Sequel to Sometimes things take a turn for the better but can be read as a stand-alone

Sebastian had accepted the job the moment it was offered to him. One doesn't simply say no to Jim Moriarty, the master criminal. The payment was pretty good and he felt like he owed the man something since he accidentally shot a bullet into his shoulder the night of their first meeting. And of course it was an honor. He was chosen by the most dangerous man of London to be his sniper and personal assistant. Nice career jump, isn't it?

Since their first meeting, Sebastian had spent most of his nights at Jim's flat; some on the couch, some sitting on watch, some in Jim's bed. Nevertheless, their relationship stayed more or less professional. Jim would plan his business and arrange his little games for Sherlock Holmes, Sebastian would wait on roofs or in abandoned buildings to pull the trigger of his rifle. In the morning, they would wake up together, Sebastian would make them coffee, eggs and toast and say "Good morning, boss" when Jim enters the kitchen. It was simple and Sebastian liked it that way.

But the more time he spent with Jim the more his relationship with his girlfriend fell apart.

"Seb, tell me what it is with this new job.", she handed him a beer, lit a cigaret and sat down next to him on the couch, her slender body dressed in black sweatpants and a black top, her long dark hair bound up in a high ponytail. She shifted and tried to meet his light green eyes: "You never told me much about your jobs, I know it might be somewhat… illegal what you do and I don't care about that, Sweetheart. But you have barely been at home since you started it, you don't even come home for the nights. And when you are here you don't talk, you spent the day cleaning your guns and glancing at your phone. When your new boss texts you, you are on your feet and out of the door in a second." Sebastian put the gun down but didn't look at her What can I say? She's right about everything "Because it seems like, you know… like you have some special… feelings for this man.", she went on hesitantly and exhaled blue smoke, "I mean, you don't look at me anymore, I can't even remember the last time we had sex". "Cassandra… I love you. You know that.", Sebastian said emotionless, gazing into space, still avoiding her eyes. Do I really love her? I did before I met Jim "No Seb. I don't know that anymore." At that moment, the screen of Sebastian's phone lighted up.

3 am at my flat, important visitor. Bring your gun -JM

"It's him, right?"

She stood up and turned away from him.

Jim. He needs me. He wants to see me

Without a word, Sebastian got to his feet, packed two of his guns and enough ammunition for a killing spree into his bag. He put his coat and his leather gloves on - not the scarf she had given him for their anniversary - and opened the door. "If you leave now, Sebastian -" Her voice was deep but smooth, hot chocolate he used to tell her. The sniper took a deep breath and looked at her face, absorbing every detail - the keen look in her big brown eyes, lethal like his bullets, the dark lips, crimson like the blood that splutters out of bullet wounds - because he felt like he might not see it again too soon. He wanted to say something, really. But what? I don't know, Cassandra, I don't know if I still love you, I don't know if there is a chance for us. When he opened the front door, she stood in the hallway with a sad and cynical smile on her face, one ignored tear running down her cheek. "If you leave now-", she she repeated. But she didn't finish the sentence and Sebastian closed the door knowing what she intended to say; he wouldn't see hear again.

Alone in their flat Cassandra whispered to herself

"This story won't have a happy ending. For none of us, Seb. I know it, you know it. And your boss knew it long ago…"