A/N: Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy this next chapter. I know some people have liked that I've kept my chapters pretty short, and I know the last one I posted was like...almost 3,000 words, so I apologize if that kinda threw some people off. I couldn't find a good place to stop so I apologize again.

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John remained in the room with Sherlock. He was in hysterics, but Sherlock was calm as he drank his cider. John sat back down, unsure of what to think or feel. His eyes wandered until they met with Sherlock's. "Still confused, John?"

"He did it...to save her. But, Moriarty knows it too. Won't he-?"

"This whole thing has been a game. Moriarty has been poking at Mycroft for days and wants to keep it going until he can see how far Mycroft will go. This was the borderline, and he crossed it. Simple as that. However, Moriarty wasn't prepared for Mycroft to strike back and defy him."

John blinked. "Will he...what about Lestrade?"

Sherlock shrugged. "One can only guess. All we can do is wait for the unknown."

"Wait? We don't have time to wait! How can we be sure that-"

"That's the point, John. None of us have been sure of anything this entire time. It's only logical that the result of it all is the exact same."

Mycroft left the flat with his heart heavy but his head held high. He recalled the alley he met with Moriarty before and entered it. His hand stung a bit but he clenched it and continued into the dark alley. Several cars and cabs drove by, not having a clue as to what was going on. No clue as to the maniac that roamed their city.

With his thoughts roaming, he didn't hear the figure walking behind him. A hand slapped over his mouth and a gun pressed against his head. He struggled, but it did no good.

"You might think you've saved her, but you are completely out of your mind," Moriarty said as he stepped up to Mycroft.

Moriarty adjusted his suit jacket and sighed. "You ruined this whole game for me. Now, you can come with me and watch me kill everyone you love."

Mycroft kept struggling against the goon holding him, but he deduced that they were much taller and bigger than he was. Moriarty couldn't help but giggle as he watched Mycroft try to fight back.

"You know, I never thought you really loved anyone. But, as Magnussen himself said, everyone has their pressure points. Get him in the car, Sebastian."

They all got into a black van as Mycroft looked up at 221B. At the window above the door was John. He looked down at them and quickly moved away from the window. Sherlock stared at himself in the mirror as he put his coat on.

"Sherlock, he's getting into a van with Moriarty!"

Sherlock nodded.

John grimaced. "Well, you can sit here with your deductions. I'm going after them with the police."

Sherlock watched John head to the door and grabbed his arm. "Don't be stupid, John. No police can be involved. The worst Moriarty can do is kill Lestrade"

Scoffing, John frowned at him and shook his head. "The worst? He could kill Claire too!"

Sherlock put his scarf on and gave John a sharp look. "Then, we better hurry."

He left the room with John following behind. He stopped and went to a drawer, pulling out a gun. Looking up, making Sherlock didn't see, he shoved the gun in his coat and followed after him. They caught a cab and went after Moriarty's van, holding their breaths. Suddenly, there was a huge explosion behind them as two cars exploded by the flat and caused it to catch fire. John couldn't breathe as he looked back in shock.

Inside the van, Sebastian had tied Mycroft's hands behind his back as Moriarty watched. "I didn't mean to leave this world so soon. But, playing dead is so much fun. Sherlock seemed to think so too. We both broke our word that day. Funny, isn't it?"

Sebastian sat Mycroft down as Moriarty leaned his face towards his. His hand gently traced his jawline, but Mycroft didn't even flinch. Moriarty pressed his cheek against Mycroft's and deeply inhaled. "You're not at all frightened of me."

"I've merely learned to cope with the insanity in all of us," Mycroft said, calmly.

Moriarty laughed. "I'm not insane. I'm perfectly sound and peachy-keen!"

Moriarty's arm went behind Mycroft's head, allowing his hand to hold onto his forehead. This forced him to lean his head back a bit as Moriarty looked down at him. His eyes stared at his lips and he hummed. "Seems as though you've had practice, Mr. Holmes."

"No, I just know what this is," Mycroft spat.

"And, what is this?"

"It's all just a game to you."

Moriarty slowly leaned in towards Mycroft's mouth before the van stopped. Sebastian stood up and opened the back of the van, allowing Mycroft a breath of relief. Sebastian dragged him out of the van and Mycroft felt his heart stop as he gazed at Claire's apartment. Moriarty got out as well with a handgun in his hand.

His hand grabbed Mycroft's chin as he spoke softly. "Will you be a good boy and stay quiet or will we have to do something about that?"

Mycroft narrowed his eyes and spat in Moriarty's face. "You stay away from her, you bloody bast-"

Moriarty turned away and wiped his face. Sebastian dragged Mycroft back into the van as Moriarty approached the apartment. He took out a small square gadget and placed it on the doorknob. Several gears worked through it, quietly, and the knob fell off. Sebastian returned with Mycroft as he held against his head and had a large strip of tape over his mouth. They all entered the house as Mycroft breathed heavily with each step they took.

"She sleeps on the couch, boss," Sebastian whispered.

They all looked at the couch as Moriarty approached it and yanked the blanket off. Mycroft shut his eyes, ready to hear the bullet fire, but nothing came. Moriarty stood and rolled his eyes when the couch was empty.

"I'll search the apartment and bring her down here," Sebastian said.

Moriarty ripped the tape off of Mycroft's mouth and said, "I've got a better idea."

He fired his gun at Mycroft, grazing his left arm and causing him to cry out in agony. The tape was put back as they all listened for any kind of sound or movement. Mycroft hung his head and Moriarty narrowed his eyes. "Where is she?!"

Sebastian shoved Mycroft onto the couch as he rushed to search the apartment. Moriarty yanked Mycroft to his feet and slammed him against the wall onto his stomach. He pressed his handgun against the back of Mycroft's head and started yelling. "Where is she?! You think I'm messing around? Tell me where she is!"

Mycroft's arm was in so much pain and he shut his eyes to try. Moriarty twisted Mycroft's injured arm and he gave a muffled cry. He did it again and again as Mycroft felt the pain burning at his flesh.

"Seb, get her down here!" Moriarty yelled.

"She's not here, boss!"

Moriarty yanked Mycroft from the wall and onto the couch. He got ontop of him and roughly grabbed his face. "I'm gonna make her suffer when I get my hands on her, so you better tell me where the hell she is!"

He ripped the tape off again as Mycroft gasped for air. "I don't know where...she is, I swear!"

"Liar!" Moriarty yelled into Mycroft's face.

A gunshot was heard and a thud from upstairs. Moriarty quickly got up and his eyes wandered. "Seb? Was that you?"

"Oh, it was him, alright. Though, perhaps, not in the way you might have hoped," Sherlock smirked as he stepped into the living room.