Sherlock

Something is amiss, and I don't know what. It irks me that I can't figure out what's wrong with the flat. Something's changed though, something's different.

"Mrs. Hudson?" I call down the stairs, maybe she'd been in. Everything is in order, but it just doesn't... Feel right.

"Yes dear?"

"Have you been in our flat?" The landlady shakes her head before smiling,

"Is something wrong dear?"

"Maybe." She frowns as I withdraw back into the flat. Someone's been in. I pop out for twenty minutes, a silly domestic case down at the Yard, and my home gets invaded. How typical. Maybe John came back for a few moments and then stepped out again. Or maybe, I start to counsel myself, your run in with Moriarty is making you paranoid. Maybe. I don't think so though. I'm pretty good about everything. Something is just... off. Not right. I sniff the air, normal, I run my fingers over the wood of the coffee table, normal. Something is putting me off, and I don't know what it is. I stiffen, movement, in the kitchen. Some one is in my flat. No need to be quiet though, they must have heard me call to Mrs. Hudson. I immediately loosen my muscles, shake them out once and then casual stroll over to the kitchen. Someone is in my fridge, back to me. Only one person.

"Sherlock. Do you really not eat?" Moriarty.

"Obviously. What are you doing here?" He turns to face me, a smile on his face,

"I just came to see my favorite person. My dear." I roll my eyes,

"As if you don't know already."

"Where's your little boyfriend? It was him I actually came to see." I don't correct him. It's not like that, he just said it to irritate me. I take a deep breath and swallow hard before answering. He scares me. He shouldn't but he does.

"Of course, you would know where he's at. Jim." He smiles wider and shuts my fridge,

"Don't want to spoil that liver in there. I hope it isn't human."

"So why are you really here? No games."

"Just thought I'd step in and say hi."

"Already done." Moriarty saunters around my kitchen, running his fingers over everything within reach. He picks up one of my earlier experiments and holds it to the light, examining it.

"I just want you to see how capable I am."

"What?"

"Your landlady, she doesn't even know I'm here."

"Yes."
"I could come in at any time and kill you if I wanted to Sherlock." He sets it down and shoves his hands in his pockets, "Do you know where your 'pet' is?" Fear, like a spike, digs itself into my heart, the one I don't have. Don't let him see, act indifferent.

"Yes."

"Do you?"

"He's at work."

"No he isn't." Oh Hell. What has he done? Bugger. Not John.

"Enlighten me."

"John never made it to work today, and if you were so good, you'd know he'd be home by now." I blink hard, seven o'clock already? I'd only popped out for twenty minutes.

"You still haven't told me..."

"Hush now. No need to be impatient. I know you're bored. Thought you might like a little bit of help. Getting unbored."

"Not like this. And that's not even a proper word." He smirks. If he's done anything, anything at all...

"Well I can't let you have all the fun now can I?" He waltzes up to me, looking up into my face, studying everything. As if he's trying to look into my soul, trying to see what I'm feeling. Anger, hurt, fear, desperate.

"Fun? What have you done?"

"Nothing too illegal."

"Jim."

"Well it wouldn't be a game if I told you. You have to figure it out. Silly."

"People's lives could be at stake."

"And since when have you cared?" He feigns surprise, "I thought you didn't have a heart! Could it be that you care for John Watson the returned army doctor?" He smirks again, "Or do you just want someone to look after you? Because I might be able to arrange something."

"Are you making an offer?" Disbelief, how could he be doing this? It's wrong!

"Are you considering it?"

"Not at all. Mrs. Hudson took my skull again, and John's my resident doctor. You don't want me dying from a paper cut now would you?" Jim chuckles darkly,

"Will you play?"

"Is this the only way I'm getting my M.D back?"

"Oh yes my dear."

"Then yes."

"Good. I was so hoping you would play! Your first clue is in this envelope. Good luck." He reaches inside his jacket and pulls out an envelope, "Just like the last one, don't worry, I'm being fair." I take it from him and analyze it carefully, I can't trust him, not for one moment. He starts to leave, pausing at the door to look at me, smiling, that reptilian grin, slight head shifting, barely noticeable, "Oh and Sherlock. You have twelve hours to find him, or your doctor will be lost forever." He pauses for effect before delivering the final blow, "And no one will ever find the body. Good night Sherlock." He's gone,

"I'll solve this."

"I hope you do." Nothing. I sink to the floor, the envelope in my grip shaking. Oh Hell. Jim's bad news. He must be really bored, to come and visit me. And I just let him stand there. Twelve hours, twelve to find John. Oh God.