Hi, again!

There's Molly and Jim interaction in this one, so yay!

...there's also a lot (A LOT) of text messaging lol.

Here's the next chapter:

12-31-2011

I'm still alive. Let's have dinner.

####

Happy New Year.

.

.

.

Our mutual 'friend' isn't so friendly anymore.

I decided it was time for Kate and I took our leave from his company.

####

Last time we met you weren't so friendly yourself.

####

Neither were you.

####

True.

Forgive me?

####

I have to. We still have a deal.

####

Technically no.

Seeing as how my only involvement with you was due to the interference of our mutual friend who isn't so friendly.

He was trying to keep me away from a certain someone…

####

Sherlock?

####

No shit.

####

Yeah… he tried to do that to me too.

His plan was to have Sebastian Moran break into Sherlock's apartment and steal back my phone instead of allowing me to go get it myself.

####

Oh.

How boring.

He really does have Mr. Sniper do everything for him now…

####

That's how I knew I couldn't trust him anymore.

Given his expertise, he could have easily hacked my phone password and solved all the codes on it.

And so once he had my phone and all its information, what would need me for?

####

That's 'friends' for you.

They only want you for your stuff.

####

Friendship is only another form of business.

Sometimes we trade in goods and services, sometimes we trade in loyalty.

####

Yeah, he told that to me too.

Not that I really listened.

Anyway, your point is…?

####

We had a deal.

And we still do, too, I hope.

####

Yes…and?

####

And now that I've escaped you-know-who's protection, the terrorists are after me again.

####

Impossible! You're dead!

####

Apparently the British government doesn't share its information with the terrorists.

####

…you'd be surprised…

####

I'm sure.

But the terrorists are after me and I know you share information with them.

####

Who told you that?

How dare they accuse me of such treason!

####

You know who told me.

####

As in 'you-know-who' told you?

####

Yes.

####

Tattletale.

####

Who?

Me or him?

####

Him.

Well both of you, really, since you just snitched on him to me.

But mostly him.

####

I need your help.

I know what code the government and the Americans were so intent on getting back from me and I know the man I acquired that code from worked high up in the anti-terror division.

And so I made my deductions…

####

Oooh. Deductions!

That word just makes me go all tingly inside!

####

My life is at stake.

Please try to take this seriously.

####

Did you know, Irene, that life is a Game?

####

….Really?

I'm rolling my eyes, by the way, I know that sarcasm doesn't translate well on to text.

####

There's the kind of person who plays to win and the kind of person who plays for the fun of it.

Which one are you?

####

I'm not playing anymore.

####

Then you're dead.

####

Actually that's what I'm trying to prevent and so that's why I'm so adamant that you take our deal seriously.

####

Me, I'm the second kind of person.

I play for fun.

####

One more text like that and I'll go right back our mutual friend.

He doesn't seem so bad anymore compared to this…

####

What I mean is that I don't need this 'job', I already work far too much.

And I don't want your money, I've got more than enough of that, too…

So what I want to do is have fun.

I'm going to help you for the fun of it.

####

Honestly I don't care why you do as long as you do help me.

####

Looks like we understand each other then.

Now you don't have to worry about our mutual friends in Al Qaeda, I'll make sure they stay friendly.

Just get me that code that everyone's got their panties in a bunch about and be quick about it this time.

####

You do know that involves involving Sherlock in this, right?

####

Yes.

I'm the one who told you to get him involved, remember?

He's the only other person who could possibly decode that information on your phone…

Save for a certain somebody we both know who probably does that sort of thing for fun as well as for work, of course.

####

And you're alright with that?

####

Oh much more than alright.

####

Good.

Since I already told Sherlock I was still alive.

And John Watson, too.

####

Oooh, splendid!

Sherlock must have been beyond overjoyed to see his beloved alive and well after a week of moping around like a suburban teenager…

####

He didn't 'see' me.

####

...I see.

So no Big Kiss, then?

####

Not yet.

####

Well if you're going to fuck him so that he'll decode the thing for then you'd best get on with it already.

####

I'm not going to exchange sexual favors for information.

####

Why not?

It's just another form of business, isn't it?

And not too far a deviation from what you already do…

Could turn into a whole 'friends with benefits' thing, even.

I won't judge.

