A/N: here is the pool scene and beginning of Adler's case
Spoilers: The Great Game, A Scandal in Belgravia
Chapter 14 in which our hero John is all strapped up until he's not.
As Sherlock entered the pool area, of course, he was talking all confident and arrogant certain he has all the strings in his hands. His confidence will cost him someday, thought John to himself listening to his voice. He felt relief and anger because he came.
"Brought you a little getting to know you present," he said and John cringed knowing he had set everything up. Why would their opponent come out to play if Sherlock didn't lure him out? John walked slowly to sight following instructions, he had to be careful not to forget to listen that voice in his ear, one mistake and everything will go to hell.
"John?" Sherlock was confused finally realizing he wasn't the one who knows it all. It frustrated John how he tends to forget that he is brilliant but really often just wanders in the dark like the rest of them. John talked in a strained voice fighting to keep himself on course and not to say any of his inner thoughts.
Then that singing voice of Jim Moriarty of all people flew above the water. Ironic how he felt angry at Sherlock for treating him and pointed out that he might be wrong. Look how wrong was he, he didn't see what Moriarty was, only what he wanted him to see. Moriarty talked and John was barely listening to them lead their game further. He tried to find a way, something to do. He didn't care about explosive strapped to his chest; he only wanted to see that irritated high voice dead and Sherlock safe. So when he got his chance he was ready. Invisible behind wasn't such a bad position. He surged forward.
"Sherlock run" he shouted thinking how he could buy him some time but Moriarty just kept talking keeping him here.
"You rather showed your hand there, Doctor Watson," said Moriarty and then red dot appeared on Sherlock's forehead. John saw it and let go of Moriarty. Damn him and his game of life and death. Sherlock better pulls them out of this one. But it seemed like Moriarty just wanted to save himself some fun for later, some twisted play to make Sherlock suffer; like the prolonged pleasure of torturing. After some more words and threats, he was gone and they stood alone in the pool area. Sherlock stood still watching him leave keeping his superior posture, but when the door was closed he rushed to John and frantically started to rip the explosives off him.
"Sherlock" John tried to stop him but his voice was weak and soon Sherlock had peeled the explosives of his back and send them sliding along the tiles. When the pressure of the explosives was off him John's legs gave up from the sudden release of relief. He crouched down leaning to the wall and discovered that in sudden change and withdrawal of adrenalin he experienced a hard-on. He was a Doctor and didn't think much of it but surely it was a bit embarrassing.
"Glad no one saw that" he murmured at loud and got Sherlock's attention.
"You, ripping my clothes off in the darkened swimming pool. People might talk" he said lightly their constant mistaken-for-gays identity.
"People do little else" Sherlock smiled and everything was back to normal but then that crazy bastard of Moriarty was back saying he changed his mind. Sherlock looked at him and John knew from the start, what was the only option in which their death wouldn't be in vain. He nodded and Sherlock pointed a gun to explosives. Moriarty watched with disturbing focus and John thought they are dead, Sherlock was determined enough to fire. But then of all silly things Moriarty's phone started to ring most ridicules of all tunes, maybe ridicules made it even scarier. He shouted at the phone and all his madness could be seen. Whoever could think that Sherlock was mad like that? Moriarty talked some more and said that it was a bad day to die and he was off, just like that.
"Someone changed his mind," said Sherlock was still drawn to beat him. John thought how Moriarty had done it on purpose, he lured Sherlock into the game, and now he had assured his continued interest. He knew Sherlock far too well; he knew he'll never stop searching now. Warning my ass, though John, more like recruiting moment. Although John didn't doubt they all could have died there and then only because Moriarty would find fun to call on their bluff and Sherlock wasn't bluffing.
After Moriarty was gone there was silence in the pool and following days were filled with refused cases, mysterious bodies even Sherlock didn't know what to do with, and John's blog. John was more at ease with Sherlock after the pool. It was like Sherlock was back in his mysterious, enigmatic if you will; hero domain. Whatever he said, what he did was rather fantastic, and his mistakes and arrogance only made it human, understandable. John kept putting that to his blog and clients kept finding them. Sherlock showed his interest in his blog, it was always with disdain but that was his way. John was satisfied because he felt that was one field he was beating Sherlock and his countless sorts of tobacco.
Sherlock kept talking to him and that was evidence enough that he appreciates him and that his help is needed. He even kept talking to him when he was away; he discovered that as he held the laptop for him to see the crime scene. He was in his sheet probably just to annoy John, and it worked. Sometimes John thought Sherlock just loves to make him angry. The helicopter came and everything became mad and hilarious again.
Sherlock is on next. I think this scene has a bit more for him than it has to John.