DISCLAIMER: I make no money, I own nothing

Long chapter this time :) I changed the name from Too Many Doctors to Across Universes because that's marginally better. Ugh.

'Julian's been gone a while.' Sherlock took a moment to respond. The map almost covered the wall from the leather sofa up to the peeling yellow smile painted at the top. Sherlock stood on the sofa with a red marker in his hand and the Doctor was bent over Sherlock's laptop looking at recent news articles.

'Hmm?'

'Julian's been gone a while.'

'Really?' Sherlock turned towards him, 'How long has it been?'

'A couple of hours I think. How far is the chip shop?'

'20, 25 minutes away. But there's roadworks around there so it could be longer. Or there could be a long queue at the shop, most likely judging by the time. Nothing suspicious.' Sherlock brushed off the question and went back to crossing off areas of the map. The Doctor thought about pursuing the subject but decided against it. Sherlock was right; it was probably nothing.

Xxx

Across town, Julian's consciousness slowly returned. At first he stayed still, eyes closed, trying to remember where he was. After a few minutes, he realised he was shivering and he slowly opened his eyes. He blinked a few times to clear his vision and looked around. He was still in the alley where he had been attacked, his head leaning at an awkward angle against the wall, his face against the rough bricks. He twisted himself around so his back was leaning against the wall, pulling his knees up to his chest to conserve body heat, letting his head slowly stop spinning. The rain had intensified and he was soaked through; the alley was practically flooded so he had been lying in a couple of centimetres of water. Julian quickly checked himself over from damage. His nose wasn't broken and he didn't seem to have any concussion. Apart from the slash on his cheek and probably a black eye or two, nothing seemed unusual. To anyone who had walked past, it would seem like he was just another drunk lying in a gutter somewhere. Just then Julian looked around and noticed Sherlock's wallet lying open on the ground next to him. Julian picked it up and looked through it. The few notes that had been in it were gone leaving only a few coins. Not nearly enough for a taxi. Julian groaned. Someone had obviously walked past and helped themselves.

Julian stood up and looked around to check none of his attackers were still there before walking towards the main street, not sure what he was going to do. Most of the shops had closed; he guessed he had been unconscious for about an hour. He couldn't walk back, he couldn't get a taxi and he didn't have a mobile phone. Julian stood helplessly in the same spot for a couple of minutes wondering what to do.

'Are you alright, love?' Julian turned around to see an elderly woman standing there looking concerned.

'Err, well I…' Julian tried to think of something to say. 'I think I've just been mugged.'

'Oh dear! Are you alright? Do you want someone to call the police?'

'No, no.' replied Julian. He didn't want to draw any attention. 'But they took my wallet and my phone and I need to call my… flatmate. But I, err, I don't actually know his number.'

'Oh well you can use a telephone box over there. There's usually a phonebook in there, just look up his name.' Julian thanked the woman and walked into the phone box, flipping through the heavy yellow book looking for 'Holmes'. There were a few but not too many to try. Julian slotted in his money and picked up the phone, hoping he had enough.

Xxx

'Sherlock Holmes.'

'Sherlock, finally!' Julian sighed with relief. He was on his last few coins. 'It's Julian.'

'Julian? How are you calling?' The Doctor looked concerned when her heard the name. Sherlock pressed the speaker button.

'Julian, are you OK?' asked the Doctor.

'Pretty much but I've been attacked. Four or five men and a woman. And someone took most of your money, Sherlock, I'm really sorry, so I can't get a taxi. I'm not bleeding or anything though, just a little disorientated.'

'I'll get in a taxi and come pick you up, Julian.' The Doctor said, walking over to pick up his jacket.

'What did they want?' questioned Sherlock.

'Well… they thought I was you, Sherlock.'

'What?!' said the Doctor and Sherlock in unison.

'They thought I was you; they only saw the coat. They told me 'they were trying to help me' and 'I'd be better off with them'.' The Doctor walked back over, pulling on his jacket.

'Did they say anything else?' Julian sighed.

'I think so but I can't remember. But I think someone's after Sherlock.' The Doctor looked at Sherlock who was frowning at the phone. After a moment he looked up at the Doctor.

'You stay here,' said the Doctor, 'I'll get Julian. If you leave, whoever is after you will probably know right away. Is there anyone it could be not related to our… TARDIS problem?' Sherlock shook his head.

'No more than usual. It could be my brother but he wouldn't mistake Julian for me.'

'OK. I'll be right back. I'll be right there, Julian. What street are you on?' Julian read out the street name and the Doctor scribbled it down on his hand.

'I'm on my way.'

'OK, thank you.'

Xxx

Julian put down the phone and sighed with relief. He left the box and looked around for somewhere he could wait. As he was walking over to the corner of the street, suddenly more of the conversation came flooding back to him.

What should we do?

Contact her and see how it's progressed. They'll be there in a couple of hours once they find out, maybe we can beat them there.

'Oh…' breathed Julian. Julian spun around and ran into the telephone box picking up the phone again. It had only been a few minutes, maybe the Doctor hadn't left yet. He slotted the pennies he had left into the machine and quickly redialled, praying for Sherlock to pick up the phone. After what seemed like an eternity of ringing, Sherlock picked up.

'Julian?'

'Yes, Sherlock, it's me. I just remembered something they said – how long have I been gone?'

'A couple of hours now.' Julian breathed out, trying not to panic. They would be almost there.

'Sherlock, they're on their way to Baker Street; they said they were trying to beat someone so I think there's more people involved. Is the Doctor still there?' There was no reply. 'Sherlock?' Julian then noticed the dial tone at the end of the phone. His money had run out. Julian groaned in frustration. There was no way to tell how much Sherlock had heard. He put the phone down and walked back into the street, sitting down on the corner of the kerb. There was nothing he could do but wait.

Xxx

'Sherlock, they're-' The dial tone cut Julian off. Sherlock put down the phone with a frown. What had Julian been trying to say? Had he recognised his attacker? Sherlock decided it wasn't important and stowed it away in his mind palace for when he arrived back with the Doctor. He could ask him then. Sherlock stood up and made his way towards his bedroom to pick up his laptop charger. Suddenly he heard a creak behind him. Sherlock turned and looked around the apartment. Just as he was satisfied there was no-one there, he felt a hand reach up from behind and something cold hissed against his neck. The world immediately began to shift around him and he felt immediately lightheaded. Sherlock staggered around to see a man he didn't recognise standing there holding a small tube and a gun.

'Hello Sherlock.' He smiled. Sherlock heard more footsteps behind him and before he could reply, the barrel of a gun was smashed across the back of his head, sending the detective unconscious to the floor.