Greer's Turn

Genre: Family; Friendship; mild Humour

Pairings: Ensemble pairings

Main characters: Johnnie, Scott, ensemble

"Daddy," Johnnie said quietly, when they'd finished their story with him after dinner. "How can we make Greer's birthday special?"

Greg paused a moment, gazing down warmly at his son. He shifted his gaze to his other son, who also looked up at him, quizzically and expectantly.

"Greer always pays attention, Daddy, she always makes sure we all have special days. But her birthday is just so far away…" Scott's expression turned sad, and frustrated.

"But we don't want to WAIT. She's really IS the best little sister, some of our friends have sisters and brothers who only make them cross. Greer never does that with us, Daddy. So we want to SURPRISE her. Greer always says that it isn't REALLY a surprise if you KNOW it's a special day," Johnnie added.

"She's right, you know, Daddy," Scott said, with a grin to his brother, "just… please don't tell her I said that!" he finished, with a mischievous whisper.

Greg chuckled softly, then took a deep breath, and let it out slowly.

Usually, he had some sort of answer to queries like this. This time, however, he was at a loss - both for lack of ideas to share, and at amazement that Greer's older brothers thought so highly of their little sister.

"Well, that's a VERY grand idea, sons," he finally said to the young boys. "But I admit, even your old dad isn't sure. Perhaps we should ask around, yeah? I'm sure there are plenty of ideas around the house?"

And so, Johnnie and Scott Lestrade – second and third eldest of the 221 Baker Street children, set out to make a very special surprise for their beloved little sister.

From Ciana Anderson, Greer's best friend in the whole world, they got the idea to make it a striking shade of blue. "She loves soph…ears? Oh bother… those pretty blue stones."

"Ah, sapphires!" Johnnie said, as Scott took notes. "Anything else, CeeCee?"

Ciana smiled bashfully. "She loves white chocolate. At least she seems too. It's my favourite. I THINK she loves it. Oh bother… I'm not sure now, if she REALLY does or she's just being nice to me…" she said, frowning.

"Greer is your best friend, I'm sure she loves what you love, Cee, and she's NOT just being nice. You know that isn't Greer's way at ALL, especially not with YOU," Johnnie said. "You've been a great help, thank you EVER so much." Ciana blushed as he, then Scott, hugged her.

Next, they spoke to Rosie Watson, who happened, as usual, to have Julian for company.

"Roast chicken, like Uncle Greg makes," she said, without hesitation. "With his dressing. But she also likes cake like Daddy makes. Though… I think it's cheesecake. White chocolate."

"Hmmm," Scott said, as he referred to his notes. "Ciana also said she likes white chocolate. This seems to corry… corror… well it matches up," he finally said, with a sheepish smile.

"She prefers candles, she says sparklers make too much of a mess on the cake," Rosie added. "Not sure what else to say…"

"You've said plenty," Scott said, as Johnnie grinned with satisfaction.

"Greer loves a mystery, as well. I'm POSITIVE she's to be a copper someday," Julian said, with a bright smile. "Just like ME," he winked. "Scotland Yard won't know what's hit it once WE'VE joined up!" he giggled confidently, as Rosie sighed at him with a smile and a rolling of her blue eyes.

From there, they went to Michael and Grace Holmes.

"Not much fuss, but much effort, if that makes any sense," Michael said, casually. "Greer does a lot for everyone, she makes sure our parents make special days… but she tries always to be sure that… well, it's EASY."

"That's because she makes sure EVERYONE has something to do, Mikey," Grace said, reflectively. "It's OBVIOUS, really. Many hands make light work, that's what Uncle Phillip always says. And Mummy agrees too. Nobody has a LOT to do, but everyone has SOMETHING to do, and in the end, oh it's LOVELY, and GRAND," she said, with a happy smile.

"Many… hands… make…" Scott murmured to himself, as he wrote in his notebook. Johnnie smiled at this, before pressing onwards.

"I think we can have OUR Daddy cook, and we think Uncle John might bake a cake, though we've yet to ask him… oh he'd NEVER say no if it's for Greer! Mummy can be sure to have everything in blue, and candles but no sparklers…" Johnnie said, thinking out loud more than anything else, really.

"OH, OUR Daddy can make a MYSTERY! Greer LOVES a mystery. Oh I'm SURE she's to be a detective someday," Michael suddenly stated.

