A/N: As you might have discovered I had to up the rating to M for future chapters. Just to be save. - If you not Sherlock/Watson slasher I should warn you this is going to get slashy... sorry :D

For those still with me...Hope you enjoy :D Thanks to my Beta Magpieintheshadow

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Anna, John and Sherlock took up a small corner of the large reception room as more guests arrived. Sherlock giving Anna what she wanted in the form of three affairs, two pregnancies and one closeted banker, while drinking a large bottle of champagne to themselves.

Around them the party got into full swing. John watching, thought of the difference between what they considered a party and what he did. His family parties, when they'd had them, had been filled with loud crappy music, terrible mini sausage rolls and tons of alcohol. This was nothing like that.

"Oooh." Anna gasped suddenly, an hour into the festivities. "I forgot…" she giggled mischievously to herself, which had both men looking at her with uncertainty.

Anna jumped up from her seat and rushed away, her glass still clutched in her hand.

"What's she up too?" John asked Sherlock, certain he'd know only to have the detective shrug.

"I don't know, but I'd wager it won't bode well for us…." he met his friends gaze with an apologetic look. "…Whatever it is, I will apologize now."

John smiled. "I'm sure it's nothing too horrible, she probably just wants some silly photo or something."

John should really learn not to say such things, it's common knowledge that whenever you say something like 'nothing too horrible' or 'it can't get any worse' it usually does.

Anna returned with a flushed face and her hand hidden being her back. Instantly John knew something very horrible was about to happen. He gave Sherlock an uneasy worried look that the detective mirrored.

"It wouldn't be Christmas without this." Anna chuckled as she pulled the sprig of mistletoe out from behind her.

Never had two men looked more terrified. Not even being faced with impending death had brought that look to the men's faces. They quickly became aware of others eyes on them. How had they suddenly become the focus of everyone's attention?

"Oh come on boys. - what's a little kiss between friends and family." Anna prodded.

"Anna!" snapped Sherlock with a restrained anger, leaping to his feet. "Don't be ridiculous and childish. We are not here for your amusement." He knew John had a line and kissing him was most certainly on the wrong side of it.

Anna flushed a little, looking at the brother she obviously idolised. John could see the sheen of embracement on her face and the slight glint of tears in her eyes. Sympathy filled his gut. She hadn't meant anything by the proposal and after all, he and Sherlock were meant to be a couple, it would only be natural for Anna and everyone to assume they wouldn't mind kissing in public. Though something told John that PDA wasn't Sherlock thing.

As his face burned, his gaze scanned the crowds. Those that weren't staring at them with fascination were looking away and whispering. His eyes fell on the suspicious glare of Jacob across the room; he could see the spark of satisfaction in his eyes. John knew what he thought. - That he'd succeeded in driving that wedge between them, which didn't bode well for the future. It wouldn't take him long to make another move on Sherlock and from what he'd gathered from Anna, that would be a disaster of epic proportions.

There was only one thing John could think of to resolve the situation. To save Anna from her embarrassment and make it completely clear to Jacob that Sherlock was off limits. - The problem was, John wasn't overly sure he could do it.

His heart race with indecision. Harry would run him over the coals for being so small minded, that was after she'd reminded him of that dare back when he was seventeen. The memory of which sent an ice cold shiver down his spine. Damn his sister for that, though in hindsight, he had deserved it for being an ignorant prat.

Getting to his feet without allowing any other thoughts to seep into his mind, other than 'I've done this before. One quick peck and its over. Just close your eyes and think of England.' He took the mistletoe from Anna's slightly shaking hand and turned to Sherlock, who had never looked so surprised in all the time he'd know him. Not even when he'd walked out of that changing room at the pool.

"John?" Sherlock whispered. "What are you…"

He didn't get to finish the question as John, eyes tightly closed, pulled him down for a kiss that wasn't exactly passionate. - Hell, it could barely be considered a kiss, at least not from Sherlock's limited experience. It was a show for the viewers.

John tried not to think of anything expect that this was an act, a way of making things clear to Jacob. Problem was being a man who'd gone without for so long, makes it blood hard not to think about just how soft and strangely feminine Sherlock's lips where. Or the intriguing scent that was radiating off of him. But he fought the instinct to explore. He kept his hands motionlessly where they where, one above their heads holding the mistletoe and the other wrapped around Sherlock's lapel. He kept his jaw clenched tightly closed, not for fear of Sherlock taking this kiss further, but that he might. When he was sure the audience had had their fill and the point had been made, he pulled away from a still shocked Sherlock, handed the mistletoe to an equally surprised Anna and retook his seat.

It took a few minuets for the room to get back to normal. Anna scurrying off shamefully, yet somehow glowing with satisfaction. Sherlock sat back down next to John and the pair fell silent for a few moments.

"Why did you do that John?"

Watson shrugged. "I felt sorry for Anna. - She hadn't meant to upset you or me; she was just being… a kid sister. - Besides…" his gaze instantly lifted in search of Jacob. "…some people needed convincing."

Sherlock shifted in his seat and swallowed hard. Of course that had been the reason. What else could it have been? John was just playing the role Mycroft had cast him in.

"Well, as long as you remember…"

"Yeah, you're married to your work. - How could I forget, since for some unfathomable reason so am I."

Sherlock looked at John and grinned widely. "Don't say it like that John, you love it. - We both know that. - You'd be lost without me and our cases."

John grumbled in the affirmative, shaking his head. "That doesn't mean I have to like it, Sherlock. - Since meeting you, my life been one endless…."

"Adventure?"

"Disaster is more like it." he chuckled.

~ SHERLOCK ~

John walked aimlessly around the house in search of Sherlock. He'd been pulled away from his flatmate to speak to some Harley Street doctor. The rather dull medical discussion had lasted a good half hour. Thirty minutes of John smiling, nodding and silently praying Holmes would come rescue him, but there had been no sign of the detective. Knowing Sherlock, he'd probably considered it just punishment for siding with Mycroft or maybe for showing him up with that kiss earlier. - The one that John most certainly wasn't thinking about.

"Looking for someone John?" Anna smirked knowingly. She'd kept her distance since the mistletoe incident an hour or so ago but John was constantly aware of her watching him and Sherlock.

He smiled at her. Being around Anna made him wish him and Harry had a better relationship, but that would never happen as long as Harry was drinking. It hurt too much to watch her drinking her life away. If only she'd get help, but Harry was a stubborn cow and never, never listened to anyone. - Certainly not her brother."

"So where is he?"

Anna shrugged. "Lord knows, hiding away probably, that what he usually does." she glanced around the room. "Well, Mycroft and Percy are here, so he's not off drinking or arguing with them…" she laughed. "…so I'd lay money on the library."

John followed her gaze around the room, taking in all those present. - And more importantly who was absent. His gut tightened when he'd noticed that Sherlock wasn't the only one missing. Anna clearly had the same idea, if the look she was giving him was any indication.

"The library you say?"

Anna nodded.

John turning towards the hall, Anna right behind him. Before they reached it, they bumped into Mycroft.

"And where are you two escaping to?" he asked in his casual manner.

"Mycroft have you seen Sherlock?" John asked plainly, refusing to show his suspicions while all the while knowing the Mycroft would know just what was running though his head with a single look.

Mycroft looked from John to Anna to the room beyond then back to John. "No. - Try the library." he replied, his chin raised and his lips pulled tight angrily.

John gave a small nod and carried on towards the library across the hall. Now with both Anna and Mycroft as his shadow.

A/N: Thanks for reading, reviewing and faving. :D Your all so wonderful :D