TheDarkestShinobi: I'm so sorry that I ended up having to take a year off this story, but it is one of my brain babies and I wanted to be sure I could think about it properly and between NSF and grad school it hadn't been possible for a bit. I am back and I shouldn't be gone in the foreseeable future.

WARNING: To be completely honest, I'm not sure if part of this counts as non con, and as a precaution, I'd like to warn you in advance. I don't feel it is, but, as this issue does not affect me the strongest I'd rather play it safe for my more sensitive readers. It is a kiss and conversation, but if it will be a sensitive issue then stop reading at the *** underneath "Jim's chuckles"

Start:

"Sherlock, wake up," he hears through the fog, and he would loathe to awaken to Donavan's command but knows he should open his eyes and let them know he is at least alive. Sherlock is unsure if the building erupted at his wrong answer or not as of yet but he is sore and his head is throbbing and cloudy. He can feel the drying blood on his face and knows he's been out for a little while.

"Sherlock," Lestrade calls and Sherlock feels his hand on his arm, which doesn't hurt. "Can you hear us? Are you okay?" Sherlock lets out a breath as he opens his eyes, which he closes immediately afterwards as the intensity of the sunlight above him causes his head to erupt in pain.

"Yes. Unsure." He answers as he feels hands moving against him. The hands found his wrist easily and through the calluses on the hands he realizes it's the paramedic.

"You fainted." Donavan says and he opens his eyes again to see her because the tenderness in her tone is one he hasn't heard in ages. He takes in the fact that neither of the other two is injured, besides Donavan's obvious concussion and bandaged hand and sits up. He's dizzy, but Lestrade's hands hold him steady. He fainted.

"When's the last time you ate, Mr. Holmes?" He hears behind him and he grimaces. Did he really faint from that?

"What day is it?" He aims for nonchalance.

"Wednesday-wait you haven't eaten today?" The paramedic shakes his head. "That explains it detective inspector."

"Thank you." Lestrade says before reaching for the bandage on Sherlock's head. Sherlock swats the hand away and moves to step off.

"Asta Dorismond." Donavan says as she looks away and takes a long hard blink. "That's the one you said killed my dad." Sherlock pauses, right or wrong? "John gave us the next location." He was right then. "We've got a team going to get the kid and another to pick up Asta." She looks down and lets out a deep breath before looking up at him. "Thank you." He hops off and nods to her as he grabs the suit jacket from Lestrade.

"I will call you the next time I hear from John." He twirls his own phone in his hand to check his messages before sliding it into his pocket.

"And food?" he pauses before putting his jacket on.

"There is a Thai place around the corner."

"I've had it." Donavan adds "it's good. We'll join you." She says and Sherlock isn't sure if its watching over him to make sure he eats, a thank you for finally figuring out her father's killer or something else but Lestrade agrees and they both take a step before turning to him.

"Right." Sherlock says after a second, and takes long strides so that they're following him there.

"No." They stop to the sound of Anderson running.

"Phil?" Donavan turns and he grabs her arm as he slows.

"You're going to the hospital." She pouts and pulls back slightly, and that let them all know how hard the hit to her head was. "They're picking him up now. Lestrade will take care of Sherlock." Sherlock blinks at the use of his name. He grabs her other arm and she looks away before back at him. "Let me take care of you. I promised the paramedics I'd see you safely to the hospital."

"But, Phil, I" She is barely walking straight as he gently pulls her towards the ambulance. How had Sherlock not noticed before? His head pounds at that thought and he closes his eyes and takes a breath. Lestrade glances between the two of them with concern.

"Sally, listen to me, we'll catch up to them soon, okay? I promise."

"Fine." She acquiesces as she pulls her arms away and holds them up as she takes a steading breath. "Let's go." She walks forward with him at her side and it doesn't look like there is anything wrong until she reaches out a hand to stabilize herself against the ambulance, but by then the paramedic takes over. Lestrade nods and places his hand on Sherlock's back.

"Food." He starts to walk forward and Sherlock lets his lip twitch in the beginnings of a smirk.

…

Jim looks up from his phone to accept the file John holds out for him. He's a bit confused but opens it to see it's the next person. This is new; he would have thought Sherlock's fainting spell would have shocked the doctor into inaction. Sherlock has barely made it to the restaurant and would surely leave before eating if John called him now. Jim grins because John walked out of the room while Sherlock fainted and since Lestrade picked up the phone right away John would have thought Sherlock just handed off the phone.

Yes. Jim frowns instead. John could be so incredibly dull at times.

