Ok soooo….I know I've been away FOREVER but I've had a lot of hectic things going on in my personal life so my story had to sit on the back burner. And tobehonest17 I just saw your review today and it made me feel so happy that I knew I needed to get another chapter up for now. I am slowly starting to work more on the story and it is no where near being done so don't worry my loyal readers! There will be plenty more to come! I just hope you'll stickq with me and stay eager to read!

The minute he stepped inside the strong smell of chlorine overwhelmed Sherlock's senses. Assessing his surroundings quickly, Sherlock concluded he was alone. Well, except for the person who waited for him. Stepping through the doors that led to the indoor pool, Sherlock's head twisted in all directions as he kept an eye out for any type of movement. Even though the lights were on, not a soul could be seen, the viewing gallery completely dark. Pausing, Sherlock called out loudly,

"Brought you a little getting-to-know-you present. Me. Oh, that's what it's all been for, hasn't it? All your little puzzles; making me dance – all to distract me from her."

Sherlock slowly turned in circle waiting for a reply when he heard a door click, open and shut. His eyes widened when John stepped out into view. John's hands were stuffed inside the pockets of the hooded jacket he wore, a pained expression on his face.

"Evening."

Sherlock still stood stock still. He knew something wasn't right, but that still didn't erase the look of shock and disbelief from his face.

"This is a turn-up, isn't it, Sherlock?"

Sherlock stared at the man in front of him, finally managing to utter a soft,

"John. What the hell ...?"

"Bet you never saw this coming."

Finally forcing himself to move, Sherlock turned around fully and took some small steps toward John. A look of utter despair and slight fear crossed John's face before Sherlock watched him take his hands out of his pockets. Pulling open the jacket, John revealed the bomb strapped to his chest. John closed his eyes and let out a shuddering sigh as a red snipers laser started dancing over the bomb. Meeting Sherlock's eyes once more, John slowly stammered,

"What ... would you like me ... to make him say ... next?"

Continuing to step closer to John, Sherlock's eyes darted to and fro, looking everywhere but at John. He squinted trying to find who was in the room.

John let out a sigh, closing his eyes, voice almost breaking as he parroted the words being fed to him from an earpiece.

"Gottle o' geer ... gottle o' geer ... gottle o' geer."

Sherlock spat venomously,

"Stop it."

John continued to unwillingly narrate.

"Nice touch, this: the pool where little Carl died. I stopped him." Cringing John continued,

"I can stop John Watson too. Stop his heart."

Sherlock turned on the spot, trying to look in all directions at once.

"Who are you?"

A door at the opposite end of the room opened before being followed by an almost taunting voice.

"I gave you my number."

Sherlock squinted as he tried to get a better view of the man, but he was mostly hidden by a column.
The mystery voice continued.

"I thought you might call."

As the mystery man stepped out in to full view, a look of recognition crossed Sherlock's face. It was Jim, Molly's boyfriend. Obviously not the same man he had met earlier however. Gone was the shy, fumbling man he had met. This Jim was dressed impeccably, his expensive suit and shoes perfect, a psychotic grin on his face.

Smirking, Jim asked "Is that a British Army Browning L9A1 in your pocket ..."

Smirk widening as Sherlock reached into his pocket to pull out a pistol, the other man completed his question,

" ... or are you just pleased to see me?"

Sherlock steadily raised the gun before answering,

"Both."

Stopping to look at him with a grin, completely unafraid, the other man introduced himself.

"Jim Moriarty. Hi!"

Sherlock kept his hand steady, keeping a firm grip on the gun. He tilted his head slightly, his eyes squinting slightly as he took in the appearance of the man in front of him very carefully.

Acting affronted, "Jim" put a hand to his chest dramatically before stating,

"Jim? Jim from the hospital?"

Tucking his hands behind his back Moriarty began to walk slowly alongside the pool once more.

Sherlock quickly brought up his other hand to fully support the gun, keeping his eyes on the man in front of him.

Keeping his head ducked for a moment, Sherlock watched as Moriarty looked up with a mocked hurt look slightly biting his lip.

