Author's note: hey, just wanted to quickly say that you guys are more than free to share your questions or ideas through a PM or a review and i will get back to you, i'm always open to other's ideas! (no doubt they are better than mine anyway.) hope you enjoy,
BB#
"It could just as easily be a complete fake, given that Halloween has just gone by. It would be only too easy to get hold of one, but one of those wouldn't smash like that."
"naughty naughty, Sherly, John might have to pay the bill soon." Jim raised an eyebrow at Sherlock haughtily.
"Harm him, and there will be consequences." Sherlock carefully placed his violin and bow on the bed, then paced back and forth, his hands forming his thinking pose again. Jim picked up the violin and started to play random chords with a gleeful smile,
"oh Sherly, are we back to consequences again?"
"Yes." Sherlock was frowning as he watched Jim with the violin, muttering under his breath.
"oh, is Sherly getting angry?" Jim's eyebrow shot up again, smiling even more.
"Nobody touches my violin. Not even John."
"I bet John has touched it, just not when you were looking."
"I would notice."
"then I'm the first..."
"I doubt it." Because, obviously, Sherlock understood the innuendo too. Moriarty chuckled and ignored him, his playing getting quicker and quicker, forming a harmonic tune. Sherlock narrowed his eyes, but said nothing. He continued to walk back and forth, hoping inspiration would strike, but... nothing. His mind was too distracted by the thought of John in danger.
"Sherly."
"What?" Damn, I responded to 'Sherly'.
"unfortunately, you took to long." Sherlock's step faltered, and he turned to look at Moriarty, one eyebrow raised.
"don't worry, I haven't done anything yet, I'll deal with him later, and I wouldn't just kill him would I, so carry on "thinking."" Moriarty rolled his eyes again at Sherlock's idiocy.
"Me visiting him is out of the question, obviously," Sherlock added dryly. What could it be...? Why is the skull a fake...? Hmm...
"want another clue Sherly?"
He sighed through his nose and kept his face turned away when he muttered, "I suppose." John's safety over my pride. I hope you're happy, Dr. Watson. Moriarty was singing, yet again,
"its going to cost you!" Moriarty tilted his head and grinned almost wildly at Sherlock.
"Goodness, you must be even colder than me if you're going to play it this way."
"hey, its not my fault. I did say you weren't ready, getting normal, but did you listen, no..." Sherlock ran a hand through his hair. In order to help John, he'll have to be hurt... For God's sake. Not caring was so much EASIER.
"how do you think you're going to pay?"
"You want me to pick his punishment? I was correct. You are colder than me. Congratulations." Sherlock rolled his eyes, covering up his panic.
"no no, he isn't being punished further for your idiocy, you are."
"But he'll still suffer."
"yes, I did say that earlier." Jim leaned forward slightly, grinning.
"I'd rather not speculate about my friend's pain while there are other things I could be doing."
"then don't." Sherlock stopped walking, running a hand through his hair again.
"Just give me a hint."
"You can't make a deduction if you don't have all the facts."
"ok, but are you willing to pay?"
"Just give me the hint."
"I need you to agree or it wouldn't be fair."
"Me asking you for the hint is me agreeing."
"I want to hear it." Jim gave Sherlock another devilish grin. Sherlock took a deep breath to calm himself.
"I agree. Just give - me - the – hint."
"ok, I didn't steal, borrow, take or swap the skull. I haven't ever even been near your 'little pal'."
"I already knew that!" Sherlock scowled at the floor.
"think over what I've said, I've told you far more than you need if you just think."
"Obviously someone else- ... Was it the original skull anyway, and the whole fake part was simply a lie?" Jim frowned at him,
"no, why would I lie in my own game?"
"To mess with my mind, we all know you enjoy that."
"yes but to lie would be pointless, not any use of intelligence in a lie." Jim raised and eyebrow slightly as he said intelligence, pointedly insulting Sherlock.
"Lies can get you anywhere, Jim." Sherlock turned his gaze on Moriarty, a slight frown on his face, but something burning in his eyes. While he didn't particularly enjoy this possible plan... it could, after all, get him nowhere, contrary to his words about lies...
... it might help him get John back. Moriarty's eyebrow dropped as he stared back, the tune he was playing increasing in speed. Sherlock glanced down at the violin, his head tilting to one side.
"I admire the violin, as you probably know. Those who can make it sing instead of shriek are... talented." Sherlock was beginning to think that it was definitely a bad idea, but now that he'd started...
"hardly, it's just a matter of practice." Jim was puzzled by Sherlock's compliment, unsure what to say.
"But there still has to be some natural talent to it. There's a difference between making it talk and making it sing." Moriarty grunted, his eyes flashing as he realised what Sherlock was doing.
"But still, that's no excuse for taking my violin." Sherlock reached forwards to pluck the violin from Jim's hands, and Jim let him, still staring. Sherlock raised an eyebrow.
"Would you be prepared to have some other form of payment for information? Violin music, perhaps?" Sherlock kept his suggestion innocent on purpose. He didn't want to be the one to bring anything up. The idea of him even doing this - him, Sherlock Holmes for Christ sake, - disgusted him.
"I haven't told you the payment yet, Sherly." Sherlock stooped so he was eye to eye with Moriarty. "Then tell me."
"no."Sherlock smirked a little.
"Come now, Jim. Where's the harm in a little bit more information?"
"not so fun." Jim decided to play with him a bit. "that would make it less interesting."
"As you said before, everyone has their pressure point, a price they are willing to pay." Sherlock couldn't help a small smile when he turned Moriarty's words from the Reichenbach back on him.
"oh really?" Jim leaned forwards into Sherlock, whispering into Sherlock's ear,
"then what's mine?" Sherlock chuckled.
"me, its obvious."
"oh, really?" he chuckled,
"how did you work that out?"
"The way you act around me. You always come back for more,Most criminals would have backed off and admitted defeat but you...You can't get enough of me."
"anything more...substantial?"
"You don't mind my proximity right now. In fact, you leaned into it. You're not afraid, not intimidated... you're enjoying it."
"and apparently not the only one."
"Of course not. Others seem to be affected as well. Irene Adler, for instance, but I don't reciprocate her affections."
"that isn't what I meant."
"You meant John, if I'm not mistaken? Or- no. Myself. You mean I'm enjoying this as much as you?"
"maybe. maybe not."
"Perhaps I am. I won't deny that there's a certain danger to it, which everyone knows I find thrilling." Jim chuckled, causing Sherlock to raise an eyebrow. "Is this changing your mind at all? About giving me a little extra hint without harming John?"
"again, who mentioned John?"
"I was under the impression that, since you had him, you would be using him against me. But still, my first question still stands." Jim chuckled again.
"would you mind slipping your hand into my pocket?" Sherlock tilted his head to the side.
"Why?" Jim merely raised his eyebrow suggestively. Sherlock sighed.
"Fine."
Feeling even more awkward, he slipped his hand in Jim's pocket. No doubt Lestrade or John would be taking photos and such... Lestrade didn't miss the opportunity when I was drugged. As Sherlock's hand went into Jim's pocket to retrieve some gum, Jim opened his mouth. Sherlock smirked and put his hand on Jim's shoulder.
" your still as susceptible as other human beings to my presence. I'm not ignorant enough to ignore the stares I receive, and we are equals. Surely the thought crosses your mind?"
he replied just as quietly. Jim chuckled and stuck his tongue out, grinning as Sherlock dropped a piece in Jim's mouth.
"Is it worth my while continuing this way, or am I just wasting my breath?"
"hmm, I think we will both find out soon." Jim breathed down Sherlock's neck, smirking.