A/N: Just a little something based on the last scene in the Elementary episode S2E20: 'No Lack of Void.' The song/title is from Enchanted.Huge thanks to beautywithin22 who checked it over for me. Hope you like it! :)
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
So Close
…
A life goes by
Romantic dreams will stop
So I bid mine goodbye and never knew
So close was waiting, waiting here with you
And now forever I know
All that I wanted to hold you
So close
-"So Close," Jon McLaughlin (Enchanted)
…
Sherlock stood with his hands clasped behind his back, contemplating the gravestone in silence.
The general hush of the cemetery was broken by a voice at his elbow, "I never thought I'd see you here."
Sherlock suppressed a start, "Contrary to popular belief, I'm not entirely immune to sentiment," he retorted without turning around.
Molly smiled, "I know."
Silence reigned once more as they both contemplated the grave, "I'm due in court in a couple of hours," Sherlock continued after a moment, "I thought this would be a good place to gather my thoughts."
Molly nodded, suppressing an amused smile, but said nothing.
"It was after all this case that led to…" he broke off, ashamed at the way his voice was cracking. He cleared his throat, "This," he finished gruffly, gesturing stiffly towards the grave.
Molly regarded him sadly, "I'm sorry," she said finally.
Sherlock shook his head absently, "It's not your fault."
"I'm still sorry."
Sherlock nodded, surprised to find that he was blinking back tears. He tore his gaze from the headstone and stared off into the distance, looking anywhere but at the grave.
Or Molly.
"You can't blame yourself," Molly said finally, "this wasn't your fault; there was nothing you could have done."
"You don't know that," Sherlock said stubbornly.
"It wasn't your fault," she repeated firmly.
Sherlock ignored her as his gaze drifted back to the headstone, he coughed to cover up the sob that escaped as he reread the name carved on the stone.
"I never thought you would become a cliché," Molly commented, a shade dismissively, "Sherlock Holmes, standing by a graveside, head filled with regrets."
"I have no regrets," he ground out, irritably.
Molly raised an eyebrow, "Really?"
She regarded him for a long moment, her doubtful expression changing into compassion, "Why did you really come here, Sherlock?" she prompted quietly.
Sherlock closed his eyes, "Because…" he began, heaving a ragged breath as his voice broke, "because I needed to tell you that I loved you," he whispered hoarsely, "and that you will be missed."
Even though he knew that her presence had been an illusion, it didn't make it any less painful when he opened his eyes and found himself alone in front of her grave.
Silently he read the tombstone one last time:
Molly Hooper
1981-2014
Devoted friend
"If love could save, thou wouldst not have died."
Sherlock drew himself up to his full height, "Goodbye, Molly Hooper," he said quietly, steadfastly ignoring his tears pricking his eyes as he turned on his heel and left the cemetery.
...
A/N: I'm 95% I got her age right :) The quote is from an actual headstone.