Chapter Text
CHAPTER 1. Et Tu
John held a postcard in his hand, Jesse usually sent a text but for some reason beyond him he’d found a postcard on his desk this morning when he’d clocked in at the clinic. The last one Jesse had sent was over a year ago, from Brazil, it hadn’t said much but from soldier to another it wouldn’t have to.
This one was different; it had a picture of the London Eye, and on the back a day and time. It was today’s date and the time would be a little after noon.
He thought it odd and would have wondered if the postcard was really from the ex soldier, if it handnt been in her familiar scrawl and of course at the bottom she’d added the motto of the New Zealand army “Onward”.
Still it wasnt her usual way of communitcation, he wondered if something could be wrong, perhaps Helena or Irene as he knew The Woman, had gotten herself into some trouble. No, that wouldn’t be it, surely Jesse a trained sniper and Extraction specialist would have simply come to the flat and asked John and Sherlock for help. She wouldt take chances when it came to her best friend Helena/Irene.
That’s why at exactly five minutes before he was due to meet up with his sister in arms, he sent a text to Sherlock letting him know where he was and clue him in on who he was meeting. The Doctor was a firm believer in the saying; better safe then sorry.
“Meeting up at the London Eye, having lunch with an old friend from New Zealand. Fill you in later.”-JW
Standing there in the building he scanned the area, several tourists were milling around shooting pictures and laughing, he caught site of someone in a familiar red coat and dark glasses standing near a maintenance exit, she smiled her normal ruby lipped smile and turned on her red heels to leave through the employee only restricted exit. John noted The Woman had dyed her hair blond this time, that and Jesse wasn’t anywhere near, perhaps the ex army sniper was waiting on the other side of the door. But why the secrecy? John started after the now blond Helena, first glancing around carefully, just to be sure he wasn’t being followed.
“Doctor Watson.” The Woman greeted him quickly, standing under the shade of the building.
“Irene? What the hell? Where’s Jesse?” The Woman gave a sad smile, almost apologetic smile.
“Doctor Watson, I am so sorry for this. So sorry. Don’t fight them it’ll be fine.” She removed her glasses stepping back John was about to say something, ignoring the buzz of his mobile in his hands, he never managed to get whatever it was he had started to say out, before the sharp pinch at the nape of his neck registered. Rough hands came up to catch him as he swayed the look of betrayal fading from his face as he lost consciousness.
“Be careful with him!” Helena snapped as two fairly large men lifted the smaller man into the back of what looked like a maintenance van.
“If he is who you say he is then our boss will make the trade.”
“That wasn’t the deal! Where is she!?” Helena growled drawing a gun, the man closest to her dressed in a gray coveralls laughed.
“Shoot us and you’ll never get her back. We’ll be in contact. Be ready with the payment.”
“What does D’Arma want with him anyway?” Irene demanded following the larger of the two men.
“It’s not the Doctor he’s interested in. You of all people do understand the importance of family. The Doctor is just a little bit of a insurance policy.”
“What do you want Sherlock to do? I thought this was about a trial the Doctor was a witness in? D’Arma never said anything about-”
“Who the hell is Sherlock? No, this is about a trial. Seniore D’Arma was hoping his brother’s lawyer was good enough to get him off, but it seems there is too strong of evidence against him. And unfortunately this man’s sister will play the perfect witness. It will all work out. Just have your payment ready. If you try any tricks or come up short in anyway D’Arma will return your own dear sister to you, but in pieces.”