Printed // Sheriarty AU

17

*Sherlocks POV*

It's been about an hour since Mycroft left. I haven't moved from my position seated on my chair. I've not even moved a single muscle. The discussion Mycroft and I had keeps running and repeating through my head, and it's slowly driving me insane. He knows who is betraying Jim, but I know that no matter what lengths I took to get that information out of Mycroft, he would still never tell me. It frustrates me too my core! If Mycroft told me, I could've stopped all of this and guaranteed Jim's safety! I need to figure out who it is before it's too late. I need to help Jim. I love him. I sit in my prayer like position for another 10 minutes, just thinking. Tom eventually came upstairs after finishing his conversations with Auntie Hudson, and he asked me if I was okay. I ignored him. He just shrugged and walked off towards his room - John's old room. John. I still can't believe that Jim would ruin John and Mary's wedding like that. I'm still pissed at him.

But I need to go and see him.

I need to go and tell him what information I have received from the conversation I had with Mycroft. Mycroft knows of the betrayer and maybe Jim could use that information some how. However, I will not allow him to torture it out of him. No harm comes to the people who are close to me remember. I need to tell him that I will help him in any way necessary. I just need him to know. I snap out of my thoughts, and I jump out of my grey, leather chair.

"Tom, I'm going out." I shout, not really caring if he heard me or not. I run out of my door, and down the stairs, grabbing my coat, scarf and gloves on the way, and sounding like I am my own stampede. I fly out of the front door, and I march towards the bookshop.

***

The bookshop comes into view. I double back upon myself and I take unnecessary ways towards the bookshop, just in case I was being watched or followed. Mycroft probably has people following me now, so that I can lead them straight to Jim. I won't let that happen though. I make sure that I visit some of the shops surrounding the bookshop, so my actions look innocent enough. I also make sure that I spend a considerable amount of time in each shop - I don't know how long I will be in the bookshop for and I need it to look as natural as possible. After browsing through some extremely boring shops, I grab the handle to the bookshop and I open the door, the bell ringing loudly as I do so.

Sebastian immediately comes into view. He's sat behind his desk, like he was last time, with his feet on the desk in front of him, and a book in his hand. This time it's a Stephen King book - Mr Mercedes. His eyes look up from his book when the bell rings, and he looks surprised to see me. His eyebrows raise and he closes his book immediately with a slap. The sound echoes through the shop. He drags his feet across the desk and sets them down upon the floor.

"Sherlock Holmes." He mutters, with a cold, stern voice. I walk towards him slowly, with my hands stuffed inside of my coat pockets, and I keep my eyes glued with his. He is an intimidating character I give him that. He's handsome too. He stands up from his seat before I reach the desk, and he places his hand on his belt delicately. He has a gun.

"You don't plan on shooting me do you?" I ask confidently. A small smirk plays on his lips for a brief moment.

"Depends on why you're here." He replies, his fingers tapping against the deadly weapon. I smile at his attempt at intimidation.

"You know why I'm here."

There's a moment of silence. Sebastian taps his gun methodically, contemplating whether or not to trust me with his boss. I don't really understand why he wouldn't. His eyes search my own, looking for any source of betrayal, but evidently he finds nothing. His hand drops from his belt and by his side.

"He's upstairs. I didn't expect you to be here. He said you were pissed with him." He eventually states, sitting back down on his chair and roughly placing his feet back onto the dirty desk. I smile at the possibility of Jim confiding in Sebastian about how he was sad about pissing me off. At least I hope he did that - it would be quite the tale if he did. It's funny to imagine.