AU: Alright, for those of you who read my Hobbit fan fiction, have no fear I have absolutely no plan of leaving that behind.

I like constructive criticism as it will help me figure out where I'm going with this story, but no flames please! This is my first ever attempt at writing Sherlock; we'll see how this goes.

(Very Important!) I have only seen the first two seasons of Sherlock because of technical issues with my TV, so let's say Sherlock 'died' and 'came back' and things happened, but since I know very little about Mary, she won't be in this. Sorry Mary fans :(

Introduction

"Commendable effort, that, however I think you'll be disappointed to know that your plan hasn't particularly gotten you the kind of attention you hoped to acquire."

"Oh, I haven't even begun my plan yet. All you've witnessed is the prequel, the initiatory, the d'abord. No, my plan is starting right now. Bring him out!"

He recognized the suppressed grunt of pain before he saw the face of the person who was thrown to the floor.

"My plan is staring now, Sherlock. Bring me the file in less than 48 hours, and he might actually get out of this situation."

The Au Fait Robbery

Some time prior...

"Just another day in the flat. Just another day the bloody flat. Just another bloody day at the bloody-"

"If you say that one more time, the flat's not going to be the only thing around here that's bloody."

"I can't stand this sitting around, this waiting! I need a case, that's what I need, a case. Are there any on the-"

"No, Sherlock, as I've said before, there are none on the blog. I think you've got to face facts that, at this time in the autumn, everyone's either busy with work or off with family."

"Off with family, that's good. Family often causes cases!"

"Sherlock?"

"Hm?"

"You told Lestrade that you would make a short appearance at that fun house his niece set up for that charity foundation. You're supposed to be there in a half hour."

"I never told him any such thing."

"Yes you did. When he asked, you said, 'mm hm'."

"Mm hm is a noncommittal sound."

"No, in case you hadn't heard, mm hm is a sound of agreement."

"I never said I agreed."

"It would get you out of the flat."

"I never said I wanted out of the flat."

"Just a minute ago you-"

"Wanted a case, not a charity donation of my time."

"Of which you have plenty, currently."

"You're welcome to go."

"Fine, I'll just tell all the excited children that the 'great Sherlock Holmes' couldn't be there with them due to an extreme case of a superiority complex!"

"Yes, you do that... Why aren't you leaving, you only have a half hour to get there."

The door shut, and John huffed as he set off, the last of the sunrise still painting the sky a dull pink.

AU: Thoughts, comments? Tell me what ya think!