Panic flooded over Molly. Five words. That's all it took. All it ever needed to take. She looked down at her phone that had buzzed. She was in the morgue working, she rarely got texts from anyone which is why she was curious to see who it was.
Help me Molly it's urgent. - SH
A loud clatter of medical instruments falling to the floor erupted around her. She ran as fast as she could, out the door, down the halls and into the city, trying her best to hail a cab and get to 221B Baker Street.
"Sherlock, I'm here, what's wrong, what do you need?" She questioned in a flurry, the words just passing for intelligible as her eyes scattered around him and their surroundings looking for a clue as to what might be wrong.
The place was a mess, although that wasn't too unusual. Papers strewn across the floor, faint smell of cigarette smoke and a kettle singing loudly in the background. Nothing too out of the ordinary though.
"Nothing is wrong Molly. I just need your help." He said as a matter of factually.
"You said it was urgent Sherlock!" She stated with disbelief and frustration that she had dropped everything, literally, to be here.
"It is urgent. Kind of. John and Mary are away and there's a case that I need your help with."
"It could have waited until I had finished work though, Sherlock!"
"Don't be ridiculous, this is far more important than anything you must be doing."
"What?! What could be so important that you need me right now, right this second?!" She said her hands on her hips waiting for an answer. Sherlock noted that she definitely was far more frustrated than he expected. He took a slight step back wary of her when she was in this mood ever since she slapped him...three times.
"This case is a high number and although I am positively sure I can do it on my own I need someone to marvel at me while i'm doing so. It helps."
Molly stood there in shock at what she had just heard. Surely not. Surely Sherlock wouldn't be dragging her along merely so he had someone to impress?
"Sherlock are you sure that's the reason?" She asked hoping that it wasn't.
"What other logical reason would there be?" He questioned back, obviously finding it ridiculous that Molly would ask such a question
"I don't know, maybe you need my expertise help in something, need a partner in disguise, or a womanly touch with this certain case."
"The fact is that you, yes you, don't know, as you said. I have already surpassed your skills long ago Molly. No disguises are needed for this case, I have no idea what gave you that impression, can you see any costumes hanging up? and if I needed a womanly touch I think you would be the last person that came to mind for that."
Her heart sank a little as his words cut through her. Sherlock noticed this but all too late. He began to apologise when she raised her hand to stop him.
"It's fine Sherlock. You didn't mean it personally but you also need to watch yourself."
Clearly this wasn't going too well. She was frustrated and now he unintentionally insulted her. She sighed trying to move past his harsh words. "What's the case?"
"A gentleman came over yesterday inquiring about his husband. I've invited him here today to get the full details of what happened."
A singular buzz sounded from the door "Speak of the devil." Sherlock said, clapping his hands together as his moved to position his chair, just right, angled ever so slightly away from the door. Molly saw that Sherlock made no move to welcome his guest. She rolled her eyes, what else could she expect from Sherlock? She opened the door and greeted the man with a kind smile. He was good looking, not too young, in his forties with grey hair. He certainly was a silver fox. "Ahh Hello Mr. St. Clair, do sit down. This is Molly."
She gave a small wave. "Tea or coffee Mr. St. Clair?"
"Yes, please. Milk no you, Miss Molly." He said smiling at her. His voice was deep. She would have never of known that he had a husband if Sherlock hadn't informed her. Maybe she was just a tad guilty of stereotyping.
"Coffee, Molly." Sherlock said. Molly nodded in response while she prepared the hot drinks. It would seem that was all she was useful for when it came to Sherlock Holmes and his unsolvable cases.
Once formalities had passed and hot drinks were ready Molly sat in the seat next to Sherlock like she had done the last time he had asked her to accompany him on a case. She pulled out her handy notebook while sweeping a strand of hair behind her ear. Mr. St. Clair watched Molly curiously and smiling once again when he caught her eye.
"So Mr. St. Clair do enlighten us."
"Well, Mr. Holmes, my husband, Neville, he's an honest man, a respectable businessman and he's just disappeared."
"Yes you informed me of that yesterday. I asked you whether or not you thought him as kidnapped, you said no as his phone, laptop, wallet, a few suits and old clothes were missing along with an overnight bag. I then asked you if you thought it was a possibility to whether or not your husband had simply left you, again you said no due to him leaving a note telling you that he would be back in a few days with a gift for Harrison, your adopted son. You said there was something more."
Molly remained quiet, not wanting to interrupt or get in the way. She scribbled down things that she felt could be important to the case. The items Neville had taken. Suits and old clothes, why not normal new clothes, why were they specifically old? Why leave a note saying you were getting a gift? All these questions crossed Molly's mind, knowing that they had probably crossed Sherlock's mind too and had already been answered as well.
"I saw him, not too long ago Mr. Holmes. Walking into a two star hotel in a rough part of the city near the Thames."
"Are you sure it was him and not just your desperate imagination trying to deny that your husband could be gone?" Sherlock replied cynically.
"I'm sure of it Mr. Holmes. I swear it was him. I walked in after him and the hotel said they hadn't any guest under his name and seen no one like him but I'm telling you I know my husband anywhere. There's something wrong."
"Yes it's quite peculiar that your husband a wealthy business man would stay in a rough two star hotel when he has more than the means to stay anywhere he pleases." Sherlock wondered aloud.
"Mr. Holmes you have to help me." Mr. St. Clair pleaded, leaning ever so slightly forward in his chair, eyes round and almost glistening.
There was a pregnant pause in the air as Sherlock debated helping Mr. St. Clair, Molly stared at Sherlock waiting to see what he would choose. "Very well. I'll look into it and report back to you if I find anything. Good day." Sherlock announced as he stood, leaving towards his bedroom, shutting the door loudly behind him.
Mr. St. Clair and Molly were alone. She felt nervous and awkward, she didn't know what quite to say except to apologise for Sherlock's behaviour. No sympathy, no empathy, no feeling. Although that was to be more than expected when Sherlock had a case. Feelings were disadvantages to Sherlock. She didn't believe it though. Sherlock always seemed to work best when he was feeling something whether it be fear or empathy towards someone. He hid it well but Molly could see.
"I'm sorry, Mr. St. Clair, Sherlock can be quite...well you saw. He's honestly a very good man and the very best at his work." She flustered out trying to find some excuse for Sherlock's behaviour.
"It's quite alright Miss Molly." flashing a bright smile at her as he stood to leave. "I know he's the best that's why I came. I trust him, even if he can be quite...well you know."
"Thank you for coming." She said as she showed him out. She thought about him smiling at her, for someone who's husband was missing he didn't seem to be that distraught as she would have thought, maybe it was just men and them always hiding their feelings, maybe it was just him being polite. That must be it she thought.
Notes: This hasn't been beta'd (I really must get someone soon) so do excuse any mistakes, please let me know if you see any or have any constructive criticism. Also any encouragement would be welcomed warmly, just to let me know if i'm going in the right track or not. Thank you!