John followed Ludovic through the hallways, looking anxiously behind him every few seconds, wondering whether or not Mycroft, Molly and Lucy got out safe. He wanted more than anything to go with them, go home and relax, but he couldn't. He wasn't going anywhere without Sherlock.

"How far?" John whispered, adjusting his gun as groups of guards crawled through the hallway across them.

Ludovic squinted at his map-apparently he'd had several stuffed in his pockets-and cleared his throat, "Not far. A few hallways-"

"It surprise's me how slow you two are," the walls seemed to vibrate from a cool, sly voice that blared from an intercom. John recognized it immediately. Jamen. "I almost sent my guards down to get you. But I suppose it's better to let you think you'll win."

"You can see us?" John hollered, keeping his voice even. Even though his heart was pounding against his chest like drums.

"Of course I can!" The voice laughed, "You think I spent half a million dollars on security so I could switch off the cameras and let intruders get away? To be fair, I guess I did let your friends go, but that's for another time."

John swallowed as Ludovic clenched his fists, for once looking serious, "You let us beat up your guards because you wanted us to think we were winning?"

"Of course not, that was actually unexpected. I shouldn't have underestimated you, John. I understand why Sherlock keeps you around now, other than to pull him out of the idiotic situations he gets himself in. Tell me, does he still lock himself in his room like an insolent child whenever he doesn't get what he wants?"

"Shut up," John wanted to throw an insult back at the man, but his thoughts became too erratic and hazy as several armed men appeared in front of him. They each wore dark clothes, bullet proof vests and held a gun in their left hand. Ludovic's gasp as he turned around confirmed John's fear that he'd see more men behind him. They were surrounded.

"I've got a deal for you. Each of these lovely men-who have incredibly accurate aim, I assure you-are programmed to follow my thoughts. Now, I really feel like killing something, today's been rather stressful for me and I'm not particularly appreciative of you beating up my men. However, Sherlock's having some trouble adjusting to his new home. I'm afraid he'll loose his sanity if he doesn't have anyone in there with him. He keeps flipping off all my scientists, so if you surrender, and agree to stay with Sherlock...I'll consider letting you live."

John reached into his pocket, gripping his gun tightly, "How generous." He muttered, keeping his eyes firmly on the men's guns. He wished Sherlock could be there at that moment, he always came up with ways to get out of dangerous situations such as this. He could always find a way to dodge death. But John was alone. He had to figure out a way to get out himself.

"Ha! If you think were just going to surrender-"

"We'll do it. We surrender." John interrupted Ludovic, dropping his gun to the floor and sliding it across the hallway.

"John, what are you...?" Ludovic started, but cut off as John shot him a look. A look Sherlock had given John many times, a look that meant he knew what he was doing.

"Wonderful. I hate cleaning up unnecessary messes. If you'll be polite enough to follow my amazing assistants, I'll make sure to-"

"On one condition." John squared his shoulders, ignoring the searing sting of all the eyes-and probably guns-staring at him.

Jamen was silent for a few moments, "I'm sorry?"

"I will surrender, on one condition. Did you not hear me the first time?"

"Usually I'd take something so foolish rather badly, but I am curious. What exactly is your condition?" Jamen drawled, amusement and a hint of interest in his tone.

John cleared his throat, wishing he had Sherlock's penetrating stare and cheekbones, "I want to meet with you in your office."

"Oh, I see. So you can take me down and use me as a hostage in exchange for Sherlock?" Jamen asked, making John smirk. This man definitely kept up on his movies.

"Maybe we will!" Ludovic cried out, holding John's shoulders reassuringly as John looked straight into one of the camera's pointed at him, "No, in fact, I'd like your guards to accompany me. I want everyone to hear what I have to say."

"And why can't you just say it now?" Jamen questioned, "dramatic flare, perhaps?"

John shrugged, "Kind of, actually. I want to see the look in your eyes as I convince you to let me, Sherlock, and Ludovic go. I want to see the fear."

John was proud of the confidence in his voice, because inside he was freaking out. He had a very hard time being intimidating, unless he was mad or with mustache, or both. But it seemed to work, because after a few moments of dead silence-until Ludovic idiotically began whistling to fill in the silence- one of the guards stepped forward, motioning for them to follow.

...

Jamen Cassius's so called office looked more like a room in Buckingham palace as he shuffled his way inside. John would know, he'd been there. The whole building appeared to be old, but Jamen's office was ancient. Beautifully hand woven tapestries covered the walls, the smooth ground was polished expertly, a large, antique looking desk was set in the middle of the room. A chandelier covered in rich, sparkling crystals hung directly over where Jamen stood, looking at them curiously.

