Celebratory Goddess

Sherlock pulled back from looking at the wound, mainly to lean to hear what he was saying. “I may know what to do,” he told John reassuringly, using his regular voice once more. “We need to get there before eleven,” he informed John. “And I have a feeling wherever they’re taking them will have the number twenty-three.” Exactly like the case they read. The man’s body was found in the location where the building’s number was twenty-three, and that’s where they must have been taking them.

Alaska felt sick as Sebastian smirked at her on their way out the door. Moriarty had let go of her and she waited for Estelle to get in before she did, not saying a word until the door was shut. She looked at Estelle, and for reassurance she grabbed her friend’s hand. “We’ll be okay,” she told her, which she knew she couldn’t promise.

Moriarty watched Sebastian as the door shut. “Well, you know where we’re going,” he said, walking to the passenger door and opening it. He got into the car, waiting for Sebastian to get in. He looked back at the two, chuckling. “How sweet.”

Sebastian entered the car after Jim. He looked at the girls in the rear-view mirror and grinned. He pulled out of the lot with extra care to not be noticed. Once on the road, however, he was less cautious and more casual. Sebastian knew a short cut to the house and took it, wanting to make sure Jim met his eleven o' clock deadline.

Estelle squinted her eyes angrily at Moriarty. "God, you're so inhuman." She chastised before Sebastian drove them off. She held onto Alaska's hand tighter, wanting to relish every moment she could touch her dearest friend. They went past dozens of streets, looking and inconspicuous as possible, but something inside her hoped that they would be stopped for some suspicion, and they'd be free.

John nodded his head slowly again, gathering all the information. "Elev- Wait why eleven?" He asked, picking his volume up and attempting to pick himself up aw well. He moved to push himself into a position to stand, but the pain in his arm was greater than he imagined it to be. But all he had to do was remember his sweet-faced Alaska, and it all seemed worth it. It did not become easier, or more bearable, but he was less susceptible to quitting and abandoning the cause. Despite the searing pain in his arm, John managed to start to push himself up, but he inevitably needed Sherlock's aid.

"I love you, too," he said as Moran dragged his Estelle away from him. He looked back at John, reaching over and putting his hand on his arm, leaning closer to examine the shot. "John, can you hear me?" he said, louder than he normally talked. He knew what happened when people were shot, the loud ringing in the ears. He looked at John’s face, with his free hand slapping his cheek some. "John, I can’t do this without you."

Alaska quit protesting as Moriarty loosened up on the stairs. He seemed to give her more freedom, but he held both of her arms behind her and made her walk ahead of him. Her face was stained with tears and the only thing she was thinking about was what just happened.

Moriarty looked over at Sebastian with a playful grin. “You did an excellent job, Tiger,” he complimented, looking at Estelle. Oh, he was going to enjoy watching this. One of the only ones he actually would watch, unless it was also Holmes or Watson. As they came to the door that they would exit after the stairwells and hallways, he waited for Moran to open it for him.

"Thank you, sir." He replied, a smug smile on his face. Sebastian lead them up to the exit door, taking his arm from around Estelle's waist, and opening the door. He gestured for her to walk out before him. Sebastian knew she wouldn't dare try anything. After she exited, he held the door open for Alaska and Jim, smirking at Alaska as she walked past him. When they were all out, Sebastian opened the back door and gruffly ordered Alaska and Estelle inside.

Estelle never seriously considered running off into the night, but it had crossed her mind. She stood in the darkness, cold and scared, waiting for her fate to unfold. As Alaska walked by she couldn't help but feel a strong stabbing pain of guilt puncture her chest. Sebastian came up to her and lead them to the car, rudely ordering them into the back- which she did with no fuss at all.

John sat there, confused and angry, wanting, with every fiber of his being to be able to do something. Just above all the muffled commotion, he heard Sherlock's voice. At least he had him. He nodded slowly, a headache forming in his brain. After all the extra noise had left, John was able to get a hold on his senses. The ringing died down, but didn't go away, but he could see with substantial clarity. "Sherlock," he mumbled. "Sherlock what are we going to do?"

