Sherlock and Ri spent the entire next day in his bed, exploring each other's bodies, learning what sent the other to the heights of pleasure.
They had made love for the third time in so many hours. It had been slow and languid, more about savoring each other than any frantic need for orgasm. Not that neither of them reached the peak of pleasure, but it was secondary to the need to experience the other.
The text message alert from Ri's phone sounded loudly, disturbing their stupor. Ri reached for the phone and bolted out of bed at the contents of the message.
"What is it?"
"Remember how I set up a search algorithm to scan any internet-accessible camera for Moriarty?"
Sherlock nodded and sat up as she handed him the phone. On the screen was a photo of Moriarty taken by a surveillance camera. The timestamp on the photo was just four days ago and indicated that it had been taken in the Ukraine.
Ri took her phone back from Sherlock and immediately began trying to get a hold of her her contacts in Kiev as she walked up the stairs to her bedroom.
After setting up a few meetings for the next day with some of the shadowy underground informants she used, she grabbed an overnight bag and began packing. Once she was satisfied she had everything she needed she got dressed. With a last look at her room to ensure she hadn't forgotten anything, she was about to go back downstairs when her text message alert sounded again.
The message was from a blocked number. She hesitantly clicked on the icon to open it.
Miss me? Come to Kiev alone. Make sure Sherlock stays in London.
Damn, she swore to herself. I know he won't follow me to Kiev, but what the hell am I supposed to do when I get there?
Ri grabbed her bag and made her way down to the sitting room. Sherlock was sitting in his chair, eagerly texting away.
"I'm leaving," she said lamely, not knowing what else to say.
Without looking up from his mobile, Sherlock nodded in her direction, obviously lost in his search.
"I'll call if I find anything."
Sherlock made a noncommittal noise.
Ri sighed to herself as she left the flat. What was I expecting, she silently berated herself. She went to the street to hail a cab to take her to the airport.
The taxi pulled up and she was too lost in thought to think it was odd that the driver had gotten out and opened the door for her. She also didn't notice the syringe in his hand until she felt the sharp pain in her neck. She tried to fight off whatever drug he had given her, but it was a losing battle as she slumped into unconsciousness.
Ri was cold and sore, but she couldn't figure out why. Her head felt like it was full of cobwebs. She opened her eyes but all her brain could interpret from her surroundings was a bright light. She felt something cold and metal brush down her cheek.
"Rise and shine," a familiar voice said in her ear.
She tried to twist away from the voice, but found she couldn't move. When she tried to scream, it was choked back by the gag in her mouth. The effect of the drug was wearing off and this time when she opened her eyes she saw Moriarty's face laughing, just inches from her own. Ri tried to put a lid on the panic that was rising in her throat.
Moriarty slid the barrel of the gun across her breasts.
"You're a much prettier pet than Shelock's last companion. I could have a lot of fun with you."
Ri could only glare in response.
"I think it's time to let Sherlock in on the game. Smile for the camera."
Moriarty took a picture with Ri's mobile and sent it off with an evil smile.
Sherlock sat in his chair, eyes closed, fingers steepled in front of his mouth, lost in his mind palace. He was supposed to be searching for clues to find Moriarty, but all of the doors he opened seemed to lead to his bedroom and Ri in his bed. He was actually relieved to hear the text alert on his mobile. He picked it up and looked at the screen. Why was Ri sending him a picture message? She knew well enough that he wasn't interested in nude photos and she hadn't had time to make it to Kiev yet, so it couldn't be intelligence.
He opened the message and stared, mouth agape. The photo was of Ri, nude and bound to a chair, he could see the fear in her eyes. As he was about to scan the photo for clues as to it's origin, an incoming call from Ri interrupted him.
Sherlock answered and was about to ask her about the photo when the voice on the other end stopped him dead in his tracks.
"Listen very closely," Moriarty snarled. "I like your new pet. It would be a shame if anything were to happen to her. You have two hours to find her before I hand her off to my pet, Col. Moran. And if he gets a hold of her, you won't be able to identify her body when you find it."
The line fell silent as Moriarty ended the call. Sherlock was all ready out the door, his coat billowing behind him as he tore down the stairs. He took a deep breath and dialed the one number he hated more than anything.
Mycroft answered the call from his younger brother with a hint of annoyance.
"I've all ready spoken with Ri, I know all about Kiev."
"Shut up Mycroft," Sherlock bellowed into the mobile. "Moriarty has Ri. They have to be in London, she hasn't had time to make it to Kiev yet."
Mycroft's eyes widened at the panic in Sherlock's voice. Had something happened between the two of them? Surely his brother hadn't succumbed to the temptation of this woman. He could hear Sherlock hailing a cab in the background
"I will divert all of my resources to locating Moriarty's current whereabouts. Where are you going?"
"To rally the troops," Sherlock growled, then his voice softened, pleading. "Find her, please."