finally he stopped, slinking back to John's side and flopping to the floor with a huff.

"Dr. Watson," the man greeted, shaking hands firmly. "I'm general Bowen. Found a fiery one I see." Sherlock snarled under his breath, and John swore his hair stood on end with the electrical charge in the air. "My bad," the general corrected, smoothing his arm hair down. "A lightning drake then."

"His name's Sherlock," John offered, standing at attention. "Just got him yesterday sir." The general shooed the man that had grabbed Sherlock out of the room and circled the two slowly.

"I think you two will make a fine pair," he finally said, stopping in front of them. "Dragon form please!" he demanded,taking a step back and placing a hand on his own dragon's shoulder. Sherlock grumbled, getting to his feet and unfurling his wings to full width.

"Please Sherlock," John pleaded. "Just do what he's asking...nicely." Sherlock grumbled, wondering again what made him want to please this army officer. A dark cloud gathered around him, seeming to flash lightning from within and then a cat-like shriek tore through the room and Sherlock burst out of the cloud, lightning crackling over his scales. He stood tall and proud, wings unfurled and glared at the grey dragon.

"Very nice," the general complimented. "Large enough for riding, good musculature, strong wings. Shall we fit you for a saddle?" Sherlock snorted, looking back at John who shrugged.

"Wouldn't hurt to have just in case," John reasoned. Sherlock visibly sighed, wings drooping.

"We'll at least get all the fittings for the harnesses and armor," Bowen said, stepping closer to take a better look at Sherlock. The grey dragon made a noise of distress as he drew nearer Sherlock and the general shushed him. "We're fine Lestrade." Lestrade sighed, wings stretching and closing. Sherlock looked bored, tail curling in a half circle around where John still stood. Suddenly the door burst open and a man came running in.

"Sir, sir, emergency!" John didn't quite know what happened at first except for suddenly it was quite warm. Sherlock was pressed against him, tail curled protectively and wing curved over him, snarling at the intruder who stood there smirking slightly.

"Test passed," the general chuckled. "Very well done." John turned back to the general, Sherlock reluctant to let him out of the protection of his wing.

"That was a test?" John demanded. "I almost had a heart attack!"

"We want to see that your dragon has some instinct to protect. It's hard to have a partner that has no interest in your safety whatsoever." Bowen was scratching away on something on his desk then paged fitters to come measure Sherlock for his harnesses. "Looks like you found a good one John Watson."