Sherlock looked at Estelle as she spoke, about to reply to her as well before she shouted and covered him. He stopped, turning around to see what it was when he seemed to freeze. Moran. “Estelle,” he warned, grabbing her arms again, not wanting to let go. He couldn’t, but as Moran changed targets and shot at John, he shouted,”John!”

Alaska screamed as Moran shot her fiance, but before she could even drop to her knees and try to help him Sebastian pushed her towards Jim, where arms wrapped around her body. Tears streamed down her face as she screamed bloody murder. She tried to fight against Moriarty, tried to reach for John but she couldn’t move.

Moriarty kept his wicked smile on his face as he saw Moran shoot and hit John, catching Alaska in his arms and holding her tightly. He watched as Moran held Estelle captive, this was all so perfect to Jim. He dragged Alaska around John, though stopped to deliver a blow to John’s side, laughing as she begged Jim to stop. He admired the scene greatly, watching his tiger taunt Sherlock. “Daddy’s ready to leave. It was a nice chat, boys.”

Sherlock glowered at Sebastian. “If you leave one mark on her,” he hissed, but he couldn’t advance on him to get Estelle when his friend was on the ground injured. He looked at Estelle, a look of apology in his voice as he knelt down to where John was lying on the ground.

"Not as much as you would hope, you prick." She hissed back at him, stepping hard on his foot with her heel, only to find out he was wearing steel-toed boots. Damn him. She didn't bother struggling against him now, there was no use, she just accepted it. She looked on at Alaska, sadness overwhelming her. Alaska was such a sweet girl, who was having her fiancee torn away from her, she couldn't stand to watch her friend tortured like this. Estelle looked at Sherlock one last time, showing all forgiveness. "I love you, I'll be okay."

John collided with the floor, feeling a familiar hot, sharp pain in his arm and a defining ringing in his ear. God, he's been shot. Of course, this wasn't the first time in his life- everyone knew that- but it wasn't something you got used to. He yelled out in pain, clutching his wounded arm tightly to staunch the bleeding. He felt Sherlock come to his side, and heard loud muffled voices just below the sound of the ringing. The pain made his vision double, he could only focus on the feet walking towards him and away from him. Then there was a sharp pain in his side that further obfuscated his ability to take in his surroundings.

Sebastian chuckled into her ear as Sherlock tried to threaten him. "You just fix up your boyfriend there, I'll take good care of this girl, isn't that right 'Stelle?" His cold blue eyes glared down at Sherlock with pure malevolence. Sebastian turned, still holding onto Estelle, he moved his arms so that he was holding onto her waist tightly with one hand, and pointing his gun at her with the other. He walked away, with Jim behind him, like this, leading her up the stairs and through hallways.

Sherlock sighed, she was right. How could he get them out of here without hassle? “I know you can,” he spoke softly, though he was still trying to come up with the trick up his sleeve. He glanced at John and back at Moriarty. He dropped one hand from her arm but kept the other there, looking around for a moment. “I promise I’ll try to come up with something,” he murmured into her ear.

Alaska leaned into him, watching Moriarty as John asked him this question. It was a good one, they would outnumber Moriarty. Three of his men gone, only one who wasn’t guaranteed to show up yet. It made her smirk, made her feel better about the situation.

Moriarty chuckled. He could see Sebastian coming up behind them but didn’t make it obvious that he was looking that direction. “Oh, I have my ways, John. I have my ways.” His eyes rested on Sherlock whispering in her ear. He slipped his gun back into his pocket, blinking at Sebastian as if it was a signal. “There’s no getting out of this, I’m afraid to say.”

John glowered at Moriarty. He held onto Alaska tighter, refusing to believe that they did not stand a chance. "Well you don't seem to be making any kind of move. You're just staling now." He shot back, sounding braver than he felt.

Estelle sighed, closing her eyes for a moment to collect herself. She opened her eyes and looked at Moriarty. "Then just take me, alright? And only me. John, it's okay-" she looked over her shoulder to face John, when out of the corner she saw Sebastian, her blood ran cold. "No!" She shouted as she saw his gun, she stepped behind Sherlock to cover him from Sebastian's aim.

