CHAPTER 1. Et Tu

John held a postcard in his hand, Jesse usually sent a text but for some reason the ex New Zealand Army sniper sent the ex army Doctor a postcard. Someone had set it on his desk this morning before he arrived at the clinic. The last postcard Jesse had sent was over a year ago, from Brazil, it hadn't said much but from one soldier to another it wouldn't have to.

This one was different somehow, John held it suspiciously, regarding the picture of the London Eye skeptically, nothing odd about that, just an ordinary London postcard any tourist would think to pick up in any shop and send. Turning it over he read the familiar scrawl, It was today's date and a time.

He thought it odd and would have doubted if the postcard was really from the ex soldier, had he not recognized the handwriting and of course at the bottom she'd added the motto of the New Zealand army "Onward".

Still it wasnt her usual way of communication, he wondered if something could be wrong, perhaps Helena or Irene as he knew The Woman, had fell into some trouble.

No, that wouldn't be it, surely Jesse a trained sniper and Extraction specialist would have simply come to the flat and asked John and Sherlock for help. She wouldn't take chances when it came to her best friend Helena/Irene. So what was with the postcard. Glancing up at the clock he decided he would investigate further, he could afford a day off, besides they had two new doctor's just floating, so he could take the rest of the afternoon off guilt free.

As the time drew nearer an unease settled in his stomach, he attempted a quick text earlier in the day to the most recent mobile number of hers that he had in his phone, receiving no reply by noon. John opened their last text from over a month ago, still finding it hard not to laugh.

"I would shoot her Captain but seeing how I am an expert sniper her death would be too quick and painless. That just will not do! Anyway I'm sure I'll feel much better if I strangled her slowly with my own hands!"-AJ

"Great what's she done now? I'm sure it's no worse than setting fire to your favorite jumper only because the twit wouldn't be bothered to grab an oven mit! Dont ask."-JW

Jesse and John shared the same tribulations when it came to their eccentric flatmates. Mad geniuses with sociopathic tendencies that would put Rebekah Brooks to shame. Well at least John's sociopath was asexual, he could only imagine what Jesse had to put up with from Helena the ex dominatrix.

Often enough the two Army veterans would text for moral support or to share a joke, Jesse was good with a joke, John felt a connection with her almost immediately, not sexual attraction, although she wasnt bad on the eyes, no it was more of a brothers in arms type of connection.

John enjoyed their easy friendship and it wasnt like the two were involved in any other way, it was just nice to have someone to share his headaches with, someone who knew exactly where he was coming from. That's why this whole mysterious postcard meeting was throwing the ex army doctor off, it just seemed out of character for his friend.

So at exactly five minutes before he was due to meet up with the Kiwi sniper, he sent a text to Sherlock letting his flatmate know where he was off to and who he was meeting. The Doctor was a firm believer in that saying; better safe then sorry. Anyway Jesse's postcard never said anything about not sharing information with Sherlock. In fact it really didnt say much at all.

"Meeting up at the London Eye, having lunch with an old friend from New Zealand. Fill you in later."-JW

Standing there near a ticket booth, he scanned the area, several tourists were milling around shooting pictures and laughing, he caught site of someone in a familiar red coat and dark glasses standing near a maintenance exit, she smiled her normal ruby lipped smile and turned on her red heels to leave through the employee only restricted exit. John noted The Woman had dyed her hair blond this time, that and Jesse wasn't anywhere near, perhaps the ex army sniper was waiting on the other side of the tall fence. But why the secrecy? John started after the now blond Helena, first glancing around carefully, just to be sure he wasn't being followed.

"Doctor Watson." The Woman greeted him quickly, standing under the shade of a small utilities shed.

"Irene? What the hell? Where's Jesse?" The Woman gave a sad smile, almost genuinely apologetic, almost.

"Doctor Watson, I am so sorry for this. So sorry. Don't fight them it'll be fine." She removed her glasses taking a step back, John started to reply, ignoring the buzz of his mobile in his hand, he never managed to get whatever it was he had started to say out, before the sharp pinch at the nape of his neck registered. Rough hands came up to catch him as his head came dangerously close to hitting the cement. A look of betrayal fading from his face as he lost consciousness.

"Be careful with him!" Helena snapped at two fairly large men lifting the unconscious Doctor into the back of a white maintenance van.

"If he is who you say he is then our boss will make the trade." The bald thug in gray coveralls replied.

"That wasn't the deal! Where is she!?" Helena growled drawing a gun, the bald man laughed.

"Shoot us and you'll never get her back. We'll be in contact. Be ready with payment."

"What does D'Arma want with him anyway?" Irene demanded following Baldy around to the drivers side of the van.

"It's not the Doctor he's interested in. You of all people understand the importance of family. The Doctor is just a little bit of a insurance policy."

"What do you want Sherlock to do? I thought this was about a trial the Doctor was a witness in? D'Arma never said anything about-"

"Who the hell is Sherlock? No, this is about a trial. Seniore D'Arma was hoping his brother's lawyer was good enough to get Giuseppe off, but it seems there is too strong of evidence against the younger man. And unfortunate for the doctor, his sister will play the perfect witness. It will all work out. Just have your payment ready. If you try any tricks or come up short in anyway D'Arma will return your own dear sister to you, but in pieces, you know how he operates. Ciao Helena dear."