A Dish Best Served Cold
Summery: Moriarty is out rule the world once again and he's had it with Sherlock Holmes's interference. He has a plan, but the detective's friends may pay the ultimate price.
DisclaimerAll Publicly Recognizable Characters, Settings, Ideas, etc. are the Property of DiC Entertainment and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The Original Characters and Plot are the Property of the Author. The Author is in no way Associated with the Owners, Creators, or Producers of DiC Entertainment. No Copyright Infringement is intended.
Chapter 24 - ConversationsMoriarty's 3rd Base, Unknown Location in England
Mace had settled herself into an empty corner and was listening to her gathered recordings via headphones while taking notes, Lestrade and Watson were in another corner talking when the door opened and Moriarty entered.
Mace glanced up when she began to feel the tremor of his footsteps through the floor, she remove the headphones and looked up at him mockingly, "You want me now?"
"If you would be so kind," replied Moriarty as he made a sweeping gesture towards the door.
Mace sighed. She figured she had at lest a couple of hours with Moriarty to look forward to. 'Great, just great! Two hours with Mister Psychopathic Torturer and Murderer. I love my life.'
Notes in hand she walked towards the door and out of the room. It was indeed another two hours before she returned. When she entered the cell she found Lestrade was gone and a worried Watson was standing alone.
"Watson what happened? Where is Lestrade?"
"Gone, Kerai returned while you were away and took her to the medical room for a check up, the doctors are still concerned."
"Hey Watson don't worry so much," Mace consoled as she walked up to him and placed her hands on his shoulders. "Lestrade's tough. Besides, Moriarty doesn't want her dead. I'm sure she'll be back in no time."
Watson did not seem to be much comforted by these words.
Mace wasn't surprised. The fact that Moriarty didn't want any of them dead wasn't exactly great news, though it did buy them time and give them opportunity. "C'mon Watson the fact that she is getting medical attention is a good thing, something else is bothering you, you scanned her, what did your scans show?"
"That Lestrade has suffered near irrevocable damage to her central and automatic nervous systems—most of the damage is centered at her motor cortex."
"So her motor functions are almost shot."
"There is still a one hundred percent chance for a full recovery but if Moriarty chooses to continue torturing her—and I believe he will—she may never fully recover, and Holmes has been through worse."
"What are the symptoms?"
"Uncontrollable shaking is one of the earlier signs, inability or difficulty standing a general loss of motor function and control. Organ failure is also a symptom admittedly a later one."
"So her muscles and stuff are shot—what about the rest of her?"
"The lungs have also suffered much damage as has her liver, pancreas, heart—"
"Right, I get it. Her whole body is suffering but most of the damage is focused on the muscles, at least for the moment"
"Actually the nerves that control the muscles but yes, the muscles themselves are also damaged as is everything else."
"What's the best treatment?
"A great deal of time in a neural cellular regeneration accelerator or N.C.R.A. I hope that's where she is now."
"I'm sure that's exactly where she is—Holmes too—like I said Moriarty doesn't want them dead." Watson once again had nothing to say. "Hey Watson."
"Yes?"
"Think you could tell me a story about you and Holmes? After talking to Moriarty for the past two hours… I could really use some enjoyable conversation."
"I can imagine, very well we had an interesting venture about three months ago…"
00o00
Lestrade meanwhile, was indeed in a N.C.R.A and had been for the past hour, she wasn't bored however since she had been sedated.
Holmes was also in the med room waiting for his turn in the rather large device after Lestrade. He had been placed in a bed and was tied to it with leather straps on his wrists. The doctors were finishing some test to determine the full extent of the damage. Holmes was looking at his right hand which was shaking slightly the unnerving thing was that he could not make it stop.
"You're suffering from the effects of the torture," one of the doctors who had been watching informed him. "Your motor functions have been damaged."
"Permanently?" asked the detective.
"Possibly, but unlikely—your friend will certainly make a full recovery."
An expression of relief flashed across Holmes' face.
"She will be done in a few minutes," the doctor then undid the restraints around Holmes's wrist. "Sit up, you need to take these pills." The man handed Holmes two blue pills, one red pill, one pink, and white pill as well as a small cup of water. The detective took the pills with his still shaking hand and the water with the one over which he still exerted full control.
Suspiciously, he sniffed the water.
"Yes it's drugged, but not poisoned," stated the doctor.
"Drink it all Holmes," said Moriarty, "you need the rest and believe it or not it is part of the treatment."
"I recognize this drug Moriarty, it has no medical use save sedation."