"I don't think that's how it's going to work, love." He said darkly, with a smirk on his lips. He moved his aim from Sherlock to Watson and fired, straight into his shoulder, causing him to let go of Alaska. Sebastian smirked at the sounds of pain and horror the group emitted. Before there was time to react, Sebastian ran at them, pushed Alaska in Jim's direction and grabbed hold of Estelle, holding his gun under her chin and backing away from Sherlock. "Miss me?" He sneered with his mouth right next to her ear.

Sherlock looked at Estelle, growing protective again. “Estelle,” he said sternly, moving past John. He was behind her, grabbing her arms and giving a look to Moriarty that read ‘try me.’ He knew Moriarty wouldn’t fire, he didn’t like to get his hands dirty. He had men for that, and he saw none around. No sign of a sniper, anyone. “Estelle, don’t volunteer yourself. You aren’t going with him, no matter what.”

Moriarty tilted his head to the side. “Oh, but indeed she does have something to do with this dear. I want her as much as I want you. Sebastian does, too.” He looked down at his phone, sending to Seb,’East side of the building, having trouble collecting them. Come, Tiger. -JM.’ He looked back up as Sherlock spoke, making him laugh. “Oh, we all know that’s not true, Sherlock.” He looked at his hands on her arms, at John’s hand holding Alaska’s.

Alaska protested as Estelle pushed her behind her, she couldn’t let her best friend face any of this alone. She looked down at her hand in John’s and moved closer to him. She was keeping a good eye on him as he was texting, and she knew that couldn’t be any good. For all she knew, he could be texting someone in the building, and it made her uneasy.

Estelle looked at Sherlock, pleading with her eyes. "How exactly do you think you're going to stop him, love?" She said in a hushed tone. "I can take care of myself, and I know you've got something up your sleeve. There's no fighting this." She murmured this part, not wanting Moriarty to hear. She heard Sebastian's name come from his lips, and it sent a tingle of fire to every inch of her body. Terror and anger collided inside her- he was probably texting Sebastian right now.

Alaska moved closer to him and he put his arm about her waist, holding her to him. He agreed with Estelle, that there seemed to be no way out- but that still wouldn't stop him from trying. He refused to let his fiancee fall into the hands of Moriarty. "And how exactly do you expect to get them out of here?" He asked, knowing that even if he had called Sebastian to come, they still outnumbered Moriarty and his help.

Sebastian read the text and grinned. He was going to get his hands dirty prematurely, how wonderful. He put his phone back in his pocket and got his gun out of the glove compartment, storing it inside he coat pocket. He exited the car and entered the building with care not to be seen. From what he knew of the building's layout, he was positive he was not far from Jim, so he sprinted down a few hallways and down the stairs leading to the hallway that held them all. He came up quietly behind the four of them, slowly pulling out his gun and pointing it right at them, still unnoticed.

Sherlock gave him a sad smile. “It’s better to see them like this,” he said softly. He wanted to be a source of comfort to John as well, but he didn’t know how. He awkwardly touched his arm but withdrew it, hoping it came off as endearment. “I wouldn’t trust Moriarty though,” he mumbled to John as Jim turned around and looked at them.

Moriarty smiled, looking at the group. Oh, he couldn’t wait. Eleven would strike and Sebastian would have the two finished, and John and Sherlock could do nothing about it. He walked over to them, his hands in his pockets. Jim wasn’t one to get his hands dirty, but he wrapped his fingers around the gun in his pocket - a very unsafe place to keep it, but it still had the safety on it. “I’d hate to end this party so soon,” he said, slowly pulling it out and pointing it at the girls. “But girls, Daddy’s ready to leave.”

"It sounds like a plan," Alaska said, a real smile coming to her lips. She noticed all the dirt on her pants - the wine, blood, dirt. "We’ll have to clean you up, Missy," she teased, looking back at her friend. She was still holding onto Estelle, but she looked back at Moriarty and felt a fresh new wave of terror. She looked at John and Sherlock, as if expecting them to help in some way.