####

No.

Just no.

I wouldn't sleep with somebody like him, anyway.

He's really not my type at all.

####

The lady doth protest too much.

####

The Woman, dear, not 'the lady'.

And you're being a bit friendlier about this whole Sherlock thing than you were on Christmas…

####

You noticed?

Maybe I'm protesting too much, too, then.

####

I'll have the code for you within 24 hours.

After that, he's all yours.

####

Oh, how generous of you to just give him up like that.

Wouldn't be so easy for me…

####

It's a just a game, anyway, after all.

Games have to end sometime…

####

Oh, mummy, do we have to leave the park now!

Five more minutes, please!

####

It gets old after awhile, playing the same game.

I'm sure you know that.

####

All too well.

I've got a short attention span.

####

Brilliant deduction.

I'll text you when Sherlock's solved the code.

####

Can't wait.

And one more thing, Miss Adler…

####

Yes?

####

You asked if I was alright with you getting Sherlock involved, which I more than completely am.

But as for our mutual 'friend'…

I know he won't be.

####

So?

Given his intentions for my phone and myself, I've decided to end our friendship.

####

That's ambitious.

I've been trying at it almost for my whole life and still haven't figured out how and I'm a genius.

####

Once I've got that code solved and the British government wrapped around my little finger by a silver chain I won't have to worry about anyone anymore.

Not the terrorists and not my other unfriendly friend.

####

Just don't say his name and I'm sure you'll be fine.

####

Your name, too?

####

Once.

You can say it once.

Once this is all over, you can use it to gloat.

But only once.

.

.

.

Irene Adler has fled my safehouse, foolish of her, don't you agree?

####

Bordering on the idiotic.

Why?

####

Well you wouldn't have had anything to do with that, now would you?

####

How could you think that!

####

You've been known to do foolish things, things that border on the idiotic.

####

I do FUN things.

But you wouldn't understand that…

####

What I don't understand is your need to complicate things.

Anything on Adler's phone I could have decoded and you know that.

So why just bring her and the phone to me in the first place?

####

Why send her to me in the first place if you could do that yourself?

Oh yeah.

You wanted to distract me…

####

I went far out of my way, put in copious amounts of time and effort, to make you the perfect game where you could have your 'fun' with Sherlock Holmes and still not get us both damned by his damn deductions…

…but it wasn't enough, it's never enough with you.

You had to go and see him in person.

Tell him your name…

So much for anonymous text messages, third-party callers, and all my hard work.

####

Cycling isn't any fun if you've got to wear helmets and knee pads.

I can't have any fun in a room lined with protective padding.

It would drive me crazy…

####

You ARE crazy.

And you belong in a mental institution, so help me god I am a hair away from putting you in one.

####

I'm just your bird in a cage.

Make me a free range chicken?

I promise not to fly away…

####

I'd clip your wings before I'd let you.

####

Spoilsport.

####

Games, most of all, need rules.

####

How would you know?

You've never played any.

####

No, I've been too busy referee-ing yours.

####

Well don't worry.

I've got things with dear Irene under control.

####

Well don't foul it up.

####

Oh, I love it when you get a sense of humor.

In those rare times I might even love you, too.

####

I'm being serious.

####

Oh, I know, I know.

Irene asked me to be serious too.

Sorry she flew the coop on you, by the way.

But I promise not to 'fowl' things up.

:)

####

…hilarious.

Now that you've got that one out, get to it.

####

Will cocka-doodle DO!

####

…

.

.

.

If you get a break from your shift, you should go take a peak into the intensive care unit.

It would do you well to get out of that morgue once and while, Molly, see some life…(although most of it is just breathing machines, bleeding and feeding tubes, probably end up on your table sooner or later anyway.)

But if you go now, you'll get to see Sherlock's handy-work.

Got a fascinating cruel streak, he does.

Threw a man out of a window.

Twelve times.

(He lost count but I didn't.)

The man was a CIA agent too.

He came all the way from across the pond to find Miss Irene Adler.

Which reminds me, Molly…

You've got quite a fascinating cruel streak too, don't you?

You knew Sherlock was practically sobbing into his pillow over her 'death…

And yet you didn't tell him she was still alive and just let him suffer.