His presence gave the whole room an eighteen century vibe, especially with his immaculately slicked back hair and plaid, brown tailored suit. Honestly, how many suits did this man have?

"Erm...thanks..." John muttered, not sure what else to say as Jamen motioned for his guards to block the door, with one standing next to him as well.

Jamen smiled slyly, "Of course, who am I to deny a gentleman's request?"

"Obviously himself, he must be on something." Ludovic hissed to John.

"Let's get this over with quickly," Jamen said airily waving his hand, "I need to visit Sherlock. If you don't mind me asking, has he always been so sarcastic?"

"Only to those stupid enough to earn it," John snapped back. Even though, truthfully, Sherlock was sarcastic to anyone and everyone.

"You're good at this," Ludovic muttered, "the best comeback I've ever given was to the lunch ladies in when I was merely an adolescent. It all started with this banana-"

John rolled his eyes, "Yes, alright. I don't need to know."

"You've got five minutes." Jamen snapped his fingers, and one of the guards beside him began muttering one, two, three to themselves quietly.

"Wouldn't it be easier to just use a timer?" John asked.

"Tick toc. You're running out of time."

"Oh, right. Erm..." John drew in a large breath. He'd seen Sherlock outsmart villains all the time, how hard could it be? "You're right, Jamen." He started, "You are smarter than me, I'm no Sherlock, and I've got no army of bullet proof men at my side. It's true, you can throw me in a cell for the rest of my life, I won't stop you. But...perhaps your reputation will..."

"Ooo, this is getting juicy," Ludovic whispered, making John groan.

"As I was saying...when Sherlock came home with Ludovic in his state, I researched. A lot. Did you know I had to break into a Russian database just to get to you're profile? You're very clever, maybe as clever as Sherlock. Pretending to work for the English, so you can gather information and sell it to you're customers. Supposedly you're some outstanding scientist. But really, you're just a psychotic, blood thirsty man who want's to sell dangerous chemicals to other people like you. I admit, it was a brilliant plan, you have an airtight alibi and full access to almost all of the research facilities in England. You've murdered, stolen, done horrendous things to get where you are. And now you think you can get away with using Sherlock as your guinea pig. But Sherlock has something you've never had. Friends. Allies."

Jamen sucked in a breath, glancing behind him shortly before laughing. But it wasn't like his laugh before, this was a hallow, anxious laugh, "Glad you've done your research. But what does this prove? You have no evidence, and even if you did, I'd take it from you. You've got nothing."

"Really? Were you aware that Mycroft Holmes has recently taken a tour of your lovely facility? Not to mention all the pictures I took."

"What? That's-I took your phone. You're bluffing, Mycroft Holmes is much to busy to worry about his troublesome brother." Jamen laughed, but his pupils had shrunk at such drastic portions, John could barely see them.

John glanced at his foot, "Now's my turn to lay down the deal. You could just murder me, Ludovic and find Mycroft Holmes and move on," He drawled, leaving Molly out for safety, "But imagine all the pretend accidents, surely someone would be suspicious. Mycroft has informed others of his trip to the institute, though I made sure to tell him to leave out why. So even if you do kill us, you're still going to have to answer for it. My conditions, let me, Sherlock, Ludovic go. I don't want you to follow us. I don't want you to set bugs in our flat. If I find out, I'll make sure to let Mycroft let the news...slip."

"It's been five minutes, sir!" The guard exclaimed.

Jamen glared, "Shut up! Alright, John. I guess you're not a complete idiot. I...I will let you and Ludovic go, no terms. But I can't guarantee that I won't go after Sherlock. You have no idea what you're getting into. You're life will never be the same if you leave this door with Sherlock. You have no idea-"

"You know, I've heard this same bit lodes of times," John said, his heart pounding so hard, he was sure everyone in the room could hear it, "But so far, no one has one. I don't care what I'm getting myself into, I'm not leaving without Sherlock."

It was quiet. Jamen looked, for once, human. His eyes were tightened in fury, his hands clenching with frustration, the once stone like smile was cracked and frowning.

After what seemed like decades, Jamen stood up, dusted his coat, and muttered, "Alright, John. Have it your way. You want to play the game, let's play the game. But this isn't over."

Ta daaa! Sorry, this chapter was a bit longer than the rest, but I LOVED *trying* to write a cool, rad scene. I'm not sure if this sounds good, so if you have any thoughts, be free to share them. I actually love feedback, so if you want to, tell me what you think! Anyway, thank's for reading this far! You're awesome (: BYEE!