A/N:
So I got some follows and some favourites – thank you.
I will carry on with the story.
Chapter 2
John walked home rather than taking a cab or the tube; he needed to gather himself before he would be able to face Sherlock and hope to act as if everything was ok. In a bid to buy more time, he sent a message offering to pick up Chinese, even though he had no appetite.
By the time he reached Baker Street, John felt sick. He had bought the same meal for himself as always – he knew he needed to eat if he wanted to conceal all this from Sherlock; a diminished appetite always made Sherlock ask him what was wrong, he would rather not have to lie to him.
He was just about to put his key in the door when the message alert on the iphone chimed. 'Perfect timing' he thought as he read the message:
First job tomorrow. Details to follow. Enjoy your takeaway. Sweet and sour pork is an excellent choice. JM
John cursed at Moriarty's not so subtle way of telling him that he was being watched. Another message pinged, John looked at the screen.
Tut, tut Dr. Watson. Such language. JM
John snorted; so there was a bug in the phone, how original. John resolved to be careful about what he revealed while he had the phone on his person. The feed from the flat had been silent, but John wasn't naïve enough to believe that there was no sound feed just because he hadn't heard it. He would have to put on an Oscar-winning performance if he didn't want Sherlock to catch on that there was something majorly wrong.
"Sherlock, I'm back!" John called as he walked into the flat.
"So I see, John. Perfect timing. I have half an hour before the results will be ready." Sherlock came out of the kitchen dressed in lounge pants, t-shirt and his blue dressing gown, topped off with safety goggles.
They ate in silence as John let himself get engrossed in Doctor Who on BBC3. It was one of his favourite episodes – Blink. There was something magically chilling about these creatures that could only attack when unobserved. Sally Sparrow was a bit of hero to John and even Sherlock liked this episode and now examined each new DVD they acquired for 'Easter Eggs'. (He did actually manage one and John thinks he was actually disappointed that it didn't contain the Doctor and Martha's bizarre half conversation)
John spent an hour updating the blog after that. Sherlock had solved his first official case with the Yard since his return earlier that week. He titled it 'Something to Declare' as it involved a drug smuggling ring being covered up by customs officers at Heathrow. John wasn't happy with his writing and knew that it was the stress of Moriarty's earlier visit was to blame; affecting his concentration. Eventually, John saved his work without posting it, declaring to Sherlock he needed an early night.
That night Jon dreamt of hot dessert sand that stung the eyes as he crouched behind the armoured 4x4 in Helmand with his sniper's rifle cocked, searching for the hidden sniper who had just picked off his youngest corporal. When he finally sighted the sniper he recoiled in shock. It was Moriarty. Quickly John composed himself and took aim, but the lost time was too much, the sniper fired again. A man at his side fell, landing half on him. John looked down to see Sherlock with a hole in his head and blank eyes staring up at him.
One by one Moriarty picked off the soldiers, each had a familiar face; Mrs Hudson, Lestrade, Molly, Mike, Mycroft, even Anthea. John just watched in horror until finally Moriarty's aim turned on him.
He awoke with a start, Sherlock leaning over him shaking him gently, calling his name "John, wake up!"
"What are you doing here?" John asked pushing himself up in the bed.
"You called out for me, so I came. So, bad dream?"
"Mmh."
"About me, obviously. Still about my death?"
"It's fine Sherlock. I'm fine." John lay back and closed his eyes, dismissing him.
Sherlock left John and went back to his work in the kitchen. He felt bad that his faked death had affected John so much. He never imagined he would take it so hard; a good thing he didn't. He is not sure that he could have knowingly done that to him, even knowing the alternative.
Sorry it's a shorty. The chapters should get longer from hereon in. Remember, your reviews will inspire me to continue …