Holmes looked back over his shoulder at the two Inspectors. Lestrade frowned; Gregson sighed and turned to his companion.

He swung, hard. Lestrade was not quick enough to block the other Inspector's blow. Gregson's fist connected and Lestrade staggered back. He straightened up almost immediately, however, and countered with a quick punch directed toward Gregson's stomach. Within a few seconds the two were going at it and attracting quite a bit of attention.

A crowd was gathering. Taunts, jeers, and cheers were thrown out; the Inspectors' audience was enjoying the spectacle. The fight, however, was quickly turning nasty. Both men were going to be feeling this in the morning.

The two large men guarding one of the back rooms decided it was time to break up the fight. They stalked purposefully toward the Inspectors, and Holmes went in action.

It was only a moment's work to pick the lock on the door. Holmes opened it and slipped inside, noting out of the corner of his eye that Lestrade had been knocked down after hitting one of the guards. He calculated that the Inspectors could last for perhaps two and half minutes longer.

He hoped it would be enough time.


Disclaimer: Sherlock and the boys do not belong to me.