A Dish Best Served Cold

Summary: 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 7 - Coward's Way Out

Moriarty's 1st Base, Unknown Location in New London's Underground

Lestrade was still yelling at the camera in her room demanding to speak to Moriarty when the door opened and the criminal walked in.

"That will do Lestrade." He informed her patronisingly, noting that she had changed into her uniform.

She turned to face him and gaped. His clothing was covered in numerous splotches of blood, spread out like a great red cancer of untold horrors. (1) "Who's blood is that? What did you do to the kids!"

"The Irregulars are fine… for the moment, Tennyson is engaged in some computer work I set aside for him. The delightful Miss Deidre has not been touched and Wiggins is recovering from his beating quite nicely."

"You Beat Wiggins! How dare you!" Lestrade was furious Wiggins, was just a kid—not even of age!

"Lestrade," Moriarty rolled his eyes exasperatedly. "If you wish to converse with me you must cease yelling—my ears cannot take your screeching and I didnot beat Wiggins… my men did."

Moriarty paused to absorb the look of hatred on Lestrade's face, she looked as though she was about to say something but Moriarty cut her off with a wave of his hand. "The blood is not Wiggins'," he assured her, following her gaze, and waving his hand at the splotches in a majestic fashion, "he is perfectly safe and will suffer little lasting damage."

"Moriarty when Holmes esca—" she stopped mid sentence as it dawned on her who's that blood might belonged to. Moriarty had mentioned kicking Holmes. "Holmes" she gasped, as the realization hit her.

'That expression of dawning comprehension is most enjoyable,' thought Moriarty as he sneered "Yes. Holmes has been proving to be extremely enjoyable entertainment of late. A rather nice change if I do say so."

Lestrade paled she had wanted to tell him that she demanded to see the Irregulars to know they were safe, and coordinate an escape, now however she just wanted to see Holmes. "Take me to him."

Moriarty raised an eyebrow. "I'm afraid the great detective is in no condition to receive visitors at the moment."

Lestrade tensed it was taking all her self control not to attack the abomination before her, "Take me to him Moriarty or I swear I'll—"

"What?" demanded Moriarty anger in his voice, how dare she order then threaten him?

Lestrade said nothing what could she do in her position? "You'll starve yourself?" he said with a wave to the empty table. "That is by no means a convincing threat, I'm afraid you must endeavour to discover another method by which to attain the desired result."

Lestrade clenched her fist judging by the blood Holmes was in trouble nowshe had to get to him as fast as possible, attacking Moriarty wouldn't work this was his base, she didn't know her way around and there was Watson and the Irregulars to consider, Moriarty might take things out on them. Threatening wouldn't do any good she wasn't a position to do that effectively. That left one option and she didn't like it.

'I can't believe I'm about to do this' she paused and gathered all the emotional control she could muster, then chocked out one word.

"Please."

Moriarty was so surprised he almost fell backwards, Lestrade begging? Regaining his composure he raised an eyebrow brought his right hand to his chin he started to think. 'Holmes would not want to be seen in his current state.' Grinning he looked up at the inspector, "Very well, I require a moment to make a few arrangements." With that he turned to the door.

A few minutes later he was back in Lestrade's room. He had left to get a few guards and another device he thought he might need.

Lestrade was slightly unnerved by his smile which appeared to be a little too sadistic for her comfort— like he was planning something. She shook it off however and followed him out the door and through the steel lined corridors. 'This place looks like it's designed to withstand a nuclear war,' she observed.

Moriarty noticed her looking at the surroundings, "Yes it is impressive isn't it? You know me Lestrade I have a strict policy that quality proceeds at all times."

Lestrade glared but kept her temper.

On the way to Holmes's room the Inspector tried to memorise the route and look for an exit but they took so many twists and turns that it soon became impossible to keep track. They had been walking for no more then five minutes when Moriarty stopped suddenly at a door. Carefully so Lestrade could not see past him he began to open it. He then stood aside and allowed Lestrade absorb the scene.

