"You're alive," was all John could manage.
"Obviously."
Since dinner with Irene Adler two weeks earlier, John had harbored a small hope that Sherlock was alive. Yet after all his research, nothing had prepared him to have Sherlock deducing by his side.
Where had he...how had he...why would he...John felt a sudden dizziness, and couldn't tell if it was due to a concussion or the man standing next to him. John breathed deeply, trying to steady himself. Finally, he gave Sherlock's hand a brief squeeze. Definitely a real person. Not a dream.
As if reading his mind, Sherlock quietly noted, "I'm here John, this is not a dream. Although tactile sensations are not a fool-proof way to judge one's conscious state."
Finally releasing John's hand, Sherlock stood and began pacing at the foot of the bed. If they had been at 221B John would have sworn that the past 18 months never occurred.
"You jumped...I saw you jump..." Sherlock could almost see John's brain working in high gear, "...but you're not dead."
"Eighteen months ago Moriarty forced my hand. He made me jump to prevent him from killing you, Lestrade, and Mrs. Hudson. All part of his grand plan to burn me. I could not let him succeed."
"Or allow us to be murdered."
"Yes, of course," Sherlock replied, "but the point, John, is that it was not the end of Moriarty's game. After I jumped I continued to track down his network in London. From the information I was able to gather, I discovered that you were being watched by one of his associates. Moriarty must have thought, rightfully, I might add, that I was capable of faking my death. I supposed I should take it as a compliment."
Realizing he was diverging from his point, Sherlock continued, "I was trying to identify this individual when policemen began to go missing. While I tracked the kidnappings, finding Moriarty's man was my priority. As difficult as it is to admit, your arrest was completely unexpected. Fortunately, it was also far too coincidental—we all know there is no such thing as a coincidence. Your arrest provided me with data to form a new theory: that whoever was watching you was also responsible for your framing."
Sherlock's explanation was nearly complete, and he paced rapidly at the foot of John's bed. "This still fails to explain what triggered him to act or why he didn't just kill you."
"Reassuring."
The sound of John's voice seemed to break Sherlock from his reverie, as if unaccustomed to talking with anyone but himself.
"Even without a clear motive we can still learn about the kidnapper. From CCTV footage the nights of the kidnappings, we know one very important fact that might help solve the case." John looked at Sherlock, prompting him to continue, "The kidnapper's boots. They are army-issued."
"But I own a pair of army-issued boots somewhere, as do most veterans. It's not exactly enough to create a short list of suspects, is it?"
"On the contrary John, we also know that this individual or an accomplice works in a position of power within the government or police force."
"You didn't get all that from his shoes..."
"The CCTV footage, John, catch up. Once you were arrested for the kidnappings I reviewed CCTV footage provided by Mycroft, and remotely accessed the video on file at Scotland Yard."
"You mean you hacked into the Yard's database?"
"Semantics, John. When I compared the videos I realized that someone had tampered with the Yard's footage. Video of the kidnappings had been replaced with footage of empty streets. Whoever committed the abductions must have had access to police evidence to remove any video of the kidnappings. So, we begin by researching each police officer at the Yard to see who might be our suspect." Sherlock's eyes twinkled, thrilled to have an audience for his deductions once again.
John's mind suddenly flashed back to his dream. "I think I know the first name on our list." Sherlock's eyes widened, and John continued, "Sebastian Moran." He then proceeded to share what he knew about Moran with Sherlock.
"Brilliant John. Now stop lying around in bed all day and get dressed. Unless you'd like to stay in your pajamas." John's glare was enough to wipe the smirk off Sherlock's face.
##################
A/N: It's good to have the boys of 221B back together again!
Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, I'm glad you're sticking with me. The end is near (kinda, sorta). For quality's sake, I may not be able to continue my daily postings. Please forgive if it takes an extra day or two for chapters. I promise it will be worth it!