"Oh. Did I really make such a fleeting impression? But then, I suppose, that was rather the point."

He turned to face Sherlock fully just as the snipers laser flickered over John's chest once more. Glancing at John for a moment Sherlock's eyes shot back to Moriarty as he stated with a cocky grin,

"Don't be silly. Someone else is holding the rifle. I don't like getting my hands dirty."

Reaching the edge of the pool, Moriarty stopped.

"I've given you a glimpse, Sherlock, just a teensy glimpe of what I've got going on out there in the big bad world. I'm a specialist you see…" Moriarty paused for a moment, smirking at Sherlock's somewhat surprised expression before finishing his sentence. "Like you!"

Adjusting his stance Sherlock began to quote.

"Dear Jim. Please will you fix it for me to get rid of my lover's nasty sister?"

Starting to walk forward again, Moriarty grinned.

Continuing on Sherlock murmured, "Dear Jim. Please will you fix it for me to disappear to South America?"

Coming to a stop again, Moriarty stated knowingly, "Just so."

A look of surprise mixed with curiosity and almost admiration crossed Sherlock face before he stated, "Consulting criminal," muttering softly "Brilliant."

Giving a proud, almost boastful smile Moriarty responded.

"Isn't it? No-one ever gets to me – and no-one ever will."

Holding steady Sherlock cocked the pistol before murmuring, "I did."

"Well," Moriarty gave a pompus grin, "You've come the closest. Now you're in my way."

Sherlock quickly answered with a clipped "Thank you."

Tilting his head, Moriarty rolled his eyes.

"Didn't mean it as a compliment."

Responding with a small smirk, Sherlock muttered

"Yes you did."

Shrugging as if he'd been caught, Moriarty slightly grinned.

"Yeah, okay, I did. But the flirting's over, Sherlock ...His voiced immeadiately changed pitch to a higher tone as he finished in a sort of sing song, "Daddy's had enough now!"

Strolling closer, Jim or 'Moriarty' began to speak again in his normal tone.

"I've shown you what I can do. I cut loose all those people, all those little problems…."

John let out a ragged sigh, the strain of the situation starting to become too much. Sherlock briefly flicked his eyes over to check on his friend before shooting them back to the man in front of him.

Moriary continued to talk.

"So take this as a friendly warning, my dear. Back off."

Smiling "Jim" continued.

"Although I have loved this – this little game of ours." Changing his accent briefly he mocked Sherlock. "Playing Jim from I.T." Changing back to his normal voice he continued on. "Playing gay. Did you like the little touch with the underwear?"
Sherlock stated seriously, "People have died." Swallowing thickly he stated softly, "She might die."
Moriarty replied quickly, screaming the last word.

"That's what people DO!"

Moriarty's personality changed almost instantly, and he chuckled.

"You know you should actually be thanking me. I took care of your 'little girlfriend's' abductor for you. You see he was admirer of mine. He impressed me for awhile, but got boring and way too clingy. Can't have that happening. So I got him out of my hair. I heard he left a message for you in my name…was it nice?"

Sherlock visibly began to shake in anger, his teeth clinched so much his jaw ached. Steadying his hands he hissed,

"I will stop you."

Perfectly calm, with a smirk gracing his face he taunted.

"No you won't."

Determined to keep his composure, Sherlock looked over to John.

"You all right?"

Deliberately staying quiet, most likely told to do so, John kept his eyes down.

Stepping up next to John, Moriarty teased him.

"You can talk, Johnny-boy. Go ahead."

Adament to specifically obey the orders, John met Sherlock's and gave him one quick nod. Acknowledging this, Sherlock took one hand off the pistol, pulled out the memory stick and held it out.

Keeping the gun level Sherlock growled, "Take it."

Moriarty's eyes widened for a moment in question before he grinned.

"Huh? Oh! That!"

Strolling past John he reached for the offered stick. "The missile plans!"