"Holmes!" Lestrade ran past the criminal, rage, fear and pity all fighting for control, fear won.

Holmes was being held up against the wall by a pair of metal shackles that were digging into his wrists due to the fact that he could not support his own weight. Lestrade threw her arms around him, lifting him up as best she could, in an effort transfer some of the weight.

She had known he would be in bad shape but this… He was covered from head to toe in blood. A great deal of which had soaked into his clothes there was even more on the floor. He was twitching, sweating profusely and, was paler then she though a human could be. It was obvious he had lost a lot of blood. He was barely breathing, Lestrade feared he would stop at any moment.

The worst part however, was his eyes, they were glazed over, the glint of intelligence, the fire that was always there was… gone.

"No… Holmes…," turning she shouted at Moriarty. "What did you do?!"

"Careful Lestrade, I can't imagine Holmes to be any more appreciative of you screeching then I." Moriarty replied smugly as he leaned against the doorway, enjoying the moment.

"Why you—"

Moriarty cut her off with a wave, "Calm down or be removed— the choice is yours."

Lestrade glared but turned her attention to Holmes. "Holmes can you hear me?... Sherlock! Answer me!" Tears were starting to form. 'Oh god Holmes no please no…'

"Les…trade…" muttered Holmes blood started to drip from his mouth and onto her uniform.

"I'm here," she answered, relieved. The fact that he was talking was a good sign. Carefully she moved her left hand so it rested on his right cheek, while she continued to use her right arm to hold him up. Gently she turned his head to face hers, but he wasn't looking at her… he was looking at something else.

"Lestrade… no… Watson Lestrade needs help… Watson." With a great stab of horror Lestrade realised that he was hallucinating. 'No' she thought, 'not Holmes…'

"Lestrade… no come back."

"I'm right here Holmes." She assured him, panic creping into her voice. He didn't respond, just continued to stare into space seeing something very different. "I'm not going anywhere," she continued, she looked him directly in the eye but he wasn't looking back.

"Les…trade…" he still didn't see her.

Lestrade's fear was reaching levels she had never before felt. "What have they done to you?" tears started to flow freely down her face. Heart in her throat Lestrade screamed.

"Sherlock Holmes! Look! At me! Holmes!" she shook him slightly as her voice became more desperate 'Come on Holmes, come back to me' she begged mentally, 'please…'

All at once he seemed to hear her, he blinked and some of glimmer of recognition emerged in his eyes as they started returning to normal. "Lestrade…?" he voiced in disbelief, now actually looking at her.

"Holmes!" She cried relief flooded thru her voice as she smiled and hugged her friend. Holmes stiffened at the show of affection, then relaxed as smile creped across his face. There were far more unpleasant sites to wake to. He studied her face "You've been crying."

"You've been through hell… and look it I might add"

He really did, his clothes were torn his eyes were red and haunted, he was sweating and his breathing came in short gasp that caused his body to shiver and twitch, but Lestrade didn't care, the fire was back. Everything would be alright as long as that fire was there, that was the one thing that she could always count on, the one thing that was forever constant in the universe.

"A pleasure to see you as well Lestrade, you're as lovely as ever" they both blushed slightly. It was a rare moment of happiness as they each realised the other was alright.

Moriarty smiled he was going to enjoy this. He placed what appeared to be a joy buzzer in his palm, it was actually another torture device that directly stimulated pain receptors though it wasn't as strong it could reach level 75 and only if placed directly onthe spinal cord.

Quietly he crept up behind Lestrade, he was about put his hand on her shoulder when Holmes noticed, he quickly deduced what the buzzer was for and used his legs to trip Lestrade. Unprepared for the attack the inspector fell and Moriarty ended up putting his palm on the right side of Holmes' chest treating the detective to a level 35 shock.