Estelle saw Moriarty behind Alaska's head, by the way he walked, she knew something was up. When he drew his gun, everything was over. How could she think that he was actually going to let them go after all the trouble he had put into them? "Jim, no." She said, defiantly, pushing Alaska behind her. "Alaska has nothing to do with this. It's me you wanted, just take me. Leave them alone." She stood tall, not allowing him to see the terror she felt.

Sherlock's touch sent warmth into John. It was an awkward touch, but he knew Sherlock meant it with some sort of kindness and comfort- something he didn't show often. When Moriarty came back, he went on the defensive again, his whole body tensed. He grabbed Alaska's hand protectively, staring Moriarty down.

Sebastian drove to the building, going a generous amount over the speed limit, but avoiding all of the police's usual stations. He made it to the building soon enough, parking in the shaded lot in the back, unnoticed by street-lamps or passerby. To let Moriarty know he was ready for them, he messaged him, 'Here.' He turned off the car and waited in darkness.

Sherlock smirked a bit, shoving his hands into his pockets as he walked a bit closer to John. “Nor could I.” He stood there for a moment, watching John with guilt. “I’m sorry this happened, you should have called us to make sure, you wouldn’t have been in this situation then.” He could see that John was tired, but attentive. He glanced at the girls, a smile twitching at his lips to hear them talking instead of crying or screaming.

Alaska smiled a bit as Estelle laughed. “To us,” she sarcastically said, shaking her head a bit. Her hands tightened around her friend’s arm before she pulled her into an embrace. “Thank you,” she said, her voice trembling. She held onto Estelle tightly. She wasn’t crying from being scared, or in pain, but she was crying because she got to share the news with Estelle.

Moriarty was talking low so no one else could hear them. “Hurry up, tiger. I want you to pull around the back so they can’t follow, and I want everything ready. Remember, eleven ‘o clock is when I want this finished.” There was a malicious smile on his face as he ordered him around.

She embraced her friend tightly, so happy to be holding her, knowing she was safe and real. She heard her voice shake with tears, but she knew she wasn't sad. She held onto her for a few moments longer, then pulled away to look at her face. "Oh 'Laska, once we get out of here, we are going to properly celebrate." She smiled, and looked down at herself, seeing the wine and blood and dirt covering her body and clothes. "Well, after we clean ourselves up."

John nodded, knowing he was right. "I know, I missed all the signs, I can't believe-" He glanced over at the girls and stopped in mid-sentence, seeing just how happy they were to be together. He looked back at Sherlock and sighed. "I guess it doesn't matter anymore."

Sebastian smirked at Jim's words. "I'll be there." He hung up the phone and put it in his pocket. He found himself to be far too excited for this, perhaps it was that he was finally going to have a hand in ruining Sherlock. Or maybe he was eager to have Estelle and Alaska back in his grasp, he was sure to not let either get away unscathed this time. He left the house, got into his car, and drove to the building.

Sherlock held her close, stroking her hair and watching Moriarty. His eyebrows furrowed together as Jim spoke to them. He looked at John as he answered Estelle, loosening his grip on her as she turned to look at them. “They’re getting married,” he muttered under his breath. It felt weird to think that John was getting married, when it felt like yesterday he had just moved in with him and then moved out with Alaska.

Moriarty raised an eyebrow at John. “No need to be hostile,” he said, his tone sharp at the end of his sentence. He let go of Alaska, setting her hand in her lap and standing to his feet. He took a step back and looked between both of the girls. “Oh, I think it’s time to catch up, don’t you think? I’m just going to make a quick phone call, and I’ll let you all go.” A lie, but it as best to make them believe him to make the plan easier. He took out his phone, dialing Sebastian’s number and holding a finger up to the group to excuse himself, before turning away and walking a few steps.

Alaska felt relieved as he let go of her, and as he turned to take his phone call she rose from where she was with John, holding onto his hand and waiting for the dizziness to go away. She stood there for a moment before walking to her best friend and grabbing onto her arms for support. “I didn’t want you to find out this way.”

Estelle laughed, it started out as a chuckle of disbelief, but it formed into a full on set of hysterical laughter. She looked at Alaska, holding onto her arms. "Only we could celebrate something like that in this way!" Her hysterical laughter had a bitter undertone, she hated the situation, and she hated it more now because Alaska and John could not revel in their happiness. Estelle got a hold of herself and looked into Alaska's eyes with full and sincere apology- "I am so happy for you both." She gave a watery smile.

