Mycroft reviewed the video feeds from 221B Baker Street and the café near Hyde Park pondering his next strategic move. The arrival of this new vampire was seriously grating Mycroft's steady nerves. He was never one to act rashly so he had let the ideas percolate in his mind as he saw to the situation in Bulgaria.

From the minute that vampire had shown up, charmed Mrs. Hudson, and spoke to Dr. Watson, Mycroft saw three different potential scenarios.

He could send a team to the flat, kill both those things, and face the wrath of Sherlock. This was the most efficient option, but the ramifications for keeping his woefully unstable younger brother in line would be less than satisfactory.

He could have another little chat with Doctor Watson, demand that he vacate the flat immediately and take his abusive Creator with him. Sherlock would definitely turn his unpredictable anger on Doctor Watson once he learned about his affliction. This was less than acceptable as well. There was no doubt in Mycroft's well-developed mind that Sherlock wouldn't go chasing after that vampire for months.

He could wait. After Doctor Watson's little meeting with Lestrade and that other vampire's concession, it was obvious that they wouldn't be staying in London very long. If Sherlock was under the impression that Doctor Watson left due to a rekindling romance between him and a former lover, then Sherlock's pride would stop him from searching for him. This would leave his younger brother relatively safe and within easy surveillance distance.

It would have to be Option 3. After a happy twirl of his umbrella, Mycroft called in his assistant.

"Yes, sir?" Anthea asked.

"Update my brother's security status." He said. "I want eyes on him and three different agents within a mile at all times."

"Yes, sir." She said, pulling out her Blackberry and beginning to send rapid-fire texts. "Should I include the Doctor in this, Sir?"

"No." Mycroft said darkly. "That thing can take care of himself."

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John Watson checked his inner elbow once more before unlocking the door to 221B. Of course, it had healed. He was a vampire, for Christ's sake, but that didn't make him feel like any less of a complete ass. He walked up the stairs slowly and drifted into the common area like a lost puppy. He heard Sherlock leaping down the stairs and felt himself cringe inwardly at their fight the night before. Sherlock whipped around the divider and stopped abruptly in the doorway when he saw John making tea.

"John." Sherlock said firmly.

"Yes, Sherlock?" John asked.

"I mean this in the best possible way." Sherlock began. "But you're being really, very stupid."

"Sherlock," John said calmly, with a death grip on the handle to the kettle. "I am really, really not in the mood to be talked down to today."

"I have been doing some reading on the subject." Sherlock pressed on. "And I have come to find out that being honest and open with others is the best way to maintain a healthy relationship. So, I thought, in order to maintain our relationship, that I should tell you honestly where you are screwing up in your life."

"Well, then it's a very good thing that you and I aren't in a relationship, isn't it?" John bit back coldly.

"That's just it though, John." Sherlock answered. "I think we should be in one and I am determined for it to be a good one."

"We aren't in a relationship, Sherlock." John answered. "You made it perfectly clear yesterday that I am a convenient fuck for when your hormones demand it."

"Yes," Sherlock said. "I can see how my conversation with Donovan has confused you, but I must reiterate that you are being really, very stupid."

"Okay," John said feeling his temper fray dangerously. "Why exactly am I being 'really, very stupid' this time?"

"Because you aren't a convenient fuck, John." Sherlock said. "I don't want to be with you when my hormones demand it or when I'm bored. I want to be with you constantly because it is highly convenient to have someone I can't live without around all the time."

John stood frozen against the countertop. His heart was aching in his chest at Sherlock's words and he barely registered as Sherlock crept closer. He pressed his forehead against John's and whispered, "I need you, John."

At that point, John couldn't help himself. He was very aware that by the end of the week, he was going to be gone. That Henry would take him away and he would never see Sherlock again. He knew that making this next move wouldn't do anything but cause him more heartache, but he would rather have this bittersweet memory for the rest of eternity than the thought that Sherlock never cared at all.

John leant forward and wrapped his arms around the consulting detective snuggling into his chest. He breathed deep savoring the scent of Sherlock. He felt lanky arms wrap around his chest forming a warm, safe cocoon.

"Sherlock," John said, striving to keep his voice from breaking.

"Yes, John?" Sherlock whispered into his hair.

"No matter what happens," John answered. "I just need you to know. That I really wish this could have worked."

He felt the consulting detective stiffen in his arms before drawing away entirely. John kept his eyes closed so that he wouldn't have to see the look on his flatmate's face. The doctor collapsed against the countertop as he heard Sherlock practically run down the stairs and out of the building.

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Sherlock flew down the stairs. He felt like his head was full of thirty different voices and they were all screaming at the top of their lungs for him to break something, hit someone, inject something, fuck someone. He couldn't get the words of John's rejection out of his head. It just kept replaying louder and louder and louder. He was so lost and confused that he turned a corner and ran right into someone.

"Mr. Holmes?" The voice said happily. "Are you alright?"

Sherlock felt bile rise in the back of his throat at the recognition of the voice. He jumped back away from Henry and glared.

"You." Sherlock growled.

"Me." Henry answered with that stupid smile plastered all over his features.

Sherlock attempted to take a swing at the man that was currently tearing his world apart but missed entirely. Sherlock felt a moment of bewilderment at the fact that his fist hadn't connected with anything. He was a very proficient boxer, he never misses. This thought was quickly pushed aside as his momentum sent him spinning to the concrete. He lay there dazed and heard Henry chuckle from above him.

