Wednesday 10th December 2104 - mistletoe

I would never admit it, but I have been sleeping. I found it difficult to meet with Morpheus last night, what with the case and one thing and another, and so I eventually succumbed on the settee when I simply ran out of energy.

Something is tickling my ears and causing my forehead to itch. I open my eyes at the sound of a resounding click.

"Merry Christmas Holmes," Lestrade smiles at me as she shoves something that looks suspiciously like a camera into a small pouch.

I force myself into a sitting position none too gently. My protesting body is a mere appendix to my brain and so it is easily ignored. "What brings you here?"

"The pipeburst case is officially concluded," she informs me with a smile. "I thought you might wanna know that we've got a confession."

I smile. "At last! I have come up against Finley on three occasions in this last year, despite being... indisposed... for a time. I wonder if I would be able to prove him capable of his other crimes now that we have him within our grasp..."

She sits beside me and rests a hand upon my shoulder. "You can afford to take today off; you earned it. I heard about what you did - facing that guy without any protection while he waved a zedding ioniser under your nose."

I shrug and smile. "Somebody had to keep him busy and I could not send Watson in - he has no weapon either and is best suited to combat, not negotiations."

"Well, even the Chief has to admit it was heroic and you did a good job, so you should be pleased with yourself," she then pokes me and wags a finger in my face. "But I'm getting that injured penguin getup of yours ioniser-proofed. You could've been hurt or worse!"

I sniff and shrug. "I did not expect to find Finley there," I admit. "I did not expect to find anyone aside from Barton and Finley has a habit of replacing his cars so frequently that even I am unable to keep up."

"Are you sick?" she asks half-humorously, though I can see her underlying concern. "That's two mistakes in a single month! Are you OK?"

"Hum! Very funny Beth."

She huffs and touches my arm. "Joking aside Sherlock, maybe you need a break. You seemed tired yesterday..." she shivers and grimaces. "It's cold in here too. Why don't you take a vacation? I bet Watson'd thank you for it and you know I'll call you if I need you."

I shall think about it. I frown as I again become aware of something atop my head causing my brow to itch and I snatch it. It is a red hat trimmed with white faux fur.

"What the deuce is this?"

"It's a Santa hat Sherlock."

"Is it really? And why was it on my head?"

She smirks. "To help keep you warm when you slept."

"Thank you," I frown at her. And then something catches my eye. It is green with white berries and it is hanging above her head from a red ribbon. "And what is that?"

She flicks her eyes up at it and smiles mischievously. "Mistletoe. Know what the tradition with mistletoe is?"

"No." Yes actually, but I am not encouraging that.

"Yeah you do," she smirks at me and then kisses my cheek. "See? That wasn't so bad, was it?"

No actually, but I simply shrug and look away. It is rather warm in here and I shrug off the rug that I was covered with while I slept and go to stand in the window to make use of the draught.

"Aw! You're blushing!" she laughs. "I don't think I've ever seen you blush before."

Go away! "I am feeling hot, that is all."

She snorts. "Whatever you say. Bye Sherlock."

"Good bye Lestrade."