"He wants to kill me; that I know for sure." John starts with as he sees Mycroft round the corner. Mycroft frowns.
"Rather obvious. There is more to it than that." John rolls his shoulder and Mycroft leads them back to the room where they can watch Moriarty in the cell.
"But he wants to test me first." John stares at Moriarty as he stares back unblinking.
"And?" Moriarty's breathing increases.
"And failure is when I die, to him." John looks away from him and Moriarty's head slumps as he loses consciousness. They both stand in alarm.
…
"I was hoping you'd dig deeper." Moriarty says as John huffs.
…
"What could the test be?" Mycroft resists the urge to slam his hands on the table. Ordinary people are so slow! "Think."
…
"I know you know what the test is." John crosses his arms as Sherlock ignores his cup of tea.
"Yes. We all know. Moriarty wants you to catch up."
…
"Think about it Dr. Watson, what was he trying to make you do before we were put here?" Jim says.
…
"You were testing my faith in Sherlock."
"You're getting closer." Moriarty leans forward. "Keep thinking. This could be the last problem you ever solve." Moriarty grins.
…
"How would he be able to tell your faith in someone?" Mycroft questions. John narrows his eyes.
"I don't know; by the way my jumper is wrinkled!" John huffs sarcastically. Mycroft doesn't respond and John yells. "If I knew I would tell you!"
…
"How did I fail mine, John?" Sherlock asks softly.
…
"What did Sherlock try to do to you?" Jim asks.
…
"He wanted me to betray you." John breathes out, the pieces clicking into place at once as he stares at Sherlock's face, "to lose faith in you and think you were some kind of phony." He thinks back to the pool. "When you thought I was Moriarty you were going to kill me. He wanted me to try and kill you." The satisfaction of figuring out the answer overshadows the horror in realizing what Moriarty wanted him to do.
The phone rings and John is sure it is Moriarty calling because he knows John has figured it out. Instead it is Mycroft.
"I regret to inform you of this, John."
"No," John breathes out; already knowing what the call is about.
"Moriarty has escaped. I would do my best to not leave the flat for a while."
"He's been here before. I'm not safe here." John turns to Sherlock, wide eyed. "I'm not safe anywhere, am I?" Sherlock looks away as the voice on the phone sighs.
"Not really." Mycroft admits, "but I will-" John hangs the call up before dropping the phone. It clatters on the floor. As John looks at the face of it, it lights up and vibrates. It rings again, and John recognizes Moriarty's number calling him.
"Sherlock, I think you should go get the milk."
"John," Sherlock starts to object, but John shakes his head.
"We also could use some more biscuits and tea."
"John."
"Toilet paper, you could go buy me a nice suit."
"John." Sherlock walks up to him and puts his hands on John's shoulders.
"It's okay Sherlock." John bends down to pick up the phone but it stops ringing the second John touches it.
"John." John turns the phone over in his hands.
"No. Sherlock. This is my jump, and I'm giving you as much choice as you gave me. Either you leave or I do."
Sherlock flattens his lips and scoffs. He looks John up and down, no doubt reading the situation and possible outcomes. John braces for the argument, but, surprisingly, Sherlock leaves without any more fussing.
…
Jim slowly walks up the steps of the flat. He knows John will be waiting, maybe with his gun. Jim lets his hand trace over the wallpaper as he reaches the top. He pulls on his suit, cracks his neck, and walks in with a small smile. John is sitting on the couch, his lips set in a thin line and his shoulders tight. John doesn't speak or look up to him and Jim knows he needs to start the conversation.
"I rang," Jim opens and John looks up at him. John doesn't stand.
"I heard." John answers. Jim shrugs before staring at John. He straitens as he reads John's body language.
"You're afraid of me." John doesn't respond to that. "I won't hurt you."
"How'd you get out?" John asks, cutting Jim off.
"Moriarty has protocols in place. We can get out of anywhere. We can get anyone out of anywhere." Jim answers as he looks down the hall. "You can come out now." John huffs with a small smile as Sherlock comes back out of the hallway. "I won't hurt him."
I look forward to seeing you on the other side Johnny! I'll bring my gun.
"I'm not worried about you, Moriarty made it clear that when he got out he'd be coming for me." John's voice is flat, and Jim nods.
"Yes, and he has numerous painful ways planned out for the both of you." Jim pauses. "But he's torn up, you're still interesting." John clenches then releases his fist.
"Interesting? So there is still more." John sighs. "I know the answer to his question."
"I think it's too late to get your bonus answer, but now you know." Jim looks at John, hoping he sees something more than just the past test.
"Do I pass the test then?"
"For now." Jim looks away. "He'll leave you alone for a bit now, I would enjoy it."
"I'd enjoy if he left me alone forever."
"I don't think that's an option, Dr. Watson."
"How long do we have?" Sherlock asks and Jim frowns.
"I'd hate to guess, but you should have some time." He looks back to John. "I'd like to keep seeing you, if that's alright."
"I don't think so." John stands.
"I understand." Jim nods.
"Good." Sherlock says firmly. "Then this is goodbye."
"Hardly, this is a see you later, at best."
Jim turns and walks to the door. He pauses in the doorframe. Sherlock moves over slightly, standing between John and Jim. John watches Jim turn slightly and meet his eyes.
"I'll be in touch."
He walks down the stairs and then calls back up to them.
"We can get dinner."
…
"He must've known I was getting close to the answer if he just broke out."
"Or he got tired of waiting for you." Mycroft replies and John frowns. Sherlock, who hasn't said a word yet, is staring into Moriarty's cell
"How'd he get out?" John asks.
"A guard." Mycroft shakes his head.
"I thought you screened them better than that?" John comments and Sherlock briefly smiles.
"So did I."
"So what's the plan?" Mycroft is silent and John leans back in the chair. "So no plan? Just let him do whatever? Just come kill me whenever he feels like it!?"
"John," Mycroft pauses and Sherlock turns away from the cell.
"Well, it seems like you don't have anything to contribute Mycroft. With Moriarty out, no one place is safer than any other."
"You want to leave the country?" Mycroft looks up incredulously.
"Why not? Just for a short holiday."
"Leave?" John parrots.
"I think it's for the best. London's air has just become too thick lately."
"Oh, ugh." Mycroft groans. "Very well." John shifts his confused gaze between the two of them. "Give Mummy my regards." Sherlock pulls his lips back into what could be called a smile before dropping his face.
"I'll tell her you said hi."
…
"So where are your parents?" John asks as they step into the cab.
"Right now they are enjoying a short holiday in Ireland."
"I see we're not going far." John looks out the window and Sherlock looks to his phone.
"Distance isn't going to be an issue for Moriarty. We're going to solve a case." Sherlock holds his phone up to John.