Sorry for such a short chapter. In the process of working on 74. To make up for it here are some plot points that may be appearing soon:

• Texting

• More Milton

• Mycroft, You're A Complete and Utter Bastard!

• Siggy

• The Stag

• The Wedding

• The Confrontation

• The Second Fall

• Too Late

Enjoy!

Christmas dinner at the Holmes household was not your typical holiday dinner. Yes they had the traditional food and drink, they even had christmas crackers. Although both Sherlock and Mycroft refused to wear the silly paper hats and Sherlock didn't understand the need for plastic toys and horrible jokes. In the end Sherlock did wear a paper hat, it was forced onto his head by one Molly Hooper. Mycroft tore his to shreds, much to the disappointment of the other three.

Milton spent the dinner playing under the table and dashing in-between the legs of everyone in the room. Sherlock would occasionally, accidentally drop a tiny piece of food on the ground, pretending to be completely innocent whenever he was found out. Everyone knew he wasn't innocent. Eventually Milton realised if he prodded Sherlock with his paw, this produced more food.

In the end, Mycroft picked up the kitten and held him until Sherlock was finished eating. His brother barely ate anything anyway, the last thing he wanted was for him to give the cat his food. He was far too thin. However, Mycroft noted, he ate all of his desert. Still has that sweet tooth.

They retired to Sherlock's room again, Irene had placed a sprig of mistletoe above the door way. Mycroft got away without so much as a peck, Sherlock made a face as Irene kissed his cheek and Molly spent rather a longer than needed time under the mistletoe, but it was none of Sherlock's business. The two women had become very close since they had come to live here but that was none of Sherlock's concern. They've even gone out to dinner several times but that had nothing to do with him.

The small group watched several cheesy Christmas films that night. Sherlock ended up falling asleep on the couch, the kitten on his stomach, fast asleep as well. Irene and Molly were huddled together under the blanket until three am, when Mycroft finally ushered them out of the room. He prodded his brother until he was half-awake and helped him to his own bed. He removed the collar for Milton and placed him on the end of the bed. Milton licked his paw for a moment and then decided to go sleep on Sherlock's head. Smiling, the elder Holmes gave it a pat and left.

"No"

"Aw come on, just open it! I promise it's nothing alive, dead or bloody."

"No"

"Pleeease? It's Christmas!"

"Fine."

Sebastian ripped off the packaging, his eyes widening at a brand new L129A1 Sharpshooter Rifle. It was sleek, black and beautiful. He lifted it from it's box and assembled it. His eyes clearly displaying pleasure.

"Not bad Jim"

"What were you expecting?"

"After loosing that bet yesterday, the opponent's arm or leg or something"

"Oh that. I dealt with him, but I didn't think you'd want a limb as a Christmas present."

"Good deduction" Jim grinned wolfishly.

"Now, what did you get me?"

"Coal"

Sherlock awoke to the sound of purring right beside his ear. He rubbed his eyes and gently moved aside the kitten that had decided to sleep on his pillow. Yawning, the detective stumbled towards his bathroom to take a shower. He dressed himself in plain tracksuit pants and a top once more, pulling on a green hoodie. And then something odd happened. Two phones rang. His regular one and the one from Jim.

Picking up his normal phone he noted the message was from his brother. It stated that on no account was he to leave his room for at least two hours. Well that wasn't happening, he was already bored and actually hungry. The other message was not as deletable.

How was your Christmas Lockie? I see Johnny Boy had a lovely one with Miss Morstan's family. They have an adorable pair of twins. I doubt he even misses you anymore Sherlock. So why do you come and be my friend? If not I can always ask John.

Until we meet again,

Kisses!

Jim.

He should inform Mycroft of the message but that would be revealing that he had the phone. However John's safety might be at stake. As well as the relatives of Mary Morstan. Sherlock placed Jim's phone in his jacket pocket and pulled the hood over his head. Milton mewed mournfully, he didn't want to be left alone. "Fine" Sherlock picked up the kitten and held him against his chest, expecting him to climb up to his shoulder again. Instead the kitten decided to explore the inside of his hoodie. Which was horribly ticklish. As Sherlock began to walk, the black kitten poked his head up from the top of the hoodie and chirped.

"Whatever you say"

As he neared Mycroft's office he could hear the distinct sounds of an argument and Mycroft was not on the winning side. He placed his ear to the wood and listened, his eyes widening in shock when he recognised the other voice.

"Mycroft, you are a complete and utter bastard! You should have told me months ago!"

It was John.