AN: I had some unexpected free time so here is chapter 3 way ahead of schedule. It's a bit troubling how much I enjoyed writing these nightmares for Sherlock...
Disclaimer: I'm praying to Santa to bring me the rights to Sherlock, until he does so I own nothing.
"Sherlock I'm moving out."
Sherlock glanced over the top of his laptop screen, to see John standing in front of him.
"What?" "I'm moving out. This life, the cases; it's just all too much. I'm going to start looking for a flat tomorrow." Sherlock nodded; absorbing this startling and disappointing information. After a moment he lets out a small sigh. "Alright John." then goes back to his work.
That's exactly how the conversation occurred in real-life. It's what happens next that causes Sherlock to wake in a cold sweat; tears, yes tears, prickling in his eyes. They're suddenly at the door and John has two duffel bags in hand, preparing to leave. "Why do you have to go John? I know you said the cases are too much; but you don't have to help with them. Why can't you stay?" he pleads.
John just shakes his head grimly. "It's not just the cases Sherlock. It's you. You're too cold. You're very presence is painful Sherlock. You're arrogant and heartless. You don't care about me; about anyone. I can't live with that." "No John! That's not true. I do care about you! And other people too. Honestly, I'm just not good at showing it. I'm not cold!" He insists his voice raising a few notches in desperation. John just shakes his head.
"You are Sherlock. Cold as ice." he says turning for the door. Then things get rather bizarre. Sherlock grabs John and shoves him against the wall saying "I am not cold John Watson! And I intend to prove that to you!" He then kisses John passionately. Or attempts to anyway. John however shoves him off; giving him a death glare that would freeze fire itself. "Stop screwing with me Holmes. I'm leaving" and storms out.
Sherlock wakes feeling heartbroken; a sensation he never actually thought existed, just something conjured up by poets and hopeless romantics. Apparently he was wrong.
But that nightmare isn't the one that haunts him through his waking hours.
He is in a cheap motel room; tied to a chair. There is another Sherlock in the room; who has apparently tied him there. There are subtle differences between himself and the other Sherlock. The other Sherlock; whom he has an urge to refer to as "Holmes" has dark almost black eyes and his cheekbones seem more defined in a gaunt, almost malicious way. He notices there is laptop sitting on a small table; and he can see that there is a video-chat open. Holmes sits in another chair, pulling it closer to the table and Sherlock sees John come onscreen.
"Hey Sherlock." He says addressing Holmes. "How are thing going for you?" "They would be going better if you weren't constantly bothering me Watson. I'm very busy on cases" Holmes replies in a cool clipped tone. John looks a bit confused and stung. "Oh, I - uh, Sorry. It's just you said to um- keep in touch." he stammers. Holmes let out a long-suffering sigh. "Oh that. It was an experiment. You see I have this theory that certain common phrases are exchanged out of courtesy and have no true intention behind them, nor any expectation of reciprocation or follow-through. You've disproved that theory by calling and texting me constantly. Why must you ruin everything Watson?" John looks like he's been slapped. The "real" Sherlock is shouting "Don't listen to him John! It's not true, I really meant for you to keep in touch. You're a marvelous friend." But John can't hear him. "I - I'm really sorry Sherlock. I never meant to ruin anything. I'm just not ready to let you go yet. I can't lose you Sherlock. I love you."
Sherlock can't help but smile at that. John loves him. That's absolutely brilliant! But Holmes just laughs coldly. "John you're so ordinary with your sentiments of love. I certainly hope you're not looking to gain the same sort of confession from me with your revelation. I can't love; I'm a sociopath remember? I have no feelings; I have no heart. Do the world a favor Watson and get over it." Now Sherlock is struggling with his bonds, shouting "Don't listen to him John! I have a heart! I have to have a heart, because you can't love without one and I love you!" But John still can't hear him. He looks like he's literally been stabbed. Despite the fact that he knows John can't hear him; he continues struggling and shouting for John not to listen to the "Sherlock" on the video-chat. Then comes an explosion from John's end.
Sherlock stops; simply staring in shock at the flames on the screen. Holmes laughs and slowly begins to morph into Moriarty. He stands and turns to face Sherlock; a manic smile on his face. "I warned you Sherlock. I told you I would burn your heart out. Looks like I blew it up instead. Oops."
Sherlock wakes up screaming and crying every time.
If convenient please review, if inconvenient review anyway.
KP