Plucking it from Sherlock's fingers, Moriarty brings it to his mouth and kissed it as John mumbled to himself behind him. Lowering it, Moriarty took one look at it before exclaiming in a sing song tone.

"Boring!"

Shaking his head, Moriarty chuckled lightly.

"I could have got them anywhere."

Nochalantly tossing the stick into the pool, John suddenly raced forward and grabbed Moriarty from behind, one arm wrapping around his neck and the other around his chest. Surprised, Sherlock took a small step back but still kept the gun raised and aimed at the man in front of him.

Keeping a tight grip on Moriarty, John yelled

"Sherlock, run!"

Laughing, Moriarty just said almost gleefully,

"Good! Very good."

Still not moving, Sherlock kept his aim. His eyes started to dart around a bit anxiously though hoping that sniper didn't get any ideas.

Snarling, John tightened his grip.

"If your sniper pulls that trigger, Mr. Moriarty, then we both go up."

Completely ignoring John, Moriarty addressed Sherlock.

"Isn't he sweet? I can see why you like having him around. But then people do get so sentimental about their pets."

Growling, John tightened his hold just around Moriarty's neck but knew he was not unaware of the bomb that was now sandwiched between them. Scowling at John, Moriarty continued,

" They're so touchingly loyal. But, oops!" Grinning, his eyes flicked from John's to Sherlock."You've rather shown your hand there, Doctor Watson."

Almost laughing outright at John's face when he saw a red laser point appear on Sherlock's forehead, Moriarty grinned maniacally at Sherlock as he realized what was happening. Sherlock released a sigh as Moriarty almost sang,

" Gotcha!"

Chuckling as John reluctantly let him go and stepped back, Moriarty glanced at John before turning back to Sherlock as he brushed his suit off and straightened it out. Gesturing to it as if they cared, Moriarty looked exasperated as he exclaimed,

"Westwood!"

Putting hands hands down, Moriarty stepped forward calmly.

"D'you know what happens if you don't leave me alone, Sherlock, to you?"

Rolling his eyes and sounding extremely bored Sherlock responded.

"Oh, let me guess: I get killed."

Making a face, Moriarty shook his head. "Kill you? N-no, don't be obvious. I mean, I'm gonna kill you anyway some day. I don't wanna rush it, though. I'm saving it up for something special. No-no-no-no-no. If you don't stop prying, I'll burn you.

Pausing, Moriarty eyed Sherlock before hissing viciously,

"I'll burn the heart out of you."

Sherlock's jaw tightened for a moment before he softly stated,

"I have been reliably informed that I don't have one."

Grinning mockingly, Moriarty stated,

"But we both know that's not quite true."

Blinking as thoughts of Caitlin filled his head, Sherlock continued to keep his gaze as well as his aim on Moriarty.

"Well," Moriarty began with a small shrug, "I'd better be off." Glancing around for a moment before looking back to Sherlock he smiled.

"Well, so nice to have had a proper chat."

Raising the gun higher and extending it out closer to Moriarty's head, Sherlock asked,

"What if I was to shoot you now – right now?"

Snorting, Moriarty looked amused,

"Then you could cherish the look of surprise on my face," he replied widening his eyes and mouth in a mocking surpised look.

"Cause I'd be surprised, Sherlock; really I would." Moriarty wrinkled his nose before continuing.
"And just a teensy bit disappointed. And of course you wouldn't be able to cherish it for very long."

Turning on his heel, Moriarty slowly started to walk away.

"Ciao, Sherlock Holmes."

Glancing back at Sherlock almost disappointed, he continued to the side door that John had come through earlier. Sherlock slowly stepped forward to keep him in eyesight. Keeping the gun up Sherlock stated lowly, "Catch ... you ... later."

After the heavy clink of the door signaled that it had been opened, both Sherlock and John heard the high sing song reply.

"No you won't!"

Staying put until the ominous click of the door closing sounded, Sherlock immediately dropped to the ground putting the gun to the side before unfastening the bomb covered vest. Looking to John, Sherlock asked,

"All right?"

John tilted his head back, the shock of what they had just gone through hitting him as he struggled for air.

