Chapter VIII: Save the Life

A/N: This story was inspired by "The Thin White Sleuth…" by Pika-la-Cynique of Girls Next Door fame.

Transcript by Ariane DeVere aka Callie Sullivan.

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Sherlock had dropped his glass of champagne as he finished up his speech. " Ooh, sorry. I..."

Sarah suddenly felt uneasy. Sherlock was not clumsy. It could have been an accident. It could have been something more. She saw Jareth's stiff manner out of the corner of her eye. Damn. Something more.

The Master of Ceremonies came by with back-up champagne. "Another glass, sir?"

Sherlock took the champagne. "Thank you, yes. Thank you, yes."

"Now, where were we?" Sherlock said. "Ah, yes. Raising glasses and standing up. Very good. Thank you." He motioned downwards. "And down again."

The guests began murmuring amongst themselves as they did as they were told. Jareth's posture has become so relaxed Sarah now had no doubt something was terribly wrong.

Sherlock put down his glass. "Ladies and gentlemen, people tell you not to milk a good speech – get off early, leave 'em laughing. Wise advice I'll certainly try to bear in mind. But for now..." Using one hand to help with the lift, Sherlock jumped over the table, almost smacking John with his feet. "Part two."

Sherlock walked down the center aisle of table. "Part two is more action-based. I'm going to... walk around, shake things up a bit. Who'd go to a wedding? That's the question. Who would bother to go to any lengths to get themselves to a wedding?" He walked back up towards the center table again. "Well, everyone. Weddings are great! Love a wedding. I've been to two weddings this year, my best record yet."

"What's he doing?" Mary whispered to John.

"Something is wrong," John said as he glanced at Jareth for a moment.

Sherlock pointed at John. "And John's great, too! Haven't said that enough. Barely scratched the surface. I could go on all night about the depth and complexity of his... jumpers..." Sherlock seemed to be examining each of the male guests. "...and he can cook. Does... a... thing... thing with peas...once. Might not be peas. Might not be him. But he's got a great singing voice... or somebody does."

"Mayfly Man," Jareth whispered to Sarah, "Bloody hell. I hate being wrong. Too many people to figure it out though. Sherlock, you need to approach it differently."

"Ahh, too many, too many, too many, too many!" Sherlock said. "Sorry. Too many jokes about John! Now, er... Where was I? Ah, yes... Speech! Speech. Let's talk about... murder."

"Damn," Sarah and Jareth said at the same time.

"Sorry, did I say 'murder'? I meant to say 'marriage' – but, you know, they're quite similar procedures when you think about it. The participants tend to know each other, and it's over when one of them is dead." Sherlock said.

"He is going to lose the crowd," Jareth said.

"In fairness, murder is a lot quicker, though. Janine!" Sherlock said as he stood behind a male guest. "What about this one? Acceptably hot? More importantly, his girlfriend's wearing brand-new uncomfortable underwear and hasn't bothered to pick this thread off the top of his jacket or point out the grease smudge on the back of his neck. Currently, he's going home alone."

Sarah saw Sherlock type something into his phone behind his back. "Also, he's a comics and sci-fi geek. They're always tremendously grateful – really put the hours in."

"Greg, the gents," Jareth hissed.

"Why?" Lestrade said.

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe it's your turn," Jareth said.

Greg looked down at his phone at a message he had just received. "Yeah, actually, now you mention it..." Lestrade stood up and left the room.

"Sherlock, any chance of a… an end date for this speech? Got to cut the cake," John said.

Sherlock was smiling manically as he started going up and down the tables again. "Oh! Ladies and gentlemen, John can't stand it when I finally get the chance to speak for once, Vatican Cameos."

John straightened up immediately. Sarah began unfastening the iron dagger she had kept hidden under her dress. Jareth was already making his way out the door.

Mary said, "What did he say? What's that mean?"

"Battle stations. Someone's going to die," John said.

"What?" Mary said. John took her hand to try to reassure her.

Sherlock looked ready to break down. His eyes were tightly shut. Then he slapped himself twice. "NO! Not you! Not you!" Sherlock took a breath and pointed to John. He made his way to the groom. "You. It's always you. John Watson, you keep me right."

John stood up. "What do I do?"

"Well, you've already done it. Don't solve the murder. Save the life," Sherlock said. He turned to the guests with a manic grin. "Sorry. Off a bit. Back now. Phew! Let's play a game. Let's play Murder."

Sarah squeezed John's hand for a moment. "He'll solve it."

Sherlock was back to pacing. "Imagine someone's going to get murdered at a wedding. Who exactly would you pick?"

"I think you're a popular choice at the moment, dear," Mrs. Hudson snarked.

