The Charred Remains

Chapter 4: Let's Live While We Are Young

A/N: Here we are kiddies, chapter four! So sorry it took longer than the last few, but I was super duper busy the other week! Also, I'm combing through this chapter myself for editing as my beta is very busy, and I'm anxious to get this up. I'm sorry for anything I miss! I'll see about getting five and six out real soon to make up for the long wait!

My Dearest John,

In my last letter I divulged a lot of personal information about us, so I hope you will feel comfortable if I keep on in that vein. I must confess, I'm not at all sure what I should be putting in these letters, but the doctors assured me that anything I can think to write will be a major help to you. They seem to think that something in these letters will trigger you to remember something. I can't wait for you to remember us John, I miss you so much. It's hard to sit here and watch you, knowing there's nothing I can do to really help you. Even these letters just seem so contrite.

Well, I covered our first kiss in that last letter, so now let me expand a little on how we discovered our mutual attractions to one another.

When we first met I was a computer programmer with Bart's, helping them design new software to help students train to become surgeons. It was actually a good job, pretty interesting, but after that was done I didn't feel like sticking around just to be some IT guy, so I left them. I already had a sizeable bank account thanks to my parents, so I started my own business. I became a consultant for weapons companies. The unfortunate part of this job was that I did make enemies, putting me into spots of trouble now and again all over the word.

I loved my work. It was exciting, seeing the plans these people had for all sorts of weapons; chemical warfare, bombs, and computer programmes; it really opened my eyes to how governments worked. It also showed me how many governments needed me to come and fix things for them. I considered giving myself a slogan, 'Please Jim, will you fix it?' that was what most of them asked when hiring me. They ran into many problems their plebian minds couldn't figure out how to fix, so I came in and made the problem disappear. Some of the issues were quite pedestrian, while others took more time, and made me really think. I daresay I really enjoyed my new job.

I am sure you are wondering how you fit in to all of this, well let me tell you John Watson, you really do love danger. I was consulting with a weapons company from China when you first saved my life.

They had some issues with miscommunication between coders in China, the U.K., and America. The Americans had trouble deciphering the codes the London branch had sent in, so that resulted in a skewed code which in turn angered the Chinese businessmen. Tensions between the different branches of this company, aptly called The Black Lotus, started to rise as each group fought, each defending themselves against the mis-communicated code. There were even a few deaths before the London branch called me in to sort out the entire mess.

I had been following the story of this cock up for a few days, so I was looking forward to being brought in on the case. It was interesting, far more interesting than any company I'd worked for in the past. The Chinese can be an intelligent bunch of people, cunning as well as elusive; my kind of people.

I was brought in to work with The Black Lotus group at the beginning of January. It wasn't until the middle of the month that we both found ourselves in trouble. I had been working with the lead of the London branch when she related to me a few loose ends that needed to be tied up. I thought she was referring to the code, which I already knew about because I was working on them, but something about how she said it didn't sit right with me, so I did some digging. What I found went deeper than just a weapons coding company. What I was not aware of was that this company didn't only deal in weapons coding, but also the smuggling of drugs.

By the time I figured out the inner working of The Black Lotus group, I was in too deep. They wouldn't let me go without securing their secrets, which suffices to say I would never escape with my life. Upon this realisation, I took out an insurance policy. I stole a jade pin from them, keeping it in my possession as a bargaining chip for my life after the completion of my job. I knew of its monetary value, so I knew they'd have to agree to my terms, but what I did not account for was the backlash my theft would create. Before the group realised it was I who possessed the pin, they'd already had two people murdered.

After learning this, I came forward as being in possession of the pin, something they didn't see coming, which led to you being kidnapped by them. I daresay they jumped to a rather interesting conclusion concerning you, thinking you were my lover when you were only my flatmate at the time; they kidnapped you, holding you, demanding the pin for your life. What they did not count on was my own cunning intelligence.

You were knocked unconscious by one of their thugs and taken from our flat. I was at the office working through their codes when I got the email along with a photo of you tied to a chair. It took but a minute's perusal before I knew where they were keeping you. Hiding someone in the sewers is so pedestrian, but it allowed for the perfect execution of my plan.

I arrived, using the darkness as cover, but then again it didn't matter much because they weren't even intelligent enough to set up guard posts, which I'm not complaining about, but they could have made it much more interesting. The Black Lotus group, along with you, was situated at one end of a tunnel, flaming torches adding a touch of dramatic lighting to the whole situation. I was almost impressed with their plan, but they left so many holes.

Seeing as the group was facing one direction, I counted on the acoustics of the tunnels to confuse them, making them all head off in one direction while I snuck up from another. It worked, just as I thought it would. My voice sounded from different directions, making them believe I was in one spot while really I was in another. I subdued three of the four goons which left the leader and her right hand man. As I stepped into the light I saw you struggling against your binds. There was a moment of panic, seeing you like that, but then I saw red. How dare they hurt you? I was livid, made even more so when I saw the crude weapon trained on you, a spear contraption of some sort. They had a sand bag held over the lever, a candle slowly burning away the rope attached to it. If I didn't act fast, the bag would fall, sending a spear straight through your chest; unacceptable.

