Author's note: We are slwoly approaching the end. Slowly.

I don't own anything, please review.

"Can you diffuse it?" Greg asked.

He was certain that he wouldn't get the answer he hoped for. Trevelyan wasn't the man to leave a bomb with an off switch, or one that could easily be diffused. Plus, they would have to raise the device to see it, and it would certainly go off.

Which of course meant they couldn't take it with them either.

Mycroft leaned over the machine, studying the bomb carefully.

"It doesn't seem to be structured in a usual way..."

Greg didn't think about how casually Mycroft had used the word "usual" concerning bombs; instead, he kept his eyes trained on Moriarty. If he should decide to try anything while they were busy looking at –

Moriarty was studying the device and bomb too, he realized.

"Any ideas?"

He didn't know why he asked – maybe because he had decided that he might as well, considering they couldn't call anyone because any contact might change their memories; maybe because he was desperate and trying to help his friends in any way possible.

"Let me take a look" Moriarty replied simply and walked over to the bed. His eyes scrutinized everything as Greg glanced at Mycroft, who had raised an eyebrow and was studying him.

He was trying to catch his eye, silently asking what he thought he was doing and if they should perhaps stop him before he triggered an explosion when Moriarty took a step back and smiled.

"I think I can do it – it's going to be a bit tricky, but I like tricky".

"Why?" Greg demanded before he could stop himself.

Moriarty shook his head.

"You have trust issues, DI Lestrade."

He didn't reply. If Moriarty wanted to provoke him, he would have to do so after he had diffused the bomb. If he could. And if he would.

Moriarty sighed when it became clear he wasn't going to comment and said, "I think I told you I would help".

"That doesn't mean that you will" Mycroft pointed out.

"True, but this time it does."

A few seconds later, he added, "Under one condition."

"And that is?"

"You have to swear" he said, his voice even, "that you will leave Trevelyan to me".

It was obvious that he expected them to hold true to their promise once Sherlock and John and the scientist were back. His expression spoke of the earnestness of his request.

Greg swallowed. If they swore and gave Trevelyan to him, no one knew what he was going to do to the man. It might be more inhuman than killing him. On the other hand, he might use him. Trevelyan was a genius, and there were no limits to what they could do together...

He looked at Mycroft, whose face was unreadable.

"Then, of course" Moriarty continued, "it might not be worth much. Considering you didn't protect your brother –"

For one moment, Greg thought Mycroft would shoot him. Fleetingly, anger and hatred crossed his face, the face that was usually so calm. It wasn't difficult to deduce what Moriarty meant; he was ready to bet that many older siblings vowed to themselves to protect their younger ones at all costs. And Mycroft had broken this promise.

"You have my word."

The sentence fell flat in the silence, and Greg stared at Mycroft. He couldn't say whether he intended to keep his promise or not.

"Inspector?"

He looked into Moriarty's eyes and finally answered, "I promise".

He had no intention of keeping it. He had always tried to be honest, but honesty wasn't what was needed here. If Moriarty was thinking he would feel honour bond, he was mistaken.

"Good, then. Let's see what we can do."

Watching Moriarty handle a bomb was even more unsettling than Greg had thought he would, and he unconsciously moved closer to Mycroft. The British Government stood still, completely focused on Moriarty.

Greg wondered if they would die, and found that he was surprisingly little touched by the possibility. His only concern was that without them Sherlock and John wouldn't return.

"I saw something like this before..." Moriarty commented, and then he diffused the bomb.

Just like that.

Of course not immediately, and of course not without many head-shakings and mutterings, but he did it, and Greg began to suspect that he had known how to do it, that he had probably constructed it for Trevelyan or helped him procure the parts, and used this to make them promise he could have the scientist.

He looked at Mycroft and for once found it easy to read him. He was suspecting the same. But there was no disgust on his face; he was simply looking at Moriarty like one might look at someone who was a mild inconvenience, soon to be gone, and Greg was sure he would be.

There was no reason to keep the promise now, if there had been one before.

Moriarty gently lifted the device off the bomb, and before he could say anything, Mycroft told Greg to take it.

He did so and once again had the impression that it had a life of its own; lying warm and humming in his arms, it made it difficult to believe that it could send people into another universe and bring them back.

"Do you know how to – "

"Operate it? I am sorry, but Doctor Trevelyan trusts no one. He wouldn't tell me."

"We will find out" Mycroft said quietly.

Greg wondered if Moriarty ignored the silent threats that swung in this statement, the promise of what would come after they did, or if he didn't hear them. Probably the first.

"Back to your house?"

Mycroft nodded.

They soon arrived, having thankfully met no obstacles on the way, and Greg carefully placed the machine on the dining room table.

He simply couldn't make sense of it. Did they need a code? Did it probably only work when Trevelyan chose to active the sensor he carried with him? They couldn't answer these questions, and without the answers it would be difficult to do anything.

"I had all files of Trevelyan's that could be found in the lab and his flat brought here" Mycroft explained.

He had texted someone before they had left the house, obviously so they wouldn't risk meeting anyone they knew; since the files were lying on the table as well, Greg knew it could only have been Anthea.

She hadn't stayed around, even though she must be wondering what they were doing; Greg was relieved that the doubts she must be having had not yet overruled her loyalty. He believed it couldn't be long, however; Mycroft had been behaving oddly, and he was such a creature of habit that it must appear strange.

"What can I do?" he asked. He wanted to help, there had to be something he was capable of, even if it involved going through files he didn't understand.

"Yes" Mycroft said, already opening one, "Please repair to the living room."

He was opening his mouth to ask why when he saw the smirk on Moriarty's face. Mycroft must find it even more difficult to look at him than Greg. He didn't want him here while he was trying to bring his brother back.

Greg gestured for Moriarty to go first, and expected him to say something, but he didn't.

Once he had closed the door of the dining room, he sat down on the sofa. Moriarty had taken place in one of the chairs. He took his gun out of his pocket.

"Is this really necessary?"

"Of course" he answered. He wasn't about to discuss with Moriarty whether or not his security measures were of any use, but he wouldn't risk being attacked and therefore placing Mycroft in danger either.

Moriarty tilted his head slightly, regarding him with a curious mixture of weariness and something like admiration. Greg forced himself not to look away.

"If you hate me this much you could just kill me now. Surely I have outlived my usefulness?"

Only that he hadn't, and that he knew it. It was possible he was lying about the device, as he had lied about the bomb; it was possible that he and Trevelyan had another plan, and in that case, he needed to be alive to be interrogated.

His grip on the gun tightened as he continued, "You never thought there was a reason I was around? Maybe people like me have to exist for people like Sherlock to be born."

"There is no need to try philosophy on me. We both know you just enjoy chaos."

Moriarty grinned.

"Instinct. That's what makes you different from the others at Scotland Yard. Sherlock knows how to pick them."

Greg stayed silent. If Moriarty honestly wanted him to doubt Sherlock's friendship, he would have to try harder.

Half an hour later the door opened and Mycroft walked in.

Greg had expected him to take longer.

"The device can be activated" Mycroft stated.

The DI waited on the "but" that was sure to come. Mycroft's expression said it all.

"But it will only bring those that are in the immediate vicinity of the sensor."

"Are you saying – " Greg paused.

"Are you saying they have to be with Trevelyan when we activate the machine?"

Mycroft nodded.

Greg knew he was thinking the same as he.

They had no way of knowing when Sherlock and John would catch Trevelyan.

Or if they would do so at all.