AU: In which John was the one to fake his death for a year with the help of Mycroft and the kids take care of their distraught father for the year that follows.
Irregulars are the same age they were in The Irregulars
It had been Mycroft's plan, John hated it with every molecule in his body but he knew it was the right thing to do. No matter how wrong it was. Getting Sherlock to leave the hospital and John behind was surprisingly easy. Mycroft had one of his people call in, stating Mrs. Hudson had been shot by one of the assassins who'd recently taken up residence at Baker Street. After his display of protectiveness with the Americans, Mycroft had know it would work, John stayed behind, lying and telling his friend he'd catch a different cab. They were too noticeable when they were together, they were still on the run after all.
Sherlock had run off, only later when he arrived and found Mrs. Hudson perfectly fine he'd realize it had been a trick. The rest of Mycroft's plan was simple, John would confront Moriarty and get as much information as possible, the mad man would be angry that Sherlock had not turned up, he'd let things slip. And he did, the snipers, the bomb in The Irregular's Hotel, everything. Unfortunately he then shot himself and John was left with the ultimatum that was meant for Sherlock.
Die or they die.
Fortunately Mycroft had planned for that too, everything was set up for John to fake his death. Once he was dead he could take down Moriarty's empire with the politicians help, there was just one catch. Sherlock would have to believe his performance. If Moriarty's empire didn't believe he was really dead things would go south quickly. Sighing John picked up his mobile and dialed the detectives number as he spied the man getting out a cab a little over a block away.
Usually John could never fool Sherlock with his acting but he had several factors on his side. From this distance Sherlock could see him but not study any facial cues or subtle movements to indicate deceit, plus John's own upset and pain at having to do this to his best friend helped make his voice crack and wavering convincingly.
"John, what's going on?" Sherlock asked as he made his way toward the hospital again.
"Stop walking! Go back the way you came." John replied seriously.
"What-"
"Just do as I say!" John insisted, "Please."
Sherlock backed up as he was told, as he did so John could see him stiffen when he spotted his friend standing on the edge of the roof.
"What...why are you up there?" Sherlock asked, he actually sounded nervous.
This bit was the worst, Mycroft had told him what he would have to say in order to convince Sherlock this was all real. It made John want to punch him in the face, then punch himself.
"I can't do this anymore Sherlock." He said simply, "How could you of lied to me all this time? You pretended you were some great hero when really you were pulling the strings."
"What? No! It's a lie." Sherlock argued, "You should know that! John don't be an idiot, of course I'm not a fake."
"Moriar-Brook showed me everything Sherlock." John sighed, "I've lost everything because of you, my job, my credibility and you made me your accomplice in all of this."
"John-"
"Goodbye Sherlock."
"What do you mean goodbye?" Sherlock exclaimed.
John tossed the phone to the side and took a deep breath, the van was waiting to cushion his fall. As he stepped off the building he heard sherlock scream his name, along with many other younger voices. Oh damn, he hadn't meant for the Irregulars to see this. As planned Sherlock and the kids missed him actually hitting the ground due to the small building blocking the way, ample time for John to land in the van and have it drive away while the body double was dumped on the ground.
He watched, hidden in the mattress filled van as Sherlock rushed over to his corpse, the Irregulars not far behind.
"I am sorry Sherlock..."
Part two will be about the Irregulars helping their father through the year without John. I know there wasn't much of them in this chapter but I needed to set the scene.
Another thing, loads of people voted yes for this story but I am not getting nearly as many reviews as I did in the last two stories. I am just wondering if the quality of my writing is still up to standard is all. I hope I'm not letting anybody down.