"It's the next one" John explains, trying to keep his face passive. "I've got it." Was it poorly done? John thought he had been getting the hang of this. Jim smiles, shrugs and discretely presses a few keys on the computer.

"I'd have thought you would ease up on Sherlock after this. You know, give him the day."

"Ease up?" John narrows his eyes at that.

"Oh, that's right," John's not sure if Jim's playing with him or not but he pursues his lips as Jim continues, "you didn't see." John shifts on his feet, what happened to Sherlock? Jim walks out and John watches him, waiting for something to happen. After the door closes, John notices the sound coming from the computer. He keeps an eye on the door as he sits; then he looks to the video playing.

He watches Sherlock pick up the phone and lets out a small breath and smiles faintly. John watches Sherlock pace as he leans back in the chair and grabs the folder. He thinks back to the Van Buren Supernova and lets out a small chuckle. John taps his fingers on the chair as he watches Sherlock shout into the phone. This is the point where he hands it to Lestrade, John remembers. Except in the video Sherlock continues to move forward, only it is in a dead faint. John's hand clenches as he watches Sherlock's head bounce off of a table as spin him around to land on his back. When he sees the blood he slams his hand on the table. On screen, Sally shoves the phone to Lestrade as she and checks his vitals using her free hand. Anderson calls the paramedics over with a scream.

How could he not have heard that? John needs to be more observant of the things around him, specifically Sherlock. John clenches his teeth as two men come running in and Lestrade walks off the screen talking to him. John had been so relieved at the time. Sherlock would know. Jim would know. He's been playing with the big boys for a while now and he hasn't really stepped up his game. He stares at the file in his hand and opens it. Is this what Jim has been trying to show him?

John's always been so respectful, so polite; he takes what they've thrown at him over and over again. He thinks to the way Sherlock behaves, the way Jim lives outside the law, answerable to no one and he can do nothing but smile. In that moment, the doors open to reveal David.

"Uh, John?" John wonders if he was looking for Jim, and where he could send him to find the other.

"David." He acknowledges. David shrugs. John, as close as he was to Moriarty, would be able to answer his question.

"Mr. Moriarty" How long has it been since John called him that? "asked us to kidnap someone to distract Mr. Holmes for you." John smiles and David finds himself terrified. "Well, he's-" David cuts off as John tilts his head. What would the criminal mastermind, Moriarty, say to that? If he wanted to play the game? What could John say to save the life?

"Let's leave the detective alone for a bit." John answers and David nods, "In fact, I'm canceling this altogether." John realizes that last part wasn't quite right.

"Wait, he said-" John raises his hand and marvels at the fact that it actually got David to be quiet. Davis nods, "What should I tell Mr. Moriarty if he asks about it?"

"Tell him I said no." David barely hears him mutter 'he'll have a real problem with me then' and decides to leave before getting in the middle of a domestic.

"Okay, Dr. Watson."

John stares at the door for a few seconds after that.

Mr. Moriarty

Mr. Holmes

Dr. Watson.

John thinks he finally understands what he's meant to be doing here.

…

John can't help but think of the people suffering in here but that hasn't helped anybody. In trying to get them all home quickly he's been making Sherlock suffer. Despite John's feelings for the man he knows Sherlock isn't more important than the others except he is, at least for the game he is. Without Sherlock none of them can go home. What's another day of suffering if it meant saving a person? John rolls his bad shoulder. He's done his suffering for other people. He's seen lots more done to people than be tied up in a warm building with access to food, water and the bathroom.

He has got to be smarter than this. Sherlock had asked him before if caring about them would help him save them. Jim doesn't care. Mycroft never cared. Sherlock called caring a mistake. John has cared and cared and cared and what has it done besides divide he and Harry and throw Sherlock to the ground with blood coming out of his head? John shakes his head. He might not be able to afford to care anymore. Maybe that's what Jim has been trying to teach him; what Sherlock has been saying all along.

If he narrows it down, only one thing is important right now. Sherlock needs the day. Sherlock needs to be in a healthy enough place to save the others. John can make sure Sherlock stays healthy; after all, he is his doctor.

…

Sherlock taps the phone against the table as he pulls his lips back. Lestrade narrows his eyes at it but says nothing as he shoves another fork of food into his mouth. Sherlock takes a bite of his and stares at the phone as he chews. Lestrade gazes at the spicy food in front of Sherlock and wonders if the other tastes it at all, or if he is so lost in his thoughts that he doesn't notice, but then, he hasn't kicked him out to think. He takes a sip of his drink and starts up when Sherlock taps the phone again.

"Sherlock?"

"Something has changed." Sherlock immediately responds, as if he were just waiting for the inquiry. "John always texts me within two hours of solving a case, and unless it's after 9, it's another case."

