A/N: Sooooo. It has been a very, very long time since I have updated. I am so sorry. Man I just totally dropped the ball on this, and I really have no excuse for taking so long. I just finished this next chapter, and I have finally plotted out the rest of the story so hopefully it won't take so very long to update next time. I am planning on going through previous chapters and editing a few of the spelling and grammatical mistakes I made there, so don't be surprised if you receive update messages for that, I'm not really sure how that works. One, more thing, I'm not sure if I have made it clear so far in the story, but John is not aware of Merlin's magic. Okay cool.

Merry Christmas everyone! Here is a present for you!

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin or Sherlock.

John was confused. It seemed to be a pretty common emotion today. Merlin and the soot covered man in handcuffs, Gwaine apparently, were still smirking at each other. "So you two know each other then?" He asked, though it was really more of a statement than a question.

Merlin rolled his eyes and said sarcastically, "No John, I just have magical powers that let me know the names of complete strangers."

Sherlock went into a sudden coughing fit just as the man, Gwaine, snorted in laughter.

Lestrade, who was probably even more confused than John, had had enough of not knowing what was going on. "Okay Sherlock, who is this? Why is he here? And how on Earth does he know this guy?" Lestrade jerked his head to indicate the handcuffed man.

Sherlock gave a longsuffering sigh, "This is my little brother Merlin." Lestrade's eyes widened, but Sherlock continued without pausing. "I don't really know why he's here but it certainly wasn't my decision. And I have absolutely no idea how they know each other, but I do intend to find out." The last of this was said pointedly while staring at the man in question.

Merlin and Gwaine looked at each other and seemed to have a quick, silent conversation before Merlin turned back to his brother.

"Gwaine and I met in Wales about five years ago. I was taking a bit of a vacation after my stay in the hospital," only John noticed Sherlock twitch at this, "and Gwaine was there for a job. It was right around the time that whole Blaidd Drwg fiasco was going on."

Gwaine smiled, "Ah yes, good times. Strange times. Almost magical."

Merlin sent a glare at his friend, and John noticed Sherlock's eyes widen before quickly looking between his brother and Gwaine. Lestrade just looked as confused as John felt.

"Merlin," Sherlock said through gritted teeth, "can I talk to you for a moment?"

John could tell that it wasn't a request so much as an order; something which was confirmed when, without waiting for an answer, Sherlock grabbed his younger brother by the arm and dragged him just out of earshot.

Gwaine, Lestrade, and John watched bemusedly as Sherlock spoke quickly and quietly to Merlin. Sherlock had obviously asked his brother something, because Merlin crossed his arms almost petulantly before giving a sharp, curt nod. Sherlock let a hiss through his teeth before angrily running his hands through is hair. The detective again started speaking quickly and harshly, it looked as though he were scolding his brother, whose expression grew darker and darker the longer he stood there. After almost a minute of this, Merlin seemingly had enough. He uncrossed his arms and straightened his back before speaking firmly and loud enough to be heard over Sherlock (which was incidentally loud enough for the three onlookers to hear as well).

"Give it a rest Sherlock. It's my life."

Merlin left a shocked Sherlock behind as he walked back toward the onlookers. After a couple of seconds, Sherlock shoved his hands into his pockets and followed his brother.

"Right!" Merlin exclaimed with false cheeriness, clapping his hands together as he rejoined the group. "Back to business. First things first, detective Lestrade, will you please release my friend?"

Lestrade looked like he still didn't know what to make of recent developments, but answered anyway, "Sorry, can't do that. He is still suspect of a crime and we need to take him down to the station to be questioned."

The youngest Holmes rolled his eyes before turning to his soot covered friend, who had been watching everything with interest, "Gwaine, did you start the fire and kill the man found inside?"

Gwaine gave a slightly inane grin, "Sir no sir, doctor Merlin sir."

John saw him shift his arms in Lestrade's grip, as though he was going to salute or some other such motion.

Merlin groaned and ran a hand over his face, "Look, I can vouch for him, and Sherlock can vouch for me. Gwaine is a miscreant, I'll give you that,"

"Hey!" Gwaine cried indignantly, though John could see the corners of his mouth tipping up in amusement.

"But if he tells me he didn't burn the place down, then I believe him." Merlin continued as if he hadn't been interrupted.

Lestrade hesitated for a moment, but then firmly shook his head, "No, I'm sorry but no, we can't just let a suspect go free without questioning just because a friend asked us too."

Sherlock, whom as far as John could tell had been pouting since Merlin dismissed him, gave a loud huff and said, "Make an exception then. Count this as one of those 'favors' you keep saying you owe me if you must. I'm sure Merlin and I can find some way to make Mycroft take responsibility if it all ends in disaster."

"When doesn't something you do end in disaster of some sort or another?" Lestrade asked wearily. After a few seconds of tense, contemplative silence, Lestrade gave a heavy sigh, "Fine. Fine you can take him, just this once; but only because I owe you, and only if you swear he isn't going to go and kill anybody, or rob a bank, or anything else I'm going to end up being blamed for if they found out I had him in custody and let him go."

Out of the corner of his eye John saw Gwaine open his mouth to say something only to be cut off with an "oomph" by Merlin elbowing him hard in the ribs.

Sherlock rolled his eyes, "yes, yes I take full responsibility blah blah blah," he gave a vague gesture to Merlin who smiled brightly at his brother before whipping out a pair of keys and unlocking his friend's handcuffs.

Lestrade's eyes widened before he quickly began to pat his pockets only to find his keys missing. Merlin gave a slightly embarrassed grin and sheepishly handed the DI his keys and the handcuffs.

"I am so going to regret this," Lestrade said as he stared balefully at the objects in his hand. "Right, well then, on to the crime scene I suppose.

A/N: I will try to update soon, but I'm not really sure when. Please leave a review!