John'd had one hell of a day. It was the start of July and they were in the middle of a heat wave which resulted in a large number of patients coming into the practice he was temping at. People feeling nauseous with headaches and suffering from dehydration were the main lot. He had to listen to people complaining in appointment after appointment, then he had to stay back for close to two hours to see everyone that needed to be attended to. It had turned into a twelve hour day and he was tired, hot and almost ready to admit to being grumpy as well.

It didn't help that today was his birthday. He'd considered turning the medical centre down when they had called but as they'd been light on paying cases recently he felt obliged to them up on their offer. Also at his age he shouldn't really expect a huge day of celebrations.

As he walked heavily up the seventeen stairs his feet gave every impression of having been replaced with lead weights. His shirt clung stickily to his back and more than anything he was looking forward to a glass of ice with water followed by a couple of cool beers.

Once he stepped into the main room of the flat he noticed that all the lights were out, Sherlock obviously wasn't in. John sighed, it would have been nice to have some company tonight.

After turning the kitchen light on he grabbed a glass and walked over to the fridge and accessed the freezer only to see that the ice blocks had melted. Wrenching open the fridge door the globe was out and raising a hand to the milk it confirmed that it had been without refrigeration for a while.

The unimpressed ex-soldier closed the door and looked behind the appliance doing what he could to keep calm. It resulted in his shifting in tight, controlled movements. He knew that the power was on so to him there was only one cause of this apart from if the thing had broken down. But there it was, the white good was unplugged. In its place a phone charger. Sherlock. This didn't even make sense, there were several other power points that were far easier to access for him to use. Obviously he just wanted to use that one.

John rested his forehead to the slightly cool metal near him and repressed the urge to growl. He decided to skip water and go straight to beer. Even though it wasn't as chilled as he would like he was going to drink it and he was going to enjoy it.

He stepped over to his laptop, this was when he saw the note attached to it:

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John- I'm out on a case, should be back around 10pm if the sister is quick to admit all guilt. Mrs. Hudson (who is staring at me like a woman possessed) suggested I let you know before I 'dash off without a word'. By 'suggested' I mean 'threatened me at knife point'- she actually has a knife (doesn't matter that it's because she was in the kitchen. A weapon is a weapon). She also says for you to come and see her when you return from work. Says it's a surprise but she has obviously been baking. Cake going by the icing sugar above her ear (left when pushing hair aside absently) and a sponge by the faint smell of strawberries.

PTO

On your bed is a paper bag with a medical journal circa 1895. I thought you would get something from reading it as it is a historical document and contains many interesting facts of its time. You may keep it although if you have no interest in the item then I require it to be returned to me so I can add the piece to my own collection. You'll be happy to hear that the author has mastered grammar to a level that far exceeds the efforts displayed on your blog.

SH

Ps. Mrs. Hudson is still watching me, I don't think she believes I'm writing a real note. If you find me here with stab wounds you know who to arrest. (Apparently it's rude to suggest she doesn't handle the heat well).

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John read the note twice before a small smile broke out on his face which split into a wide grin. In some sort of round about way Sherlock Holmes had just wished him a happy birthday and even gave him a meaningful present.

He'd also spoiled Mrs. Hudson's surprise but he wouldn't let her know that. The man couldn't help pointing out what the facts led to even though he was meant to keep it to himself. He wondered if the madman expected an 'amazing' for that. Knowing him he probably did.

Tired body all but forgotten the doctor dashed up the stairs to get his present and then planned on heading down to 221a. A jam sponge sounded delicious and he knew she'd have a cold drink for him there too. The day hadn't turned out too badly after all.

A/N: Oh, Sherlock. The idea of Sherlock giving John old medical journals is from my other story 'Mind if I Smoke?' Chapter 5. He discusses it with Mycroft making it sound as though he is getting them mainly for himself but, you know, if it serves the dual purpose of making John think he has a birthday present then that solves that problem too. Mycroft isn't fooled :)

Hope you enjoyed this instalment. Let me know what you think!