"In most cases yes, but it will help lessen the side effects of the medicine, besides you're going to be in there for hours. There is of course one other reason you should drink it."
"And that is?"
"My men can easily force you."
Holmes glared but didn't feel like a fight and the fact that his hand was shaking didn't help. Quickly he took the pills and used the drugged water to wash them down.
"That wasn't so terrible now was it?"
Holmes said nothing as the drug was already beginning to take effect as he laid down and drifted into sleep.
00o00
"Argh," Lestrade groaned as she awoke, "where am I?"
The inspector glanced around, she was on a bed with white sheets and blankets, across from her slightly to her right there was a dresser, to the right of the dresser was a door, it was open and Lestrade could see it led to a washroom. The bed itself was a few feet from the wall and in-between the bed and wall was a night table. In the middle of the room it's self was a small round table with two chairs. Across from the table was another door.
"This is familiar."
The room was in fact, exactly like the room Lestrade had been kept in, in Moriarty's first base only considerably smaller, with an extra door on the opposite side of the bed. Lestrade collapsed backward onto the mattress. "Right back where I started." She moaned, "Perfect, just perfect. At least the kids are still free, hope they don't do anything stupid."
Lestrade lay there a few minutes before deciding to, out of shear boredom, take a shower. She went to her dresser and grabbed some clothes. When she was done she saw that Moriarty was waiting patiently at the table with two serving of chicken rice and carrots as well two glasses of orange juice accompanied this spread.
'Not again,' thought Lestrade with exasperation. She placed her hands on her hips. "What do you want?"
"I seek only the means to a pleasant conversation."
Lestrade tensed and clenched her fists, "Then you'd better go somewhere else."
"Allow me to clarify your situation, inspector." Moriarty's tone was pleasant, "You are my prisoner, when I want something from you—like a conversation—you will supply it. When I tell you to jump you ask 'How high?'" suddenly his voice darkened, "and if I tell you to sit down and join me for dinner. Youwilldo so, or your friends suffer and you will play the understudy."
Lestrade glared but walked to the table and sat down.
"Joining me for dinner means you have to actually eat the food given to you." He told her, his tone slightly less dark.
Lestrade picked up her fork and started pushing her food around. She looked up and saw that Moriarty was looking pointedly at her; she sighed and shoved a fork full of food in her mouth.
He smiled "Now Lestrade, I know I killed you but I did bring you back."
"That reminds me, I need mouth wash, lots of it."
Moriarty glared as he began to rise, "I suppose I'll leave then since you don't want an update on Holmes." He replied as he began to rise.
"Wait."
Moriarty paused, "Yes?"
Lestrade sighed and gestured to the seat. "Please sit down and tell me how Holmes is doing." She said in a weary tone. 'Think about Holmes, think about Holmes, not about how your being nice to this useless piece of slime.' She looked up at Moriarty who had a smug look on his face. 'Think happy thoughts like how much fun you're going to have wiping that smirk off his face.'
Moriarty sat down. "You were asleep for about three hours; Holmes is still in the N.C.R.A which is constantly scanning him, you'll be pleased to know it seems he will make a full recovery, provided of course I don't 'press his luck' as the good doctor put it."
"Huh-uh and what will it take for you to not press his luck?"
"Do not worry Lestrade I have no intention of doing so…" he reassured her with a wave of his hand as he turned his attention to his glass, "at least not at the moment though I must admit the idea of him never being able to walk, stand or have anything in the way of proper motor function is… amusing." He glanced at his companion. "The great detective reduced to a shivering snivelling helpless shadow of his former self." He gave a slight chuckle.
There was a dull crunching noise followed by a ring and a splash as pieces of Lestrade's glass and its contents fell onto the table. She had become so angry her grip on her glass had tightened until it became too much for the thing.
"That was crystal you know"
"So help me Moriarty I will kill you, slowly and painfully."
"Lestrade, think, a difficult task for you I know, but do try, are you in a position to threaten?"
Lestrade said nothing simply glared.
Moriarty shifted his gaze from her face to her hand which was bleeding. "Well you've hurt your hand as well as given the food and table a coating of blood and crystal I think it's fair to say the meal has been ruined."
Lestrade sat down, "That door next to my bed, it leads to Watson's and Mace's room right?"
"Yes."
"Are they there?"
"Yes."
"Then kindly open the door, so Watson can look at my hand."
Moriarty smirked and taking out a remote from his left breast coat pocket he pressed a button and the door opened. Mace's head was the first to appear quickly followed by Watson's.
"Lestrade," cried Watson as he hurried to his friend. "Let me have a look at your hand."
