I still don't own them. And again I want to thank Pantherlily for her precious help. I'm so glad she decided to help me with this story.

IV

Jim spent his time focused on Sebastian Moran, hidden in the dark of his box. A part of him hated the green eyed man for the power he dared to have on him.

If someone could see him, Jim looked like everyone else in the Opera House, with his eyes on the stage, maybe thinking about poor Violetta and her choices and her impossible love. No one could even imagine that his fast and long fingers were running on the buttons of his phone.

No one could imagine that without even watching at the screen the man was sending plans that would have scared even the bravest of men.

But his cold and calculating eyes were on Sebastian, watching every one of his moves.

Helga's perfume was driving Jim mad. It was expensive yes, but it didn't belong to her. It was like a precious and rich red wine wasted on a McDonald's lunch.

And suddenly Jim wondered about what cologne Sebastian was wearing. What kind of scent could portray a man with Sebastian's past, and would it be the same he'd choose to start a new life? Because that was what Jim was going to offer him.

A new life, a better one.

Or a painful and slow death if the former colonel dared to deny him what he wanted.

000

Sebastian knew the Opera since he was a young boy forced to attend Gala and opening night with his family.

He was able to sing more than one single Aria, and still that night he couldn't care about the characters or the singers or the story itself.

His mind was only full of black and cold eyes. And even if a part of him really wanted to get rid of that memory, the beast in him, the one that scared the shit out of his enemies, and sometimes even his own few friends, was wild awake and ready to play.

The beast recognised someone similar to him, and wanted more. But the beast couldn't even imagine how far from the truth that was.

Sebastian realised with a little hint of shame that everyone was on their feet, acclaiming the singers.

Did he really lose more than two hours thinking about someone he wasn't going to see anymore? That was unbelievable, and not Sebastian at all.

The former Colonel decided to blame his recent job, too boring, too easy for someone like him, but it did paid him good. But it missed the excitement of danger, the adrenaline he loved to feel running in his veins.

And above all it missed what Sebastian always fought for.

Sebastian shook his head furiously. He knew he couldn't think like that, not anymore. His job ensured him a damn good pay, and that was all.

A smirk formed on his mouth at the thought that after all he wasn't so different from a well paid whore. Never to have the same client night after night, always ready to forget their faces, yes, sometimes Sebastian really thought that after all he was a whore.

If his mind had been more lucid, and he wasn't lost in his thoughts, Sebastian would have seen the black car that passed a little too close to the rented Limo his hotel booked for him. He would have seen the man he was still thinking about take his date to a beautiful car and kiss her hand in a gentle but firm goodnight.

Sadly Sebastian was lost in thoughts and he never knew what was going to hit him.

000

Sebastian found difficult to fall asleep, and that was strange after a job, usually killing someone had a calming effect on the former colonel. That was one of the reasons he was often chosen for impossible missions during his time in the army.

But that night sleep eluded him, and when exhaustion finally shut his eyes, his dreams were plagued by impossibly dark eyes burning his soul and condemning him to damnation.

Dawn coloured the room with delicate shades of violet and pink, but it wasn't that that woke Sebastian.

His senses were screaming danger even if the room was perfectly silent. His right hand darted to the knife hidden under his pillow, but he was stopped by the sound of a voice with a thick Irish accent.

"Now, now Colonel, I wouldn't do that if I was in you."

Sebastian cursed as a sailor in his mind. Never in his whole life was he taken by surprise, and yet there he was in a hotel room, with an intruder, and for some strange reason he was following his orders.

Sebastian sat on the bed with slow moves, his bare legs still covered by the silk and his chest visible to the intruder.

He wasn't going to give the man any other advantage. He remained cold while his eyes adjusted to the light so he finally could see who was in his room.

If the other was waiting for a frightened man he would have been disappointed because Sebastian wasn't going to play that role.

His breath was cut in his throat when the man, who watched Sebastian move under the sheets form a dark corner in the room, moved where the light made possible for Sebastian to recognise him.

The man who haunted him all night.

"Hello Mr. Moran"

Jim tried his best to hide the strange and mostly unknown emotions rising in his chest watching the tanned and scarred man in front of him.

He wanted that man, under his thumb, to punish him for the attentions he was already claiming, to use his force against his enemies, and for the first time he wanted someone just because he knew that Sebastian could become something so much more and more perfect that just a paid killer.

"How do you know my name? And who the hell are you?"

Jim smiled. Straight to the point even if he was visibly at a disadvantage in that situation. He liked that. Another point Sebastian wasn't even aware he scored.

"I know a lot about you Mr Moran."

Jim walked to the bed and pushed a knee on the edge, towering on the form of Sebastian's body.

"I know you are the thirty-eighth Earl of Moran since your father unfortunately died before he had the time to change his will. I know what scars on your body you worship the most. The ones proving you are your own man, not your father's son. The ones you got fighting against the tiger. And I know what scars you hate the most, Sebastian, the ones your father gave you. The one that were meant to forge you as his heir. As someone like him. I know you killed your father, not because of the title or the money, but because you couldn't let him live thinking he defeated you. And because of your mother."

