Author's Notes:I'm so sorry for the time it took for me to post this one! Very bad things happened in my life… But here we are :D New chapter! I sincerely hope you'll love it as it gets more interesting and… flirtier ;).

Disclaimer:Same thing as always. Just read my previous disclaimers. Thank you .

Truth Or Lie

Chapter 10. His Seductive Arsenal

Jim smiled sweetly as he observed Sherlock getting all tense at their hands touching. He began to caress it softly, but then after a few seconds only, the consulting detective couldn't endure it any longer and quickly removed his hand from their intimacy, and put it on his lap. Jim experienced troubles not chuckling - It was plain to see that Sherlock found this situation to be much awkward, if not the most awkward he had ever had. And yet, he didn't know that what was to come was even worse... Moriarty grinned with this dark sparkle in his eyes that one could never be so sure of what it meant...besides problems for the one who saw it, of course. Infuriatingly, all he got in response from Sherlock to his previous speech about the detective hurting him by constantly fleeing, and that this entire act wasn't a game, was a snort. But, Moriarty didn't panic...he knew he`d win in the end. He always won, no matter what were the odds. Sherlock'd just have to learn it...A lesson marvellously taught to the great consulting detective. So, Jim shifted on his seat, a permanent smirk on his face as well as apparent interest in his guest.

''But tell me, Moriarty, I remember you giving me the hint ''You''...It's plain to see for anyone that you've been quite...around me these last few weeks... I get that your hint meant that you'd be almost glued to me, if I can say so. But, what else does it mean? I can see your act, and I know that means I'm your target, but there must be something else...What's behind all this, Moriarty? What else is there behind that hint?'' asked Sherlock after having cleared his throat, looked away for a long period of time, before putting his elbows on the table, his chin in his hands whilst staring seriously at his handsome nemesis.

Because yes, he had noticed his enemy's natural and proud beauty. But it was more on a simple observation scale than actual attraction; though, he'd be lying if he said he didn't feel any butterflies in his stomach whilst looking at the other man. But right now, this was irrelevant, put the fact aside that he was, indeed, experiencing those butterflies at this right moment...

Moriarty shifted on his seat, bit his lower lip, and sighed as he stared at Sherlock straight in the eyes; he didn't seem too happy about the question. Sherlock titled his head slightly, his attention focusing on the answer he was expecting to come out of his nemesis' foul mouth at any second now...

''Well...Telling you wouldn't be much fun seeing how it'd end this little game of ours pretty quickly, right?'' Moriarty answered, smirking, but still looking a bit annoyed. ''Plus, the answer is quite obvious, don't you th-''

''Here you go, sires! You're served,''gleefully interrupted the waiter, as he put down the plates in front of them. ''Snails and the specialty of the house, and the best steak. Bon appétit!''

He grinned before walking away, looking all thrilled as if their meals were the best thing to have ever been made. After his departure, Moriarty smiled and stared down at his meal before tucking in with his fork. Sherlock frowned and titled his head, as he tried to figure out the meaning of his nemesis' riddle - he had never liked riddles, and this moment sure wasn't helping his opinion of them. He also wondered why Moriarty had been annoyed at his question and what he was hiding... The consulting detective knew there had to be a twist, but what was the essence of it? Why did he focus on him and had stopped killing people to surround him with a game? Sherlock was then hit with realization and he muttered a curse under his breath - it was so obvious! Moriarty's new game was him. He did not need any bomb nor civilian, all he needed was to break Sherlock...Thus, he'd win. How had he missed all of that? Probably because he had been too focused on the unusual fact that his greatest enemy seemed to have an interest in him...which none had ever had for him, so he had been confused. Now, the detective told himself if he'd want to win this over Jim, he'd have to play it very carefully...Because this could get to his heart, and he should not let it reach his head, right? Plus, he knew Jim had found good strings, now Sherlock would just have to fake continuity, and turn this against his nemesis. Easy peasy, as Jim would say...but somewhere deep inside his squeezed guts, Sherlock was anxious...he knew something would go wrong. But he did not have time to think about it right now. He had to play this game. And quickly.

''Hm? What did you just say?''asked Moriarty, suddenly looking up from his plate, frowning slightly and looking a bit aggravated. He knew that Sherlock either disliked his explanation, or he just had figured something out. The latter wasn't appreciated at all, so he had to remedy to it. Just in case. And he had the perfect idea of how...

''Oh. Simply that I had forgotten to ask for the salad - it's easier to digest, you know,'' answered Sherlock, an evidently forced smile on, already engaging into his plan of keeping up with the lost front so Jim wouldn't understand he'd grasped the most important concept of this game.

Jim tried his best to not scowl - it was such a lame lie coming from the detective. Oh well, what had he expected? None was better at everything than Jim was. It was a known fact since long ago. Instead, he held his gaze for a moment, then simply said with the corners of his mouth twitching into a warm smile: ''Of course...''

