CHAPTER 15. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT

"I don't need a damned blanket." Sherlock growled pushing the hated shock blanket from him "Why is it such an awful color, whether we are in England or –are we still in Switzerland?"

John rubbed a hand to his own bruised temple. He threw Mickey an exasperated look, the Free Lancer's face was covered in dirt from the explosions and a few cuts, the ambulance driver was instead trying to stem the bleeding that a rather nasty bullet had connected with the mans shoulder.

"Hey Doctor!" Mickey yelled out before they pushed his cot up into the back of the ambulance "If you're ever looking to make extra cash get in touch, I haven't worked with a partner in a long time but I could us a Doctor with your skills." John only laughed shaking his head. If he would have turned at that moment, he would have caught the glare that Sherlock sent the contractor. Instead the action of laughing made him wince, and Sherlock was pushing the medics hands away, the brown haired man swore in French, he'd been trying to clean the gash just behind Sherlock's ear.

"John?" Sherlock went to his side, John was leaning against the ambulance taking a deep breath, he smiled clasping his eyes shut.

"I'm alright. You need to get your head examined."

"John, I was dazed I'll admit for a minute or two but I am perfectly fine."

"You thought I was dead."

"A reasonable conclusion."

"Based on what evidence, I am actually really curious as to what brought you to that conclusion. But first, first I want to know what in the hell you were thinking!?"

"John?"

"What were you thinking!? No don't answer that, you sit and let them look you over." John was standing now waving a finger in Sherlock's face, the taller man instinctively complied.

Mycroft remained unnoticed, as the two friends argued, more like Sherlock sat pouting while John chastised his actions.

"Oh, that reminds me. Where is the terrorist you broke out?"

"Oh, him. I locked him in a dumpster. Come to think of it I have the perfect experiment in mind. The affect of bacteria from average everyday garbage on an open wound, say a missing finger."

"Sherlock?" John took a deep breath, "I know I'm going to regret asking but, did you shoot the finger off a terrorist?."

"Yes, but it was the sensible thing to do at the time, I'm sure."

"You're sure?"

"To be truthful I can't say for certain."

"You can't say for certain?"

"John perhaps you should have your head looked over as well, you seem to be repeating my words."

"Sherlock."

"Oh, like I was saying. One minute I was talking on the phone to Shutze and the next I had shot the younger Shutze in the hand, blasting a finger clear off the knuckle."

The burning warehouses of the district made for a beautiful backdrop at sunset, the British Government could hear the exhaustion in John's voice but he still showed concern for others.

"Mycroft." Sherlock grumbled seeing his brother approaching.

"John I see you found my little brother for me. So the terrorist is in a dumpster near by."

"Yes, of course its near."

"An what were you going to do with him after? If I could ask."

"I hadn't thought of it yet. But I had the situation under control-" Sherlock glared at his older brother, and John frowned his head was really aching, as much as he'd like to break this one up he needed to sit down.

"John. I think it's time you take your own advice, Doctor. Leave the clean up to me and my men. No harm done I guess since the escaped terrorist is still in custody, looks like we have a certain international terrorist to add to our list of detainees although medical is going to have a field day working on his knee." Mycroft glanced over at the Doctor Watson who had the decency to look shamefaced.

"He had it coming." John murmured.

"I see. I guess I should also thank you for that little message. Two naval vessels unharmed. Interesting John how did you know I had a fondness for military history?"

"I told him. You always liked to play the British Navy when I refused to take my eye patch off when at the dinner table." John rolled his eyes now as Sherlock huffed.

"Boys, not here. Can I be excused now? I believe I have plans that involve a hot shower and clean clothes."

Mycroft merely looked in one direction and John and Sherlock were being moved to an ambulance headed to a government medical facility. Sherlock of course started to protest but one glare from John quieted almost immediately. Sherlock couldn't help but stare at John's face, so many different shades of purple.

DAYS LATER(AFTER SWITZERLAND)

The British Government sat behind a desk smiling to himself wickedly, this time his assistant didn't even ask, she merely placed the file on the Boss' desk and dared a quick peek at the computer screen.

"Oh boys." Mrs. Hudson called making her way up the stairs. John was sitting in his usual spot refusing his feet up on a small footstool, his bruises still very visible. Mrs. Hudson shook her head, she learned to just bring tea and biscuits and not ask to many questions. Tonight she held a package address to J. H. Watson. "I almost forgot this was delivered today by your brother Sherlock he wanted me to personally see that it was put in John's hands."

"Thank you Mrs. Hudson." John frowned, it wasn't his birthday, or any holiday, he glanced at the calendar on the wall just in case, no, no holiday. Sherlock put his violin down and was moving curiously over to Johns side.

"Oh, how sweet there's a card." Mrs. Hudson read it out loud as John unwrapped the brown package.

"John, something to keep you busy in your recovery. –MH" John groaned seeing what the brown paper covered, but Sherlock's eyes lit up.

"I thought you said they stopped making Cluedo boards, this says the new Cluedo millennium edition. And I was so bored!" John wanted to run but he was unable to move too fast, due to his mending injuries.

He swore under his breath as Sherlock pulled a table over between the two chairs, clearing the newspapers from the coffee table. Excitedly setting up the board. "Mrs. Hudson start the kettle we are going to need fuel in the form of warm tea. Caffeine always heightens the brains processing abilities. Oh and John would like a cup as well."

Mrs. Hudson smiled "Not your housekeeper but just this once. For John."

"No, no. Sherlock no. I'm going to bed." He tried to get up and decided against, his whole body throbbed still and he hated pain medication. His phone buzzed from beside him, he opened the text.

"This should keep you busy. And the two of you out of trouble for at least a couple of hours."-MH

"Not funny Mycroft. Why, why would you do this?"-JW

"Oh look John they have new metal pieces representing the weapons, we should add some of our own!" Sherlock excitedly jumped up hurrying off somewhere out of sight, John heard cabinets being slammed in a kitchen and the silverware drawer being emptied out. Oh god what was he getting up to now. His phone buzzed again, John irritably opened the text.

"Because I worry about you both constantly."-MH

John rolled his eyes tossing his phone from him, "Very funny Mycroft." He grumbled to no one but himself. Not believing a minute the British Government would worry about an ex army Doctor. Maybe he should ask for those pain pills before playing the loathed game.

THE END

A/N thank you all for the wonderful reviews