While Watson tended to Lestrade, Mace walked up to the group and took it all in, the crystal glass on the table and floor, and imbedded in Lestrade's hand and there was Moriarty with a smug look on his face. She turned to the criminal. "You ticked her off didn't you?"
Moriarty merely smiled, "Well I think I'd best be off. I'll send someone in shortly to clean up the mess." With that he got up and left.
Mace sighed, "Once you're done Watson I say we head back to our room to avoid whatever crony Moriarty sends in."
"Agreed," replied Watson. They sat in silence while Watson tended to Lestrade, then went into the adjoining room.
"So Beth, what happened?" asked Mace and then listened as Lestrade told them.
"Well he's certainly vindictive isn't he?" she said in a monotone voice. Lestrade and Watson were both surprised by the tone and looked up, Watson noticed her hands were clenched and droplets of blood were dripping from both of them.
"Mace your hands!"
"Uh?" Mace unclenched her fist and saw that she had been clenching them so tightly her nails had broken the skin. She sighed she collapsed onto a chair. "We need to get out of here if I have to sit through many more 'war conferences' with Moriarty… The guy is sadistic."
Lestrade sighed and looked about the room. It was larger then hers, there was a dressing screen for Mace as well as a bed and a station for Watson to recharge in. There were three large chairs, a dresser and a door that lead to a washroom. There was also a table surrounded by four chairs that they were currently sitting at located in the center of the room.
They sat in silence for a few long minutes before Lestrade asked Mace what she meant by 'war conference'.
"Well," the red-head explained, "Moriarty plans to use my network to crush all criminals in England not under his influence."
"In England? Not just New London?"
"Ya my network's really extensive I just tended to a few local branches today."
"So what exactly did you talk about today?"
"Mostly the Harrison family."
"What did you tell him exactly?"
"Well…"
00o00
When Holmes awoke from his drug induced sleep he was still tied to a bed but he felt a lot better and his hand wasn't shaking.
"I trust you are feeling better?"
The detective turned to see his rival standing beside him. "Much though I'm sure, it will not last long."
"True enough, tell me Holmes, am I correct in assuming that Mace is a friend of yours, not simply an informant?"
"One should never assume Moriarty, it is not logical."
The criminal smiled a genuine smile of mirth, as he shook his head. "You will never change. I just thought you should know that I will not be using the shackles on you or Lestrade for the next two days since you are both in such poor health. However should any of you chose to aggravate me Mace shall have the honour of taking your place as court jester, our bargain does not cover such intricacies as that."
"Why Moriarty, you should have been a lawyer."
The villain smiled and continued. "You will be staying here for the remainder of the day and will have another session in the N.C.R.A tomorrow morning. You will spend all of tomorrow here and have another session in the N.C.R.A the day after before being returned to your cell. I suggest you enjoy your reprieve.
00o00
"Why haven't you told any of this to the police?" asked Lestrade.
"Because that would be dumb." Mace retorted.
Lestrade looking slightly miffed raised her eyebrow.
"I did that once a when I was twenty. I used my information to anomalously help the policed take out Sutherland."
"Wait that was you? I remember Greyson talking about that, he broke his arm in a riot, they still talk about it a lot at the Yard. We had a bunch of arsons and murders as different factions tried to take control of Sutherland's territory."
Mace's eyes narrowed, "You had twenty-two murders, five of which were innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire… Since then I've been careful about who I help take out, and only help cripple one crime lord if I know who is going to replace him and how, and if I think they'd be an improvement."
"Hmmm. Makes sense I guess."
"Unfortunately it's not like I have complete control or anything, there is always some information I'm missing so I generally don't do much even if I'm fairly confident I could take some one out without… dire consequences. Actually the only time I have ever helped bring someone down and another person come up was about a year ago just before Holmes came back. I helped Erin Grace take control of Cadmen, by replacing Burns, she kills fewer people and demands far less protection money, and in return for this money she makes sure no other criminals cause trouble, as a result, the crime rate in the area has gone down a bit since she came to power."
Lestrade did not look like she approved but she didn't look like she was going to argue either. Mace shrugged and changed the topic the three continued to chat amiably until Moriarty arrived to spoil their good mood, no doubt by meticulous design.
"Time's up, oh and I should inform you that I have no intention of torturing Lestrade or Holmes during the next two days, so if any of you chose to aggravate me Mace will be the one to suffer."
"She hasn't done anything to you," Watson reminded him fruitlessly.
"True, and she has been of assistance but due to our agreement I cannot harm you—Mace however made no demands as to how she was to be treated other then the privilege of your company."
