Prompt from Book Girl Fan: Secret Santa at Scotland Yard.

I am in the middle of a group project for school and don't tell Holmes, but I'm ready for murder. I WORK BETTER ALONE!

It started with the cigarettes.

A box of Woodbines left on the desk of a retiring constable, then a hot meal delivered while they were out on patrol.

Who could it be?

The new bloke trying to butter his way up the ranks?

Or perhaps the kind landlady over at 221 Baker Street? She was always stopping by with biscuit tins and knitted gloves during the holiday season.

Lestrade lowered himself into his chair with a thoughtful expression. Gregson had just received a brown paper parcel and was studying it with a look as if the contents were lethal. For a moment, Lestrade was put out that he did not yet have a gift, but if the package in Gregson's hands turned out to be nefarious, he would count his blessings.

"Ho! Gregson!" Doctor Watson said cheerfully as he made his way towards Lestrade's desk. "An early Christmas gift?"

"It appears so, sir."

"Who from?"

"It doesn't say."

"Ah, an admirer?" the doctor winked with a grin. Everyone enjoyed teasing Gregson on his influx of lady friends ever since he had sprouted that moustache. Lestrade found it ridiculous, but it did the officer good to have someone boosting his self-esteem.

Gregson flushed. "No, sir. I don't believe so."

"Go on, open it."

Lestrade half-rose from his desk to watch the paper being ripped open. The contents didn't appear to be dangerous, no plume of smoke or screams. "Oy! Gregson! What is it?"

"A kit for my moustache." Gregson's flush deepened. "A nice one too."

Lestrade rolled his eyes and fell back into his chair with a grumble. Perfect. Now the boy's moustache would become more of an obsession than it already was. Shuffling through papers, Lestrade glanced up as Doctor Watson settled himself into the chair across his desk. "What can I do for you, doctor?"

"Holmes sent me for the Larson case files."

"Ah, of course. I left them right here…"

The inspector busied himself looking for the file while keeping an eye on the doctor. Could he be the kind-hearted culprit? It was in his nature to do so. His colleague, Mr. Holmes didn't seem the sort. Slowly, he set the folder in front of them. "A kind gesture for Gregson, don't you think?"

"Oh, certainly." Watson smiled again. "I love this time of year."

"The Yard has been very blessed this year. Someone has been leaving gifts rather frequently."

"Really?" the doctor sounded genuinely surprised. "How thoughtful."

"It's become a bit of a game here to figure out the source." Lestrade leaned back in his chair. "Perhaps we'll send Mr. Holmes on the job."

Watson laughed as he picked up his cane and hat. "He'd find the idea absurd and you know it." The folder was picked up next. "Thank you, Inspector." He tipped his hat. "Good luck catching your secret Saint Nicholas."

Lestrade smiled demurely and waited for the doctor to reach the front door before whistling for Gregson and Clarke. "You two aren't doing anything. Follow Doctor Watson and see where he goes.

"But, sir-

"Just do it." Lestrade returned to his paperwork. "I want to get to the bottom of this."