Fate Without Time

Chapter 38

A/N: For those of you who read this story on Quotev, you'll probably notice that things are a little different from here on out. Well, when I decided to transfer this story to Wattpad, I thought that it would be fun to change things up a little. Give you guys a little surprise. I won't say anything else, but I will say that it's big. Enjoy!

While I was taking a walk around town, someone came up from behind me and pinned my arms behind my back. "Hey! Let me go!" I exclaimed. Then, a cloth soaked in chloroform was placed on my mouth and nose. "Don't fight it, darling. The boss wants you alive," said the man. And eventually, I passed out.

Sherlock's POV

I was getting worried. I hadn't seen Alissa in quite some time. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to focus my thoughts for too long because of what was on the television. "No, no, no! Of course he's not the boy's father! Look at the turn-ups on his jeans!" Sherlock yelled. I could hear John smirk from the dining table. "Knew it was dangerous," he said. "Hmm?" I asked. "Getting you into crap telly," he said. "Hmm. Not a patch on Connie Prince," I said. "Have you given Mycroft the memory stick yet?" asked John. "Yep. He was over the moon. Threatened me with a knighthood – again," I lied. John could not know my plans. "You know, I'm still waiting," said John. "Hmm?" asked Sherlock. "For you to admit that a little knowledge of the solar system and you'd have cleared up the fake painting a lot quicker," he said. "Didn't do you any good, did it?" I asked. "I won't be in for tea. I'm going to Sarah's. There's still some of that risotto left in the fridge," said John. "Mm!" I said, still looking at the TV. I heard John stop at the door. "Uh, milk. We need milk," he said. "I'll get some," I said. "Really?!" he asked, clearly surprised. "Really," I said. "And some beans, then?" asked John. "Mm," I affirmed, still looking at the TV.

Once I was absolutely positive that John was gone, I got my laptop out, went on my website, and sent a message to our anonymous terrorist:

Found. The Bruce-Partington plans. Please collect.

The Pool. Midnight.