Watson was looking murderous as was Lestrade, Mace held up her hand. "It's ok, Watson at this point better me then Lestrade or Holmes."
"So true, at any rate provided you behave yourselves it's a moot point. Now Lestrade," Moriarty proceeded as he gestured to her room. Lestrade sighed and did as she was instructed. Moriarty used the remote to close the door. He then turned to Mace
"We're to have another meeting tomorrow morning I suggest you finish with those recordings by then." With that he turned and left.
00o00
The next day Moriarty arrived promptly at 9:00 a.m. Jax had begrudgingly brought breakfast for Mace, she was just finishing up when Moriarty entered.
"Mace, it is time for another meeting, come along." she sighed and, glancing at Watson gave him a reassuring smile before walking out the door.
"This is our second full day here Moriarty, I want to see Holmes."
"You don't get to make demands Mace, our agreement states that you can only see Holmes when he is up to receiving visitors, rest assure he is not, today he will be spending most of his time in the medical center. Lestrade will also be spending a few hours there."
"So you won't be torturing them?"
"No."
"So there is no reason we can't have dinner together tonight."
"Actually there is, Lestrade will be in good shape Holmes however, is another matter. The doctors tell me that the treatment they have to give him will weaken him a great deal. He will be spending the day and night in the medical centre."
"What do you have in store for Lestrade?"
"She will be spending this morning as well as tomorrow morning in the much the same predicament. The rest of the time she will be in her quarters."
"So she can join me and Watson for dinner tonight and we can all eat together tomorrow." She told him in a cheerful tone.
"Very well," Moriarty allowed reluctantly as he stopped at a door and opened it, gesturing her inside.
It was another two hours before Moriarty had extracted enough information from Mace to satisfy him, he told her that he had a lot to attend to, and if she had to meet with anyone she should talk to the camera in her room and the guards on duty would see to it he got the message
Once she was back in Watson's company she told him about dinner, he was so happy she had no difficulty in convincing him to tell her more stories, and the two spent a few amiable hours together. Eventually however Mace decided that it would be best if she got in touch with a few of her contacts. She decided she could do this via vidphone, appointments usually needed to be set up two days in advance when it came to some of her more illustrious clients.
She spent about four hours contacting various clients, getting new information and setting up appointments. All in all she felt she was having a productive day… given the circumstances. She finished up at around four and headed back to her room where Watson and tea were waiting for her, he started to tell her a story when a few minutes later her day became considerably worse.
00o00
Lestrade, however, did not have a good day. At 10:00 a.m. Kerai and Damon entered, they sedated her, and the next thing she knew she was back in her room, where she spent a restless hour pacing and cursing. Then the screen in her room came on and she saw Watson and Mace having tea, and talking he was telling her another story, one of Lestrade's favourites actually. Then Moriarty entered, and Lestrade didn't like the look on his face.
00o00
Holmes meanwhile, had awoken in the medroom to the sight of a pudgy doctor leaning over him.
"Feeling better?"
"Much," he responded curtly.
"Good, good." The doctor put his hand between Holmes' thumb and index finger. "Now squeeze."
The detective did so and realized he couldn't, at least not very tightly.
The doctor shook his head. "Well let's try the other." Once again the experiment was repeated and the same results obtained. "Well, we'll have to run a few more tests to determine the best treatment. Lie still." He said as he began to draw a blood sample. "I do have good news. Your friend is in the N.C.R.A, and is doing well, another fairly short session tomorrow and she will be fine."
Holmes nodded but remained silent. The doctor adjusted the back of the bed so his patient was able to sit up, he was just finishing when the detective noticed Moriarty approaching.
"Hello Holmes, good afternoon, yes, it is afternoon, you slept quite a bit." He turned to the doctor, "How much longer until Lestrade is ready to be taken back to her quarters?"
"Just a few more minutes."
"Excellent," he turned back to his life long rival. "Has the good doctor informed you that Lestrade will make a full recovery?"
"He has."
"Now Holmes no need to be upset, Lestrade is fine, I do not intend to harm her or you today… or tomorrow for that matter"
"And Mace?"
"Ah, such concern for an informant."
Holmes glared.
"As I said as long as you behave, she will come to no harm. Ah, and here's the inspector now."
Holmes turned and saw that Lestrade was lying on a wheeled bed. Holmes couldn't help but note how peaceful she looked.
"Beautiful isn't she?" said Moriarty as he walked up to the object of his comment, and gently took her chin in his hand, smiling. If Holmes had not been tied to the bed he would have attack the criminal, not that he didn't try.
