Chapter Text
There was no way Moriarty was still alive, was there? Sherlock played back the scene at the fall over and over again. The shot had came out so clear, gun poweder residue mixed with brain matter. An illusion perhaps? Moriarty had always been a master at tricks, weaving in elaborate lies that masked his getaways. What sealed the thought was Eurus, if it wasn't for her interference Sherlock might have carried on hoping that the consulting criminal would only remain alive in his mind palace, tormenting him even at his grave. Tearing down Moriarties web had been a joke, a distraction from the bigger picture. Sherlock was going to lure him out. Sadly the young Holmes was missing a key piece. He was missing a piece. 2 weeks passed without any luck and Sherlock was growing more and more irritated, so when the younger Holmes opened his front door to see his brother- the word "annoyed" was an understatement.
"Y/N L/N. "Was the first words out of Mycrofts mouth as he stood there with a file in his hands.
"I assume that this is relevant information but I'm a bit busy. " Sherlock said already going close the front door.
"They worked with Moriarty." Mycroft said, which caused Sherlock to stall his action.
"L/N was a former government employee who was discharged from service. They started a black market ring for stolen artifacts and worked very closely with Moriarty. Currently they're in my custody" "And?" Sherlock proded "They were at the fall." Sherlock's eyebrows shot up,
". . So what youre saying is that they might have relevant information.."
"Yes."
The room you were being held in was barren, four white walls caged you. The metal chair you were sitting on was pretty uncomfortable. Your hands were shackled together but other than that you were free to move around. This was not how you had planned out to spend your friday, you had planned to watch a mind numbing reality show and to trash talk the contestants. When the door opened you expected Mycroft to walk in, god you could not handle an another absolutely grueling discussion about the ins and outs of your criminal activities. What you hadn't expected was the other Holmes brother.
"Sherlock Holmes." He said curtly.
"I know who you are. Did your brother send you here so i could babysit you?"
"Do you think you're funny?"
"Why wouldn't I? I'm hilarious" you leaned back in your chair.
"Drop the act, where is Moriarty." "Why would i know that? We haven't talked in.." your eyes glazzed over and you titled your head slightly " 49 months approximately..you know about 4 years give or take after he shot himself in the head."
" Drop the act, y/n. You dont think he's actually dead, do you?" With that your gaze turned cold and you looked the detective up and down.
"Listen, I don't know what you're trying to get at but I'm a very busy person and I don't have time for speculating whether my old associate is dead or not."
"Associate? I thought you two were closer than that."
"We had a work related relationship, which was friendly but I wouldnt call it anything other than a work necessity." The detective furrowed his brow and you could see he was going frustrated, which put you in a slight advantage.
"You took a bullet for him, Y/n." You rolled your eyes " Call it a former bodyguard instinct."
"I don't believe that. I think you're lying to protect yourself. You don't want to admit that you two had a deeper connection. Former employee of the government and a scum criminal."
"He's not some lowly criminal scum, Sherlock. Moriarty is and always has been brilliant."
"Ah very high praise for someone who was just a work associate. A necessity?" He proded. You sighed and closed your eyes. "I don't know what to tell you other than that i don't know what happened back there. For all i know and care he's dead."
"Right. Obviously this isn't working but this isn't over. I know you're not telling me something." Sherlock said before going out. You buried your face in your hands and groaned. . This wasn't what you had wanted. After a couple hours a noise outside the door made you perk up.
"What do you mean their bail has been payed. They can't leave, we have too much on them." "Their lawyer is here and he's adamant."
The guards came in the room and uncuffed you. "You're free to go." Slowly getting up you rubbed your wrists. Now that was something unexpected, you hadn't expected any of your "boys" to rescue you that quick. As you exited the cement building you noticed a black cabby, how quaint. That must be your ride. The door opened and you were greeted with a familiar face.
"James."
"Y/N." There he was, dressed in a plain black shirt and sweatpants. That was the most jarring part, not the fact he was alive but the fact he wasn't wearing a suit.
"You're dressed. . . Odd."
"I come back from the dead and your first reaction is a comment about how i dress? I was expecting a little bit more shock. I'm a little disappointed L/N"
"Ah sorry. Give me a second. Oh my god, Jim??? Is that really you??" You exclaimed while getting in the cab.
"Now you've ruined it completely."
"Oh stop sulking, how was being dead? Meet the devil?" You wiggled your brows at the last remark. Jim scrunched his brows and locked eyes with you, "Oh honey I am the devil. Honestly i expected this to be a little more fun, being in hiding is. . Oh so boringgg."
"I imagine so. Why did you come back now though? I expected there to be a big reveal."
"Oh trust me there will be a big reveal."
"Mhm. Then why not wait? I imagine that surprising more people would be the end goal."
There was a brief silence, Jim seemed lost in thought, " You know, i think its just because I missed you." Now that was a shocker.
"Missed me? Who are you??"
"Oh don't act surprised, you're the only one i somewhat tolerate being around. Besides its more fun to be a showman with an audience."
"Someone to watch the buildings you blow up?" You quipped
"Precisely."
After that you two fell back in a comfortable silence, you leaned against the window and watched the cars pass. Minutes seemed to pass you by unnoticed. Your eyes trailed back to Jim, he seemed relaxed. Jim had barely changed in those 4 years, although you noticed that the rings under his eyes were a bit darker than you had remembered. You smiled, maybe things could finally go back to how they used to be.