Pretty cruel, indeed, if I do say so myself and I am kind of an expert.

You love this man, Sherlock Holmes, but you don't want your 'beloved' to be happy…

…you just want him all to yourself, it seems.

Right, Molly?

Molly?

He knows Irene's alive now, by the way, Sherlock does.

That's why he's leaving the flat again.

So much for having him all to yourself…not that you had a chance in the first place, then, Molly…

Molly?

Answer me, Molly…

I don't like to be ignored…

Molly Hooper I insist you answer me this instant!

I know where you are…do I have to go all the way down to the morgue?

I will, too, you know.

I don't make empty threats and I keep my promises.

Remember that, Molly.

Molly?

Molly!

1-04-2012

"Leave Baker Street. And don't come back uninvited."

Molly was on Baker Street.

Uninvited.

But t was a public street, after all.

So what if Molly 'just happened' to take a walk, that 'just happened' to take her down this particular street?

Who was some random woman with a smartphone to tell her what to do?

And speaking of phones…

"Is that a phone?"

"It's a camera phone."

"And you're x-raying it?"

"Yes I am."

"Whose phone is it?"

"A woman's."

"Your girlfriend?"

"You think she's my girlfriend because I'm x-raying her possessions?"

"Well, we all do silly things."

Yes.

We all do indeed, Molly repeated, this time to herself within her thoughts.

"They do. Don't they…very silly."

Sherlock had agreed, too.

But, as usual, he hadn't included himself among the people doing 'silly things'.

However he did include 'she'…

…whoever 'she' was.

(Irene Adler, probably…)

"She sent this to my address..."

And so Molly sent herself to Sherlock's address.

Again.

But she was just passing by, this time.

Not to hang out by the door and try to catch anymore bits of juicy conversation as tempting as that would be…

(And Molly would keep passing, too, if she saw that black town car out front…)

Luckily the curb in front of Sherlock's apartment was uninhabited.

Discreetly as she could (and she could be very discreet, being the mouse that she was) Molly crept up to 221 Baker Street.

Knowing that she probably looked absolutely ridiculous, standing on her tip-toes, Molly attempted to peer into 221b through its window, half obscured by curtain.

She was wearing a hooded coat, justifiable in the cold, snowy weather and a scarf she had pulled up almost to her eyes.

For once, Molly was glad that she usually went unnoticed.

Hopefully no one would recognize her.

But Molly's hopes always did seem to get dashed, didn't they?

"Hey, Molly."

At this point Molly knew who this smug, mocking voice belonged to without having to turn and see who was speaking to her.

And so she didn't.

"Hello, Jim." Molly greeted, evenly, without jumping in surprise and whirling around to stare at him in fear and fumble for words.

She could see him in the window's reflection, though.

So she'd know if he was about to you know, stab her, or something like that, from behind.

"Fancy seeing you here." Jim replied.

And his reflection winked at her.

"I just happened to be in the neighborhood…" Molly laughed nervously.

"Oh, me too!" Jim grinned, "I think we must have a mutual friend…"

Molly turned around, finally.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, as usual.

What she was really asking, though, was whether Jim had come to Baker Street because of her or because of Sherlock.

"Same thing you are." Jim shrugged.

Which answered her question.

He also seemed to be 'incognito' as well, wearing street clothes rather than the suits (or naked) she had seen him in the last two times he had been himself.

So was this what Jim Moriarty did in his spare time…or was this another game he was playing?

Either way, spying on Sherlock Holmes was a popular activity that early morning.

(And why had Molly come this early in the morning? Oh, she 'just happened' to walk by on her way to work. Would she 'just happen' to see that Sherlock's girlfriend (probably Irene Adler) had spent the night?)

Suddenly, Molly panicked (and more than her usual oh-no-Jim-Moriarty-is-here panic).

One person staring in a window was conspicuous enough…

…but two?

"He'll see us!" Molly squeaked.

"You worry too much." Jim chuckled, "…but I do know a better view…"

"…Where…?" Molly inquired cautiously, expecting some kind of trick.

"Follow me."

Molly was skeptical as Jim led her down street after street until she realized that it didn't really matter where they were.

The 'better view' was in Jim's phone.

He pulled it out as they sat and showed her the inside of Sherlock and John's flat, via some kind of hidden camera he had installed while they were out.

