Presentation Mishaps

'I'm not going.' Sherlock shouts from his bedroom. John rolls his eyes as he fixes his tie in place.

'Yes, you are.' Sherlock's opens his bedroom and sticks his head.

'No I'm not.'

'You promised our father you would go. Besides, I thought you wanted to see Mary.'

'I do.' Sherlock whinges as he ambles into the living room and slouches in his chair.

'So get dressed and come on.'

'I don't want to go to some boring event to support someone who might not even win.'

'The award Father is up for he had to be nominated for by other officers. He's guaranteed to win it.'

'Wonderful.' Sherlock throws his arms up in frustration. 'The minimal anticipation has completely disappeared.'

'Sherlock. Our father is expecting the both of us.'

'Would I be able to speak out deductions?' Sherlock stares up at the mirror locking gazes with his elder brother.

'I think Dad might let if they're quiet and the person isn't nearby.'

'What's Mary wearing?' John tosses Sherlock his phone.

'They sent you a picture.'

'They request that you choose either the purple or grey.'

'Who's got the red?'

'Dad.'

'The blue?' In the mirror John raises his tie. 'Oh.'

'Are you going to attend?' Sherlock shrugs. 'You've got twenty minutes before they get here?'

'Is Mycroft going?'

'Yes, with Sally. If you come then between the six of us we have a table to ourselves. Oh and Anderson is banned.' Sherlock perks up. 'Thought that might entice you to come.'

'I never said that.'

'I don't hear you denying it.' Sherlock sneers at John's reflection as he turns. 'Are you coming?' Sherlock pulls a different face and ambles over to his bedroom.

'I'll think about it.' John smirks as the landline begins to ring.

'Hey Dad.' John hears the door to Sherlock's bedroom opens, John activates the

'Is he coming?' Greg asks

'Yeah, I think so.'

'You think so?'

'I let slip about Anderson being banned and he was interested. He asked what Mary would be wearing and whether Mycroft would be attending at Sally's side.'

'He's listening isn't he?'

'Yep.' Hidden behind his door Sherlock pulls a face as he listens to the conversation.

Sherlock re-joins the table after the interval for another round of dreary (in Sherlock's words) awards. The concession for Sherlock is that the entire table is as bored as he is after Greg has received his commendation. 'The awards now are the civilian bravery.'

'John, you should be getting one.' Mycroft murmurs.

'Getting a bravery award?' Sherlock scoffs. 'He would get the lot.'

'Be quiet you two. It's starting.' Greg hisses. John rolls his eyes at the antics of both Scarlett Holmes' sons. 'Scarlett would be ashamed of you.'

'Scarlett wouldn't be surprised.' Mary quietly says making quietening Greg. Mycroft's phone chimes loudly in the silence as the everyone else waits for a name to be announced.

'Apologies.' Mycroft stands and swiftly leaves the room shooting an apologetic glance at Greg, Sally and the Chief Constable. Sherlock stares after him.

'Lucky git.' Sherlock leans on his fist and sighs heavily. Mycroft re-appears at the door and beckons to Sherlock. The younger Holmes slowly and carefully threads his way to join his maternal brother.

'Every chance he gets.' Greg mutters to John. 'Every chance to escape.'

'To be fair, he did only come to see you get the award.' John mutters. 'I managed to persuade him with Mary and to support you and he got to do a little light deducting on the side.'

'Which he's done.' Sally mutters.

'This really isn't his scene is it?' Greg concedes the point as John's mobile indicates at a message has arrived. 'They want you and me. Sorry ladies, nothing about you two.' Greg and John rise from the table and swiftly make their way over to Sherlock and Mycroft. The four of them mutter among themselves before Greg peels off to speak to the host and the chief constable. John follows him but heads towards Mary and Sally. The two women grin and rise. The party of six leave the hotel and breathe a sigh of relief.

A/N:- This is for Book girl fan, who wanted some sort of family time. Next time… Mycroft and Sally attempt to make a cake ATTEMPT!