"Remove. Your. Hand." he ordered his voice laced with venom.
"You are not in a position to give orders, Holmes." replied Moriarty as he gently pushed aside a strand of Lestrade's hair, making sure Holmes had a good view of her face.
The detective was about to retaliate when he stopped himself. "You want me to anger you."
"Quick as ever Holmes yes, I should appreciate the opportunity to remind Mace of her rather obvious contractual loophole," he pulled a syringe out of his pocket. Holmes noted it was made of glass. "A type of acid Holmes, not acidic enough to kill if injected, but enough to hurt. I was thinking of having Watson inject her."
Holmes glared, he wanted to say something but knew it would only guaranty hell for both Mace and Watson.
"I told you Watson would learn what it means to cross me, he will be my understudy whenever I am forced to use Mace, as a substitute for you," smiled Moriarty.
Holmes glared but decided to remain silent. He knew the satisfaction of a few insults was not worth the harm that would befall his friends. Also, the fact that he was tied to a bed so tightly he could hardly move… well that obviously wasn't helping much either.
Moriarty grinned, fully aware of his victim's thought process, smiling he motioned for Lestrade to be moved back to her room, once she was gone he approached Holmes' bed.
"You know, should you force my hand it will the perfect opportunity to test whether compudroids are capable of having anxiety attacks, it should be most… informative"
Holmes began to pull against the restraints, he could feel his muscles tense with rage but still he held his tongue.
"Your self-control is as masterful as ever Holmes, though I can't say I'm surprised. You did refrain from writing to the good doctor for three years during your alleged death. Honestly I don't think I could possibly torture Watson more then you did, letting him think his greatest friend was dead. You weren't even there for him when his wife died. You weren't there for him when he neededyou…. But he was always there for you."
Holmes would have given almost anything at that moment to give Moriarty a demonstration his famous right hook.
"Poor man, shame really, I understand he fainted clean away when you came back, he even forgave you—instantly, I fancy he wasn't even angry with you just happy to see you alive, but then again most dogs are faithful to their masters, give them a biscuit and they're all smiles and wagging tail again…"
Things happened too quickly for even Holmes to take his actions into consideration. He had been straining so hard against his binds that they suddenly snapped with a sudden and terrible force as a deafening 'crack' resounded through the room. So it happened that before Moriarty could even attempt to remove himself from harm's way his greatest rival had forced him to the ground. Quickly Holmes grabbed a cord from a piece of medical equipment and as best he could with his limited motor abilities wrapped it around his wrist, and then around Moriarty's throat. He began to pull.
"No one insults Watson." said Holmes, voice thick with hatred and contempt.
"Hol-mes…" gasped Moriarty, the detective was pleased to see the fear behind his nemesis's eyes, so consumed with hate and rage was he that he did not hear the slight clicking behind him as the pudgy doctor of earlier readied a sedative, Moriarty was just turning blue when Holmes felt the sharp prick of the needle.
The last thing he would remember upon awakening was falling to the floor, blurred images and sounds swarming around him as he fought, futilely to stay conscious. (1)
When the detective finally awoke hours later, he was once again tied to a bed in a sitting position. Facing a screen, upon which he saw Mace and Watson, the two were drinking tea, and Watson was telling her another story. 'No…' thought Holmes as he remembered what had happened. 'What have I done..?'
Just then Moriarty walked into the room.
"Watson, Mace, I'm afraid I have bad news, Holmes lost his temper earlier…"
Watson rose from his chair "Moriarty if you cause permanent damage—"
"Silence!"
"Would this loss of temper have anything to do with the mark around your neck? Looks like someone tried to strangle you." Mace smirked.
Moriarty glared then smiled sadistically "I won't be using the shackles on you Mace instead the good doctor shall inject you with an acidic compound."
"I would nev—"
"This is getting tiresome doctor. Two hours of torment from you, or four hours from me, your choice."
Mace put her hand on Watson's shoulder the droid turned to her, Mace smiled "Actually I would prefer it if you did this Watson you're… gentler. Please."
Watson stared at Mace an expression of horror across his face, "I can't!"
"Excellent! Four hours it is then," Moriarty cut in.
"Watson, please…" Mace pleaded, she knew this would hurt him, but he would be helping her and he would have to endure fewer hours of watching her suffer.
"Doctor…" Moriarty he held out a glass syringe. Watson took it. Mace rolled up her sleeve and held out her left arm.
"Be sure to give her all of it doctor or I shall have to administer another, potentially fatal dose," his smile broadened, "and I would hate to lose such an advantageous informant."