I approached the remaining two, each on the defensive, but with obvious smirks. They had the foolish notion they would win. That was hardly the case. I was pleased to notice that you had visibly relaxed when you saw me. It told me quite a lot John, but most importantly it told me that you trusted me…with your life. I was not going to lose that trust.

I came to stand next to you, your sig placed in the waistband of my trousers. I knew you wouldn't approve when you saw it, which I was right about, but I was going to get us both out of the situation alive and in one piece. I placed my hand on the back of your chair, striking a casual sort of pose, less threatening so they would be more likely to not do something stupid and rash. They really were a bunch of idiots. I leaned against the chair, my attention fixed on the flame and rope, waiting for the right moment. It was rather easy to gain their attention. I had the pin with me. I made them believe I was bargaining for your life, but then the moment came. The rope snapped, the bag fell, and the spear flew.

Thankfully I had timed it all perfectly, knocking your chair over just as the spear flew, drawing your gun, and downing the remaining players. I quickly untied you before the other thugs could come to and kill the both of us. As I bent to untie your wrists, I couldn't help but notice the wide grin on your face. I found it odd. Surely you'd be angry at being in such a situation, but as it was, you found it exhilarating. I had to smile back as I threw the rope off to the side. I pulled you to your feet and ordered you to run. We took off, keeping pace with each other as we ran through the tunnels, finally coming to the surface not fifteen minutes later. We ran down a few more streets before falling against a wall in an alley.

Our shoulders touched as we fought to regain our breaths. I was trying so very hard not to think about how close you were, but then I heard you start to giggle…yes, giggle. I won't call it a laugh because it wasn't deep and from the gut. It was more…light and just coming from your throat. I looked over at you, at the mirth on your face. I couldn't have stopped myself if I tried. I started to giggle as well. You turned to regard me too, your giggles dying so that only a fond smile remained. I did the same, our eyes locked. For a moment I thought you were leaning into me, that we would kiss again, but then you spoke.

"Oh wow that…that was just crazy Jim! I thought you just dilly dallied with computers!" you sounded astonished, and a bit pleased, which was a contradiction to the situation we were just in. You should have been furious for being in such a state, I mean; you very easily could have been killed!

"I suppose working with computers and codes is a bit more dangerous these days," I countered back, pushing off of the wall to place my hands into the pockets of my jacket. I kept a bemused smirk on my face.

You followed suit, standing just in front of me now, "And I thought I was a daft bugger for signing up for war! Can you get into this much danger in the future?"

That was an intriguing question from you. I wasn't sure if you disapproved of the danger, or if it excited you. I think it was a mix of both. I could simply shrug in response. I had no clue what my future job would entail, so I couldn't honestly answer you, but then you stole my breath a moment later.

You leaned forward. I sucked in a breath, unsure of what to expect. You kept your eyes on mine, leaning ever closer, and your hand coming up to encircle my waist. I was afraid you'd hear my heart pounding as you came even closer, but then I felt the press of cool metal sliding along my skin. You had leaned in to grab your gun. You raised a brow at me as you stepped back, but not enough to put a good distance between us. You looked down at the sig.

"Were you counting on there being a shoot out?" you looked back at me with a brow raised in question.

I grinned, shrugging one shoulder, "I had to make sure I saved my soldier's life somehow," I teased. I noted that you always seemed to respond well to a spot of flirting, so I decided to test the notion. Your cheeks reddened as you tucked the gun into the waist of your trousers.

"Thanks Jim, I suppose I do owe you my life now," you leaned in, your elbow gently nudging my rubs.

I scowled, bringing a hand up to rub at them, "Yes you do, so you best remember that the next time this happens," I shot right back, turning on my heel to head for the mouth of the alley intent on hailing a cab home. You chuckled, but followed close behind me. I noticed too, that night, that you erased an inch of space that previously lie between us. I itched to reach out and pull you closer so that I could be reassured you were alive, but just seeing that smile on your face for the next few days was so worth the turmoil.

I also didn't fail to notice your pupils dilating in the alley as you leaned into me, the widening of your nostrils as you took in my scent, the jump of your sped up pulse as your hand brushed at my skin, or the batted breath as you slid the gun out of my trousers. There are many things you can try to hide from me John Watson, but your attraction to me is not one of them.

I fear that is enough excitement for now love. You really do need to rest. I do hope you are finding these letters to be helpful. I have found them to be a sort of stress relief as I sit by your bedside, a means to get my feelings worked out while you sleep and heal. I cannot wait to see you again. Get some sleep, and I will be seeing you soon. Have a good night my love.

Love Always,

JM