John decided to lie on the couch when he and Sherlock arrived home. He was exhausted and he just wanted to sleep. Sleeping was sometimes a path to freedom for him. He would be unconscious for several hours and not have a care in the world.

Sherlock heated up a pot of tea and poured himself some. "Tea, John?"

John sighed, deeply. "Why not."

He sat up as Sherlock handed him a cup. Sherlock took a seat and sipped his tea.

"So, I'll be be visiting Molly this afternoon. She thinks she might be able to help with locating Moriarty," Sherlock said.

John remembered the ear piece as Moriarty voice filled his ear. "Stop him."

"Uh, why don't you just...take the day off?"

Sherlock raised an eyebrow. "Sorry?"

"I mean, I don't...want to be left here alone all afternoon."

"Mrs. Hudson is going to be downstairs. I'll be sure to let her know-"

"I-I'd rather not. She'll be on me like a hawk and I'd rather not enjoy hearing a tale from her past relationships."

With a pause, Sherlock shrugged. "If you put it like that. But, I cannot stay long. Someone has to find Moriarty."

John shook his head. "Let the police handle this, Sherlock. Please."

Hesitant, Sherlock gave in, lifting a finger. "But, I will not be letting this go, John. I will find Moriarty and skin him for the coward that he is."

Sighing deeply, John laid his head back down and closed his eyes. Sherlock folded his hands and rested his chin on them. As the day went by, John slept most of the day. With the help from the hospital and Mrs. Hudson, his leg was getting better. The ear piece was silent until an hour before sunset.

John sat at the dining table in their small kitchen, sipping a cup of tea. His headache had gone away and he was feeling a bit better. Suddenly, Moriarty's voice filled his ear.

"Hungry, John?"

He held his breath. "Just."

"I'd like to meet up with you. Have a bite to eat. Just you and me."

John swallowed and looked around. "I think I've lost my appetite, to be quite honest."

Moriarty chuckled. "I'll meet you in the alley by the old abandoned restaurant three blocks from your flat. 8 pm, and don't be late!"

The ear piece went silent once more. John gulped and eyed his cellphone. Should he call Lestrade? Should he tell anyone?

He reached out for his phone and paused when he heard footsteps coming up the stairs. Sherlock entered the room, humming a bit. John raised an eyebrow.

"What's put you in a good mood?"

Sherlock sat down at his desk and side-smiled. "I spoke with Lestrade. He has a trail on Moriarty. Seems a little bird let him know of it."

John rolled his eyes. "A little bird? Sherlock, it may be a tr-"

He held his tongue. It was a trap, but if he told Sherlock that with Moriarty listening, it would kill them both.

Sherlock raised an eyebrow. "Sorry?"

John stuttered. "It's a...t-tricky guess. But, Lestrade must..know what he's doing."

"Indeed. Now, I think we should get a bitw to eat to celebrate. What say you?"

John shook his head. "I...uh, can't. I'm not hungry. Besides, I thought I'd... take a stroll this evening. Alone."

With a shrug, Sherlock got up and grabbed his coat. "Well, stay out of trouble. I'd say it'd be best for you to remain indoors, but what's the point in arguing?"

Surprised, John watched Sherlock head downstairs, humming. John grabbed his own coat and hurried to the window. He watched Sherlock walk across the street and leave from his sight. John exhaled as he plopped himself down on the couch. It was almost 8. He rubbed his temples and sighed.

"God, help me," he muttered.

After several minutes, it was ten minutes past 8. John felt no need to arrive on time. He entered the alley and spotted a table in the middle of it with a small candle sitting on it. Moriarty was sitting there, waiting for him.

He smiled at John and motioned for him to sit. John slowly sat down. Before him was a plate. On it, sat a green apple. He raised both eyebrows and gave a nod.

"Lovely," he commented.

"Oh, I had a tight budget. But, let's discuss what's at hand, Sherlock said he was hot on my trail. It was a false trail, but you figured that out, didn't you?"

"You put a false trail out for Sherlock. Of course, I knew."

"Well, he didn't. He's off somewhere, probably thinking he's right on my tail. He's so adorable when he thinks he's close."

"Well, prepare yourself, Jim."

They both turned and saw Sherlock approaching them with a gun in his hands. Moriarty smiled and stood behind John's chair. Sherlock appeared with Lestrade behind him, also holding a gun.

John gasped, lightly. "Sherlock."

Moriarty grabbed the apple and shoved it in John's mouth. He pulled out his own gun and aimed it at John's head.

"Well, looks who it is, eh, John? You figured out that it was a false trail."

Sherlock gave an amused smile. "I did, indeed."

Moriarty looked down at John and smiled. "I suppose John didn't do his job well enough."

John glared at Moriarty and glanced at Sherlock, shaking his head.

"Bluffing will you do you no good, Jim," Sherlock said.

Lestrade raised an eyebrow. "No, Sherlock. What do you mean, Moriarty?"

Moriarty chuckled. "I mean, John was my puppet all along."

John muffled a protest and shook his head. Moriarty reached into John's ear and removed the earpiece. Sherlock narrowed his eyes as he tossed it towards them. Lestrade picked it up and examined it.

"What is this?" he asked.

"That is how I've been communicating with the little piglet," Moriarty replied.

Sherlock blinked. "What?"

A/N: DUN DUN DUN...more to come...