All Sherlock Holmes could do was let out a sigh of relief. It was over...everything was finally over. His sister, Eurus, had agreed to help save John Watson before it was too late and was now being escorted back to Sherrinford prison. Mentally, Sherlock made a vow to visit Eurus a little more from now on, seeing as it was him that caused his younger sister to become what she did. If she wanted, he would play his violin for her, just to make her happy.
"So, what are we going to do now?" John asked, still shivering underneath the blanket he was wrapped in.
"Go home," Sherlock answered, "but I need to do something first."
"What's that?"
"I have to pay someone a visit."
Molly Hooper heard knocking on her door, waking her from an emotionally-induced slumber. The previous day really hadn't been a good one. First, she learned she had to do an autopsy on a child, then had to fill out insane amounts of paperwork, but the icing on Sherlock's birthday cake was that she got two unwanted calls that day, one of which turned her world and heart upside down. Frankly, since they came one right after the other, Molly remained very upset after Sherlock's call, but still drank her tea and managed to calm down slightly, all while crying her eyes out at Sherlock's words.
Walking over to the door, Molly contemplated what she would tell Sherlock the next time they met, if they did. She had been able to deduce that Sherlock hadn't been lying when he told her he loved her, but in what context didn't matter. All that did was that he acknowledged she mattered to him and he loved her in his own way. Those thoughts would have to wait, unfortunately, as she had a guest at her door. Why, though? It was almost four o'clock in the morning.
Unlocking the door, Molly opened it and her eyes widened upon seeing a rather drained Sherlock. He glanced at her and smiled very slightly, hoping that she would be willing to talk so early. Right now, they both needed closure and badly.
"Is there a reason you're here so early, Sherlock?" Molly asked, trying not to sound so nervous, "Something wrong?"
To Molly's shock, Sherlock didn't answer her, but, instead, pulled her to him and held her tight to his chest. She could hear his heavy breathing, almost like he was ready to crack, and feel his hands grip her arms, not wanting to let go. A moment later, she felt something wet touch the crook of her neck, but was quick to realize the source of the watery feeling was Sherlock. Gently pushing herself away a bit, Molly looked at Sherlock and was a little surprised to find he was, in fact, shedding tears. Reaching up with her hand, she wiped away his tears and made him look her in the eyes.
"Sherlock, tell me what's wrong," Molly calmly demanded, knowing she deserved some answers as to his behavior.
"Molly," Sherlock choked out, "I...I am so sorry. I never wanted for you to…"
"You're a little hysterical. Come on, let's go sit down." Molly pulled Sherlock into her flat, shut the door and locked it, then led Sherlock into her sitting room, both sitting down on her sofa, "Now, what's this all about?"
"I promise, it wasn't my idea to call you," Sherlock explained, having calmed a little on the journey to the sofa, "My sister, Eurus…"
"A sister? You have a sister?"
"Was a shock to me, too. She shot John with a tranquilizer when she revealed herself to him."
"Not exactly the best choice of therapist."
"Or person to text cheat on Mary with."
"What?"
"Never mind that last one. My point is, she was forcing me to hurt you by having you tell me you love me. She...had a coffin made for you. If I didn't comply, you would die...or so I was told. That entire phone call was just to get me to hurt you by using your feeling for me against me." A stray tear fell from Sherlock's eyes, "I hurt you and I'm sorry. Can you forgive me?"
Molly touched Sherlock's face, staring into his blue-gray eyes with her own chestnut eyes. She could see the pain and sorrow in Sherlock's face, but it was when she touched his hands and felt the torn skin and dried blood on his knuckles that Molly completely understood what had transpired.
"Listen to me, Sherlock Holmes," she commanded, "I know that your sister caused you so much pain in hurting me, but I can tell there's more than that. You caused yourself pain over me and that's not something I want you to do."
"Maybe I did because I don't deserve you!" Sherlock screamed, surprising Molly once again.
"Don't you think I should have a say in that? You know what? You're probably right. I do deserve better, but you're the man my heart chose."
"Molly, don't let your heart rule your head. Eurus got into mine that way. For a moment, I thought that...that…"
"That I would die." Molly sighed, "Well, I'm still here, aren't I? Even though your sister forced you to rip my heart out and stomp on it, I'm still here. What does that say about me?"
"That you're an idiot?" Sherlock joked.
"No. It means that, despite that phone call, I'm not going anywhere, especially in your state. This could possibly be a danger night."
"The past twenty-four bloody hours have been a danger night. Eurus murdered five innocent people just to play a game. It was a game to get my attention, the attention of her older brother whose love she needed."
"Poor her. What did she do that made her think like that?"
"Doesn't matter. What does matter is that you're safe. Not only that, we have a chance to mend what's left of our friendship."
"Is there anything to mend, Sherlock?"
"Of course there is! Molly, I thought I was going to lose you today and we had our hearts torn out and thrown in our faces! Had I known, I would have never…"
Sherlock never got the chance to finish the sentence because, for the second time in twelve hours, his heart took over and tears dropped from his eyes. Molly carefully placed her hands around Sherlock and pulled him towards her, letting his face be buried into her shoulder.
"Everything's going to be okay, Sherlock," she said, hoping that would calm him.
"It's not okay," Sherlock sobbed.
"No." Molly placed a gentle kiss on Sherlock's temple, "But it is what it is."
