I know this is one of my shortest chapters yet. And that the gap between chapters is HUGE. AND I'M SO SORRY!

Between school and home I've had just about no time thanks to exams and assignments. But Holidays are coming up! And there's hope for better chapters!

SORRY! and Enjoy!

Chapter 20

St. Kilda beach

St Kilda

Melbourne

VIC Australia

"Where are they?" Lestrade asked as he walked off the tram, closely followed by Sally who tripped over herself as she scrambled to get off the tram,

"They'll be around," Sally replied, soaking in the warmth that radiated of the very ground they stood on.

"That's a brilliant description, that," Lestrade said, scowling slightly and Sally laughed,

"Why are you so grumpy?" she asked, pulling him across the road as the light changed to green,

"Because…" the only way that Lestrade managed to keep the whine out of his voice was reminding himself that it was the most annoying bit about working with Sherlock – it was like working next to a five year old. Lestrade wondered whether John ever made that comparison. After all, he was living with the man. Lestrade had no idea how John did it. He must really have the deposition of a saint.

"IF YOU MAKE ME WEAR THIS, I WILL PERSONALLY MAKE EVERYDAY OF YOUR LIFE WORSE THAN MYCROFT EVER COULD!" The raised voice caught both Sally and Lestrade's attention and they spun around to see shirtless John with a towel wrapped around his waist and – much to Sally and Lestrade's great shock – a laughing Sherlock Holmes. Not just a sneering or chuckling Sherlock – an actual, genuine, carefree and normal Sherlock hanging onto the railing for support as a furious but somewhat amused John stood there yelling at him, red in the face and all but breathing fire. Lestrade's mouth fell open at the sight while Sally was tempted to actually look for her camera as they both stood transfixed, watching the scene.

"J-Pierre-Pierre," the consulting detective couldn't get a clear word out to save his life,

"Don't even try and charm your way out of this situation," John said, huffing and leaning against the railing, ignoring the heat as it spread through the towel and warmed his back as the sun blazed down on him. He sighed and let his gaze fall onto the tram stop to see Lestrade and Sally walking towards him. He had to resist the urge to run towards Sally and beg her to knock some sense into Sherlock, because he had a niggling feeling that once she actually saw what he was wearing, she would insist that he keep it on, and then convince Lestrade to side with her as well,

"Fancy seeing you here!" Sally said, smiling as John uncrossed his arms to welcome her,

"Same thing I could've said about you," John said, accepting her hug as Sherlock composed himself enough to receive a hug from Sally,

"You're looking awfully chipper," Lestrade said, grinning - somewhat maliciously in John's opinion - at the doctor,

"And you're look ridiculously overdressed for the beach," John said, looking Lestrade up and down, making the inspector flush under his gaze,

"Yeah well-"

"I got him a new pair of swimmers!" Sally cut in, looking excited,

"Really? I got Pierre a new pair too!" Sherlock said and John wondered when his…boyfriend? He winced a little at the word but that was what Sherlock was – he wondered when his boyfriend had turned into such a girl.

"Take the towel off, dear," Sherlock said, managing to keep a straight face. John had to admire his skill,

"No,"

"Please?" and then Sherlock brought out the puppy dog eyes. God save the world from those puppy dog eyes.

"No," John said, and Lestrade's jaw dropped open. John could say no to those eyes? Sherlock frowned,

"If Mitch permits himself to be embarrassed, will you?" Sally asked and the Inspector bristled,

"HEY!"

"Well we didn't buy them to keep them hidden under a suit," Sally said, "Go on, take the suit off,"

"Here?" Lestrade asked, fixing an incredulous stare on Sally and watching from the corner of his eye as John raised an eyebrow,

"I will if he will," John said, feeling like he was in the middle of army initiation. Lestrade turned to him,

"No!"

"It can't be worse than what Bob made me wear," John said,

"Trust me, it can," Lestrade replied and John laughed,

'Worse than the dress?" Lestrade turned a shade redder as Sally chortled,

"Shut up," Lestrade mumbled, and John laughed again before sighing at Sally and Sherlock's expectants gazes,

"On the count of three?" he asked, resigned to his fate,

"I can't believe I'm doing this," Lestrade muttered as Sally clapped her hands,

"Pictures!" she said and John looked at her,

"You know, technically, we're not even meant to be spending time together,"

"These are on a private camera," Sally waved a dismissive hand,

"No such thing as private in this business," Sherlock cut in before Lestrade could say anything, but just as relief flooded Lestrade the detective added, "but who cares?"

Dreading his every move, Lestrade removed the tie around his neck and threw it at Sally, pulling his shirt out of his pants and removing the jacket, swiftly taken by Sally. John watched his through narrowed eyes as he unbuttoned the cuffs of his sleeves and pulled off his socks and shoes. Sometimes, the DI wished that life could be easier. Then he reminded himself that his luck meant that wouldn't happen any time soon.

Sofitel Hotel

Presidential Suite

Melbourne CBD

Victoria, Australia

"You need to get the news out, and you need to make it fast, we don't know how long he'll be staying here," Howell said, his smooth voice sounding ice cold as he gave the orders to his 'secretary' who became his bodyguard and lackey at every other moment outside the office,

'Yes sir, I'll get onto it right away,"

"Does that mean three hours from now?" came the cutting remark and the man paused,

"No, it means right now," with that he turned around and walked out. Howell smiled as he kicked his feet up on the table. It was nice to have someone brave enough to walk away from him. If anyone apart from his loyal guard tried it though…well…they would lose more than just their Christmas bonus. The man picked up a grape and chewed thoughtfully on it as he wondered how he much richer a man he was going to become. God, he loved a good scam.

St. Kilda beach

St Kilda

Melbourne

VIC Australia

The sight of the foreshore of the beach was one to behold and remember should you be fortunate enough to be passing by. A former Detective Inspector and an Army surgeon, standing and looking mortified, in nothing but a pair of Speedo trunks.

"At least it couldn't be any worse,"

"That I'll have to agree on," Lestrade said, as both Sally and Sherlock regained their composure.

'Anyone for a swim, then?" Sherlock asked and Lestrade rolled his eyes,

"I don't see why not," he glanced at John,

"Yeah," The doctor slung his towel over his shoulders and made his way towards the stairs, followed by Lestrade with Sally and Sherlock tailing up the back,

"Not bad work, detective," Sally said and Sherlock turned his head towards her, a faint smile on his lips,

"Could say the same for you, sergeant," he finally gave in and allowed the wolf's grin to spread across his face as the screams of children playing mingled with the taste of the warm summer's-end air.

Deep in the heart of the city, signs were going up, and the underground world was buzzing. Howell was throwing another high rollers game, the rumours were about, and apparently, there was a new player in town.

Strange how news travelled so quickly.

That's all folks. :D For now.

I WILL try and get another chapter out before the end of this week. I will. Really.

Thanks a million for sticking by and taking the time to read! Love you all to bits!

Aza
xoxo