They kept on smiling at each other, turning this into some sort of contest. Neither wanted to look away because for them, geniuses who always succeed at thinking ahead of everyone else, it would simply mean they had forfeited. And obviously, none was about to. After a little while, Moriarty decided to make the first move by picking at his food again in a secret attempt to coax Sherlock and appear a bit more vulnerable than him. On purpose. He ate a snail before he glanced up at Sherlock just in time to notice the man's relieved yet puzzled expression. He was probably content with Jim giving in first, but also pondering over why Jim had even given up since it definitely wasn't his style. It looked like it was time to put things back into Moriarty's track... So, he scooted closer to the edge of his seat, subtly, then moved his foot against Sherlock's leg for the second time, leaning forward as if this were an intimately heart-warming conversation.

''Darling, you do remember when I told you we could do more than the sweet kissing we shared in your study...hmmmm?'' Jim cooed, fluttering his eyelids in hopes to infatuate the clever detective - if it weren't already done. Sherlock just nodded slowly, sinking deeper in his seat as the brushing of Jim's foot against his leg made him uncomfortable, which was reinforced when he saw Jim's hand grabbing his again. Although the touch was soft, warm and pleasant, it disturbed him a little and he had to even exaggerate his reactions so Jim wouldn't know he had understood the main layer to his plan. Thus, he swallowed hard, glancing nervously at Jim, showing how unease and unused to this he was.

''Well... You know, first time I saw you... I knew we were made for each other, Sherlock... So, why not take the next step into exploring each other? It's just another experiment and it would be a great addition to your already vast knowledge, don't you think? I do. And you wouldn't want to miss any piece of information you can get, right, genius consulting detective...?'' Jim asked in a sugary voice with a grin, his eyes locked onto Sherlock's. ''I know you've never done it, so as to put you at your ease, I'll just stand up, walk away, and if you reach me before I get into the cab waiting for me outside, I'll know you want to explore me as much as I want to explore you, thus making a great experiment together... Okay? All secretly... No obligations, just a strong suggestion... No rush...'he whispered, gently letting go of Sherlock's hand as he stood up.

He glanced one last time at Sherlock, who observed him nervously, then Jim buttoned the top of his suit and left casually like any normal person would. Sherlock stayed there, swallowing hard as he didn't know what to do. He watched Jim push the backdoor open and disappear - it appeared from the distance to the cab probably waiting in the front of the restaurant, Sherlock deduced he had no more than 2 minutes and a half to make up his mind. He hated to admit it, even to himself, but Jim was right: he had never slept with anyone on a sexual purpose... He wasn't ashamed of it. He had never been. But the way his nemesis had offered it to him was scary and yet intriguing. Plain and simple. His hands were shaking over his untouched steak. It did seem important as a discovery through an experiment, but was he ready to give this to Moriarty? After all, it was just a plan to break Sherlock, wasn't it? The consulting detective sighed, understanding that if he wanted to beat Moriarty at his own game, he'd actually have to play this part even though he didn't feel like giving him this secret card to his own person, but since that was the next chapter...Well... Because they both knew that usually, Sherlock wouldn't miss out on a new experiment, mostly if he were already hooked on the other man - exactly what he forced himself to put on as a façade. Moriarty'd never get to his heart. And mostly not burn it. Sherlock'd make sure of it! After another huge sigh, having gathered all of his mental strength and courage for it'd need them without a doubt, he put his hands on the table and stood up. He looked around only to lock eyes with the waiter from earlier and frowned. The weird guy looked as if he were killing him in his mind - he guessed it was because the man thought Jim was pissed or something like that. Sherlock still didn't trust that waiter.

1 minute and 30 seconds now.

Sherlock walked calmly to the front door of the restaurant - no need to rush for he'd probably get to Jim before he got into the taxi by simple logic of the time it took Jim to walk around the block to get to the front. He had to do this. The detective clenched his fists to give himself more determination and courage. He'd bring this criminal down, without getting caught in his web. But then, as he pushed the door open, a quick and vivid memory of their shared kiss in his flat shot before his eyes and he froze. It had only been a surprising new event in his lifetime, so this is why it suddenly came back, right? Nothing more. And most importantly: nothing to worry about. Right? He shook his head then ran to the side of the restaurant and bumped into Moriarty, who glared for a fraction of second before grinning as he raised an eyebrow.

''I see you've accepted...'' he murmured proudly so none else could hear, caressing Sherlock's chest before getting into the cab and waving to Sherlock to do the same.

Sherlock gulped and breathed deeply, knowing there was no turning back now, and slid down on the seat next to Jim. Despite all of his focus and energy spent on trying to stop it, the butterflies in his stomach seemed to multiply as he re-played their meeting at this restaurant over and over again in his mind. Plus, it increased even more when he glanced at Jim or thought about how he had weirdly, but kindly offered him options about this...This wasn't right. This shouldn't be. And unfortunately, deep down, it was starting to scare Sherlock.