Lessons Learned

Untitled Part 3

          "Is he still in prison?" John asked tracing a finger over Trevor's gaunt face.  "He looks like shite!"

    "Oh yes," Mycroft said and John felt a chill at the icy tone he used.  "He crossed me once too often.  If I had my way, he'd rot there for the rest of his life.  But, I need to make a deal with him.  Actually, you need to make a deal with him."

     John looked up at Mycroft and encountered a stoic face, pursed lips and an arched brow.  "It has come to my attention that he has vital intel regarding Moriarty's current whereabouts.  You will infiltrate the prison currently holding the vile worm, and get him to tell me where I can find Moriarty's right hand man."

     "You want to send me to the same place that did this to Trevor?  This is a South American prison, Mycroft.  I've heard horror stories about places like these.  If a battle hardened fighter like Trevor is in this condition, I doubt I'd last very long.  I've definitely gotten a bit soft living in the States."

     "We're sending you in under cover.  You are the only person he might trust at this point.  We know he won't make a deal with me or any of my people.  Even as beaten as he is, he still has some sliver of self-preservation.  We believe he'll talk to you if he thinks you've been incarcerated in with him.  You'll have to make him believe it.  We've bribed the warden and he's going to house you in the same cell as our friend.  You will get special treatment and some protection.  We're authorized to offer Trevor a plea bargain for telling us where we can find Sebastian Moran and Moriarty.  If he tells us where to find him, we'll get you both out."

     "What if he doesn't want to talk?  What if he doesn't give up Jim?" John asked. 

     "You'll have to convince him, John.  Do you really think you'll ever be able to live in London as a free man with James Moriarty free?  The only reason he hasn't come after you is that you've been under my protection since you've set foot on British soil."

     "You've been....protecting me?" John asked.  He'd barely had time to process the fact that Sherlock seemed to be stalking him, and now Mycroft had been looking over his shoulder the whole time he'd been back.  He wondered if he would he ever be free of these infernal Holmes brothers.

    "When he tells us where to find him, we'll get you both out," Mycroft said.  "You will offer him his freedom and even protection.  He'll take the deal."

     "What if he doesn't want to talk?  What if he doesn't give up Jim?" John asked. 

     "You'll have to convince him, John.  Do you really think you'll ever be able to live in London as a free man with James Moriarty out there?  The only reason he hasn't come after you is that you've been under my protection since you've set foot on British soil."

     "You've been....protecting me?"

    "I've had you under 24 hour surveillance since the day you arrived. I know everything you've been up to since you arrived."

     Except a couple of interesting text messages, John thought.

 " I believe that even after Sherlock's...  Even after you escaped from him two years ago, Moriarty would still love nothing more than to sink his claws into you."

     "Why am I so important to him or to you?  Without Sherlock I'm a nobody, a washed up ex-solider turned family physician.  I couldn't even get a ready-made family to work out in the States.  I only came back for my mother and maybe a new start.  Why am I so bloody important to a megalomaniac and ...you!" John said hearing his voice rise.  He knew he was inviting all the old frustration to rush back and wash over him.  Perhaps he'd been a fool to think he'd ever really be free of it. 

    "You've always been important, Dr. Watson.  Ever since you threw in your lot with Sherlock, you changed your destiny in ways that are still playing out even today.   I knew this wasn't finished, and I knew you still had a part to play.  I will find and destroy Moriarty.  I'd like, this time, to ask for your help.  I believe my fatal mistake last time was forcing you to conform to my demands.  This time I'd like to appeal to your sense of justice and duty.  More importantly, I'd like to offer you a chance to really start over.  I can promise you a clean slate.  I'd reinstate your medical license here in the UK.  I can offer you a position of your choice at any medical facility you'd like to work in, and I'd pay you 500,000 pounds to restart your life in exchange for a few days of your time, maybe a week.  Get me the information I need about Moriarty's whereabouts, and I'll cut you loose.  I'll promise to leave you alone to live your life as you see fit, I give you my word."

     "I'm not sure I trust your word, Mycroft," John said evenly.  "I'm going to need a guarantee."