Here is the next chapter. Fairly short, compared to the last, but it's more plot setting than anything.
Forget this for the last chapter
Disclaimer: I don't own any Sherlock characters, BBC and Arthur Conan Doyle own them.
Chapter Two - If I Really Must
Next Day, Sunday, 7.00 AM
John had gone to bed late, telling Sherlock he should too. But it wasn't really a surprise when he found the detective in almost exactly the same position as before, eyes open and staring at the ceiling.
"Is it really worth making a fool of myself, just to catch Moriarty?" he asked, though John wasn't sure who. He decided to answer anyway.
"Well, I guess. And you don't normally mind acting stupidly."
Sherlock grunted.
"I do not act stupidly. It's just you're all to dense to make head or tail of it."
John rolled his eyes, but thought better of answering back.
"You still haven't answered my first question." said Sherlock after a moments pause.
"I think it's worth it. It's your pride against tens, maybe hundreds, of lives." he said, flipping the kettle on.
"I'll never hear the end of it..." Sherlock sighed, in a saintly sort of way. "And it'll be so boring!"
"But you'll catch him." said John, tapping his fingers against the worktop.
There was a long silence from the consulting detective, as he thought. Weighing up the pros and cons to the situation. John was pouring himself a cup of tea when Sherlock finally spoke.
"I'll do it." he said hollowly, as though he had agreed to go on a suicide mission, and not appear on a dancing show.
"Well, I'm sure you'll be a big hit with the audience." John said, sitting in his chair, and grabbing the nearest newspaper.
Four Hours Later, 11.00 AM
Sherlock had spent four hours moaning. It wouldn't have been so bad, except for the fact that John had to answer from time to time, and got quizzed on what Sherlock had just said.
"What did I just say?" Sherlock would snap, mid rant.
"Erm... Something about Mycroft being an idiot?" John would say vaguely.
"What! No, that was half an hour ago. Do keep up John, it's dull when you don't. I was saying about how-"
And so it went on, until there was a knock at the door, and Mycroft appeared. John was about to rise, but Mycroft had already let himself in, and swept over and seated himself.
"Well Sherlock. The managers of the dance want an answer." he said, getting to the point.
"I'll do it." Sherlock said coldly.
"Excellent. Your a bit late, the others have been doing dance practise, but I'll doubt you need that." He gave Sherlock that thin lipped smile. "I'll come and pick you up at three next Saturday."
"Why?"
"Because you will be introduced to your dance partner that day."
"Why three?"
"They need to spruce you up a bit before the show starts."
Sherlock gave Mycroft a look of horror, and glanced around for his violin. John had had the foresight to move it from Sherlock's reach. John mentally counted the days. It was Sunday today, so that meant six days until Sherlock had to go. Six days of moaning... He'd have to get Lestarde to find a case that would keep Sherlock busy.
"Then, you'll have a week to practise your dance, and then on the next Saturday you'll do it." said Mycroft.
Sherlock gave a non-committal sound, that could have meant anything.
"Sherlock, you have to stay in the competition at least four weeks."
"I reckon five, you underestimate Moriarty." Sherlock said coolly.
"Very well, half way through the competition. As soon as you've caught him, you can pull out."
"Can you. Just pull out?" asked Sherlock hopefully.
"We can say that you broke an ankle or something."
Sherlock nodded, face clear of any emotion.
"John, you can come on Saturday. Every contestant gets two free tickets for family and friends.'"
John nodded, not sure whether going was a great idea, if Sherlock did anything, like blow the place up, he didn't want to be responsible.
"And finally Sherlock, your not going to lie about to much. Say your a consulting detective, but don't go into much detail." said Mycroft sternly.
"Right. Lie about important things." he droned
"Good, I think we've got everything covered. You know how the show works, I presume."
"John can fill me in later. You can leave. Now." said Sherlock, ice dripping from each syllable.
"Very well, don't do anything rash until the competition starts." said Mycroft.
So that's exactly what Sherlock did.
'Kay! That's that. Next chapter will be up by the 1st of November.
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