"Could it be over?" Lestrade ventures and Sherlock shakes his head.

"Unlikely, no big finale."

"Maybe he stopped," Lestrade gestures at Sherlock with his fork, "because he saw what it did to you."

"Hardly." He dismisses.

"He cares about you." Lestrade looks back at the food before taking a bite and shaking his head. "It wouldn't surprise me." He shrugs. "Or maybe he's just giving you a break."

"I need to finish this." Sherlock insists as he lays the phone flat against the table. It vibrates under his hand and he raises it to read it.

You need to sleep -JW

Sherlock scowls before quickly looking around. He stands and Lestrade closes his container as he does too.

"Let's go, we're being watched." Sherlock reaches for his own container and they both quickly walk out. David, sitting a few tables away, shakes his head as he lifts the tea to his lips and reads more about his brother's trial proceedings.

…

John rehearses the scene in his head on to the way to Jim's office, and then again on the way to the basement afterwards when he doesn't find him. He picks his words as he checks every place and asks around, but the madman seems to have left the building. John rolls his neck as he opens the door to his room and all of his words flee and his plans fall apart the second he spots Jim. He takes a few steps forward and Jim glances to him from his position on the bed before looking back to the phone.

"Why are you in my bed?"

"Technically, I bought it." Jim crosses his legs but doesn't take his eyes off of his phone. John looks up before back at him.

"Why are you in here?" He tries instead and Jim shrugs,

"You were in my study." Watching the video of Sherlock fainting. John opens his mouth but closes it before speaking. He straightens his posture and makes sure his face is very neutral before he takes the final steps to the bed and the phone from Jim's hands. John briefly glances to see no texts were in the process of being sent and turns the phone over in his hands as Jim stares at the empty space between his fingers. He curls his fingers inward around the empty space.

"Excuse me?" He voices and John tries successfully not to laugh.

"I'm giving him the day." John replies as he takes the battery out and Jim finds it so strange and funny that he laughs. He realizes this could be a bonding opportunity. Once John slips the battery in his pocket he places the phone on his nightstand. He looks back to Jim, who turns towards him so that one fist, his left, touches the bed in front of his top button on the suit and the other hand opens to hold his head up. John looks at him before looking down and back towards the phone. John looks at Jim again, who hasn't moved from his position on the bed. In fact, John double checks, Jim has just bitten his lip and is inviting him into the bed.

John's not sure what game Jim is playing now but he doesn't want to play. He narrows his eyes at the other and taps the phone on the table. Jim turns his attention to it but doesn't seem overly concerned. He is perfectly content to trade a day messing with Sherlock, who would be no fun in his current state anyway, for a day to mess with John Watson.

"I'll keep an eye on this for the time being." Jim meets John's eyes and grins playfully before turning over to lie on his back. John swallows as he shifts on his feet.

"Come." He says simply and John blinks before shaking his head.

"What?"

"Come." He repeats and taps the space on the bed next to him. There is enough room for the both of them.

"No." he drags it out a little with a single shake of his head and Jim tucks his hands behind his head like he was in pajamas instead of a suit.

"Well," he starts off, still looking upwards. "You want me to leave my phone off in the corner of your table and leave the work alone." John nods. "If you are going to take away my entertainment, you are going to become it."

"Wait." John takes a step back and Jim laughs. It's not a malicious laugh or a small chuckle, but a roaring laugh that shakes Jim's entire frame. "I'm-" John stops because he is sure Jim cannot hear him over his laugh.

"Relax, my dear Watson, I don't mean to bed you." Jim turns his head and John can't help how disturbed he feels by the lack of spiderness to it. "And definitely not without your consent" Jim closes his eyes as he shifts on the bed and lets out a yawn. John watches him move his head slightly to indicate the spot next to him. "Come."

John sits on the edge of the bed and Jim looks at him with flat lips and harsh eyes, so he grits his teeth and lies beside the madman. John briefly considers taking of his shoes but if Jim wasn't going to he wouldn't.

"I don't see why you're so alarmed." Jim voices a minute later. "You've lain besides men before."

"Not in a bed." John retorts, and Jim raises his lips in the beginnings or a smirk.

"Even after living with Sherlock," he shakes his head "such a pity."

"Sherlock and I weren't-"

"I know." Jim cuts him off. "But I also know how you wanted it." John doesn't have a response for that, and they fade into silence once more. Jim closes his eyes and tries to figure out what it is he wants to accomplish today and what buttons would be worth pressing because it is highly unlikely that he will get this chance again.

