Chapter 1

Living with Sherlock Holmes, John Watson had learnt a lot. He'd learned to observe rather than just look; he'd learned not to be particularly shocked when he found yet another body part in the fridge near the milk. But most of all John had learned that even the genius can overlook certain details of the people he observes lives, which meant that John occasionally felt he had the upper hand.

Sherlock clearly thought he knew there was to know about John Watson. Luckily John knew better and was determined to keep these details to himself unless absolutely necessary. But then who wouldn't do the same in his situation? How often could anyone say they could pull a fast one over Sherlock Holmes?

John had never told Sherlock everything about his military career. Sherlock like everyone at the Yard thought, Dr John Hamish Watson was nothing more than an army doctor, which wasn't strictly true. John thought of himself as more of a soldier who just happened to be a doctor. It didn't sound that much different, but you'd be surprised what that distinction actually meant.

As well as all this John had learnt to expect the unexpected when encountering anything related to, or in the vicinity of Sherlock. Take today for example, here he was looking for the cause of death of a man who appeared to be in his early thirties that had been found in alley not for from Scotland Yard.

"There seems to be no signs of physical damage or injury; however the bluish tinge around his mouth indicates a massive loss of oxygen. My best guess asphyxiation but as for the cause I have no idea."

DI Lestrade grimaced. "Well Sherlock any ideas?"

As per usual Sherlock merely looked at the DI with mild annoyance and impatience. "I have many ideas when you have none, that's why you bring me in to prove that people such as Anderson are incompetent and idiotic."

"Just get to the part where you tell us what we are looking for and stop being so damn smug about. I asked you here for your help so I'm clearly aware we need your assistance. So?"

"Well obviously this man is clearly military. And…"

Lestrade quickly interrupted "What do you mean obviously?"

"What? Don't you see it?" Sherlock said haughtily, clearly exasperated and unimpressed by the people they let become police officers in this day and age.

John could tell this could easily lead to an argument so decided to interject before things got out of hand, especially since Sally was looking at Sherlock with extreme distain, and clearly looking for any reason to start her usual on-going criticism of Sherlock.

"Sherlock. For my sake just pretend that everything isn't obvious and just explain, please"

Sherlock allowed a slight smile to grace his usually impassive face. Sherlock knew he couldn't refuse John especially when he asked so nicely and was undoubtedly saving him the effort of engaging in the resulting squabble that would arise if he continued to push the DI's buttons. That wasn't to say that provoking Lestrade wasn't fun but it did generally take focus off the case itself, something that Sherlock simply couldn't abide.

"Well since you asked so nicely John. His haircut, the way he held himself, the fact his face and hands are tanned but above his wrists are not indicates military, surely you remember what I said about you when we first met?"

"Afghanistan or Iraq? Yeah I remember so you can see the same aspects that you saw when we first met and changed them to make them applicable to him? Brilliant."

Sherlock smirked and John's lack of embarrassment at his blatant complimenting of Sherlock. "Very good John also the scar on the victims neck indicate a bullet passed close by him and grazed his neck, signifying he was an active member of the military that had seen combat fairly recently, judging from the apparent age of the scar. Is that sufficient?"

John struggled to contain a chuckle at Sherlock's clipped and smug tone, before turning to Lestrade. "Ok, so that explains what he is, any ID to find out who he is?"

Lestrade grinned; finally he was allowed to share his input to the case. "Well it's interesting that you should ask that there was nothing in his pockets except for an electronic device which was hidden in what appears to be a secret pocket, suggesting that whoever killed him tried to dispose of anything that might give us any info on who this guy was."

At the mention of an electrical device Sherlock's bored expression suddenly lit up with interest. "Electrical device? What kind of electrical device I must examine it at once?"

"I thought you might say that however the device has been taken to the Yard for testing to see if anything important can be retrieved from its memory. In fact we are expecting details soon on its contents. I'm on my way back to the station now."

"Well then what are we waiting for? John and I will get a cab and meet you there shortly and we can see if anyone in Scotland Yard is actually competent.

John couldn't help but chuckle and say, "Sherlock play nice otherwise they won't let you play." Before his shoulders began to shake with uncontrollable laughter, while the Yarders looked from John to Sherlock in shock. Sherlock himself of course didn't seem impressed at being treated as though he were nothing more than a naughty school child.

"Now really John I'm not a child"

"I'm not saying you're a child. I'm just implying that at times you can act rather childishly, and which seems like somewhat ridiculous behaviour to be displayed by a grown man."

At this Sherlock pouted and sighed. Sherlock himself had never thought of himself as childish and if he never thought it then John must clearly be wrong. "I am not childish!" Sherlock expressed haughtily. At this John merely smiled gently and began walking a few metres away before turning back.

"Well, are you coming or not Sherlock? A minute ago you seemed in rather a great hurry to get to the station." Sherlock simply shook his head at John, while trying to keep his expression controlled. Keeping himself in perfect control of his facial expressions was something Sherlock had learned to do quite a long time ago, but he had needed to do this more often since meeting John. For someone so ordinary, John had a remarkable ability to surprise to the detective. He managed to remain impassive as he strode past John to a cab that was waiting to take them to Scotland Yard.

Lestrade just smiled and shook his head at the two of them entering the cab, partially amused and partially confused by the events that just took place. It amazed him how much Sherlock had changed because of John's influence. He thought that John was the best thing that had ever happened to Sherlock. If anyone could turn Sherlock into a good man it would be John Watson. With that thought Lestrade got into his car and headed towards the Yard hoping that this case could be solved quickly.