The phone in Jimmy's bedroom rang some two hours later.
"What?" he answered.
"I've got what you asked for," a voice said.
"Have you really?"
"Right here in my hands."
"Good. Bring it to school tomorrow and leave it between the fourth and fifth urinals in the boys' loo in the English and Social Studies wing. If it's not there when the assembly starts, I will make sure you're transferred to another school district before the year is out."
"Understood."
Jimmy slammed the receiver down in anger but he smiled to himself. Things were falling into place so nicely.
Now we lay our scene in the boy's lavatory in the English and Social Studies wing, just as the assembly began.
"I will drop out of the science fair, leaving you with the sole credit for the project we've done together. It's certain to win. You know that." Sherlock said. "All you have to do is give me that folder, and we will both walk away with what we want."
"If this folder gets to where it's going, I get two things I want," Addie informed him, her face hard.
"What are those two things? I get to win the science fair, and I get to stay."
"Stay?"
"Yes. Stay. Here, at this school. Until I graduate."
"Addie, where are you taking that folder?"
"Why's it so important to you?" Addie asked. "You don't even know what's inside."
"I know it's blackmail against Johnny Watson. And I will do everything I can to stop you from delivering it."
The door burst open and in strolled Jimmy Moriarty.
"Well, well, what a surprise!" he said cheerily. "Fancy meeting you here, Sherlock."
Sherlock at last understood.
"Him?" he said, pointing at Jimmy. "You're giving that to him? I should have known."
"You really should have," Jimmy tutted, taking the folder from Addie and looking over its contents with an immensely pleased look on his face.
"What do you want from Johnny Watson?" Sherlock asked heatedly.
"I've already got what I want from Johnny boy," Jimmy said. "Now all I need is what I want from you."
"And what is that?"
"Same thing I got from Johnny," Jimmy said, passing the folder to Sherlock.
Sherlock gingerly opened the folder and saw just what he expected: blackmail. But not the kind he anticipated. For inside the folder was a large printed photograph of who was clearly Johnny Watson and Jimmy Moriarty in a compromising embrace.
"He's quite the kisser," Jimmy said.
"How...?" Sherlock asked, beguiled.
"You're so stupid, Sherlock," Moriarty spat, turning cross. "I really thought you'd be able to see what I've done here. Well, it's not important. Soon my special guest will arrive and we can begin."
"Special guest?"
"Oh, yes. You can't make a deal with the devil and not have a few witnesses."
"You want me...to give you what Johnny gave you?" Sherlock asked, piecing it all together. "To make a deal with the devil?"
The photo of Johnny and Jimmy was of them kissing. That much was obvious. A deal with the devil? Jimmy must have been referring to a crossroads deal, in which a person sells his soul to a demon, alternatively, the devil, in exchange for something they want. The deal is sealed with a kiss. Always. Now at last he understood.
"You want me to kiss you?
"With passion," Moriarty said evilly.
Again, the door opened and in walked a confused Johnny Watson.
"What the hell is going on in here?" Johnny asked, looking between the three of them.
"Ah, Johnny, right on time!" Jimmy said, clapping his hands together. "Lets begin, shall we?"
"Begin what?" Johnny asked, his eyes narrowed.
"Go on, Sherlock. Fill Johnny in." Jimmy told him.
"Johnny," Sherlock said. "In this folder is a compromising photo of you and Jimmy."
Johnny looked between the three of them again, confusion on his face. Sherlock handed him the folder and at the sight of the photo Johnny turned beet red.
"You met Jimmy the day after we were forbidden to be friends, isn't that correct?" Sherlock asked Johnny.
Johnny nodded.
"And I met Addie. Hardly a coincidence that the moment we're apart, we start getting popular. Jimmy and Addie were against us from the start." Sherlock explained. "They each befriended us to gain our trust, in the hopes of achieving some personal ends. Addie wants to win the science fair, and apparently Jimmy wants my...my affections."
"Those cheekbones," Jimmy said, licking his lips in a way that was almost obscene.
"But they were not acting independently," Sherlock continued. "I surmise that Jimmy has some blackmail of his own to use against Addie, ensuring her loyalties, because winning the science fair alone wasn't enough to win her over. Jimmy's just been using you to get to me, Johnny. I'm sorry. Truly, I am."
"So... if Sherlock kisses you now, the picture of you and me goes away forever?" Johnny asked Jimmy.
"Yep."
"But he still loses the science fair?"
"Yep."
"That's a loss I'd be willing to live with were Johnny's reputation not at stake," Sherlock said.
"And what if Sherlock refuses?" Johnny asked.
"There's an assembly going on right now, as I'm sure you're all aware. I have it prepared that should Sherlock refuse me, this little gem is projected over the stage curtains for the entire student body and faculty to see." Jimmy said gleefully.
Johnny's jaw dropped in horror.
"There's one thing I'm missing," Sherlock said. "Addie said that should I refuse this deal, that you could make her go away from here. How?"
"Easy, Sherlock. Honestly, I'm beginning to think you're as ordinary as Johnny." Jimmy said. "I'm in that little photo, too. Should you fail to preserve your friends' honor, the photo will be displayed at the assembly and Addie here will be expelled for blackmailing students into helping her win the science fair."
Johnny swallowed hard. Jimmy had completely and utterly screwed all three of them.
"Don't do it, Sherlock," Johnny told him. "I'd never ask you to. Never hold this against you."
"Oh, Johnny," Sherlock said sadly. "What of your parents?"
"It's not important, Sherlock. If you do this, you'll regret it for the rest of your life."
Jimmy was absolutely bursting to tears with laughter. It was all so hilarious to watch them try to sacrifice themselves for each other.
