"Apologies for the delay, sir." the younger man nervously held open the car door as Jim Moriarty moved past him, giving him a sidewards glance filled with contempt. "There were some..." the man hesitated, unsure of his boss's reaction, "... some difficulties in getting the release coordinated."
Jim pulled the door closed, all but cutting the man off in mid-conversation, and rolled his eyes as he rounded the car and climbed in the other side.
"Sebastian," Jim spat, leaning in to the employee with a look that seemed more like he was intent on killing him than speaking to him. Jim took a deep breath and composed himself. His time in the cell combined with the time spent with the Holmes men had rattled him more than he was ready to admit.
"Sebby, " he repeated, his voice rather more calm this time, "Please do not play nervous with me. I know you better than that, and I'm not buying it. There were complications? Fine. I'm out before CT arrived and that's all that was required. And anyway, I have a job for you. An important one."
Sebastian breathed a sigh of relief. He had been fairly certain that Jim wouldn't be too angry at the slight delay but others had been whispering that Jim wouldn't tolerate it; would make him pay. Jim raised an eyebrow at Sebastian and slid closer to him on the back seat of the car as it began to pull away. He laid a hand on the younger man's thigh and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"I have missed you." he whispered, leaning in to Sebastian and, with his free hand, pulling his face around and pressing their mouths together. "If anything," he continued, between kisses and heavy breaths, "the delay just made me need you even more."
Sebastian groaned and allowed the Irishman to take charge. He always did. Jim was his boss and that position was final whether at work or in the bedroom. If Jim said "jump", Sebastian's only response would be "how high?". Never questioning his orders. Always knowing his place. Jim needed Sebastian and that made Sebastian feel good. It was a pure physical need. A stress relief. A way to let off steam. Sebastian supposed that, if he thought about it, Jim used him, but he didn't really mind. It made him less dispensible. And it sure as hell turned him on.
Sebastian let slip another moan and Jim broke off the kiss suddenly. He sat back against the smooth leather seats and straightened himself up. He needed a shower badly. He had been brought a change of clothes when he was cleared for release, but he hadn't had the opportunity to do much more than a quick clean up before he left. He readjusted his tie unnecessarily and leaned forwards to the driver.
"Change of plan," he dictated, "Drop me by location C first. I have some things I need to do there."
The driver nodded, flicking on an indicator as he prepared change his route.
Jim leant back again and sighed. He had so much to do. So much to prepare. A sudden rush of adrenaline flowed through him at the prospect of what was to come. The game. It was all about the game. Even after twenty years, the game still excited him. Mycroft dancing to his merry little tune and Sherlock... Sherlock. Jim shuddered again as he thought about Sherlock.
He glanced at his watch. He figured they had about 25 minutes before they would arrive at "location C". Time enough to give Sebastian his instructions.
"Seb," he began, snapping his employee to attention with a click of his fingers, "After we are done at C, I need you to prepare location F for me." Jim looked sideways, observing Sebastian's reaction carefully. Sebby had never been to location F in the 9 years they had been working together, but he knew that the place had a reputation within their network. Sebastian's reaction was subtle. 9 years of working for Jim Moriarty had taught him to hide his feelings and reactions to such things but a slight raise of the eyebrow showed that he did know of location F's reputation.
"Location F, Sir?" he enquired, inwardly grimacing at his feigned ignorance which he knew Jim would not be fooled by.
Jim let out a loud sigh and stared straight ahead, as if boring a hole in the back of the chauffeur's head.
"Yes, Sebastian," he replied with deliberate use of the man's full name, "Location F."
He forgave the man his brief trangression. He rarely tolerated such a thing but this was important and he didn't have time to play games. Not when he had a bigger game to play.
"I need you to ensure that it is prepared in accordance with Scenario K guidelines." He turned his head and body to face Sebastian square on. "Now, you do know what that means, yes?"
His voice said "Don't mess with me. Don't play games. Don't give me any bullshit" and Sebastian quickly nodded his head.
"Yes, Sir." he replied, swallowing hard at the unspoken but clear as day threat behind the look. Scenario K. Sebastian had heard about both Location F and Scenario K but he had never heard them both used together. He forced himself not to think about what Jim was planning, knowing that his boss would spot his train of thought instantly.
"Good." Jim's face relaxed, and he turned to watch out of the window. Hundreds of people milling around, going about their every day lives, completely oblivious to everything. Drones; rats. Rats who would dance to Jim's Pied Piper's tune if he felt so inclined.
"First, we are going to C. I need to get cleaned up, and I most certainly need you..." he stopped to look at Sebastian, his trusty employee, who was hanging on his every word, ".. I need you to help me."