A Trip to Manchester Manor

Chapter 1: Packing

John Watson had just walked through the door carrying his groceries he heard groans coming from Sherlock's room. It wasn't a bad kind of groaning, like someone people do when they feel sick or are in pain, but rather like he was struggling to do something, which made the doctor worry.

"Sherlock? Are you alright?" He said placing the groceries on the counter top then stripping himself of his jacket which he placed on the kitchen table along with his wallet and keys planning on returning later to put them away.

"Yes John, I'm perfectly fine."

John walked towards his room and stopped in the doorway to see the detective trying to close an over stuffed suitcase.

"What are you doing?"

The detective looked up to acknowledge his friend's presence and returned to the suitcase. "I got a call while you were out, we've invited to stay to a old colleague of mine. He's having some big get together with some old friends of his and has invited us."

"Not to be rude but...I thought you did have old friends? And did he actually invite US, or did he just invite you and you're dragging me along without him knowing?"

Sherlock gave an annoyed sigh and tilted his head back to look at John, "Yes, he actually did invite US, apparently he read your blog and remembered me. Which by the way, thanks a lot because in case you didn't know I wasn't exactly liked at Uni and I do try to avoid anyone who actually remembers me because their either try and do something stupid and sentimental like go out for lunch or just remind me why I typically don't socially interact with people."

John rolled his eyes and stood his ground as he waited for Sherlock to answer his other question and give him more details about the case.

"His name is Roman Manchester, he's some odd years younger than me and is originally from America. You are right on the fact that I didn't have any friends at the University, me and Roman never got along. But the reason he has invited us is not because we once knew each other, but because he is being blackmailed and believes the person behind this threats is going to be at his party."

"What is the occasion might I ask? And why does he believe their going to be there?"

"We are to go undercover for the party which is to celebrate his wife's birthday. He has not given me much details about the threatening letters he has been receiving exact for the fact that whoever it was who sent them wrote saying to leave a large amount of money in a certain space at a certain time and they would come to the party to pick it up."

John stood there for a moment to think, he knew two things. 1) This case was about a 5, and Sherlock wouldn't just do cases for old colleagues. 2) If someone is blackmailing a person it is usually because they are doing something illegal or shameful (like cheating on their spouse), which in either case Sherlock would definitely not help them. Sure he would caught the blackmailer, but if the person were doing something illegal, they too would end up behind bars.

John finally looked back towards Sherlock, "Why?"

Sherlock smiled, "Because 1) I'm bored and Lestrade just gave me a case the other day so he will most likely try and help these next few ones himself so his team doesn't get mad him for always consulting me. 2) On my website I've had at least three other people ask for my help with all the same probably, blackmail. My theory his that whoever is behind all these blackmails does as his or her but most likely a him, business. Which bring this case up to an 8."

John shook his head smiled down towards the ground. He knew it was wrong for someone to get all excited about because of another person's problems, but he had to admit, he was rather excited himself.

"Now John, I suggest you start packing." He said giving his blogger a push towards the stairs to his room. "Oh yes, and don't worry about packing a tux for the party, I've already bought two for us which need to be picked night in about an hour."

John stopped at the bottom of the stairs and turned back towards Sherlock who was on his way towards his room. "Wait, how do you know my measur- oh never mind..." He shook his head and climbed the stairs. He figured Sherlock either just simply looked at him and figured it out (which was kind awkward now that he thought about it) or went into his bedroom (without John's permission!) and got the measurements from one of John's other suits (...and than about a bit more around the waist...), Sherlock Holmes, how John was able to put up with him he really didn't know.