This was written on an impulse based on a writing prompt from the watsons_woes LJ community, which dictated that Watson must punch Holmes for some reason or another. I'm not used to writing humorous stuff, so this was quite an experience. Please, feel free to be as hard on me as you want.

"Now, my dear Watson, time is of the essence, and you must follow my instructions to the letter. This room must remain vacant. If anyone besides the two of us were to enter and discover what has just occurred, all would be lost." Sherlock tugged Watson over to the door and stationed him there with firm hands. "Now, I will be going to hunt down Mr. Bradford and deal with him the best that I may. No, don't protest: you really must stay here. The only people that would try to enter this room would be his confederates, so your job is to knock senseless anyone who comes through this door. Understand?"

"Perfectly."

"Good man." Sherlock grinned and disappeared through the doorway, leaving Watson standing by the doorway, trying to focus on the task Holmes had given him instead of worrying about the life-threatening situation that his friend was walking into. He strained his ears, every muscle tensing more and more until he was sure the slightest sound would send him into an apoplectic fit.

A figure filled the doorway. Watson didn't even think: he just moved his fists, slamming them into the man's chin and eye socket before recognizing the deerstalker cap above them.

Holmes groaned violently and reeled into the door, struggling to regain his composure. Watson gasped and gripped him by the arm to keep him from falling.

"What on earth were you thinking, Watson?" Holmes moaned.

Watson, bewildered, stumbled into the first defense he could think of. "Well, you told me to punch anyone who came through that door!"

"I expected you to look first to see who it was," Holmes shot back. He began to chuckle. "Serves me right, I guess, for not announcing my arrival. I must admit I forgot that I gave you those instructions. Well, the gang's caught now, Watson, and I daresay you can rest easy."

"And you?"

"Will have a beautiful black eye for the next week." Holmes grinned. "Kindly refrain from telling Lestrade the particulars of how I got it, if you would."

"Only if you do the same," Watson replied ruefully, helping Holmes to his feet.