Sebastian was speechless. No one ever knew the truth about his mother's death. Nobody could know. And now, that crazy idiot who dared to enter his room and talk to him like he was the King of the world, spoke about her as if he knew everything.

Sebastian was ready to attack this time, when the man spoke again.

"The name is James, James Moriarty."

Sebastian went pale in a second. He knew that name. Everyone knew who Moriarty was in the underground, in the society that was born because the government and politicians weren't able to make England as safe as they loved to tell the world.

Moriarty was a ghost, a crime lord, the crime lord who ruled over all of the underworld. A man no one wanted as an enemy, ready to kill you just because he didn't like how you dress. And above all a man no one really ever saw.

Every man who worked for him was loyal to death to the ghost. From his most highly paid killer to the last of his servants, no one was going to sell him for any amount of money. That at least was what the rumours always said.

And now the most powerful criminal in all England, and maybe even Europe if Sebastian wasn't wrong, was in his room, chit chatting with him.

"Good, I see you know who I am Sebastian. That's very good. It'll make our lovable conversation easier, tiger."

The way Jim said tiger froze Sebastian's blood. There was something predatory in the man's eyes, something totally mad and cold, but alive in the same time. Like if a dark fire burned behind those dark orbs.

Before Sebastian could react Jim started to talk again.

"You see Colonel, you ruined one of my plans a few hours ago."

The gaze in his eyes became suddenly cold as ice and Sebastian could feel his senses screaming to take the knife and attack the smaller man before he was the dead one in the room, but once again he stayed perfectly still, listening.

"Usually I would have killed everyone who dared to do something like that… Or I would have him killed by one of my men, but this time Sebastian, this time I decided otherwise. You are an artist, you are cold, and you love killing people, because you know they aren't worth anything in truth, you know you are making them a favour, and you love the feeling to be like a god, with the power to end or save lives. And I want all of that for me Sebastian. So you have two possibilities now. You become mine, or you die because you refused me."

Sebastian was stunned. He was sure he was a dead man and now James Moriarty, criminal extraordinaire, was giving him the possibility to work for him.

That sounded too simple.

"What's the price, Moriarty?"

Jim smiled, and his smile was the one of a spoiled brat who just threw away his new toy because he wanted something else. And he knew he was going to have it.

"I'll pay you one million for killing Sebastian, and I'll give you back the power they stripped from you when they kicked you out of the army."

"No, what's the price I have to pay to work for you."

Jim's smile grew big and bigger.

"You'll just have to give up everything and be mine Colonel. That's all I ask."

Sebastian was silent for a few moments, and the two men used the time to really watch at each other.

They were as different as possible.

Jim was shorter, with snowy and flawless skin, his hair and eyes dark as warm and rich expensive pure chocolate.

Sebastian was tanned, with fair eyes and hair, and his body was scarred by the wars and what he endured to become the man he was now, and yet they were perfect together. Night and day, dark and a darker shade of light.

Sebastian knew he was going to say yes. Not because of the money or the power, but because of Jim, and suddenly he understood the loyalty of Jim's men.

"Ok."

Sebastian didn't have much more to say, and he wasn't a man prone to talk if words weren't really needed.

"You'll prove yourself to me Sebastian. You'll prove to me I wasn't wrong choosing to keep you my pet."

"How?"

Sebastian was already in the state of mind where he was ready to follow orders, his soldier state like he liked to call it.

"You have twenty-four hours Moran. Choose someone not boring to kill, and prove to me you are not only a good sniper, but that you can use your brain. If your choice pleases me, you'll be my pet. Otherwise…"

"Otherwise I'm dead, I know."

Once again the two men stared at each other, and Sebastian could finally understand what was wrong with Jim. He tried to figure out since the moment the other man came closer.

It was the smell.

"You stink of expensive perfume that not even my grandmother would wear if she was still alive."

For the very first time Jim was taken by surprise. He just finished telling Sebastian he was dead if he didn't like his choice for a victim, and the man thought about his smell?

That was insane.

"You are insane Colonel Moran, you know that right?"

"That didn't seem to be a problem for you, Sir."

Jim's laugh was like silver bells moved by wind.

"If you really must know, Sebastian, the smell is a very rare and expensive perfume that is created only for the Von Trott women since the eighteenth century."

"Well, that only means that the Von Trott Women, stink since the eighteenth century."

"Yes, that's probably very true Colonel, I'm afraid I'll have to burn my suit."

"That's probably the only thing to do Sir. I doubt that the smell will ever disappear."

Jim was in a dark mood now, and Sebastian started to realise how easy (Add 'it' after 'easy') was to upset Moriarty.

"It was one of my favourite."

"I'm sorry for your loss, Sir."

Jim slapped Sebastian, hard. His eyes as cold as ice, before he grabbed his chin with a force Sebastian didn't think a man like Jim could have.

"Never think you are my equal, Sebastian, never think you can make fun of me. Remember your place pet, and don't ever cross me again. Or I'll drown you in Helga's perfume after I killed her for ruining my suit. Am I clear pet?"

