Disclaimer: I don't own a thing. A. N. Today's prompt is from cjnwriter: "Lestrade is acting strangely. Why?" Thank you!

Usually Lestrade didn't call at 221B for social visits. As worthy of admiration as Holmes was, he wasn't exactly the kind of man you wanted to just share a glass and smoke with – and honestly, he doubted that the consulting detective would appreciate it too, if Hopkins was any evidence. The youngest inspector's attempts at friendship had been encountered with enthusiastic lessons in deduction, but not really a sociable attitude.

So when Lestrade visited, despite being informed by Mrs. Hudson that the detective was out, Watson – who was at home, offered to take a message and any detail of the case.

The inspector replied, "Oh, there's no case at present," shrugging. The doctor immediately worried that he was the one being sought, and asked about Lestrade's and his family's health, only to once again be assured that they were all well. In the meantime, the policeman continued fidgeting and not-so-covertly glancing around.

Watson frowned, wondering what was up. But apparently all the inspector wanted was to chat about the weather, his wife's cooking talent, and other apparently random subjects, before he left with the most cheerful wishes of the season.

When Holmes' returned, his flatmate tried to discuss their acquaintance's odd behaviour, but as soon as he was informed that no work was on sight Holmes cut him off. There had been no interesting case in a while, and that always made the sleuth cranky.

The Mystery of the Equivocal Inspector solved itself on Christmas Eve, when a 'secret Santa' gift appeared on their threshold for Holmes.

"If he was really committed to secrecy, he might have persuaded someone else to write the address and well wishes for him…as if I wouldn't recognised Lestrade's calligraphy despite the shoddy attempt at changing it," the detective huffed.

The content of the package was a small block of amber-coloured summer rosin. "Thoughtful of him to notice I'd almost finished my reserve of him. I certainly didn't mention it. It appears the good inspector can conduct his own investigations when he wants," he added, in a much more light-hearted mood.

Next goal: don't look like a crook during them, Watson thought to himself, a smile fluttering on his lips.