"If someone could move Mrs. Hudson's glass just slightly out of reach, that would be lovely," Sherlock said, "More importantly, who could you only kill at a wedding? Most people you can kill any old place. As a mental exercise, I've often planned the murder of friends and colleagues. Now John I'd poison. Sloppy eater – dead easy. I've given him chemicals and compounds that way. He's never even noticed. He missed a whole Wednesday once, didn't have a clue. Lestrade is so easy to kill, it's a miracle no-one has succumbed to the temptation. Sarah you just need to put someone she loves in danger and she will throw herself on the sword with a smile on her face. I've got a pair of keys to my brother's house. I could easily break in there and asphyxiate him." Sherlock shook his hands and then paused, "...if, if the whim arose."

Tom made a comment to Molly that resulted in him getting stabbed in the hand with a plastic fork.

Sherlock continued. "So, once again, who could you only kill here? Clearly it's a rare opportunity, so it's someone who doesn't get out much. Someone for whom a planned social encounter known about months in advance is an exception. Has to be a unique opportunity. And since killing someone in public is difficult killing them in private isn't an option. Someone who lives in an inaccessible or unknown location, then. Someone private, perhaps, obsessed with personal security. Possibly someone under threat." Sherlock grabbed a name card from a table and scribbled a note. "Ooh! A recluse, small household staff. High turnover for additional security." He tossed the card aside with fake nonchalant to Major Sholto. "Probably all signed confidentiality agreements. There is another question that remains, however – a big one, a huge one: how would you do it? How would you kill someone in public? There has to be a way. This has been planned."

Archie jumped up and down. "Mr. Holmes! Mr. Holmes!"

Sherlock turned and faced Archie, focusing all of his attention on the young child. "Oh, hello again, Archie. What's your theory? Get this right and there's a headless nun in it for you."

"The invisible man could do it," Archie said.

Sherlock spoke at high speeds. "The who, the what, the why, the when, the where?"

"The invisible man with the invisible knife. The one who tried to kill the Guardsman," Archie said.

Sherlock gasped and straightened up. He's solved the case. Major Sholto made his way out of the room and Sarah followed.

Lestrade waved to Sarah. "Jareth is checking the perimeter for traps."

"Got it," Sarah said. She ran up to Sholto and announced herself so as not to surprise him. "Major Sholto! Sarah Williams."

Major Sholto paused. He assessed Sarah in her bridesmaid dress, bare feet, and small dagger in her right hand. "I know who you are." He passed Sherlock's note to her.

It read, "It's you. SW will help."

"You were an American army nurse several years ago," Sholto said as he made his way up the stairs to his room, "You come highly recommended."

"Yes, sir. Still a nurse. I am Jareth's partner in crime-solving now," Sarah said, "We will stop whoever is coming after you."

Major Sholto opened the door to his hotel room and allowed Sarah in. He locked the door behind them, laid his sword on the bed, and then opened his suitcase.

"Jareth and Sherlock will solve, hello, gun," Sarah said.

Major Sholto sat down in a chair by his bed. "Always be prepared. You know why someone is coming after me, I assume."

Sarah nodded and spoke quietly. "You took new recruits on a training exercise and you were attacked. You were the only one to survive. There have already been several attempts on your life and a call for you to be dishonorably discharged."

Sholto said just as quietly, "Then why bother with me, Nurse Williams?"

"I'm a nurse, sir. My job is to save as many people as I can, no matter who they are." She sat on the bed. "Something similar happened to me. It was only because the Laby… a higher power decided I should live that I am here today."

"My higher power is the devil," Sholto hissed, "It is nothing but misery to have outlived my men."

Someone rattled the locked door handle. Sherlock said, "Major Sholto? Major Sholto!" He began banging at the door. "Major Sholto!"

"If someone's about to make an attempt on my life, it won't be the first time. I'm ready," Major Sholto said.

"Major, let us in," John said.

"Kick the door down," Mary said.

"I really wouldn't," Major Sholto said, "I have a gun in my hand and a lifetime of unfortunate reflexes."

"I can open it for you," Sarah said.

"I would just shove you out and lock myself in," Major Sholto said.

"Then I won't leave," Sarah said.

"Where's my wife you bastards?" Jareth growled.

"I'm safe Jareth," Sarah said.

Sarah could hear a small commotion outside. Mary said, "Don't worry, Sarah. Jareth is by my side."

Good. Jareth won't be as willing to give Mary a black eye to get to me.

Sherlock spoke again. "You're not safe in there. Whoever is after you, we know that a locked room doesn't stop him."

"The invisible man with the invisible knife," Major Sholto quoted.

"I don't know how he does it, so I can't stop him, and that means he'll do it again," Sherlock said.

"Solve it, then," Sholto ordered.

"Is he serious?" Jareth growled.

"I'm sorry?" Sherlock asked.

"I have two detectives at my door. Solve the case. On you go," Sholto said, "Tell me how he did it and I'll open the door."