John watched at Moriarty left, he stuck close to Alaska as she walked over to Estelle and Sherlock. He looked on as the two girls caught up, it was pitiful to watch- them with their sad eyes and bruised bodies- but it warmed his heart a little that they were with friends again. He looked at Sherlock, his hard face breaking into a small smile. "I couldn't think of a better way to tell you we were engaged, mate." He said sarcastically.

Sebastian heard his phone vibrate on the table. It was Jim this time instead of that blithering oaf. He picked it up, unlocked it, and answered. "Sir?" He asked into the phone, waiting to hear Jim's voice.

Sherlock jumped back as she was suddenly yanked from him, glaring at the scene. He went to Estelle again, grabbing her into his arms and not daring to let go. He stroked her hair, watching Moriarty carefully. “I won’t let them take you,” he murmured to her, looking down at his beautiful Estelle. He felt bad, to see her in such pain. It was something he never wanted to see again.

Moriarty looked at the taller man, showing no interest. “You can go now,” he said dully, kneeling in front of John and Alaska. A glimmer in the light caught his attention, on Alaska’s left hand, and he puts on a fake smile. “Oh, congratulations!” he complimented, his hand on Alaska’s arm sliding up to her hand. He took it away from John’s chest and held it tight in his own hands. “This must be a horrible way to celebrate, I’m so ashamed!” Alaska looked at Moriarty as he knelt before them, but was shocked that nothing but pure bliss came from his mouth. She raised an eyebrow, wanting to recoil from his touch but not wanting to suffer any consequence. “Thank you…” she said quietly, looking between John and Jim.

Estelle clutched Sherlock, attempting to regain her strength through his touch. God, she hurt all over, it was almost unbearable. But Sherlock made it bearable, even in the smallest ways. Her head fell to his chest and tears formed in her eyes at his words. She would love to believe them, but she saw no way of getting out of here alive unless she was in Moriarty's grasp. Moriarty's words confused her -congratulations? What? She turned her face away from Sherlock and over to where the three of them were. He was holding Alaska's hand. "What.. What's going on?"

John's jaw clenched as Moriarty touched her. He looked on at Moriarty's face with harsh scrutiny -certainly he was only trying to get in their heads, make them easier to play with. "Let go of her." He growled. John's gaze didn't leave Moriarty as he answered Estelle. "We're engaged. We came over to celebrate, and well, you know the rest."

The tall man nodded and walked away, through the wreckage of the hallway. He passed Estelle and Sherlock, giving her the most devious of grins. Then, he left, out of sight, of everyone.

Sherlock admired Estelle’s brave moment, watching her as she sat up. He watched Moriarty, who stood up with a disgusted look on his face. Slowly he made his approach to Estelle, watching Jim cautiously before he dropped to his knees next to her, touching her arm. “Are you alright?” he asked, worried. He knew Jim was going to do something to prove his anger, which was a main factor in Sherlock’s worry.

Moriarty had a wicked smile on his face, watching the two couples with amusement. But Estelle’s lash had made him even more merciless. He yanked her by the hair, pulling her up to where she was standing. “I was going to let Sebastian take the other girl first,” he hissed,”but I think we’ll save her last, just for you.” He pushed her towards the wall away from him, looking at Alaska. His shoes made an echo through the hall as he walked over to where they were. He glanced at Estelle, chuckling, and then back down at Alaska. “Such a pitiful little thing.”

Alaska flinched, being mentioned in Jim’s sentence. She held on tighter to John. “Don’t let them take me,” she told John. She closed her eyes tightly, knowing Jim was right there.

Estelle was able to manage a small smile at Sherlock's touch, but the moment didn't last for long. Before she could manage a proper reassuring sentence, the back of her head was on fire with pain as Moriarty pulled mercilessly on her hair. She gasped frantically, all the air gone in her surprise. The sound of Sebastian's name made Estelle's knees shake and her heart sink. She remembered him as well- not fondly, and she had hoped to never be on the other end of his wrath again.