Watson glared but said nothing he turned to Mace took her arm and paused as the needle touched her skin. "I am truly sorry."
"Don't be, I'm not."
The doctor held the needle to her skin and with a final devastated look at her face, pressed the piston.
Mace felt as if fire was been injected into her veins.
"Ahh—" she cried out briefly she then managed to control her tongue and her arm determined to make this as painless for Watson as possible.
Once Watson was done with the injection, Mace collapsed to the floor gripping her left arm. Kneeling himself Watson wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
Moriarty stood over the pair, smiling. "Before I forget doctor," he said as he reached into his breast pocket and pulled out another syringe "This is a buffer that will relieve her pain," he held it out to Watson, "give it to her before I say you may or use any other medical tricks to help her in any way, and she will have to endure another four hours. Understood?"
Watson glared at the criminal and held out his hand for the syringe. Moriarty's grin widened "Oh come now doctor it's not as if I'm asking you to break your oath you can't very well do any harm if you do nothing." he laughed as he left.
Mace felt the acid spread throughout her body, she felt as if her heart was pumping fire through her veins. 'Gods this hurts, I feel as if I'm been burned alive from the inside out, Oh Gods this hurts, oh gods, oh gods!' she continued to mentally chant. By now Watson was cradling her in his arms, she was grateful, it was comforting to be held.
They stayed that way for the whole two hours occasionally Mace would sob or cry out or her eyes would start to water, every time this happened she scolded herself, she hated showing weakness, in her line of work it was dangerous. More importantly she knew it hurt Watson to see she was in pain. She knew from experience how painful it was to hold someone you cared about in your arms while they suffered, unable to do anything, completely helpless.
Watson held Mace close, trying to make her comfortable, it was very seldom that a sound would escape her, but her face told him she was in great pain. He hated feeling so helpless he wanted to kill Moriarty, make him pay for this, but he had more pressing concerns, he had to help his friend, that was more important then anything.
Holmes was forced to watch the entire proceedings from his bed. He constantly berated himself for losing control and subjecting both Mace and Watson to this torture. 'Watson, Mace…' He wondered if Mace would forgive him for this, it was his fault. Soon his thoughts turned to how he had met the redhead perhaps he should never had interfered in the fight between her and Young's men, after all it had been her chain…
Holmes had come across Mace when he heard sounds of a struggle coming from the back ally of a pub, he had decided to investigate. He would never forget his surprise at seeing a western women wielding a manriki-gusari, a small chain two feet in length with weights at the end. She wove between her attackers hobbling, entrapping and disarming them as she systematically took out their arms and legs with precision kicks and punches. Unfortunately one of the men had been from Okinawa and was familiar with the weapon, somehow he managed to gain control of it and wrap it around her throat. Holmes had decided to step in without waiting to see if his assistance was even needed, perhaps if he had waited… she had after all managed to take out four.
When the fight was over he saw her, with a flick of her hand wrap the chain around her wrist, he noticed that the weights on the ends doubled as clasp so the weapon took on the appearance of a bracelet.
'She would be better off if we had never met!'
After two hours had passed, Moriarty walked into the room, he looked at Watson and smiled. "You may," he said in response to the doctors hopeful glance.
Watson immediately injected Mace with the buffer, her face instantly showed relief and after a couple of minutes it was evident that the buffer had spread throughout her body. Slowly she rose.
Moriarty smiled, "I expect you'll recover quickly, that solution should not have caused any permanent damage. In half an hour your dinner will be brought in and Lestrade will join you, you will only have an hour then someone will come to take you to the medical chamber." With that he turned and left.
Mace with Watson's assistance made her way to the table and sat down.
"You should lie down." said Watson
"I'll be doing plenty of that in the medroom Watson, and Watson…"
"Yes?"
"Thank you," Watson smiled wearily and began to scan and tend to her as best he could. Soon the food arrived and then Lestrade entered. Mace quickly put her fingers in her ears.
"That evil, conniving, loathsome piece of zed!"
"Lestrade please stop yelling my ears can't take it," said Mace as she slowly removed her fingers.
"Sorry," Lestrade murmured, noticing that Mace was blinking continually and squinting at here, 'Having acid pumped through them could not have been fun hope her eyes are okay.'
"No worries let's just eat we don't have much time tonight."
00o00
"Well Holmes, what did you think of tonight's entertainment?"
The detective glared at the criminal, but did not respond, he didn't trust himself.
"What, no threats? No 'how dare you's' come now Holmes, it is your fault you couldn't control your temper."