Despite the relatively low setting Holmes, could not help but let out another blood curdling cry. His body had been greatly damaged by the torture he had thus far endured and it was too much for him. Fortunately however it did not last long.

Lestrade quickly realised what had happened. Furious she quickly rose to her feet and hit Moriarty with a flying tackle. Moriarty had been too busy with Holmes to prevent the attack and the two fell to the floor. As Moriarty fell he placed his palm on Lestrade's back near the spinal cord.

"Aaaaahh—" Lestrade could not believe the overwhelming intensity of the sudden pain, she felt as if she was been torn limb from limb, however, as suddenly as it had come however the pain went and Lestrade found herself on the floor still disoriented from the shock. While trying to orient herself, Moriarty joy buzzer in hand grabbed her wrist (equal to level twenty - five).

"Ahh—" The Inspector shocked by the sudden pain could not stop herself from briefly crying out, quickly recovered enough of her senses to remain silent.

"Stop!" shouted Holmes. Lestrade had stopped screaming but the detective could tell from the expression on her face that she was in great pain. He tugged at the restraints.

"You are hardly in a position to give orders Holmes." Moriarty sneered. He was enjoying the look on his enemy's face, desperate and angry.

"Please," Holmes growled though clenched teeth.

Moriarty smirk first Lestrade had begged him now Holmes, this was turning into everything he dreamed.

"As you wish." Using both arms he threw a blood covered Lestrade against one of the guards. "Take her back to her quarters." The guards nodded and left. Lestrade disoriented didn't make a fuss.

"Tell me Holmes," laughed Moriarty as he walked towards his victim. "What is your opinion on suicide?"

"Coward's way out." Holmes' answer was abrupt and concrete.

Moriarty smiled, "Spoken like a gentleman of experience, you have considered the act." it was not a question

Holmes took a sudden interest in the wall to his left. "There are few on this earth who have not, it is a natural inclination"

Moriarty laughed, "I've struck a nerve, admit it." Holmes glared. "Well it certainly explains your rather inept survival instinct. I believe the Watson of old frequently chastised you for it." the criminal paused to absorb the look of growing hatred on his nemesis's face and took out his remote. "Let us try forty."

Holmes attempted to remain silent but the pain was too great, his screams echoed throughout the cell "Aaahhhh!"

After a minute Moriarty stopped the torment and loosened the shackles. Holmes collapsed on the floor barely breathing. He wouldn't last much longer. Sweat dripped down his forehead and onto the floor as he continued to struggle for breath.

Moriarty walked up to Holmes and crouched down so he was at eye level with the great detective "Think about it Holmes. This," he waved his hand to indicate the room, "Is all you have to look forward to, endless torture for my amusement. The Irregulars prisoners in this fortress for the rest of their lives, kept alive only as long as they are of use, Watson trapped forever in limbo. Lestrade a prisoner for the rest of her life, kept as another form of entertainment, my little pet. There is no chance of escape. This place is heavily guarded and a maze with more security then the Louvre or Fort Knox." Moriarty paused for a moment to observe the effect of his words on Holmes.

Holmes said nothing, he merely continued to stare at the floor he wasn't sure he had the strength to lift his head.

Moriarty removed a small knife from his boot. "I'm going to give you a chance to escape, believe me when I tell you it's the only way out for you …and Lestrade"

At the mention of his friend Holmes mustered the strength to pull his head up but said nothing he merely glared as he waited for his foe to elaborate. "Do it and I will release her—this offer will not be repeated." He informed his as he rose to his feet "Give up Holmes, you can save at lest one of your friends."

Turning he tossed the blade onto the floor and just as the villain was about to close the door he turned once again to face his enemy, "You have five minutes then I'm sending in a medical team to fix you up as good as new and confiscate the knife."

With that he closed the door behind him and left Holmes to make his decision.

Footnote:

The cancer line is from Bowen

The next update will be on the 28 of October before noon

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