I'm on such a roll I may even upload 75!

"Calm down"

"No, I won't calm down. You..you fucking bastard! How could you do this? How could you not tell us, tell me? After all that's happened, you keep this a secret! I can't believe you!"

"Look, there were mitigating circumstances.."

"Oh don't give me that bull. You should have told me. For God's sake, he's the reason your brother is dead, the reason my brother is dead. The least you could have done is tell me he was alive. Did you even think for one second, that we may still be in danger?"

"Of course I did! Look John, I felt you had gone through too much already, you were happy, moving on. I did not want to drag back into this dangerous world after everything that has happened. I thought I was doing you a favour"

"Well that was a shite deduction. I deserved to know. ..Me. In the end it was Molly who told me. Molly who had more balls than you'll ever have."

"Don't you dare presume that I didn't have the capacity to inform you. You have no idea what has been transpiring. If you only knew the hatred I have for that man, you would know exactly why my brother used to refer to me as the most dangerous man in London."

Sherlock felt like his ear was glued to the door. This was incredibly interesting and informative. John must have found out about Moriarty being still alive and now he'd come to Mycroft seeking what? Blood? An answer? Had he perhaps discovered the truth? Most likely not going by his words. Still he wanted them to keep talking. It was fascinating and it was John.

"Look, I'm here now. Tell me what you know. Tell me we're safe from that..that monster."

"Why don't you take a seat?"

There was the scraping of chairs.

"We discovered he was alive via a letter he sent to this location. One of my operatives had a chance meeting with him shortly after, he was lucky to escape with his life. He has attempted correspondence a few more times since then but I have never replied back."

"What did he say?" Mycroft sighed and took a breath.

"How are you? How's John? He sent videos of my operatives being tortured, I don't really know what else to tell you. You know what he's like. I'm sure you can imagine."

"All too clearly. But how did he survive?"

"That is anyone's guess. It's not my main concern. Fortunately my men have all but destroyed his once vibrant empire over these twelve months. He's hanging by a thread. I am concerned he will come back to London. That is the only reason I am talking to you about this. But you are not yet at risk. Should you become so I will not hesitate to protect you all."

"I can't trust you Mycroft, not after all this. But if you don't keep your promise.." He left the threat hanging.

"Rest assured, I shall not disappoint you."

"Good."

Milton chose that moment to inform Sherlock that he was once again hungry. The detective tried to get him to stop mewing, however Milton had other ideas. Namely, climbing out of Sherlock's hoodie and running back towards his bedroom.

"Come back here" Sherlock hissed, chasing the animal back to his room.

John's hand faltered over the handle. "Did you get a cat?" Mycroft inwardly cursed his younger sibling for almost blowing his own cover. Faking a smile he nodded. "Yes, this house is too big sometimes for one person..and his staff. A christmas gift" John smiled. Wow, Mycroft almost seemed human. That wasn't nice but he didn't exactly have any good feelings towards the man at this moment in time.

"Thats.. good. Anyway, better go. Thanks for telling me the truth."

"Anytime. Goodbye John"

"Later Mycroft"

After he fed the cat, Sherlock flopped on his bed and listened again to the conversation he had just recorded. Jim's phone actually proved useful. Poor John, he was right, he had had the right to know about Moriarty, just like he has the right to know about his best friend. Soon. He hoped.

The phone played Stayin' Alive once more, the song seriously getting on Sherlock's nerves. He clicked it open and stared at the message.

Why aren't you replying back? I know you're there Sherlock. Come out and play! You'll make me cry if you don't text me back soon. I may have to blow up something to cheer me up.

Love you!

Jim

Great, wonderful. Now if he didn't reply Jim planned to blow up something. That left him little choice, he had no idea if Jim intended to go through with his threat but Sherlock did not want the blood of innocents on his hands. No more. He quickly typed back a brief message.

I have no desire to respond. Please leave me alone. -SH

Knowing the psychopath would reply again, he changed the alert tone to a simple beep. It was just in time, as the phone beeped loudly almost three minutes later.

Aw, you're no fun Lockie. It's great to hear from you though! How are you? Are you utterly destroyed? Are you changed forever? I hope you haven't changed too much, you wouldn't be any fun! So, how was Christmas?

Jim :)

Fine. And I am fine also. I do not intend to continue this game of yours for very much longer. If you continue to text me, I will destroy this phone. -SH

Spoil-sport. I thought you liked games? Oh well, destroy the phone, I'll destroy a building. I think this apartment building might do very well. Look my dear, I won't bother you too often, if that's what you want, if you promise me something. That we will meet again. Soon, very soon. Can you do that for me darling?

Jim xxx

Very well. But I choose the date, when the time comes. -SH

And I will choose the location. Wonderful. Ta-ta then Lockie! Have a Happy New Year and I'll see you in the next one.

Jim xxx

Sherlock switched off the phone, his heart racing, sweat forming on his brow. He took three deep breaths in an attempt to calm himself down. Milton rubbed his legs sensing his owner's distress. The detective threw the phone into a drawer and picked up the little creature, hugging him against his chest. He sat down on the bed, stroking Milton's little head.

They were going to meet again one day soon. Soon. No, he didn't want this to happen. He only agreed to prevent lives being lost. To keep people safe. He won't go through with it. He'll tell Mycroft, he'll stay safe. And then next year, they will catch Jim and he will be able to go home and be reunited with everyone. See John again. Everything was going to be fine. Completely fine.

The phone beeped once more. Sherlock nervously wandered over to the drawer and picked it up.

Oh and Lockie dear? If you tell Mycroft, I'll find out at some point, especially if you never show. And you won't like the outcome. So keep it a secret.

Jim.

His legs buckled and he fell to his knees, again throwing the phone away, this time under the chest of drawers. This can't be happening. I don't want to, I don't want to see him again! He..I'm afraid. This is fear. I'm afraid. He'll kill me. I am not myself, I might not be able to win this game. I c-can't see him again! Not after what happened. But what do I do? What do I do? Sherlock felt tears fall from his wide eyes and he placed his shaking hand over them. He felt the continued purr from his pet but it did little to stem the fear and shock radiating through his body.

He was going to die. He had one month left.