Author's Notes: This chapter is longer. Hope you like. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Same as chapter 1.
And What If I Said No?
Chapter 2. The Proposal
Sherlock looked up from his microscope and grabbed his cellphone that had been lying on the table. Since Moriarty's big 'Miss me?' entrance (or act II, if he could say), the consulting detective had been looking for any signs, no matter how small, of the Napoleon of crime. There it was, staring straight at him – well, it was mostly him staring at it, frowning.
'Dragon's mouth. Aldgate - right side. 15 minutes. Miss me?
I missed you.
- JM. xx'
His heart beat increased and his breathing became shallow. Finally. Luckily, John was out to run some errands for the day, so Sherlock didn't have to lie his way through to Moriarty. He jumped up and put on his long, blue coat along with his scarf. Another meaningful encounter. However, he'd have to play it carefully as with Moriarty it never was easy. If they both could come back from the dead, what had the other in store for him now?
Sherlock was slightly relieved John wasn't here at the moment for he wouldn't have to look out after him, nor protect him in case something ever happened. And something would happen with Moriarty, that was for sure.
Sherlock put his hands into his coat pockets and waited for the consulting criminal to arrive. He didn't have to wait for long.
'Miss me, Sherlock?'
'Thrice the same chorus; you're becoming ordinary.'
Jim brought a hand up to his heart and faked being hurt, grimacing. 'Ow, don't hurt me so! I know you missed me.'
'Yes, I did… miss getting you properly killed.'
Jim smirked and shook a finger at Sherlock, clucking his tongue. 'I like it. You're so wild today; is this the new you? After such a fall,I mean.'
Except for Irene Adler, Jim was the only person Sherlock couldn't read. Thus, he couldn't help feeling slightly helpless every time he faced him – but never would he admit it. For now, he just had to distract the man and see what new game he was playing. Because there had to be one.
His observations were that Jim's plan probably involved threatening the safety of all the people in the Tube. Otherwise, why would he have told him to be here, in a crowded place? He was surely counting on the fact that Sherlock would sacrifice himself to save them, even if in a twisted way. Wouldn't that just be a treat for Jim?
'What is your game?' Sherlock asked seriously.
Jim simply shrugged and grinned. 'Do you want to marry me?'
All the blood drained from Sherlock's face. He could feel his breathing stop and his heart miss a beat. He knew he had heard right, but what was that for a game? Sherlock shook his head, frowning. Before he could speak again, the consulting detective had to gulp and clear his throat.
'Marry you?'
'Of course. You're a little daft, aren't you?' Jim asked in a soft voice. 'We're so alike you and I, marriage is the next step, you know. For ordinary people.'
Sherlock clenched his fists and jaw. 'We aren't ordinary.'
'And that's exactly where the fun begins…' the other whispered, a dark sparkle in his eyes.
Jim straightened up and grinned as though nothing had ever happened. Sherlock was aware that if he chose to refuse the proposal, a disaster would ensue.
'And what if I said no?' he asked.
The consulting criminal just sighed and tilted his head to the side, observing him for a while. 'You'd be boring. Oh! And all the people here will die, along with us. I won't tell you all of my plan, but John Watson is in it too. If you say no, they die, we die, and he dies too.'
Jim's voice was dripping venom and his gaze was drilling into Sherlock's. Upon hearing John Watson's name and part of Jim's infernal plan, Sherlock stiffened and held his breath.
'Ah, now I've got your attention. I'll reiterate my question: Do you want to marry me?'
Sherlock quickly went into his mind palace, exploring all the possibilities, consequences and solutions. Opening doors and closing others, he figured out the best way to tackle this huge problem. Shaking lightly and forcing his voice to be even, he uttered the single word that would dreadfully change all of his life and future:
'Yes.'