'I can't risk angering Moriarty.' the detective reminded himself
"Don't feel like conversing?" said Moriarty with a sneer. "Come now Holmes refusing to converse with one's host is considered rude, don't tell me your time in this century has caused you to forget your manners."
Holmes continued to glare.
"Well I came to tell you that food will be brought in momentarily."
'Yes, insults with an appetizer of steaming hot guilt,' thought Holmes.
Moriarty smiled as if reading the detectives thoughts, he then left, and the pudgy doctor of earlier entered with four armed guards. The doctor undid the restraints before giving Holmes his dinner.
The sleuth's mind continued to drift back to what Moriarty had said.
You weren't there for him when he needed you…But he was always there for you
'Damn him he's right…'
00o00
Mace, Lestrade and Watson were conversing when they heard the door open, they turned to see Kerai cross the threshold she smiled and turned to the red-head. "Come along Mace."
Mace gave her two companions a reassuring smile then left with Kerai.
"How are you feeling?" asked Kerai
"Ancient Chinese proverb: 'none of your beeswax'."
Kerai smiled as she escorted Mace to the medical room. Once they reached the door Kerai opened it and gestured her in, "Ladies first."
"I'm no more a lady then you are," said Mace as she entered.
Mace returned to her room two hours later to find Watson sitting at the table alone.
She smiled. "Hey Watson no worries Moriarty's got some great doctors here, I feel better then ever."
00o00
The next day Mace awoke early and set about doing her morning stretches, and a few katas, she had just finished a difficult one when Jax entered with breakfast. "Moriarty wants to have a meeting with you in half an hour."
"Sure thing Jaxy."
Jax glared, but said nothing instead she merely turned and left the room. Mace smiled maybe this day would be an improvement.
Half an hour later Moriarty 'graced' the two with his odious presence. "Come along Mace."
Watson rose but she held out her hand and gave him a reassuring smile. "It's okay Watson," with that she and Moriarty left.
"This is the second and last day of Holmes' reprieve I want all of us to have dinner tonight."
"One would think that you would have learned by now you don't get to make demands," replied Moriarty in a hard tone.
"You said we could. Holmes should be fine, as long as you don't torture him today."
"I suppose that's true. Very well, but first things first, I have sent someone to intercept the package we should find out if they were successful soon," he said as he opened the door to his office and gestured her inside.
It was another four hours before Mace once again found herself in her room. Watson looked up as she entered. "Watson great news Holmes will be joining us for dinner as will Lestrade."
"That's wonderful."
"Ya it is," said Mace with a grin, then her expression darkened. "Now Watson I need a good story with a happy ending and I need it now."
Watson looked confused then shook his head Mace obviously didn't want to talk about it, whatever itwas. "I have just the thing."
Mace's grin broadened as she sat down and the two spend the hours till dinner amiably.
The same however could not be said of Lestrade who constantly paced her room, and occasionally muttered something unladylike under her breath. Around 4:00 p.m. she was taken to the med center where she spent an hour in the N.C.R.A, sedated. She woke up at 5:30 p.m. on her bed slightly groggy.
Holmes, however, had the worst of it as he spend all of the morning tied to a bed and most of the afternoon in a N.C.R.A sedated. When he woke up he was once more in his cell, but surprisingly wasn't shackled. 'Moriarty must be in a good mood,' he thought, 'this does not bode well for the human race.'
Eventually at around 6:00 pm Moriarty entered. Holmes looked up but said nothing. "Good news Holmes you will be dinning with Lestrade, Watson and Mace tonight." he waited for Holmes to respond, but the detective kept quiet
"Come along," ordered Moriarty as he walked out the door. Holmes noticed there were three guards waiting including Jax. It was a short walk to Mace's and Watson's cell. Once there Moriarty opened the door and gestured Holmes inside.
"Bare in mind that there are cameras and microphones throughout the room, enjoy your meal and," looking at Lestrade, "try not to break anything."
Once Moriarty had left Mace ran up to Holmes and gave him a hug, "Good to see you Holmes."
Holmes was surprised at the uses of his surname but he wasn't going to complain especially since he was so relived that she was in good health and that she didn't blame him for what she had gone thru the day before. Stiffly he returned the hug and making sure no cameras (at least none that were visible) could see his lips move, whispered their location. Mace gave him an extra squeeze to show she understood. Once she had released him Lestrade stepped forth to greet him.
"How are you feeling?"
"Perfectly fine, I assure you."
