Molly was getting ready to go to bed when she first heard the voice.
"You have an excellent voice, Molly Hooper."
She whirled around, but there was no one there. "Who said that?"
"I did you silly girl."
"Are you a ghost?"
Sherlock scoffed. "No, ghosts don't exist."
"Then what are you and why can't I see you?"
Sherlock thought for a moment. His childhood friend had grown smarter since they last met. "I was sent by your father," He said. "To train you."
"You're an angel then?"
"If you like. Now, I expect you to meet me here at the same time tomorrow. Our lessons will begin then. Sleep well, Molly Hooper."
Well that was strange Molly thought. As she crawled into bed she decided she had imagined the whole thing.
Sherlock Holmes had inhabited the cellars of the Royal Opera House for exactly two years. He had done so when the owner of the Opera House, his only friend, John Watson, got married. Sherlock decided to withdraw form society completely, seeing that everyone around him were a bunch of idiots. John, of course, knew that his friend was now living underneath the Opera House.
"You do realize this is over reacting?" His friend had said.
"Not really, you're my only friend. This way I can talk to you whenever I wish, but I don't have to converse with anyone who lowers the IQ of the whole street."
John rolled his eyes. "Fine. Just don't damage anything and I don't want anyone else to know you're here."
So he'd broken his deal with John a little, but the girl had no idea who he was or where he lived. Everything was fine.
Five Years Later
"Unbelievable!" John cried. Rehearsal had just started and the lead, Irene Adler, had yet to arrive. No sooner had John started to complain, then a telegram arrived from Irene saying she was ill and would not be able to perform tonight. "What are we going to do!?" Then John remember what Sherlock had said to him the other night.
"She's ready John. Molly. Next opera I expect Margret Hooper to be the star."
"Molly," John turned to the girl. "Do you know the song?"
Everyone was shocked. Was the owner really considering giving the role to a chorus girl?
"Y-yes." Molly stammered.
John motioned for her to come forward. "Doyle if you would." He said to the conductor. He was just as shocked as everyone else, but began nonetheless.
"Think of me
Think of me fondly
When we've said goodbye
remember me once in awhile
promise me you'll try
on that day that not so distant day when you are far away and free
if you ever find a moment spare a thought for me."
Rehearsal flew by and before Molly knew it, she was singing onstage in front of an audience.
"And though it's clear
though it was always clear
that this was never meant to be
if you happen to remember
stop and think of me
Think of August when the trees were green
don't think about the way things might have been
Think of me
Think of me waking silent and resigned
imagine me trying to hard to put you from my mind
Think of me
please say you'll think of me whatever else you chose to do
there will never be a day when I won't think of you!"
Mycroft Holmes was watching the performance in amazement. He couldn't believe it. After all these years, here was Molly Hooper. The Hooper and the Holmes families had been friends, but after James Hooper's wife died, he had moved himself and his only daughter to Nottingham. Molly had been 11 at the time and she preferred the company of 16-year-old Sherlock to 23-year-old Mycroft.
She may not remember me, but I remember her. Mycroft thought with a smile.
"Flowers fade the fruits of summer fade
they have their seasons, so do we
But please promise me that sometimes
you will… think… of… me!"
The audience erupted into applause.
When Molly got back to her dressing room, it was overflowing with flowers, but the one that caught her eye was a single red rose.
"Molly dear," Mrs. Hudson's voice interrupted her thoughts. "There is a family to see you."
"Oh?"
"The Holmes' they say you know them."
Molly broke into a huge grin. "Yes I do. Show them in at once."
"I'm not your maid, dear." Mrs. Hudson reminded her, but she opened the door anyway.
"Margret, dear." Henrietta Holmes said with a smile. "You were absolutely wonderful tonight."
"Thank you, Mrs. Holmes, but please call me Molly."
"There's no point, you'll always be little Margret to us." Basil replied warmly.
"Well even if my parent won't, I shall respect your wishes and call you Molly." A third voice said. The girl looked past the couple and saw Mycroft Holmes standing by the door.
"Yes, you remember Mycroft don't you?" Basil said.
"Of course I do!" Molly beamed. "Though I'm surprised you remember me."
"How could I forget you, Molly?"
"Oh my is that the time?" Henrietta cried. "Margret, dear I'm afraid Basil and I must be off. We're promised for dinner, but," She turned to her son. "Don't let that spoil your evening dear." She turned back to Molly. "I expect to see you for tea tomorrow, Miss Hooper."
Mycroft and Molly chuckled when they were gone. "I do apologize for mother."
"No need, she's wonderful."
"These are for you." Mycroft handed her a bouquet of lilies.
"My favorite! You remembered!"
"Of course I do. You complained one year that the deer had eaten all of mother's lilies. You said they were your favorites."
The pair sat in silence for a few moments before Mycroft spoke again.
"Would you care to join me for dinner?"
"I would love to!" Molly's face fell. "But I can't."
"Why on earth not?"
"My tutor. He doesn't want me to be distracted from singing."
"Who is your tutor?"
"I'm not really sure, he's just a voice."
Mycroft had a feeling, Molly wasn't telling him something about this tutor, but he played along. "Molly it sounds as though this tutor of yours is trying to control who you see and don't see. But surely you have been a good student?"
"Yes, I suppose so."
"Then what harm is there in going out to dinner with a childhood friend?"
Molly smiled. "None at all."
"There you see. I don't think your tutor could object to that. I shall be back in 15 minutes."
Mycroft offered her one last smile before leaving. Molly couldn't help, but squeal a little when he was gone. While it was true, she had mostly stuck to Sherlock like glue when they were younger, she had always had a crush on the elder Holmes. Speaking of Sherlock, Molly wondered where he was. Oh well, she'd ask Mycroft at dinner.
She stepped behind the screen and changed into a lovely white gown. She was getting her shawl when the candles all went out.
"Insolent man this slave of fashion. Basking in your glory. Ignorant fool, this brave young suitor. Sharing in my triumph!" Sherlock was furious. How dare his elder brother trick his student like this! Mycroft might have been everyone else's favorite, but Molly had always preferred him. And he'd be damned before he saw that change.
"Angel, I hear you. Speak, I listen. Stay by my side. Guide me. Angel, my soul was weak; forgive me. Enter at last, Master." Molly suddenly felt terrible. Her angel had always been there for her and now she was deliberately disobeying his wishes.
"Flattering child, you shall know me. See why in shadow I hide. Look at your face in the mirror. I am there inside."
Molly turned towards the mirror. Sure enough there he was. Her angel was tall. He had curly black hair and beautiful blue eyes. She was absolutely hypnotized. Molly didn't even acknowledge Mycroft knocking on the door. "Molly? Molly are you alright? But Molly heard nothing.
She was about to step through the now open mirror, when her angel extended his hand. She hesitated. She didn't know this man, was it really safe to be alone with him? But he's your angel he would never hurt you. Molly reasoned with herself and took his hand.
Yay! New story! Now I need your opinions so review!
~Kate