"The only thing important two you is the plan I have for you: You are going to kill Sherlock Holmes."

Moriarty looked at John intensively waiting for the impact of his words.
John's first reaction was shock -that he was able to not show on his face- and then disbelief. How could Moriarty expect that he'd do that? He would rather die than killing an innocent (though maybe innocent was the most fitting term for Sherlock), let alone a friend what Sherlock despite what he said to Bastian was to him.

"You can't force me into doing that and you know it!" John's voice wasn't as calm as he would have liked to be but nonetheless there was a certain determination that proved he was telling the truth. Moriarty only raised an eyebrow.

"Can't I? I know you'd never kill him if only your life's at stake. But dying yourself isn't an option here, my dear friend."

"And what is an option?" John finally asked as Moriarty made no attempt to continue.

"The one option is killing Sherlock. And the other is the death of your sister."

John felt his yaw drop. "You can't do that!" he shouted regretting his words instantly as they sounded like the ones of a child unable to accept the truth.

Moriarty started giggling. "Do you still believe in good? You've been to war, so you should know better. Or do you think you could stop me, what is just as stupid?"

John didn't bother to answer; he already knew that it was impossible to stop Moriarty from getting anything he wanted.

As Moriarty realized that there was little chance to bring John to another stupid comment, he continued speaking:
"As you might agree it is pointless to argue what I'm able to make happen. Here are my rules for our little game: You have a week to kill Sherlock.
If you don't manage -or refuse- to murder him within this time, I'll make sure your sister dies.
You may try to protect her but know that this won't help you. You can even go to the police, if you like. Actually I would even prefer you did, as this is will show you how impossible it is to defeat me. I'll set you free after our conversation and give you back your gun, but you're allowed to use anything you want to kill Sherlock. After you've been set free there are no restrictions. You can walk straight to the police, or to Sherlock, but be aware that your time will be reduced to 24 hours when you meet Sherlock. You may contact him though, without the deadline changing."

John listened closely, frowning at the changing deadline. "Why do you reduce my time to 24 hours after meeting him? You could say that it is 24 hours right from the start."

Moriarty smiled. "Because I'm sure you contact him as soon as you get out. Actually you have to for two reasons: first, you want to save him from his misery, and second, his finding a way to defeat me is the only chance you have. Of course you could try on your own, but we both know there isn't a trace of a chance that you'll successful."

Moriarty looked right into John's face, probably hoping for any sign of approval for his deduction but John didn't do him the favor. What had Sherlock once said? The weakness of the genius was they needed audience.

"That you contact him means he will want to see you. If I would set the time limit on 24 hours right from the start there's nothing what would keep you from meeting right away. But with this "variable" deadline you have to stay away from each for six days if you want time to plan your steps. And -believe me- if you want to have any chance to beat you'll need any time you get."

John couldn't stop his expression from darkening. Moriarty's plan was well figured out and he knew that this "variable deadline" was only to make them suffer. Suddenly John realized that this was what was really fun to Moriarty. He didn't enjoyed killing or watching physical pain. He enjoyed defeating people, and, by any means, he wanted them to shatter and then - when they'd given up - he would set the final blow, as they had become boring to him.

"When does my time start?" John asked bluntly. He couldn't stand talking to this man much longer and needed to think. He could neither kill Sherlock nor let Moriarty kill his sister. Both interfered with the ideal he'd always lived for.
There just had to be another way!

Moriarty glanced at his clock. "In about ten minutes. I thought it be easier for you to let it begin on a full hour since that eases calculating. Until that I will answer your questions if there are any."

First John hoped Moriarty would just go away if he didn't ask anything, but as the criminal sat down on a chair, he had to let this hope go. First John considered staying silent, but some voice (suspiciously sounding like Sherlock) told him that he had to size the chance to get as much information as possible.

"What if I refuse to kill Sherlock, and you can't reach my sister? Would that mean there's any other person close to me in danger or would you simply give up?"

Moriarty chuckled silently. "I do never give up, Johnny boy. But in this -rather unlikely- case, I wouldn't go for anyone else instead. But be sure that I'd get your sister sooner or later. You don't have a clue how big my network really is and I'll find her anywhere even if she hides in some caves in Libya."

John reluctantly nodded though he didn't trust Moriarty by any means he was sure the other man was telling the truth.
"What if you kill her? I don't suppose you would stop going for Sherlock after that."

A smile appeared on Moriarty's face. "Of course I won't."

John frowned. "So I'd gain nothing if I decide to let you kill my sister? That's hardly a fair deal!"

John didn't expect to have his appeal on fairness to have any other effect than making Moriarty laugh and tell him how stupid he was to believe in such ideals. But a frown appeared on the criminal's face.
"Know what? I've got my generous day today. I promise you two things to improve our game: First, I won't kill Sherlock until I killed Harriet, second in any event that might occur I won't kill you."
He glanced at his clock. "I better go... Here!"

He tossed the gun over in John's direction who managed to catch it though Moriarty obviously attempted to throw it on the ground. John's hands acted without much thinking. He had been in military service and he knew to seize an opportunity when it occurred.
It only took him two seconds to release the safety. His look found Moriarty who starred at the gun kind of frozen. The criminal was about five meters from the door. Too far to escape.

John knew that he had a few moments before Moriarty would be released from his shock and seized it to decide on the target. If he'd been a police officer he would've probably aimed for the leg or the arm, but as a soldier his training hadn't been focused on none life threatening injuries. It hadn't been focused on deadly ones either, though he would've probably chosen one when he had to decide without time left to think.
Though it conflicted with his moral he let his anger get the better of him and aimed on Moriarty's head. For the split of the second he saw fear in Moriarty's eyes, then he pulled the trigger.

There was a clicking sound but nothing more. Moriarty started laughing and John could keep himself from scowling.

"You really did think I would give you a loaded gun, while I'm still in the room?"

John starred down to the ground feeling embarrassed. Of course Moriarty would never been that stupid.

"Well, your time starts in five minutes. The door is electronically locked so it will open exactly at eleven o'clock."

Just before Moriarty left, another question crossed John's mind. He didn't think Moriarty's offer to answer his questions was still intact but he thought it was worth a try.

"How exactly did you fake my death?"

A smile appeared on Moriarty's face. "I already had an ambulance set up. They exchanged you for another corpse. I also bought a doctor to talk to Sherlock, his brother and the police to make sure they wouldn't be asking about your gunshot wound or something like that."

John sighed. It seemed like Moriarty had a plan for every opportunity arriving.

"And who did the identification?"

Moriarty's smile widened. "Lestrade did."

John felt his jaw dropping. "Lestrade?"

"You can look it up in the medical reports. But don't be too upset! Looks like someone has stolen his ID."