John looked up at the sudden noise from Estelle and held Alaska even tighter, "I won't, I won't let either of them hurt you." He reassured her before Moriarty came in ear shot. He watched Moriarty's steps, boiling with rage at each click.

The tall man came back into view. "He says everything's ready. What'd you want me to do now, boss?" He looked kind of useless and stupid just standing, waiting for orders, like a big trained troll.

Sherlock was growing impatient as the man applied pressure onto his Estelle. He couldn’t bear it, but couldn’t do much of anything yet. “Get off her!” he said, stepping forward. He looked at Moriarty. Hearing her shouts of pain between her words made him cringe. “Moriarty, you can do whatever you want to me, but leave her alone. Leave them out of this,” he said, looking at the man that was kneeling down to Estelle.

Alaska rolled over to where her face was facing John’s chest. There was an aftertaste in her mouth that made her want water, and she realized how dry her throat was. Not only that, but her head was beginning to ache. “Don’t let me go,” she begged John quietly, clutching onto the front of his shirt.

Moriarty looked at the taller man. “Call Sebby, would you?” he said to the man, gesturing for him to get his shoe off Estelle. “Go on.” When the man took his shoe off and walked away to call Sebastian, he grabbed Estelle’s face in his hand. “Dear me, is this actually Estelle? Writhing in pain? The brave little detective, now at my mercy.” He looked up at Sherlock. “Oh no, that’s too easy. That takes the fun out of all of this.”

Blood flowed back into her hand and her neck, intensely causing her to whimper but also sigh in relief. She looked up at Moriarty, her face full of anger, the heat of his hands on her face made her uncomfortable. "Piss off." She hissed rather bravely, She jerked her face out of his hand and sat up, ignoring the stabbing pains that flooded her body. Her vision was blurry when she sat up; the pain blinded her and the sudden motion didn't allow for her vision to catch up.

John held her tight, rubbing his hand up and down her arm to comfort her. He kept his eye on the tall man as he walked away to make a phone call. He glanced over at Sherlock, who was bargaining for their lives. "It'll all be over soon." he murmured into her forehead, hoping it was true.

"Yes, sir." He replied, stepping off the girl and walking away. He dialed Sebastian's number and waited for a response. "Moran, the boss is here. Yeah- we've got all of them."

Sherlock’s eyes widened at the sound of Alaska’s screams, at the sight of Moriarty so soon. He looked at Estelle, but she wasn’t looking at him. He stepped closer. His gun was tightened in his hand. “Moriarty, such a surprise,” he said coldly. He looked at Estelle, then back at him. “Tell your brute to let go of her.” He couldn’t sit there any longer, couldn’t see her in anymore pain. But he couldn’t move any closer, not when his foot was above her collarbone.

Moriarty chuckled. “Oh, she’s yours, Johnny Boy," he smirked, yanking her halfway up and sliding her towards him. "She’s like a ragdoll, isn’t she? Such good work," he praised, looking at the taller man. His eyes went to Sherlock. "Oh, what a surprise. I love them, don’t you?” he said, shoving his hands into his pockets. He slowly walked down the hallway, delivering a blow to Alaska’s stomach with a hard kick, making his way to Estelle.

Alaska made a noise as she was pushed towards John, her stomach turning. She closed her eyes, the cold floor feeling nice against her hot cheek. She made an ‘uf’ sound as he kicked her in the stomach, throwing up some.

Estelle cried out under the pressure of the man's foot on her collarbone. Her pain and fear of the approaching Moriarty made her squirm uncomfortably, wanting to do anything to make this all stop. "Jim- Please, you don't have to -ahh- do this to -aaAAH- them." She choked out between cries of pain.

John crouched down and held onto Alaska, he was enraged when the sharp blow came to his Alaska, causing her to vomit. He held to her, watching as Moriarty approached Estelle. If it weren't for his sudden change of targets, and proximity change, John would have attacked. He kept his desires to avenge at bay, thinking of how to protect Alaska and Estelle and Sherlock over all.

The tall man chuckled as he heard Alaska moan and vomit. As Moriarty approached, she looked over his shoulder. "What shall we do with this one? She's put up quite a fuss, from what I've heard." He growled, looking down at Estelle, then back up at Sherlock, with a satisfied grin.

