"Just keep your eyes and ears open, and your mind alert." Sherlock said. "The pattern should make itself obvious soon enough."
"If you say so."
"Eh, Greg, why don't you and Jayden get started while Sherlock and I go and grab a bite to bring back here?"
Lestrade was confused a moment, but then understood.
"Sounds like a deal." He nodded.
"Come on, Sherlock." John started towards the car while Sherlock stood there momentarily in confusion.
"I said come on, Sherlock." John paused when he noticed Sherlock wasn't following him
"But the case-" Sherlock began to speak, but was cut off.
"-Will still be waiting for us when we get back." John said. "Now come on."
After a moment's indecision, and a glare from John, Sherlock followed.
Please don't bring it up.
Please don't bring it up.
Please don't bring it up.
"Sherlock,"
He's bringing it up.
Sherlock mentally sighed as he slowly turned the steering wheel to the left.
"We've got to do some thing about this." John said. "We can't just leave it alone."
Stay calm.
"I'm fine." Sherlock's voice was low, his tone carrying a hint of restraint.
"No, Sherlock, you're not!" In the complete reverse, John's tone was free, and it was angry. "This is not something you can just brush under the rug! This is important!"
Sherlock took a deep breath and started to speak near the end of it, causing his tone to be airy.
"I know."
"Then why do you keep doing it?!" John asked.
Sherlock didn't answer, choosing instead to focus on the road.
"Don't ignore me, Sherlock."
"If nothing I say will content you, then why should I bother trying?" Sherlock asked, some of his irritation finally showing through.
John was silent for awhile, thinking of what was said.
"I'm sorry Sherlock, it just-" John hesitated. "It seems to be happening a lot. I'm worried that what ever's happening to you is getting worse."
"Even if it is, what is there that you could do about it?" Sherlock asked.
"Nothing, I guess."
"Pizza is here!" Jayden called out, grinning and grabbing a box from Sherlock. "Half pepperoni, half cheese?" Jayden asked.
"As per usual." Sherlock said. "Find anything yet?"
"I think so." Jayden shoved most of the first slice into his mouth. Jayden wiped his fingers on his pants before continuing to tap away at John's laptop.
It was silent just long enough that Sherlock was beginning to consider asking Jayden to explain what he had found; Sherlock didn't end up needing to.
"So," Jayden said. "I gave Lestrade a bit of a quiz on the cases dealing with Moriarty, but he didn't know a lot. Seems you two kept most of the details to yourself, not that that's surprising. Anyway, I noticed a connection between the cases."
"Which is... what?" John asked.
Jayden pulled up a few google tabs, then pulled up several articles
"You always caught him the same way." Jayden said
"Always when he made a mistake. You were always one step behind him, let him control the game. It was like cat and mouse, except the mouse squeaked past almost every time." Jayden said. "Now it's our turn to take the wheel and get the ball back in our court."
"Good." Sherlock nodded, "Let's get to work."
"But- wait a second, I thought we were looking for his patterns, not ours?" John asked. "It's what we've always done before."
"And you see how well that worked out." Jayden said.
A small grin snuck onto Sherlock's face as John looked slightly offended by Jayden's answer.
"Can you deny it?" Sherlock asked.
"Well, no, but-"
Sherlock and Jayden stared at John a moment.
John rolled his eyes.
"Alright then, what's your plan?"
"My plan is still pretty abstract, I don't have any details." Jayden said, his face coloring the slightest bit.
"Doesn't matter." Sherlock said. "What are we dealing with?"
"Well, I say we call him out," Jayden said, "chase him a little. He's never had his own game turned against him."
A/N: Okay guys, short chapter, I know, sorry. I just wanted to get something out for you. I've got Christmas break coming up soon, so I'll probably be able to update more often, but I've got a history paper to do over break too, so I don't know how often. Updates should increase in frequency some though.