Little Consulting Detective

7

When Moriarty walked into the nursery the next morning, Sherlock gurgled happily and reached his hands out to be picked up.

"Good morning, little one. How are you feeling today?" He coped, picking the detective up. He put him on the changing table and dressed him in a clean nappy and onesie, picking him up again. "We're having a visitor today, Sherlock, so daddy wants you to behave, alright?" Moriarty said. 

Sherlock babbled. Moriarty was surprised at how young Sherlock was acting today, but he wasn't complaining. Maybe this would help Sherlock to embrace his new role.

The criminal carried Sherlock down to the kitchen and prepared a bottle for him, seeing as he was too little for solids right now. Moriarty sat on the couch and fed Sherlock the bottle, humming to him, causing the detective to smile.

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Lestrade was exhausted. He had been up for 2 days straight, but there was still no sign of Sherlock. Really, the man had so many enemies, surely one of them would have called for ransom or something by now, right.

"John, I really don't know what to do here. Could this be some sort of twisted criminal game? Or is he undercover again? What do you think we should do?" Lestrade spoke into the phone, scratching the back of his neck. He couldn't see the man's face, but he knew Watson was worried.

"I don't know either, but I think I have a lead. Yesterday night, mycroft and I each received a photo of Sherlock over text. He was pale and unconscious, but I'm sure he was alive... and there were... some sort of bars in front of him." John answered.

"Weird... but it should be a start. Thanks John, I'll see you later." Lestrade said, hanging up after John says goodbye. He sat back in his chair and groaned, putting his head in his hands. 

"You should go home and rest, you look ready to collapse." Anderson said from the doorway, peeking into the office. Lestrade shook his head.

"No, I'm alright. I think I'll just go get a coffee. Want one?" The detective asked. He stood and grabbed his coat, hardly waiting for Anderson's answer before setting out to get the coffee.

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Sherlock laid on his playmat, batting at the toys above him. For some reason, he couldn't stop giggling. All day, his brain felt fuzzy, and he was very giddy.

"It's good to see you again. Please, come in." Said moriarty's voice from the foyer. Sherlock coul hear footsteps nearing, but when he tried to look, he couldn't move his head: it was too heavy. 

"So this is where the great Sherlock Holmes has gone, hm?" Cooed Irene Adler as she followed Moriarty into the room. Sherlock squealed happily and made grabby hands at her. "You finally put him in his place, haven't you?" She commented to the criminal.

"Oh, he wasn't so bad. Now he's just a harmless little baby, isn't that right, Sherlock?" Moriarty replied, cooing at the detective. Sherlock smiled behind his soother and reached out to Moriarty.  The criminal smiled and picked Sherlock up, bouncing him gently. Irene smiled a bit at the display, it was kind of cute to see Sherlock taken down a few pegs.

"So what did you need to see me about?" Irene asked, sitting down in an armchair.

"I want you to help me ensure that no one will find Sherlock. I don't want to give him up." Moriarty said. Irene smirked.

"And what's in it for me?" She asked, leaning forward with her chin on her hand.

"Anything." Moriarty said.

"You have a deal. I'll see what I can do." Irene replied. She leaned back in her chair and smiled. 

Sherlock reached up to touch Moriarty's cheek and babbled, then whined.

"What's the matter? Are you hungry?" Moriarty asked,looking down at his baby. Sherlock whined again. "Alright grumpy pants, let's get you a bottle." Moriarty said, standing. He sat Sherlock down in his playpen. "I'll be back in a minute." He told Irene, leaving the room as she nodded.

The woman looked over at Sherlock. "I think your new lot in life suits you, you do make a cute baby. Yes, you were the perfect candidate, Sherlock Holmes." Irene said, grinning. Sherlock just sucked his soother in response, looking sleepy as he waited for his daddy to return with his bottle.

"Do you want to try feeding him?" Moriarty asked. The woman shook her head. "Alright." He added. He picked Sherlock up and sat on the couch with him.

"I should go. I'll be in touch, Jim." Irene said, standing and leaving the room. She touched moriarty's shoulder as a goodbye and left the hideout.

"She's gonna be a real big help. You're not going anywhere, Sherlock." Moriarty said, kissing sherlocks forehead protectively.