"It's funny that you think we all care so much what others think of us," Sherlock told Jimmy. "What if Johnny didn't care that people saw that picture of him and you? What if I don't care if I hurt Johnny by not doing what you want? What if Addie doesn't care about the science fair or transferring schools?"
"OF COURSE YOU CARE!" Jimmy screeched. "THAT"S WHAT PEOPLE DO. THEY CARE TOO MUCH ABOUT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK!"
"You are mistaken," Sherlock said. "People already think Johnny is gay. And you, well, everyone knows about you. Addie can win the science fair all on her own. She doesn't need my help to do that. You have nothing, Jimmy."
The door opened yet again, but this time is was a bathroom stall. Out came Molly Hooper, of all people. She proudly brandished a tape recorder.
"And we have everything," she said. "Every word that's just been spoken is recorded on this. And when we turn this in to the headmaster, you will be ruined, Jimmy."
Jimmy's face contorted into a frightening scowl, like the face of a wild animal.
"You made a rather large mistake, Jimmy," Sherlock continued. "You see, I've known for some time that whatever you were doing, hanging around Johnny, your intent was impure. I've done my research, and I know what kind of manipulative, demented, psychopath you are. Your obsession with me blinded you. You thought your plan was solid. Actually, it would have been, had you not overlooked something."
"And what would that be?" Jimmy growled.
Sherlock walked over and stood by Molly's side, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and hugging her to his side.
"Molly Hooper," he told him. "I know I'm rude. I know I'm self-centered. And I know that wherever I go, whatever I do, I insult and offend people. And that's what you saw, Jimmy. You saw Molly with me, and you saw Johnny with me, and you thought that Molly didn't count as my friend because I don't treat her the same as Johnny. But you were wrong. Molly has always counted, and I've always trusted her. You were too blind to see that I could have friends, because you and I are so very much alike, and you don't have any."
"Oh, well done. Yes, very well done," Jimmy congratulated him, though there was no sincerity in his voice.
"Well, I think we can all leave now," Sherlock said. "We've got no more business in the loo."
"Wait! What about the photo?" Jimmy asked, a gleam of hope in his eyes. "I still have it set up to project at the assembly."
"Yes, about that," Sherlock said. "Your guys' loyalties are easily swayed with extra sweets. I paid off Archie with sweets to destroy that copy of this photo. It won't be projected anywhere."
"And what of Addie?" Jimmy asked, reaching for anything he could grab on to, to save his skin. "I can still make her go away. I have ways."
Sherlock almost laughed.
"My big brother is Scotland Yard. Do you really think with that kind of connection, I would allow such an injustice? Addie is safe. You're the one that's going away, Jimmy."
Sherlock and Molly walked together, his arm still around her, and Johnny and Addie followed behind them, leaving little Jimmy Moriarty in the stench of used toilets.
The headmaster was willing to forgive Addie and Molly for being in the boy's lavatory on account of the huge disaster that was avoided because they were involved.
"I don't know how these things happen," the headmaster said, speaking to all four of the heroes. "And I don't want to know."
He was as flustered as could be. He thought that somebody ought to be in trouble, but wasn't certain what to punish anyone with.
"You can all leave. Just go. I don't ever want to hear anyone speaking of this."
Sherlock, Johnny, Molly and Addie scrambled from the headmaster's office. Jimmy Moriarty was awaiting his sentence in the next office.
The four stood around in the hall, looking at each other, not sure where to go from there.
"Well, this has been fun," Addie said. "See you at the science fair, then, Sherlock?"
"No," Sherlock said. "You can have the project."
"What?"
"I still have time to conduct another research project. Consider it my thanks for your cooperation in this whole ordeal."
Addie grinned and shocked the three of them by kissing Sherlock on the cheek.
"You're a good guy," she told him, and pranced away.
Molly looked rather embarrassed .
"Well, there's still a few minutes of the assembly. I think I'd better just go and-"
"Molly Hooper," Sherlock interrupted her.
"Hm?" she squeaked.
"I meant what I said earlier." Sherlock told her. "You do count. You always were my friend."
Sherlock bent down, holding her chin with his finger, and kissed her sweetly on the cheek.
"Thank you," he said softly. "For everything."
Molly blushed an alarming shade of pink.
"Yes, well-the assembly-better get going," Molly sputtered, a bashful grin on her face. She ran away towards the auditorium, her heart thudding as hard as a beating drum, her cheek positively burning where Sherlock kissed her.
Now, Johnny and Sherlock were alone, looking at each other, unsure what to say. For it had been months since they had a proper conversation.
"Thank you, Sherlock," Johnny said. "I don't know how you did all that, and I can never hope to repay you."
"Don't mention it," Sherlock said. "That's what friends do, isn't it? Stop malicious psychopaths from ruining their reputations?"
They laughed, perhaps a little too hard. Then, something came over Johnny and he flung himself at Sherlock, wrapping his arms firmly around his neck in what was likely the most intimate embrace Sherlock had ever experienced.
"You're not going to kiss me, too?" Sherlock joked.
"Not here," Johnny retorted. He let go of Sherlock now, and they again just looked at each other.
"I don't mind, you know," Sherlock said suddenly.
"Mind what?"
"That you're gay."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure. Why would I mind? Why would anyone mind?"
Johnny's heart just about broke at these words. Sherlock was the best friend that he couldn't have.
"Well, I don't want to get you into trouble," Sherlock said. "We're still not supposed to be friends. I'll see you around."
Johnny looked after Sherlock as he walked away and it was all he could do to keep from crying. The stress from this morning was finally kicking in and now with Sherlock's unshakeable acceptance in him, and that glorious hug, well, it was almost too much. Johnny wondered that for all the hidden things Sherlock observed, if he could see that Johnny was hopelessly in love with him.