Hello there! First of all, I have to apologize for the extremely long time that I have taken to write this chapter. I was having a bit of writer's block, but my inspiration for the story is back! :)

Okay, I've also got a quick note: I just wanted to clarify something about Moriarty. I personally find the James Moriarty from BBC Sherlock more interesting to write with than the movie version, so I tend to characterize Moriarty in this story more like the BBC character than the one from the RDJ movies. If he seems a bit out of character for the movie version, this is why.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy!

John stands next to the charred remains of a body, completely unsure of what to think. He has no idea whether or not the body is actually Sherlock's.

Before this point, all of the bodies have been replicas. That gives him a little bit of hope.

But still, it's hard to stay hopeful with these circumstances. He's completely consumed with fear and terrible doubts plague his mind. All of the other bodies have all been fake, but didn't Wilson say that they would eventually kill the real Sherlock too? What if this is actually his corpse?

Lestrade turns and looks at John. "I… we should check for the… you know, the stitches on the side of the face."

John sighs. "Oh. I'm sorry. Yes, of course." He kneels down next to the body.

John cautiously turns the head of the corpse, looking for the stitch marks that will ease his fears, even if just a little. He stares hard at the body, looking intently.

They have to be there. There's no way Sherlock is actually dead.

But, as hard as he looks, John can't really tell if the stitches are present. The body is just too badly burnt.

"I don't know," he says, shaking his head.

Lestrade looks at him confusedly. "What do you mean 'you don't know'? Are there stitches?"

John shrugs hopelessly. "I have no idea. If there were stitches, they were burnt away in the fire. It's impossible to tell. The body is terribly burnt."

Lestrade sighs. Both of the men had been hoping for an absolutely certain answer. After standing around the body for a few moments, Lestrade takes a deep breath. "Well, if he is still alive, just standing here and doing nothing is not going to help get him back."

John nods in agreement. Lestrade, and John begin to walk again, once again looking for any clues that could lead to Sherlock.

John's hopes are getting dimmer by the second.

"Good morning, Mr. Holmes!"

Sherlock looks up and glares at the speaker. Moriarty. He sits up straighter and looks Moriarty in the eyes with a long sigh.

"Have you finally come to kill me? Because you're taking an awfully long time to do that, you know."

Moriarty chuckles slightly. "Patience, patience, dear Holmes. I could do that, of course. But… I really do think I have a better idea. What I have planned for you is so much more fun than just killing you!"

Sherlock smirks at him, slowly shaking his head. "I can't imagine what your idea of fun is, but please just hurry up and do it. This waiting is getting awfully dull."

An evil smile creeps onto Moriarty's face. "Oh, why are you so annoyed with me? I never said I was going to do anything to you, did I? No, no, no. That just wouldn't do. That would be boring, don't you think? And neither of us like to be bored, do we?"

Sherlock doesn't respond. He looks back down to the dirty concrete floor.

"I asked you a question."

Sherlock still doesn't say anything.

"Holmes, it's rude to ignore people."

Sherlock quickly looks up. "Well, it's rude to kidnap people."

Moriarty sighs and nods, feigning an apologetic look. "I suppose. But it's still not particularly clever to be rude to the person who currently has the power to kill you within moments."

Sherlock smiles coldly. "I'll take my chances. You don't seem to want to kill me yet, anyways."

Moriarty nods. "I suppose that's true."

He pauses for a moment, an evil look in his eyes.

"You know, I just got word that Dr. Watson is out of the hospital. Well, he's actually not supposed to be out, he's just very determined to find you. He just can't stay out of my way, can he?"

Sherlock just looks at him. "And… Why would you tell me this?"

Moriarty grins. "Because he left the hospital to try find you."

He walks up to where Sherlock is sitting, chained to the wall. He crouches down and looks Sherlock in the eyes.

"He's putting himself through terrible pain and putting his life in jeopardy just to try find you."

Sherlock doesn't say anything.

Moriarty stands back up, looking impressed with himself. He seems to be enjoying this.

"Ah, so that does bother you, doesn't it? Everyone has their weak point, even the great Sherlock Holmes. Even Sherlock Holmes has a conscience," he says with a laugh. "Caring is a mistake, and it's going to cost you, believe me. I'll make sure of that. John Watson isn't getting out of this unscathed."

Sherlock stares angrily at Moriarty, shaking his head. He sits up straighter. "Let me make one thing clear to you.

You're making a mistake. A fatal mistake.

You can kill me, sure. I honestly don't care. But no matter how clever you think you are, you're never going to be as brave as Watson.

I know you think that moral indifference will benefit you, but you're dead wrong. I've never seen a man more determined than when he's fighting for what's right. You don't have that advantage. You have made it abundantly clear that you have no goodness in you.

But Watson does. John Watson is a good man, and a good man with unbreakable persistence."

For a moment, neither man speaks.

Suddenly, Moriarty begins to slowly clap."How touching!"

He pauses. "Touching, but mistaken. He really doesn't stand a chance, I'm afraid. That was an impressive little speech, though. It will make a nice eulogy, don't you think? But that's enough of that. You'll get to see Dr. Watson soon, don't worry."

Sherlock's indignant expression instantaneously changes into one of suspicion.

Before he can say anything, Moriarty once again begins to speak. "I'm sure you want to know what I mean by that. It's all part of my plans, you see. You will get to see Watson one more time before you die. I must admit, however, that he probably won't be very happy to see you."

Sherlock raises an eyebrow. "And why would that be?"

Moriarty chuckles. "It's really quite simple. It's because you're going to kill his fiancée in front of him."

Sherlock looks confused. "And why would I do that?"

Moriarty grins. "Ah, I'm glad you asked. This is where it gets interesting, so listen closely.

I've planted three bombs in various places around London. Of course, they're all very busy places. I have instructed my men to detonate all three bombs unless I tell them otherwise. And I won't call them off until you've done it.

Oh, and just as an added incentive, I'll have a gunman ready to shoot both Dr. Watson and Miss Morstan if you fail to complete your task.

Now, do you understand what you have to do? Because the lives of dozens of people are depending on it.

Really, it's up to you. You choose.

Would you rather kill one person or cause the deaths of dozens?"

Thank you for reading! I would really appreciate any reviews or suggestions! :)

Thanks so much to Esbee and James Birdsong for your reviews of the last chapter!