John wants to get out of this bed and go take a shower to rid his skin of being on the same bed as Jim. He looks to the phone and knows that every second he is here with Jim is another second he's not planning someone's murder. This is caring and a weakness, but so be it. This he could do for the time being. Besides, it isn't so bad. Jim is quiet and not touching him. He could even close his eyes and pretend he was alone in bed.

"Or Sherlock." Jim voices suddenly. "You could pretend to be in bed with Sherlock, although that might lead to some unsavory things." Jim smirks and John isn't sure if that means Jim wants those unsavory things but he chooses not to comment as he closes his eyes and lets out an annoyed huff.

"He did eat, finally." Jim starts the conversation again, "with the Detective Inspector."

"I know." John responds as he digs the battery out of his pocket to place next to the phone. If he's going to be here awhile, he may as well get comfortable.

"So you had David spy on them, very good." John smiles at the praise before shaking his head at his own reaction. "And you canceled the kidnapping."

"Yes." So it wasn't a killing, just a kidnapping. "I did."

"The Sargent is fine too, though she's being kept at the hospital." John nods at that before letting out a sigh.

"The attack, you did that."

"Of course I did. Distractions." Jim watches John's face shift through the emotions before settling again and he smiles, eventually those shifts won't be noticeable, and every time Sherlock and Mycroft gazed upon John, they would see Moriarty and that would destroy him.

"People died." John's hands clench and Jim lowers his arms to his sides.

"That's what people do." John feels a shiver run up his spine. Somehow the phrase became scarier when it's said playfully in bed as opposed to screaming it at a swimming pool. "And Sherlock faints and Sally bleeds and the little soldier boy does exactly what I want him to." John lets out an angered breath and Jim chuckles.

"Watch." Jim says as he suddenly rolls over so that he is straddling John. John has grabbed onto him and is set to throw him off but he anticipated that.

"No." He voices as their skin makes contact and his suit pulls against his arms. John glares up at him as he stops his motions, but Jim's wrist and thigh are very painfully held. "No." he repeats and John lets him go slowly. Jim can feel John's clothes through his own and lowers his upper body. He waits a minute, letting John get used to his presence on top of him.

"Does this arouse or alarm you?"

"Heh," John shakes his head in disbelief; this is always a game, always. "Well," he pauses "I don't find you appealing." Jim settles over John's hips, "And you're not very alarming." Jim raises an eyebrow. "Right now," John amends.

"But you'd like me to get off."

"Off of me. Yes!" John wants to struggle, but he knows it'll do more harm than good.

"What if I stayed here for a minute, or ten, or a hundred and told you that I wouldn't order that boy be killed if you could deal with it until I got bored?"

"Then I would." John looks to the headboard as he takes a deep breath, he notices the smell of what must be Jim, and he hopes it doesn't linger.

"I know." Jim plops down onto John's chest and tilts his head. "Look at me." John does. "And what if I demanded you kiss me, and I killed someone every day you didn't?" John lets out a breath and sucks one in. He wouldn't would he? "Or what if I requested you take your clothes off and entertain me that way and didn't threaten you?" John is almost panting now, and Jim doesn't want to send him into a panic attack. Jim didn't even get to mention the army boys or Sholto, but he supposes that just means he has to do this again and he's already thinking of ways to make that happen.

"Jim." John almost growls and Jim tilts his head.

"John." Jim answers as he shifts, knowing playtime is just about over and threat or not, John is about to start entertaining some very violent thoughts. Jim finds it endearing, that the most violent of the three of them would be the one people least expected, the army man hidden behind the creamy jumpers and laughing smiles. "Pity you couldn't last longer, Dr. Watson." John shakes his head as Jim shifts, coming even closer.

"You suffer for the pawns, John Watson. You suffer because you care." Jim's lips are almost touching his own as Jim stares into his eyes. "You suffer needlessly and in vain for them." Jim shifts on top of him, settling his weight on his knees. "When are you going to realize that they are just pawns," John closes his eyes and grits his teeth as Jim's lips touch his, "and you are a little bit more?" Jim is off of him in that instant and he is gone, as well as the phone and battery when John opens his eyes. John realizes his breaths are pants and he is heaving and he rips off his clothes and gets in the shower because he doesn't want that scent or feel anywhere on his skin.

He leans against the tile wall and closes his eyes as the water runs and Jim's voice echoes in his ear. Jim wouldn't do anything John doesn't agree to, but when lives are at stake he really has no choice. He's just the little soldier boy that will do exactly what Jim wants him to because he cares too much.

What evils would he do to save lives? He rolls his shoulder. What wouldn't he do?

TDS: Review!