(A PICA, perhaps? If it was a PICA Molly would not be surprised…)

"Snuck in when they weren't there." Jim explained, "Much more convenient than staring in the window, don't you agree?"

"Then why'd you even go there?" Molly asked.

"Oh, I dunno..." Jim said, leaning back comfortably, "…just happened to be in the neighborhood."

Molly pretended not to notice as Jim casually stretched his arm out against the backrest of the bench so that it was right behind her.

His other hand was still holding the phone, showing them both where Sherlock sat at the kitchen table, doing some sort of experiment that involved that involved chemicals and body parts he had taken from the morgue (taken from Molly) yesterday.

Steam sprayed out of a beaker and Sherlock quickly snatched the phone (the woman's phone that he was x-raying(his girlfriend (Irene Adler, probably))) that was lying on the table next to him to safety.

"Looks like Sherlock's mood has improved since he's started experimenting again." Jim noted, "I wonder why…he was so awfully depressed before…which reminds me. Why didn't you tell him Irene Adler was still alive? Seems pretty cruel, letting him suffer like that, thinking she was dead."

"I know…" Molly admitted, looking down at her lap, her hands folded, "I felt so awful…hearing how he wouldn't even come out of his room…but, I mean, I-"

"Wanted him to think she was dead?" Jim suggested, "So that you'd have him all to yourself?"

"What?" Molly exclaimed, head lifting instantly, eyes wide in surprise and offense, "No! I would never-! I just…I didn't even know who Irene Alder was until you told me…how could I explain that to him?…why would he even believe me?"

"…oh." Jim responded.

From his face, Molly could see that he actually hadn't predicted her answer and seemed to be…disappointed by it.

"Wait, you thought that I—" Molly began.

"You didn't get my text, did you…?" Jim interrupted.

"You texted me?" Molly replied, taken a back, "No, I didn't get it."

Jim sighed.

And for a moment, Molly caught a hint of relief in his eyes a mid the dissapointment and the rest of the unreadable, false emotion.

"It's brutal, you know…" he finally said.

"What is?" she asked.

"Window shopping." He answered, "Watching what you know you can't have from the outside…so close and yet you can't touch…"

They stared into the phone at Sherlock stand up from the table, pick up the phone and carry it into the next room where he flopped down on the couch and started to toy with it.

"Then why do we do it?" Molly asked.

It was a genuine question.

She desperately wanted to know why she always inflected torture upon herself when it could have been avoided simply by looking away.

Maybe Jim would know…

He laughed out loud, throwing his head back, instead of answering.

Oh well.

Maybe Sherlock would know, she'd ask him some time.

"Just look at him…" Jim stated, eyes locked onto his phone again, "I want to know what he's thinking…it's so unfair, to be on the outside of his mind. He can look at anyone and know exactly what they're thinking. And yet, he's always a mystery…"

"I hate it." Molly commented.

"But you love it, too." Jim reminded, looking at her and smiling slightly at one corner of his mouth.

She nodded.

They watched Sherlock again, for a while, in silence.

He didn't move from the sofa.

"Well this is getting boring…" Jim decided, abruptly, shutting off the feed and putting the phone in his pocket.

(Jim always got bored, watching a game from the sidelines, being unable to play.)

Molly hadn't been bored.

Maybe it was because Sherlock was just that interesting when he was doing nothing…

…or maybe it was because she was on edge (nervous?...exicited?) anyway, from sitting next to Jim Moriarty, chatting like friends and then sitting in non-awkward silence like good friends.

"But it's not always this tedious, don't worry. It gets pretty interesting sometimes. Like when Sherlock and John have sex…"

"What!"

"Calm down, I'm joking. But that would be quite the sight to see…I don't know if I'd be able to just sit back and watch, if I saw that, I might have to join in…"

"…is Sherlock...um, is he…gay?"

More laughter, head thrown back.

But Jim did answer her this time (although not her question).

"Someone once told me that 'nothing is ever so absolute'." Jim quoted, "She would know. She's a lesbian dominatrix… and yet, she fell in love with Sherlock Holmes. So I guess there are exceptions to everything…"

"And Sherlock," Molly wondered, "He's your exception, too?"

"No, Molly." Jim chucked, "You are."

