28. From KnightFury - Snowballs.

Holmes mocks me for it, but I, John Watson, middle-aged and with a leg that balks at cold, love snow. I love watching the snow fall, whether it's coming down at a leisurely pace, or furiously, blanketing all of London in white. I love seeing children frolicking in it, making snowmen and snow-angels.

And I love snowball fights. They take me back to winter breaks spent at home, dodging snowballs thrown by my brother and tripping over the bulldogs yipping in the snow.

Apparently, Holmes is not so tender about the snow. But that never stops me from pleading with him, "like a child," he says, to go out and enjoy the weather.

One such winter day, after Holmes had already refused to enjoy the snow with me, he stuck his head out the window where I was helping some Irregulars fashion a snowman (with a scarf I had stolen from Holmes wound around its neck) and called, "Watson! We have a case on! Are you coming?"

"Yes, come down when you are dressed," I called. The boys pouted. "Come, come, you can finish him while I'm gone," I encouraged.

"Aw, but that'll take not much time atall," Tobias protested. "What can we do after tha?" A wicked idea popped into my head. I leaned forward, gesturing the boys close. "I have an idea, children. While I'm gone, you should..."

I sent the boys off just before Holmes came out to the stoop. "Where did you send my force?"

"They got cold," I lied easily. "Fill me in on the details, Holmes."

We returned to Baker Street about two hours later. Holmes was deep in thought, and had said scarcely a word since we had left the crime scene. I smiled to myself as he stepped onto the stoop of 221B, his back facing the street.

I saw Wiggins' head pop around the alley, and he threw the first snowball, which slammed into Holmes' back and shattered.

"What the deuce?" Holmes yelped, turning around and glaring at me. "Watson, don't be childi-"

He was interrupted by another snowball hitting his arm.

"Now, boys!" I shouted, and at least ten snowballs were thrown simultaneously. Holmes covered his face, dodging mostly unsuccessfully.

Holmes gaped at me as the boys emerged from their hidey-holes and grinned roguishly. His eyes narrowed. "I know you were behind this, Watson."

"Guilty as charged," I said cheerfully.

"I hope you know you have declared war."

"Excellent," I replied.

"I must call in some reinforcements, since you have such impressive numbers behind you. Then it begins."

To be continued in the next prompt.