Hades Lord of the Dead's December Calendar Challenge of Awesomeness 2013-2014 - Day Twenty Nine
[Prompt from Lucillia]From Lucillia: Dec 29. Surprise party.
I am not quite sure why Lestrade and I thought that it would be a good idea. I suppose we were simply very glad to have Holmes back from the dead. In hindsight, it was not the best idea that either of us had ever had; it should have been obvious that it would take more than a three year long absence to cause our friend to enjoy parties.
"He's coming!" hissed Gregory. "Quick! Places everyone!"
Holmes entered the room and flicked on the lights. "Oh God no!" he groaned. "Why are you all lying in wait for me? Is this your idea Watson? Mind your head! Yes, of course I can see you. I think that you had better come out from under there before you hurt yourself."
Despite my old war wounds, I had squeezed into the shadows beneath Lestrade's desk. I extracted myself gingerly.
"That's better," my friend remarked once we had all come out of hiding. "Now, perhaps you could kindly explain to me why I have been called here under false pretences, Lestrade?"
The little dark-eyed man frowned at him. "The idea was that we all throw you a party as a means of... well... we are all very glad to have you back with us."
"You made that quite clear on the night when you arrested Colonel Moran. Besides, I have been 'back with you' for almost a year!"
The inspector nodded. "And you celebrate your birthday soon. I thought..."
"You thought that you would celebrate my birthday and the anniversary of my return now, so that I would not become suspicious."
"Well... Yes."
"In your office."
He shook his head and smiled at my companion. "Of course we can't celebrate here! There isn't the room! Come with me."
We followed behind as the inspector eagerly dragged the protesting detective down to the officers' dining hall, which was still decorated for Christmas.
Hopkins handed Holmes a glass of champagne and offered him a smile. "We are glad to have you back," he said quietly. "All of London mourned for you."
My friend gazed into his glass solemnly for a moment and then returned the inspector's smile with quiet thanks. He then cast a glance in my direction, a strange look which I could not decipher upon his face.
The party was rather a sombre affair as a result of Holmes' quiet, almost pensive mood. Indeed, it reminded me rather of the wake that we had all attended after the fellow's funeral rather than a celebration of his return.
All the same, I believe that the thought behind the gesture was not lost on my companion, for he thanked everyone warmly before we left for Baker Street.
"That was the most ridiculous idea that you and Lestrade have ever had," Holmes informed me as I seated myself at his side in the cab.
"Sorry Holmes, but you see..."
He smiled at me and rested his hand at my wrist. "I do see, yes. There is no need for you to explain or apologise, for I also missed you." With that, he gave a quiet yawn and closed his eyes. "Just give me some warning the next time that you wish to surprise me would you, old fellow?"
I am not quite sure why Lestrade and I thought that it would be a good idea. I suppose we were simply very glad to have Holmes back from the dead. In hindsight, it was not the best idea that either of us had ever had; it should have been obvious that it would take more than a three year long absence to cause our friend to enjoy parties.
"He's coming!" hissed Gregory. "Quick! Places everyone!"
Holmes entered the room and flicked on the lights. "Oh God no!" he groaned. "Why are you all lying in wait for me? Is this your idea Watson? Mind your head! Yes, of course I can see you. I think that you had better come out from under there before you hurt yourself."
Despite my old war wounds, I had squeezed into the shadows beneath Lestrade's desk. I extracted myself gingerly.
"That's better," my friend remarked once we had all come out of hiding. "Now, perhaps you could kindly explain to me why I have been called here under false pretences, Lestrade?"
The little dark-eyed man frowned at him. "The idea was that we all throw you a party as a means of... well... we are all very glad to have you back with us."
"You made that quite clear on the night when you arrested Colonel Moran. Besides, I have been 'back with you' for almost a year!"
The inspector nodded. "And you celebrate your birthday soon. I thought..."
"You thought that you would celebrate my birthday and the anniversary of my return now, so that I would not become suspicious."
"Well... Yes."
"In your office."
He shook his head and smiled at my companion. "Of course we can't celebrate here! There isn't the room! Come with me."
We followed behind as the inspector eagerly dragged the protesting detective down to the officers' dining hall, which was still decorated for Christmas.
Hopkins handed Holmes a glass of champagne and offered him a smile. "We are glad to have you back," he said quietly. "All of London mourned for you."
My friend gazed into his glass solemnly for a moment and then returned the inspector's smile with quiet thanks. He then cast a glance in my direction, a strange look which I could not decipher upon his face.
The party was rather a sombre affair as a result of Holmes' quiet, almost pensive mood. Indeed, it reminded me rather of the wake that we had all attended after the fellow's funeral rather than a celebration of his return.
All the same, I believe that the thought behind the gesture was not lost on my companion, for he thanked everyone warmly before we left for Baker Street.
"That was the most ridiculous idea that you and Lestrade have ever had," Holmes informed me as I seated myself at his side in the cab.
"Sorry Holmes, but you see..."
He smiled at me and rested his hand at my wrist. "I do see, yes. There is no need for you to explain or apologise, for I also missed you." With that, he gave a quiet yawn and closed his eyes. "Just give me some warning the next time that you wish to surprise me would you, old fellow?"