"You seem a bit irritated, Mr. Holmes." Henry said smugly. "Might I enquire as to the reason?"

"You hurt John." Was all Sherlock was able to say while pulling himself up from the ground. He felt his blood run cold as Henry laughed loudly.

"Is that what this is about?" Henry said still chuckling.

"Why the hell are you laughing?" Sherlock growled.

"Oh, don't give me that face." Henry responded. "You look like a constipated puffer fish. Don't worry. I won't be hurting John much longer."

"You're leaving?" Sherlock asked hopefully.

"Of course." Henry said with a wave of his hand. "John and I just had some business to attend to and then I'll be on my way."

"But the other night…" Sherlock began.

"I know, I know. It's cruel to lead him on like that." Henry said with a fake sigh. "But really. Me? With John Watson? It was slim pickings back then. But I have much better prospects now."

"There is no one better than John." Sherlock growled.

Henry began laughing again and even went so far as to lean heavily against the wall for dramatic effect, "Oh, you're adorable! I can see why he likes you! Listen, Sherlock. Why don't you go for a walk? Cool down a bit. I'm just going to talk to John now. Give me an hour and then you can rush in to pick up the pieces."

"I really hate you." Sherlock growled again.

"The feeling's mutual." Henry said dropping his happy demeanor and giving Sherlock a glance of the monster beneath. "Now get going or I'll spend another night teasing John."

Sherlock felt his hackles rise but turned on his heel anyway. He felt something bloom in his chest at the idea of Henry leaving. He spent an hour walking around London mentally mapping some local construction sites for the next time he was running after a criminal and he felt a small smile tug at his lips at the thought that he would be doing it with John.

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"Come on, John." Henry said leaning against the door jamb. "We're leaving. And hurry up about it."

John felt the compulsion trickle against his spine and responded immediately. He had packed and was out the door within five minutes. He followed Henry obediently down Baker Street and into a long, dark alley. He shifted his rucksack nervously feeling the hairs on the back of his head stand on end.

"Drop your bag and your pants, John." Henry said firmly.

John's psyche surged with anger and fear but the compulsion was there racing through his neurons. He dropped his bag stiffly and began unbuckling his trousers.

"Face the wall." Henry said freeing himself from his own jeans.

John began trembling but couldn't help but obey. Henry crowded against him roughly and pulled John's head back as he lined himself up. "Keep quiet, Johnny Boy. And smile for the cameras."

John felt something dark and mad crash through his brain but couldn't decipher that instinctive fear when Henry thrust himself into John in three snapping pulses. John promptly vomited onto his shoes and fought to push back the pain and humiliation that were seeping into every cell in his body. He bit his own wrist to keep quiet and could barely register Henry's responses due to his pinpoint focus on his own agony.

"You're so fucking tight, love." Henry purred in John's ear. "God, it's like a fucking sauna on my dick."

John couldn't do anything except cling to the wall and let Henry's words wash over him.

"I bet you missed this, didn't you?" Henry continued, pumping into him with force and snapping his hips. "My dick, my cum. You belong to me, love. I can do whatever I want and you love it."

John retched again and felt the hot tears spilling down his cheeks. Not soon enough, John felt Henry's rhythm stagger and change. With two final hard thrusts, Henry came inside him. He pulled out roughly and John quickly covered himself up with his trousers. Henry collapsed against John's back and whispered in his ear, "Don't worry. I'll send that video to Sherlock."

John felt something dark rise through him at those words. He vamped out from pure rage and practically threw Henry off of him. The doctor turned soldier turned vampire whipped around to face his abuser and began stalking toward him.

"The hell you will." John barked. He felt hate and fury bubble up inside him screaming in triumph as he picked Henry up and shoved him against the alleyway. He wrapped his hands firmly around Henry's throat to cut off any chance of the compulsion taking over. "You're not going to do anything. To anyone. Ever. Again."

Henry thrashed violently and clawed at John's face but was unsuccessful against the righteous fury that glowed from the doctor's eyes.

John was just about to rip his fucking head off when two gunshots rang out loudly in the alleyway. John dropped like a stone as two bullets lodged firmly in his kneecaps.

"We're going to have to renegotiate the price, Mr. Turner." A sing-songy Irish voice said calmly from behind John. "I'm certainly not going to pay you 1.25 million to save you from your own property."

John felt pain burn through his legs as someone kicked him over to lie on his back. He looked up into the crazed eyes of Moriarty and felt his heart stop.

"Johnny Boy!" He cried with glee holding a syringe out. "I'm here to take you home!"

He stabbed John with the needle and the doctor cried out as silver nitrate raced through his central nervous system paralyzing him.

"I'll give you 500,000 pounds for my new pet." Moriarty said to Henry. "Take it or leave it."

"And what if I leave it?" Henry said defiantly.

"Then I dose you as well and then sell you off to one of those big game hunting groups." Moriarty said with glee. "I could get a pretty penny for a vampire, I'm sure."

"Fine." Henry barked backing away from the madman. "500,000 pounds."

"Goody." Moriarty answered. "Now leave."

John stared unable to move as Henry raced off into the alleyway. Moriarty swiveled back to stand over the doctor once more.

"Don't worry, Johnny." Moriarty said. "You and I are going to have so much fun together."