"My question," John began, "is what you are doing with my computer, Sherlock."

"Trying to find information on our guest. Unfortunately, whether it be your name or an alias, Alfred Jones is quite common." Sherlock answered.

"Alfred F. Jones." Was the comment. However, it was ignored.

"We can use the normalcy of your name to our advantage though." After giving the teenage blond a look he continued, "We'll have to get rid of those glasses too. Get you contacts."

"Thanks?" Alfred replied awkwardly. How was he supposed to respond to a comment like that?

Before they could come to a decision on their next move, a decisive knock came at the door. After ushering the American into John's room they allowed their new guest in, who happened to be a blond man with a perpetual scowl on his face and jade eyes.

"Sherlock lives here, correct?"

"Yes. That would be me." Sherlock said as he analyzed the man before him. For one, he was obviously a government official which would mean he was sent by Mycroft but there was obvious signs of other things. He gave off strange signals quite similar to a particular Alfred F. Jones.

"I'm Arthur Kirkland and-"

"You lost someone. Again. And quite recently too it would seem. The same person? I would assume so. And if you are seeking my help then you must be personally attached to this individual."

"Belt up. I didn't come to have my life story reiterated at me. Your brother is being lazy per usual and pointed me in your direction." Arthur scowled at the detective with his arms crossed. "So if we could get on with it then let's."

"So, I presume you want me to find this missing person?" Sherlock said, prepared for a boring story like his usual clients would ramble off.

"No. I want to find the person that might have killed them. I am aware of the fact that you are acquainted with Jim Moriarty." Arthur stated, his tone firm and even.

"That I am. And you are sure this person is dead?" Sherlock analyzed the guest silently. There was obviously something he was hiding but he couldn't place his finger on it at the moment.

"That's not important. It is important, however, that I find out why he was targeted and possibly murdered." He was a father too. That much was obvious. Owns one cat, does needlework, plays bass, accustomed to manual labor, proud Englishman, well traveled, but that was all on the surface. There was something he was missing. Something deeper.

"People are murdered all the time. What is particularly important about this murder?" Sherlock asked. Maybe he would be able to get more information if he prodded the right areas.

"He was my closest friend."

"I'm sure..." Sherlock responded. Obviously this person was more than a close friend. Perhaps a friend with benefits or maybe even a lover.

"Just do your bloody job and find me his killer." Arthur said. "Notify your brother when you wish for me to return. Hopefully he will deign it important enough to tell me."

"Good day Mr. Kirkland. We will meet again." Sherlock said his farewell as the Briton left the flat and John ushered Alfred back to my living room. "Someone is quite interested in you. I would prefer to figure out your predicament myself before getting involved in any outside interference though."

"Shouldn't you let that Kirkland fellow know, if they are close? It would give Alfred a better chance of regaining his memory." John commented.

"Possibly. I would prefer to know all the facts before I give up my largest lead in the event that there is more to this then Kirkland is telling us." Sherlock explained. He intended on finding on finding out exactly what was going and he knew the perfect place to start.


Jim Moriarty always enjoyed the success of a good murder. It was a quick, easy way to stave of his boredom for a moment longer and if it just so happened to cause problems for the Holmes boys then all the better. However, his latest murder had been unexpectedly derailed when the victim had turned out to still be alive.

Normally, if he heard that his murder attempt had been unsuccessful he would just have the person shot and cut off any loose ends but this circumstance called for a very different solution. He had been payed a handsome sum to dispatch a certain young American and it had been taken care of beautifully if he didn't say so himself. One sniper, one bullet to the head, one American corpse in a pool of blood, one less person walking on the planet, one less moment of boredom.

But now the "dead' American was up and walking around.

He wasn't sure whether he should be angry or upset so he just settled on excited. Finally! Another person he could use to stave off his boredom! However, young Alfred F. Jones was found by none other than Dr. John Watson and was now taking up residency at 221B Baker Street. If Moriarty wanted to find an effective solution to his boredom then he would have to get Jones away from the Virgin and into his own hands.

After all, it wasn't every day that one had the opportunity to get their hands on someone who had just come back from the dead, and with no memory. That was almost like a bonus. Now his main concern was on how to go about this particular endeavor and preferably in a way that would let him snatch the American right from under Sherlock's nose.

There were various ways he could go about this: bribing a police officer for when they visited DI Lestrade (which they would), disappearance in a crowd, poison and taking the body, just a good old kidnapping, so many choices! And he was looking forward to finding out whatever was making Jones tick.


I apologize for the long wait and the relatively short update but I have so much homework all the time and I wanted to make sure I knew where this was going. I know it's a poor excuse but please forgive me. I couldn't find any inspiration originally but then I read all the amazing reviews you guys kept leaving me and I just had to update for you guys. I hope to make the next chapter longer and I wanted this one to be longer but it wouldn't have worked out very well. Thank you and sorry!