01-06-2012

747 TOMORROW 6:30PM HEATHROW

Jumbo Jet. Dear me Mr Holmes, dear me.

.

.

.

They know.

Call it off.

####

Will do, sir.

May I ask how they found out?

####

No.

But bring me Sherlock Holmes.

####

Yes sir

.

.

.

Salam wa aleikum, my habib.

Boy, have I got some news for you…

####

Good afternoon, Mr. M.

What news?

####

Well it's treason for me to tell you this but…

They know.

####

Know what?

And who is 'they'?

####

Oh, ALLAH, why must everyone be so STUPID?

'They' obviously refers to the British government, hence 'treason'…since Northern Ireland is still part of the commonwealth despite it's attempts to end the 'friendship'.

And what 'They', being the British government, in case you've already forgotten, 'know' is about the bomb on the plane tomorrow.

####

How did they find out?

####

Solved your code, they've got computers for that.

Lucky I've got one too.

His name is Sherlock Holmes.

####

I must inform my leader about this.

####

Yeah, you do that.

Also tell him to leave that poor Irene Adler alone.

I know she's an infidel and you all don't approve of more, well, liberated women shall we say…but give her a pass, okay?

Just this once, for me.

####

I will ask my leader but I am not sure if he will oblige.

Irene Adler greatly offended him.

####

Yeah and his first wife, too.

I've heard.

The cat's out of the burqa...

...in SO many ways...

####

You must not tell anyone about that.

But I hope you can understand why my leader will not be so forgiving towards Irene Adler.

####

Actually, he will.

All you have to do is tell him my name.

01-07-2012

Help me.

####

Who is this?

I swear to god I'll KILL whoever gave you this number…

####

You'll kill your oldest and dearest friend?

####

Oh, Irene, hello.

Didn't know it was you.

And I know it doesn't translate well over text message but when I say 'friend' I'm being sarcastic and what I really mean is 'the man holding the leash around my neck, slowly choking me'.

Kind of like what you do for a living.

Of course, you're hardly going to need to do that much anymore since I'm sure Mycroft is a wealthy enough that you'll only need him as a client.

####

Well about that…

.

.

.

You said you'd take care of this.

Now your Woman has failed.

####

Can't say I'm too surprised.

I mean, 'S H E R' as the password to unlock her phone?

'Sher' as in 'I AM SHER LOCKED'?

Even I'd guess that.

Too easy.

####

There was so much information on that phone.

So much we could have used…

All of it wasted!

####

Oh, well.

You win some, you lose some.

That's life.

####

Life isn't a game.

####

Yes it is.

And you strike me as the kind of person who plays to win.

Probably why you never have any fun.

####

In a matter of days Irene Adler will be dead.

Let this be a lesson to you.

This is what happens when you get too caught up in the game.

When you have too much fun.

####

No such thing as too much fun, now is there?

####

I'm sure Miss Adler doesn't believe that anymore.

####

Oh you're not going after her, are you?

####

I'm not.

Al Qaeda is.

####

No they're not.

I made sure of it.

I told them my name…

For once I get to spoil YOUR fun!

####

That's always.

But regardless, Al Qaeda now knows where Alder is and will dispose of her.

####

And why do you say that?

####

Because I told them MY name.

01-18-2012

Hey, Sherlock.

It's me.

I know we haven't talked in awhile and that's breaking my heart.

But powerful forces beyond my control are working to keep us apart and so that's just how it has to be.

For now, at least.

And for now, at least, I thought I'd let you have some fun.

(I do know how bored you get…)

And so, despite my desires to keep you all to myself…

…I've decided, in all my selflessness, to let you in on a little secret.

Irene Adler is in Karachi.

She's just been captured by Al Qaeda, who will surely sever her pretty little head from her pretty little neck quicker than a guillotine.

Do with that information whatever you wish.

I just want my beloved to be happy…

Much love,

Jim Moriarty

Hope that wasn't too confusing.

And as you can see, it's becoming more and more apparant who's holding Jim's 'leash' lol.

So why still keep it a 'secret'?

For Drama's sake, I guess...

I want ya'll to find out when Molly does. lol...maybe.

(work in progress, need to plan ahead better, lacking direction, etc, etc lol)

Please review!