Swimming Pool

I opened a door leading into the area surrounding the indoor swimming pool, holding up the memory stick. "Brought you a little getting-to-know-you present. Oh, that's what it's all been for, hasn't it? All your little puzzles; making me dance – all to distract me from this," I said. Then, John walked out. "Evening," said John. I was absolutely in shock. How did they capture John?! "This is a turn-up, isn't it Sherlock?" asked John. "John. What the hell...?" I said softly. "Bet you never saw this coming," said John. Then, I slowly stepped forward as John opened his jacket to reveal a bomb strapped to his chest. "What...would you like me...to make him say...next?" asked John. If this is what he did to John, I can't imagine what he did to Alissa. "Nice touch, this: the pool where little Carl died. I stopped him. I can stop John Watson, too. Stop his heart," said John. "Who are you?" I asked. Suddenly, I heard a door open. "I gave you my number," the man paused as he peeked his head out from behind the column. "I thought you might call," he said. Then, the man walked out, showing a few signs of resistance. But when I saw the reason why, I froze. There, being pulled into view by the man, was Alissa. She was in a strapless black dress with her hair tied into a bun. She had cuts and bruises all over her body. 'Dear God. Alissa, I'm so sorry,' I thought. "Help..." she whispered. "Is that a British Army Browning L9A1 in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me?" asked the man. "Both," I said as I pointed the pistol at him. "Jim Moriarty. Hi! Jim? Jim from the hospital?" Moriarty paused as he began to walk alongside the deep end. I raised my hand to support the gun. Moriarty acted like he was disappointed, but I knew he was just showing off. "Oh. Did I really make such a fleeting impression? But then, I suppose, that was rather the point," Moriarty paused again as he turned to face me just as the sniper's laser flickered over John's upper chest. I briefly turned my head towards John, obviously confused. "Don't be silly. Someone else is holding the rifle. I don't like getting my hands dirty. I've given you a glimpse, Sherlock, just a teensy glimpse of what I've got going on out there in the big bad world. I'm a specialist, you see..." Moriarty acted surprised, as if he had just realized the connection. "...like you!" he finished. "Dear Jim. Please will you fix it for me to get rid of my lover's nasty sister? Dear Jim. Please will you fix it for me to disappear to South America?" I asked. "Just so," said Moriarty. "Consulting criminal," I paused for a moment. "Brilliant," I added. Moriarty smiled. "Isn't it? No-one ever gets to me – and no-one ever will," he said. "I did," I said as I cocked the pistol. "You've come the closest. Now you're in my way," said Moriarty. "Thank you," I said. "Didn't mean it as a compliment," said Moriarty. "Yes you did," I said. "Yeah, okay, I did. But the flirting's over, Sherlock..." Moriarty paused as his voice became high-pitched and sing-song. "Daddy's had enough now!" he yelled. Jim walked closer to me, still pulling Alissa with him, and returned to his normal voice. "I've shown you what I can do. I cut loose all those people, all those little problems, even thirty million quid just to get you to come out and play. So take this as a friendly warning, my dear. Back off. Although I have loved this – this little game of ours. Playing Jim from I.T. Playing gay. Did you like the little touch with the underwear?" asked Moriarty. "People have died," said Sherlock. "That's what people DO!" Moriarty screamed. "I will stop you," I said. "No you won't," said Jim, becoming calmer. I looked across to John. "You alright?" I asked. John deliberately kept his gaze away from me, presumably having been given instructions earlier about not talking to mw. Moriarty walked forward again and reached his side. "You can talk, Johnny-boy. Go ahead," he said. Refusing to specifically obey Jim's orders, John met my eyes and nodded once. I took one hand off the pistol and held out the memory stick toward Moriarty. "Take it," I aid. "Huh? Oh! That!" Moriarty paused as he took the memory stick from me and kissed it. "The missile plans...Boring! I could have got them anywhere," he said as he tossed it into the pool. Seeing his opportunity, John raced forward and slammed himself up against Jim's back, wrapping one arm around his neck and the other around his chest. I backed up a step in surprise but I kept the pistol raised and aimed at Jim. "Sherlock, Alissa, run!" John yelled. Jim laughed in delight. "Good! Very good!" he said. I didn't move, still aiming my gun at Jim's head but starting to look up a little anxiously. Jim still kept a firm grip on Alissa. "If your sniper pulls that trigger, Mr Moriarty, then we both go up," John said savagely. "Isn't he sweet? I can see why you like having him around. But then people do get so sentimental about their pets. They're so touchingly loyal. But, oops! You've rather shown your hand there, Doctor Watson," Moriarty paused as a new laser point appeared on my head. "Gotcha!" he said in a sing-song voice. Then, John let go of Moriarty. "Westwood," he said, smoothing out his suit. Moriarty walked away and stood calmly in front of me. "D'you know what happens if you don't leave me alone, Sherlock, to you?" asked Moriarty. "Oh, let me guess: I get killed," I said, very bored. "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. I'll burn the heart out of you," said Jim. "I have been reliably informed that I don't have one," I said softly. "But we both know that's not quite true," Moriarty paused as he walked towards me. "You seem to care an awful lot about Alissa here. But since you said that you don't, I guess there's no use for her," he said. Then, Moriarty ran to the pool and held Alissa at the edge. "No. Don't you dare," I said. Moriarty smiled. "Too late, Sherlock Holmes," he said. Then, he pushed Alissa into the pool, knowing that she didn't have the strength to come back up. As soon as Moriarty left, I had to save her. It was complete silence before Moriarty spoke again. "Well, I'd better be off," Jim paused as he looked around for his exit route before turning back to me. "Well, so nice to have had a proper chat," he said. I raised the pistol higher and pointed it closer to Jim's head. ""What if I was to shoot you now – right now?" I asked. "Then you could cherish the look of surprise on my face. 'Cause I'd be surprised, Sherlock; really I would. And just a teensy bit disappointed. And of course you wouldn't be able to cherish it for very long," Jim paused as he began to turn away. "Ciao, Sherlock Holmes," he said as he calmly walked through the side door that John came through earlier. I slowly stepped forward to keep Moriarty in my sights. "Catch ... you ... later," I said. The door opened and Jim's high-pitched voice could be heard. "No you won't!" he said as the door closed.