"No, Sherlock. Just...no. I will not let them use me as leverage against you."
Sherlock shifted to face John more fully, but his movements were constricted by the handcuffs around his wrists.
"While I admire your indignation, it's a bit too late. They have their leverage. Either we do what they say or they kill us. I don't believe we have much bargaining power at the moment."
"Fine. But you can't do this."
"I beg to differ. I believe I'm up to the challenge being presented to me. Or do you not think so?"
John hung his head. "I didn't mean you weren't capable of it, I meant that I couldn't live with myself if you did this."
"Sentiment." Sherlock muttered under his breath.
"Well-spotted. You're not the only one being challenged here! It was unbearable when you 'died' all those months ago."
"But you got through it once, you'll be able to do it again."
"I barely got through it, and that was thinking you were gone. There is no way I could go about my 'normal' life knowing that you were out there being forced to do God knows what. Knowing that there was nothing I could do to help you. Never mind the fear that Moran could renege on his promise and have me tortured or killed."
"I wouldn't let that happen."
"Sherlock, as difficult as this may be to fit into your incredibly large brain, you cannot control the entire world."
"That is an unproven fact," Sherlock huffed.
The corner of John's mouth twitched into a smile that faded quickly. "I've missed this."
Before Sherlock could respond Moran's face appeared in the window. He opened the car door and climbed back inside.
"So boys, have we come to a decision?"
John lowered his head, unable to bring himself to look at Moran. Sherlock had the opposite reaction, staring daggers at Moran.
"Ah, excellent, I'm glad you're both on board." Moran texted someone quickly and then began to drive again. Sherlock seemed lost in thought, and John kept glancing at the consulting detective next to him. After what seemed like a short while the police car pulled to a stop. Looking out the window, John saw a sign for Baker Street.
"Here we are, Dr. Watson," Moran mocked from the front of the police car.
John looked over at Sherlock before saying, "I'm not getting out of this car without you."
"Don't make it easier for them to hurt you, John. If you don't go along with this plan they will kill us both."
From the front seat Moran shrugged and nodded, as if to confirm Sherlock's statement. Then he spoke, "Not to fear, Sherlock, I anticipated that Dr. Watson might be rather moody about our new business arrangement."
At that moment a van pulled alongside the police car and opened its side door. Moran exited the car and opened Sherlock's door. Sherlock, attempting to maintain his haughty demeanor despite being handcuffed, climbed into the van without looking back.
John could only think, the man is barely back from the dead and he's going to disappear again.
John was startled out of his reverie by the slamming of the police car door, locking him alone with his thoughts. He could do nothing but watch as the unmarked van carried Sherlock away.
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A/N: Ta-da! A nice happy ending, right? If you don't like it, blame it on the boys of 221b. I thought this would end with tea and biscuits, but Sherlock would have none of it. The adventure will continue, but in a new story. Sorry to those wonderful readers who were following - thank you for your patience and feedback!