Sherlock watched John carefully, but was still watching the tall man. He stiffened as his show rested on her collar bone, the man wouldn’t dare hurt her, not without Moriarty’s word. He would skin him alive if plans didn’t go his way, and he knew he wouldn’t do this, not without him. “Which is why what you’re doing is an empty threat. Moriarty wants her alive, and if you kill her it’ll be your life on the line.” He looked at the man, he had it all figured out. He gave him a sly smile.

Alaska felt panic shoot through her, she should have had John stay by her side. “M-Moriarty,” she said, as he tilted her head up to look at him. As she looked into his eyes, she could see the cold, the hatred in his eyes.

Moriarty chuckled. “Did you miss me, dear?” he cooed, his other hand reaching the back of her head. He stroked her hair gently, giving her a fake, pitiful look before his hand yanked her hair up as he rose, and began to drag her to the exit, her screams filling the room. He felt no mercy for any of them, but as he stepped out into the hallway, still dragging the girl behind him, he smiled at the scene. “Play time’s over, boys. Daddy’s home”

Empty threat or not, she could still be hurt, and she was hurting, ever so tortuously. Everything seemed to stop for Estelle as she heard screams accompanied by that familiar voice, dancing in her ear drums and pulling on darkened memories. She looked in the direction of the sound and saw Alaska in his tight grip, terror filling her completely.

John turned and saw his Alaska. He left her alone and this is what had to become of her. Everything in his body went cold, the immense guilt and anger collided in his bones and made him irrational. "Let go of her!" He shouted. He was tempted to run at him, but it would ensure damage to Alaska.

He grinned maliciously at the sound of Moriarty's voice. He forced his foot down on Estelle's collarbone letting Sherlock know he could hurt her as he pleased and it would not be a hollow threat with Jim around. He watched as she writhed under his weight -waiting for Jim's orders, or Sherlock's move. whichever happened first.

Sherlock felt a pang of guilt run through him as Estelle pleaded for the man to leave Alaska alone. He looked behind the man, at John, but looked at the tall man almost instantly after so he wouldn’t think of looking behind. He smirked, what an obvious hint. “Moriarty’s at it again, then?” Sherlock admired. He had to give it to him, even though he was clever, he would have never guessed he was behind it. Mainly because he didn’t believe he would hire someone so stupid. “Don’t touch her,” Sherlock growled as the man’s foot met Estelle’s face.

Alaska closed her eyes as he kissed her head. She watched him walk towards the door with sad eyes. “I love you too,” she softly said as he walked out the door. She wanted to follow him but knew it was too risky, and too much for her at the moment.

Moriarty was a bit ways down the hallway, watching John exit the room where Alaska was kept. He smirked to himself, quietly walking down the hallway towards the door, shaking his head. He walked into the room, shoes clacking against the floor. “Hello, Alaska.” His eyes gleamed a devilish tint, the voice sending a chill down her spine. “Oh, look at you. Tsk tsk. Someone must have been a bad girl,” he taunted, kneeling down in front of her and putting a finger under her chin, tilting her head up.

She saw John behind the man and felt a mixture of relief and guilt- had everyone she cared about been dragged into this? She glared at the man intensely as she was forced to look at him. Her hand was still hot with pain and she clenched her teeth to keep from crying out more. She heard Moriarty's name and instantly feared for her life. She remembered one of her previous encounters with him, but why did he want her now?

John looked between the man and Sherlock, trying to figure out the next best move. He walked slowly, taking quiet and measured steps. He decided upon disarming him first of all. The problem was just getting close enough to do so, without causing more harm to Estelle.

The tall man frowned at Sherlock from guessing Moriarty. Damn him. But his dangerous taunting air came back when he saw how angry he made Sherlock. "As long as I've got this gun in my hands, I'll touch her how I please." He roughly stroked her cheek with the bottom of his shoe, trailing the tip of it down her neck and onto her collar bone, where he rested it, threatening to apply is weight to it. "Besides, it's not me you really have to worry about touching and harming your girl."