"Yes, Daddy is SO clever, and he LOVES Sherla… Greer I mean. I KNOW we can get him to think of a REALLY fun mystery game…" Grace declared, nearly bouncing with excitement.

"A… mystery… game…" Scott said softly, jotting down the ideas. He looked up at Johnnie, as they both remembered what Julian had said about her becoming a copper when she was grown up.

Next, they faced Auntie Alex and Uncle John.

"CHEESECAKE, you say?" Auntie Alex said, with a dreamy expression. "Did you hear that darling? Because I'll repeat it louder for you if need be... They want a cheesecake for Greer…"

"I think I caught the general notion, love," John said, with a sideways grin. "Blue raspberry, or blueberry? For the glaze, I mean?" he asked.

"Oh… Uncle," Scott said, looking to Johnnie.

"Whichever is the SAPPHIRE bluest, Uncle John," the namesake said, beaming.

"Right then… I think I know just what to do…"

Mrs. Hudson was their next stop.

"What in heaven's name is a MOCKTAIL, boys?" she asked, genuinely confused at the notion of anything THAT fancy prepared without alcohol.

"Why, they're drinks of course, for grownups, only made not ONLY for grownups, Grammy," Johnnie said.

"Oh… I think I understand… your Uncle Sherlock might help I think?" Mrs. Hudson asked, with a warm smile.

"Well, he made hot drinkies at Christmas for us that tasted just like what daddy and mummy had, and our uncles and aunties… and you…"

"But, Grams, we were also hoping you might arrange something to go with Uncle Sherlock's plans… you sometimes talk about old friends at the theatre…?"

"Ah, my sweet boys," she said, sitting down and gathering them to her. "I think I know what you're hinting at, and I think that what you're doing for your sister is WONDERFUL. She's a very, very lucky little girl to have big brothers like you! Oh what you're scheming will be SUCH fun!"

Their next stop was a bit trickier. They had to arrange to go with their daddy to New Scotland Yard, and on a day when they had not only the day off from school, but when Uncle Phillip was there with a lighter caseload, AND on a day Greg had relegated himself to desk duty and Molly was off shift early to retrieve them to take them home.

"It's for GREER, Uncle Phil," Scott said, sweetly. "You KNOW you're her FAVOURITE Uncle. Just don't tell Uncle Sherlock," he finished, with a whisper.

"Well, I suppose… I might be able to arrange that. It's innocent enough. And you say Sherlock is to arrange the details?"

"Yes, Uncle," Johnnie said. "Greer LOVES to think. She loves a challenge, I think that's why she loves to arrange things for everyone, it takes effort and consideration," he said, with a small smile.

"I might have guessed Greg and Molly's boys would be this clever and thoughtful," Phillip said, softly. A bit louder, he stated, "Well then, in that case, I think I know JUST what to do. Of course, I shall consult with Sher… I mean UNCLE Sherlock… to make sure it's all correct…"

In the end, Johnnie and Scott Lestrade's surprise to their baby sister went off without a hitch.

A classic dinner theatre – kid friendly, mind – in a closed room mystery format, with Greer set up as their lead Detective.

Greg was surprised, and not surprised at the same time, at the amount of detail his boys had managed to arrange. Molly simply smiled, having had no doubts at the cleverness of her twin sons.

John was happy the cheesecake had turned out alright – they could be tricky things, after all – and Sherlock had paid attention to the most minute of details, and then had taken the time to compose a violin soundtrack, to add to the drama of the game.

Mrs. Hudson had delighted in providing costumes, and drinks to make everyone feel included.

Phillip Anderson, correctly surmising what his "nephews" had been wanting, had provided mock clues and evidence towards the afternoon's festivities, which he and Ciana had planted around 221C whilst Greg and Molly, 'in the know', had their three children out for a visit to the park.

But Greer, beside herself with joyous excitement, had a bit of trouble believing anyone would go to this amount of trouble and fuss just for HER.

"I'm only your little sister, though," she said to Scott first, then glanced up to Johnnie. "I'm not that special, really."

Scott rolled his eyes as Johnnie giggled. "Of COURSE you are, Greer! Don't be silly. You always make sure everyone has a special day. It was just about time it was YOUR turn, is all."

Greer smiled at this, thinking to herself she really did have the best big brothers any girl could ask for.