Title: Firestarter
Characters/Pairings: Maybe Sherlock/Molly if you squint
Fandom: Sherlock, BBC
Warnings: CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR 2.03
Rating: K+
Notes: BBC, Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat are the owners of Sherlock, I make no profit from writing what happens in my head. This is my version for #IbelieveinSherlockHolmes
Molly didn't wave goodbye, though she saw him off at the Tube. She did not ask where he was going, or when he might be back.
He said he would contact her periodically - his awkward way of saying he would be staying in touch - letting her know he wasn't dead. He said he would be contacting Mycroft when the time was right.
She had gone back to her flat after that, opening The Times for what little "news" she could get out of it. There was an exceptionally scandalous headline.
HOLMES DECEPTION REVEALED. DETECTIVE COMMITS SUICIDE.
The article continued with a blatantly untrue tale by some stupid lout that probably hadn't seen the outside of his cubicle in several years. He probably - no definatly - had never met Sherlock. Molly didn't cut out the big gastly picture of Sherlock's wide, unseeing eyes, though she was tempted.
She considered him coming back. He'd probably be amused to read the article. Or if he ever left a forwarding address - though unlikely - she would send it.
She knew he could be off-putting. She knew that he was that strange type that Molly never could figure out what he liked. Most men were easy to find out basics - if it was male or female company they preferred, how they took their tea. What sort of cologne they preferred.
But Sherlock was a complete mystery. He didn't seem attracted to either, yet repulsed by neither. Of course, Molly would never be so bold as to ask.
This particular article however, had set her off. How dare they smear a "dead man" like this? Least of all brilliant?
Moriarty was a blip on page 9 with the regular obituaries. This was positively ridiculous.
What about the Internet?
That had been the most successful in the Occupy Worldwide movement.
Molly wasn't one to invent catchy phrases, but she opened her laptop anyway.
She wanted to say something to contradict this madness.
What did they say? Moriarty was fake, Sherlock had invented him out of his own psychosis.
Imagination in Sherlock's head. Doubt. Sherlock was mad. Hate Sherlock. Doubt Sherlock.
Molly hovered her fingers over the keys, her eyes closed. Trying to think as Sherlock might - in antonyms.
Doubt ... Believe
Fake ... Real
Moriarty was real. He was a real person and I can't believe I went out with him. He was the real freak.
I believe Sherlock Holmes. He might be strange but at least he saved who he set out to save. He didn't lie about Moriarty.
She studied the words. They were honest at least, though not exactly "catchy". She inserted a word then hit "POST".
Moriarty was real.
I believe in Sherlock Holmes.
Within minutes it was clear she wasn't the only one with that idea - but it didn't matter. When Sherlock returned, he could check the IP history if he wanted.
Because, after all, he was a fantastic detective.