Sebastian just nodded, but that only enraged Jim more. He pushed his thumb fingernail in the soft skin under Sebastian's chin.

"I said, am I clear pet?"

"Yes sir, crystal."

Jim cut the pressure of his thumb and slowly begun to sooth the reddened skin.

"That's better, pet. See? It wasn't so hard. And remember, when I ask you something, I want an answer. Next time I won't be so gentle."

"Understood sir."

Jim smiled again, and once again his mood was different. Sebastian knew it would be better for him to learn to recognise Jim's mood, and to find out the triggers to any of them, for his own sanity.

"Now, back to ourselves. In twenty-four hours I'll meet you in this room again. And you'll show me your choice. Don't even think to try to run, I'd know that and I'd be so disappointed, pet. So very disappointed."

Sebastian knew that tone well. And he knew it was a tone you don't mess with if you value your life.

"I'll be here, sir."

Jim clapped his hands with a loud noise, smiling as a child who was given free access to a candies store.

"That's brilliant. I'll see you in twenty-four hours Sebastian. Have a great day, my pet."

And as silently as he entered the room, James Moriarty was gone, leaving Sebastian with the need to find a victim in a city he didn't even know that well.

A crazy smile was beginning to grow on his face. If there was something Sebastian loved, was a good challenge.

000

Sebastian was silently watching the man he chose. He was totally unaware , living his life like every other day. Giving orders, leading his business from his office, watching the world from the panoramic window, not living in truth.

His round face was covered in a thin layer of sweat. His eyes too small for his face were empty, like if the young brunette kneeled between his legs wasn't even there. He was a pig, taking his pleasure, eating, and just observing others struggling to keep going.

A life like his was wasted and Sebastian was sure that his choice was a good one.

The time stopped around the sniper. It was like if nature itself kept its breath while Sebastian's finger slowly but firmly pressed the trigger. While the bullet ran silent and lethal to its target.

A mere moment and the man in the ugly suit and fat body collapsed on his desk. The time was still frozen.

Only the loud scream of the girl ruined that moment of imperfect perfection.

When Sebastian thought his task was done, his phone told him he got a new message, and that was beyond strange.

We'll make things more interesting, pet. Give me 2 killings. See you in the morning. JM

Sebastian cursed between his teeth. He liked to play dirty, but he had little time now, and to find a new victim who wasn't boring, following Moriarty's taste, wasn't easy.

The former colonel thanked his rotting father for the dirty mind he took from him. He already had a victim in mind. It could be a hazard, but everything was in his life. And after all he always knew he wasn't going to live until old age.

000

The restaurant was elegant, with the floor made in old, lucid wood and the chandeliers made of Italian crystal.

The tables were all occupied.

Business men with their wives, or mistresses. Nobles with their family, enjoying a late dinner after the Gala, or the Opera House, or whatever event was scheduled for the night.

Sebastian was wearing a dark Armani suit. He could have been one of the people returning home after the event if only he wasn't hidden in a dark alley, his gun ready to fire.

He took a moment to feel the weapon in his hand, like the first time, to calculate the distance once again, the impact against the glass of the window, how fast the bullet would run to its target.

Sebastian knew he didn't have much time. Once the glass was broken panic would start. He had only a possibility to hit his target, and disappear.

Sebastian took a moment to control his posture and his breathing. His heart was beating normally, like if he was walking in a park, his arm wasn't rigid and his mind was totally focused on his target.

His finger pulled the trigger and he watched the blond girl with the sapphire earrings collapse on her chair, a bullet hole between her eyes.

Sebastian knew he couldn't stay and enjoy his work, he had to disappear fast. He needed to come back to his room, and wait for Moriarty.

000

Sebastian took his time in the shower. The hot water helped to relax his muscles, and clean his mind from every thought. He was at peace with the light scent of his soap wrapping him sensually and the steam making the bathroom a place lost in time and space, where nothing could reach for him.

He wasn't happy when he had to leave the shower, but his skin was starting to look like a dried plum. He covered himself with a fluffy bathrobe and used a towel to dray his hair, it was like that when he arrived in the bedroom, and found James Moriarty waiting for him.

Sebastian stilled. Unsure of what to do even if that was his room.

Jim was sat at a coffee table, with a cup of tea in front of him, and the newspapers of the day. The front page was split between the news of the murder of Helga Von Trott and the news of the death of Maxwel Von Sedoff.

Jim's expression was unreadable.

"Explain colonel."

Sebastian moved to sit on the chair in front of Jim. This was his damn room, and if he was going to end up with a hole in his head he wanted at least to be comfortable.

"She ruined your suit, Sir."

Jim laughed, and Sebastian thought that maybe, just maybe, he was really happy in those small moments.

They didn't talk about the man, or why he was dead. They both knew.

Von Sedoff was trying to destroy Moriarty's power in Germany, to take his place, he was the one who paid Sebastian to kill the Russian politician in an attempt to shake things enough to take power for himself.

Sebastian couldn't let him live, even if it was too early to claim loyalty only to Moriarty. Jim wasn't ready for that yet, so the truth remained unspoken.

"Prepare your luggage Sebastian, we are going home."