Lestrade nodded. Mace looked at the two their body language was screaming "hug!", but Holmes would not initiate the hug because of his Victorian up bringing, and Lestrade was afraid of making him uncomfortable—the fact that the hug he had given Mace was so stiff hadn't helped. 'Some people,' Mace thought with a sigh before speaking aloud. "Holmes stay still while Watson scans you."
At this point Watson walked up to Holmes so they were facing each other and began scanning. Mace walked up to Lestrade and whispered. "He wanted one you know"
Lestrade turned, "Come again?"
Mace merely shrugged and smiled as she took her place at the table.
"You seem fine Holmes, on the brink but so long as you receive adequate rest you should be fine"
"Some how I doubt I will receive adequate rest."
"I could substitute for you." said Mace
"No!" shouted Holmes and Lestrade simultaneously.
"Well it's not like any of you can handle it. Moriarty knows we're friends since I said I was willing to exchange my services for Watson's well being, and I keep giving you hugs," she reminded him as she turned to Holmes.
"He needs you healthy and you have already endured more then you should," retaliated Holmes.
"He doesn't need me healthy all the time tomorrow for example I could check my sources and take care of a few things and be back in the early evening or late afternoon. Me and Moriarty could have a … what was the word he used? Oh right 'session', and I could be patched and in bed for a good nights rest in no time. No worse for the wear."
"Provided it does not happen often," replied Holmes stiffly.
"Moriarty has uses for me he won't risk any long term damage. At this point I can take the occasional session, and Watson is out of the question for two reasons one my barter with Moriarty states that he is not to be harmed, ever Two Watson is a compudroid and can't feel physical pain. So really it's the only logical solution."
"'It' is out of the question," said Holmes in a hard tone, then his eyes widened and narrowed as he realized his mistake.
Mace smiled, "Look guys, we don't have that much time and the food is getting cold, how about we eat, then finish this discussion?"
Holmes sighed but sat down, he was hungry. They talked of other things during the meal and had a few laughs. Holmes was slightly sullen due to the fact that he was beating himself up over his mistake, Moriarty was sure to be watching and even if he was not he was sure to watch a recording, as soon as he realized that Holmes did not want Mace to volunteer and she could do so while still being useful, he would see to it she had the opportunity.
Still, they had a pleasant meal and Holmes couldn't help but smile when told what had happened to Lestrade's hand. 'Typical Lestrade,' he thought.
After they were done eating they didn't return to their previous topic, Mace decided to bring Holmes up to date on her war conferences with Moriarty.
"I told him about the Harrison's weapon shipment and about how they had been setting their men up with jobs at the same hotel the representatives are staying at… I also informed him that one of my sources yesterday told me they were making a bomb capable of… well lets just say it had a large range. We figured that they were going to try and kill the representatives he had replaced."
"How did they know Moriarty had had them replaced?" asked Holmes.
"Moriarty has—had a mole, with information from the same informant who told me about the bomb. We were able to after an hour figure out who it was. Once we did I was dismissed. He told me this morning they had stopped the explosion… I helped him big time, the explosion would have cancelled the peace conference, war would have started up again and with the Harrison's been arms dealers…"
"They would have made a fortune." Watson finished for her.
Mace nodded and continued. "Well, our first and second meeting was about the bomb, yesterday we figured out who the mole was, and we found out an hour into our meeting that the bomb had been neutralized. As for the rest of the morning we went over plans that would help him gain further control not just of the New London criminal world but all of England. He's even going to get rid of some of his competition legally by providing the Yard with evidence that will land them in jail."
Mace continued to tell Holmes about some of the evidence she had until Moriarty once again intruded.
"Your two hours are up… Lestrade," he gestured to the door that led to her room. Lestrade sighed but rose from her seat and trudged towards her room shoulders sagging. Grinning, Moriarty used his remote to close the door which clicked into place severing all connection between her and her friends.
"Come along Holmes," the villain continued with a sneer and gestured for the detective to leave. With one final look at his friends Holmes walked out the door, Moriarty looked at Mace and smiled, then turned and following Holmes locked the door behind him.
00o00
"So Holmes, did you enjoy dinner? I do hope the food was to your satisfaction I employ a five star chief." Holmes remained quite; he was far to occupied attempting to find a way to prevent Mace from being tortured.
Moriarty stopped and turned. "That was not a rhetorical question Holmes,"
"Moriarty you cannot be serious, Mace is an asset to you, there is no reason for you to torture her."
"My dear Homes, she is your friend, that is reason enough."
Footnotes:
(1) Everyone give a warm hand to Bowen yet again she pretty much wrote half this scene
Next update is on the 2nd of February, before noon, remember to read and rate.