John pleaded, "Please, this is no time for games. Just let us in! You're in danger!"

"So are you, so long as you're here," Major Sholto said. He spoke to Sarah, "Please, leave me. Despite my reputation, I really don't approve of collateral damage."

"I don't approve of collateral damage either. They can do it," Sarah said.

"Solve it," Mary commanded.

"Sorry?" Sherlock said.

"Solve it, and he'll open the door, like he said," Mary asked.

"If I couldn't solve it before, how can I solve it now?" Sherlock hissed.

"Because it matters now," Mary said.

"What are you talking about? What's she talking about? Get your wife under control," Sherlock said.

"She's right," Jareth said.

"Oh, you've changed!" Sherlock said.

"No, she is right," John said, "Shut up. You are not a puzzle-solver – you never have been. You're a drama queen that makes the glittery git next to my wife look calm. Now, there is a man in there about to die. Solve it!"

There was a moment of silence as Sherlock thought the case over. "Though, in fairness, he's a drama queen too."

"Yeah, I know," Mary said.

"Major Sholto, no one's coming to kill you. I'm afraid you've already been killed several hours ago," Sherlock said.

"What?" Sholto and Sarah said at the same time.

"Don't take off your belt," Sherlock said.

"My belt?" Major Sholto asked.

"His belt, yes. Bainbridge was stabbed hours before we even saw him, but it was through his belt," Sherlock said.

Jareth suddenly piped in, "Tight belt, worn high on the waist. Very easy to push a small blade through the fabric and you wouldn't even feel it. A very fine blade. I would love to see it."

Sarah would have laughed at the sound of Jareth being smacked if the situation was less dire.

John said, "The belt would bind the flesh together when it was tied tight and when you took it off..."

"Delayed action stabbing. All the time in the world to create an alibi," Sherlock said. He shook the door handle again. "Major Sholto?"

"So – I was to be killed by my uniform. How appropriate," Major Sholto said. He stood up.

"He solved the case, Major. You're supposed to open the door now. A deal is a deal," Mary said.

"I'm not even supposed to have this anymore. They gave me special dispensation to keep it. I couldn't imagine life out of this uniform. I suppose – given the circumstances – I don't have to," Major Sholto said. He tossed aside the pistol. "When so many want you dead, it hardly seems good manners to argue." He began to unclip his belt.

"Stop it," Sarah said, "John is right out there. He can fix you up until we can get you to the hospital. You don't have to die."

John said, "Whatever you're doing in there, James, stop it, right now. I will kick this door down."

Major Sholto turned his head towards the door. "Mr. Holmes, you and I are similar, I think."

"Yes, I think we are," Sherlock said.

"There's a proper time to die, isn't there?" Sholto said.

"Of course there is," Sherlock said.

"And one should embrace it when it comes – like a soldier," Major Sholto said.

"Sir, please," Sarah said.

Sherlock said firmly, "Of course one should, but not at John's wedding. We wouldn't do that, would we – you and me? We would never do that to John Watson."

Major Sholto closed his eyes. He then looked at Sarah. "Not today, Nurse Williams." He opened the door. "I believe I am in need of medical attention."

"I believe I am your doctor," John said. He escorted Major Sholto to the bed to examine him with Mary close behind.

Sarah went into the hallway and took a deep breath before she pressed roughly into the wall by Jareth. He began kissing her frantically, his hands not staying still. "Safe," he kept saying over and over again.

Sarah kissed him and stroked his back. "Safe," she confirmed.

Jareth went to his knees and wrapped his arms around her waist while he rested his head against her stomach. "Safe and sound."

Sarah was reminded of him kneeling like this to her after he had figured out Irene's password. The way he held her when Moriarty had left them at the pool. When they thought they were going to die in the bomb laced Tube car. My Jareth.

Sherlock was in the hallway with a dazed look.

"Thank you, Sherlock," Sarah said.

Sherlock nodded. "You're welcome. I think it is safe to say that this was a Baker Street Regular effort."

"Is that what we are calling ourselves now?" Sarah asked.

Jareth kissed Sarah's stomach again before standing up again. He pulled Sarah against his chest and kissed the top of her head.

"Maybe we should have name. A regular crime fighting family. I solved the case," Sherlock said, "Jareth was ready to knock down the door. You and John talked Major Sholto down. Mary remembered what room Sholto was staying in. Lestrade manned the doors. Mrs. Hudson fussed. Molly kept the busybodies shut-up. I think we could make something of that."

Sarah smiled. "I think we could. Sherlock, I need you to call an ambulance. Major Sholto will need surgery. Jareth, I need you to go deal with the guests. I need to help John and Mary. I am trained for this sort of thing."

Jareth kissed Sarah. "As you command, my Champion."

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A/N: To quote the Doctor, "JUST THIS ONCE, EVERYBODY LIVES!"