AJ Elfhawk

On The Way Down

Chapter 3 – Truth by intimidation


"A strangled smile fell from your face
It kills me that I hurt you this way
The worst part is that I didn't even know
Now there's a million reasons for you to go
But if you can find a reason to stay...
I'll do whatever it takes to turn this around
I know what's at stake, I know that I've let you down
And if you give me a chance
Believe it, I can change."

Whatever It Takes - Lifehouse


Sherlock put a hand behind John's shoulder, urging him on. 'This way, keep going.' He took the lead through five more gardens as they worked their way up Tennyson Road, his attention still fixed on John's progress even though it was a redundant worry. Some fences were little over waist height and easy to vault, most were full height lap panels that required a lot more effort.

Just as he heard police dogs joining the shouts of officers inside the cemetery, a brown and white terrier rushed over as they landed behind the third house. It barked zealously but kept its distance. Sherlock snarled back as they climbed over to the next garden comparatively quickly. The police dogs responded to the small dog's commotion. A helicopter was approaching from the north.

'Here,' Sherlock said as they reached the right garden. 'Get inside.'

'Who's house?' John sounded slightly winded as they came to the back door. Sherlock pulled it open, seeing him in safely.

'It's mine,' he muttered, locking the door behind him, leaning back with a deep breath.

Their relief to be out of the open was evident, but John remained stationary against the wall. They took each other in completely at last, skin flushed from the sprint, both of them breathless. John felt warm and strangely absent, absorbing the sight of Sherlock's remarkable features that he hadn't seen for so many weeks, apart from in photos. His mind, drunk on adrenaline, worked faster than his body as if he was moving through water. Sherlock was looking at him strangely, but he didn't care. It was hard enough to get past the fact that Sherlock was actually looking at him at all.

Sherlock was experiencing the opposite extreme. While he caught his breath watching John, his intuition had gone blank. The treachery within the words of his false confession to Moriarty's scheme barely compared to demanding John witness, and thus vindicate, his death.

Now the roles had reversed. The thought that John had tried to kill himself was disturbing, and the irony that Sherlock himself couldn't acknowledge it after what he'd put John through cut his pride deeply.

Sherlock couldn't stop himself from examining John's eyes, wide and expressive, looking for the unspoken words between them. But John didn't hold eye contact long, reverting to staring at Sherlock's chin instead, something he had often done as a result of their difference in height. He was embarrassed, that much was obvious. But what for, being discovered in that situation at the cemetery? Getting found had been his objective, so surely not. Perhaps for putting them both in this awkward position? Sherlock unfolded his arms slowly, considering that it was possible he might truly be out of practice. He must have read the scene wrong, simply seen what he wanted to – John in danger, needing to be saved. A reason to go back.

That being the case, John had proven his own skills of rationality to be beyond reproach. Sherlock knew John's unshakeable faith would probably never cease to overwhelm him.

'I knew you'd figure it out, John. I just – I never expected you to do something like this.'

'Figure what out?'

'My note. That's why you're here isn't it?'

'Your note.' John was at a loss for words. Clearly he'd missed something, as usual.

'I tried to tell you what was happening, in the only way I could - in my note.' John still looked blank, and Sherlock finally realised he had been wrong. John hadn't worked it out at all. 'I said it was just a magic trick.' Sherlock finished quietly, his confidence on the matter shaken.

John looked away down the narrow hallway for a moment. His eyebrows raised briefly and he shook his head, almost smiling.

'Right. You did tell me.'

Sherlock's expression changed, frowning with suspicion.

'So how did you know I'd be there?' That question made John look embarrassed again.

'To be honest, I didn't.'

'So, suicide then?'

'No. I mean, OK, it was a risk. But I could have asked you the same –'

'A risk! You can't be serious!' Sherlock made a noise of frustration and locked his fingers behind his head, turning away down the hallway, then back again just as suddenly. He knew John was trying to deceive him now. The words were hollow. No one risked their life to make a point for no reason.

'You're lying to me, John.' He said softly, his anger clear by the tone.

'Sherlock, I'm not lying. Where else would I have found you? I hoped you'd follow me and notice the pattern. Realise I'd broken it. All I could do was pray to God you were there.'

'And God was happy to oblige.' Sherlock replied sarcastically, now standing inches away. Lowering his gaze to watch John, he leant forwards and closed the remaining distance between them.

John saw Sherlock getting closer, his thoughts swirling around the physical stimulus, too stunned to argue.

'What are you –'

'I need your phone,' Sherlock clarified, breaking the moment as he reached into John's pocket to remove it without hesitation. John looked down in surprise, opening his mouth to protest at the familiar disregard for his possessions and boundaries, but Sherlock shushed him, already busy texting.

999. SH

John caught the phone as it was tossed back.

'Stay downstairs.' Sherlock added gruffly as he left, heading up the stairs two at a time.

John thought Sherlock was optimistic if he expected him to follow orders again anytime soon after what had happened last time.