Repeating himself a little more urgently, Sherlock raised his voice.

"Are you all right?"

Finally able to get it together John stuttered, "Yeah-yeah, I'm fine."

As soon as he finished getting the vest undone, Sherlock jumped up and started to pull both jacket and vest from his friend. John continued repeating,

"I'm fine."

Sherlock's breathing had sped up as he continued tugging at the offending items.

"Sherlock."

Managing to finally free John of the jacket and vest, he yanked them off as John staggered and exclaimed Sherlock's name again, surprised at the intensity Sherlock had used. The taller man then immediately flung the offending clothing across the floor as far away from them as he could.

John softly stated,

"Jesus."

Reaching up he pulled the earpiece from his ear, his breathing speeding up again as delayed shock started to set in again. Sherlock stared at his friend for a moment before scooping the gun back up and racing to the door Moriarty had used to take his leave. John's knees started to buckle so he staggered to the closest support. Turning and dropping down into a squat, John leaned back against the wall.

"Oh, Christ."

Blowing out a long breath, John started to try and calm himself down, looking up when Sherlock reappeared. John watched Sherlock pace near him as he continued to try and calm himself. He didn't even say anything when Sherlock scratched his own head with the end of a loaded pistol.

John asked breathlessly, "Are you okay?"

Still pacing and scratching his head with the gun Sherlock muttered back,

"Me? Yeah, I'm fine, I'm fine. Fine."

There was a pause. Then John added softly,

"What about Caitlin?"

Sherlock stopped pacing for a moment. John strained to hear the response of,

"She's alive. But it's not good."

Before John could say anything else, Sherlock turned to him very wide eyed and a little breathless.

"That, er ... thing that you, er, that you did – that, um ..." Sherlock cleared his throat before continuing, "... you offered to do. That was, um ... good."

John stared straight ahead.

"I'm glad no-one saw that."

Looking at John in confusion Sherlock rubbed his chin.

"Hmm?"

Not meeting Sherlock's eyes still, John murmured,

"You, ripping my clothes off in a darkened swimming pool. People might talk."

Sherlock shrugged before stating,

"People do little else."

Looking down at John Sherlock grinned. John snorted with a laugh before leaning forward to get up. Before he could move however a small red laser point began to dance over his chest. Seeing it John's face quickly turned horror stricken before he let out a sound of anguish.

Hearing a door open, both men watch as Moriarty walks through, clapping his hands together.

"Sorry, boys! I'm soooooo changeable!"

Grimacing in disbelief, John sighed and closed his eyes, as though accepting his fate. Remaining with his back toward Moriarty, Sherlock looked up to the gallery as he tried to estimate how many snipers there were. Obviously there were quite a lot since he had at least three laser points on his person and John had about two.

Laughing, Jim Moriarty spread his arms wide.

"It is a weakness with me but, to be fair to myself, it is my only weakness."

Lowering his hands Moriarty tucked them back in his pockets. Sherlock turned to look at John who lifted his head to meet Sherlock's gaze.

Slowly walking forward, Jim stated,

"You can't be allowed to continue. You just can't. I would try to convince you but, Jim laughed before reverting to his sing song voice again,... everything I have to say has already crossed your mind!"

Sherlock had looked away from John but turned and looked back at him, his eyes asking a silent question. John gave him a tiny nod. Turning all the way around to face Moriarty, Sherlock raised the gun once more as he stated,

"Probably my answer has crossed yours."

Jim continued to just stand and smile, completely unafraid. He watched curiously at first as Sherlock started to lower the pistol, but his curiosity slowly turned to anxiousness when he saw the aim was now on the bomb jacket. John watched Sherlock with heavy breaths as Sherlock himself stayed completely calm, his hand and aim steady. Moriarty lifted his head and locked eyes with Sherlock before smiling. Flicking his eyes to John for a split second as soon as they landed back on Moriarty, Sherlock's gaze narrowed. Bringing his other hand up to support the gun, one thought ran through Sherlock's mind. "I love you Caitlin."