Playing Games With The Devil - A Sherlock Fanfiction

Chapter sixteen: Falling In Reverse

After leaving Lestrade and my Mother I went to Barts. The body was of a young woman, probably no older than 20. There was a bullet wound clean though the middle of her forehead. I now know why Lestrade wouldn't think this was Moriarty's doing; he prefers dramatics when it comes to murder and this is just too simple.

What I still haven't figured out is why. What was the point in having a random girl killed? From what I've learned about Moriarty thus far there is a motive behind everything he does.

Which I why I am now sitting in my flat analysing all the information I could get on him. I already collected a great deal when I was trying to prove Sherlock wasn't a fraud but most of it just consists of irrelevant details anyone could get a hold of.

I don't understand why there are absolutely no records of his family or childhood at all. It's very hard for me to believe he could have destroyed everything that ties him to his past or why he would even want to for that matter. There must be something Moriarty desperately doesn't want anyone to know about. I'm considering going to Mycroft for help. He's the one who told me and Sherlock about Moriarty having his family killed so maybe he knows more. I mean it can't hurt to try.

But, there's the issue of my mother. It's obvious the information she had was more than useful to Mycroft or he would have never indulged her even for a second. I mean what I said, I don't ever what to see her again. However, if Mycroft still needs something from her he won't help me until I mend things up after our latest encounter. My only other option is Sherlock.

I'm positive he will help but then again it's Sherlock, one can never be too reliant on his cooperation. Perhaps if I go to Baker Street I'll be able to persuade him more in person than in a text.

I look for my phone under the pile of papers and check the time. 23:16. I can't believe I've spent all day here researching Moriarty. I really need to get a normal life. Perhaps in the future someone will create a store where such thing is possible. Hello, I would like to purchase one life that isn't filled with psycho brothers, sociopathic detectives, a crazy mom and a criminal psychopaths. Please and thank you.

I laugh at my own thoughts before shoving my phone in my pocket and grabbing my coat. Thanks to Mycroft relocating me it only takes about 15 minutes to walk to 221B. The door is unlocked so I open it quietly to avoid waking Mrs. Hudson. As I'm walking up the stairs I hear voices. Sherlock's is easy to identify, the other one I'm not quite sure. I proceed up the stairs and stop at the door debating on whether I should knock or not.

Before I can make my decision Sherlock opens the door. "You're really not that good at sneaking into a place are you?" Sherlock asks rhetorically. "I wasn't trying to sneak in. I came to ask for a favour." I tell him getting straight to the point. He walks back to his chair leaving the door open. I follow behind him and see Mary sitting on the couch holding Clarissa. "How is John?" I ask her. "The doctor wanted to keep him in the hospital for a few days just to observe but other than that he's doing fine." She replied. I smile halfheartedly and just stand in the middle of the room.

"What kind of favour?" Sherlock asks me. "I need you to talk to Mycroft and get him to give you all the information he has on Moriarty. I would ask him myself but complications arose." I explain. "Mycroft doesn't know anything about Moriarty that would be of use." He says disregarding me. "I think he might. He said he had evidence that Moriarty had his family murdered, perhaps he knows even more." I tell him. "Doubt it." Sherlock replies. "Remember when you wanted me to find out what Moriarty's weaknesses were? Well I think I might have a chance of doing so but I need your help. Mycroft knows more than what he would like you to believe." I say trying to convince him.

"When exactly did you go from being extremely cleaver to just plain stupid? I don't need my brother to find Moriarty's weakness, I already have." He says looking agitated. The baby begins crying so Mary gets up and leaves to go into a different room. I must have a confused look on my face because Sherlock takes one glance at me and exclaims, "Oh for Gods sake, you're becoming his weakness!"

"And you're become crazy." I say trying to keep calm. I'm not sure why but hearing Sherlock say I'm Moriarty's weakness really makes me uncomfortable. "Deny it all you want, it's not going to change the facts." Sherlock tells me a bored expression growing on his face. "Tell me, Sherlock, what exactly are the facts? Do you really think Moriarty is capable of loving someone enough they become a weakness?" I ask incredulously.

"This has nothing to do with love. Moriarty doesn't love anyone, nor will he ever. No, this is about syndication of the highest degree. He wants to control you, and won't stop until he's successful. I think you can already guess what happens then." Sherlock says. "He'll have me killed." I reply. "Precisely." He agrees.

"I wonder what exactly made him decide to spare your life." I tell him. "Do you really have that horrible of a memory? He didn't spare my life, I outsmarted him." Sherlock says defensively. "Oh please. He faked his suicide too. Moriarty knew all along that you were alive and yet he didn't have you killed. If your logic is correct, I would say you, Mr.Holmes, is as much as one of Moriarty's weaknesses as I am." I say with a smile. "And I'm pretty sure you were about to get to the part where you tell me to utilise the one small sliver of power I posses over him and yet you can't even do so yourself." I add.

For once Sherlock is silenced. He picks up his violin and turns to face the window. I roll my eyes at his back and walk out. So much for getting his help.

I leave 221B and begin walking back to my flat. "Conformity," I hear familiar voice say from behind me. "We all fall accustomed to it eventually." He adds. "What exactly do you want, Sebastian?" I ask not bothering to stop. He catches up and begins matching my pace. "You're trying so very hard to be good but that's just not who you are. And eventually you will go back to being the person you once were. So why bother? You could have so much more fun if you'd just ditch that detective." Sebastian says completely ignoring my question.

"I know this is going to be very difficult for you to understand, but I've changed. I refuse to be that person again." I tell him. Sebastian laughs at this. "Really? You've changed? You murdered an entire family, that doesn't sound like someone who's changed to me." He replies. "I plan on stopping Moriarty." I say trying to sound confident. "If you're so keen on stopping him, why have you been sending him flirty messages?" Sebastian asks.

I stop walking and turn to face him. "How do you know about our messages?" I ask him. "He told me." Sebastian says with a smirk. "You think you're powerful because Moriarty lets you in on a few irrelevant messages? One day you'll mess up, or he'll simply find someone better and then you'll be of no use anymore. And just like me and that detective, he will eventually eradicate you." I say and resume walking.

Sebastian says nothing but continues to follow me. "So, what did Moriarty send you here for this time?" I ask. "He didn't send me." Sebastian replies. "Then why are you following me around? I doubt it's simply for the good company." I say glancing over at him. "You were right about one thing, once he's done with someone he gets rid of them. When the time comes that you are finally no use to him anymore he'll send me to kill you." Sebastian tell me.

"Honestly, I already suspected that."

"I've known it all along but tonight I really started thinking about it, how would feel to have to end your life. I don't think I can do it." He says running his fingers through his hair. I remember Sebastian would always do this when he was angry or frustrated. "Since when did you care whether or not I live? And is that why you told me to ditch Sherlock, you think he will spare my life if I'm like him?" I ask. He shrugs. "If it were anyone else I wouldn't even have to hesitate. But it's different with you." Sebastian explains ignoring my last question. "How is it different? The minute you learned Moriarty was alive you ditched me like I was nothing." I say to him. "I told you before, I was only trying to protect you." He says raising his voice.

"Why are you even telling me this?" I ask. "Because I have no idea what the hell I am going to do!" Sebastian exclaims. He grabs my arm and turns me so I am facing him. "I don't think I can help you with that." I tell him. Sebastian's whole demeanour changes. He takes a step closer so we're only inches from one another. For one brief moment I think he's about to kiss me, but he doesn't. "You can't." He says and walks away. I stand here for a moment watching him waiting to see if he will turn back around even though I already know he won't.