Note From the Author:

So this is the first chapter of my story. Please feel free to share any comments, questions, or concerns. In order to understand this story you will have to completely disregard the fact that Series 3 came out. If you have seen Series 3 already, then please just read this as if it hadn't came out yet! Thanks so much for reading and I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1

Molly had just arrived back at her flat from a rather long and tedious 12-hour shift at the morgue. She had gotten off the tube in just enough time for her to skip up the three flights of stairs, which on this special day seemed like no feat at all, much unlike the long and seemingly infinite three flights she takes down every morn before work, but on this particular day her adrenaline was up so high that she felt her heart might bust right out of her chest. No, she wasn't her normal laid-back Molly self today, I mean how could one not be as excited as she? For today was the day so highly anticipated by any and every one rooting for either Spain or England, today England would take on the reigning champs for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Finals. Now, Molly hadn't ever been one for sports and such, oh such a waste of time. However, ever since the alleged death of the world's only consulting detective she had become closer to her friends and had become somewhat fond of the flourishing friendship between herself and Detective Inspector Greg Lestrade and anyone who knew squat about Lestrade would know one thing…. He had a passion for football. Molly and Greg had spent several evenings down at the local sports grill having a nice dinner and catching the football game. Greg had taken the time to explain the game to Molly and she had become incredibly fond of the game as well. On this special day she had invited the whole gang (John Watson, Mary Morstan, Greg Lestrade, & even though she knew she'd never come) to catch the game at her flat, complete with refreshments.

On her way up to the flat she had stopped at the mailboxes in the hall which happened to be so conveniently located right outside her door. As she removed all the mail from the box neatly labeled, Miss Molly Hooper. As she unlocked her front door she shuffled through the mail composed of bills, bills, and more bills. Of course she hadn't noticed the small green envelope mixed in with the daily coupons from the local supermarket and bakery located directly across the street from the flat. She always saved the coupons for the bakery in a small basket on the entry-way table, for she was partial to the local bakery for their sweet honey bread. As she dropped the coupons into the basket in which they belonged she didn't realize the petite letter alongside the money savers.

Molly quickly busied herself with detail cleaning the bathroom, a brisk dusting, and arranging the finger foods to allow easy access for those preoccupied fingers (the game is expected to be a nail-biter). Soon her friends would arrive so Molly hurried to get herself freshened up a bit. The first to arrive was Greg, of course, he couldn't miss any of the pregame show! John and his fiancé Mary weren't long after Greg, for Mary just hated being the last one anywhere, especially her best friend's little get together.

John and Mary had met three short months after Sherlock had jumped off St. Bart's just two years ago. The wound of losing his best friend was still fresh and always would hurt but Mary had helped him through the mourning process and filled a place in his heart that he never knew existed. John was just sure that Mary was an angel straight from heaven itself. She came at the time he needed her most and had not only comforted when he was distressed but had wept alongside him. Even though she didn't know Sherlock personally she couldn't help but feel like she knew him. John told stories from when they used to work side by side, Sherlock deducing and himself just being completely and utterly amazed at his accuracy. Just the two of them, against the rest of the world. Mary and John were a match made in heaven, if you will, and loved each other from the moment their eyes met.

It was halftime now and England was down 1-0. Spain's defense was dominating and England was having a hard time getting the ball up the field. During the halftime show Mary and her dearest friend Molly decided to run across the street to the bakery to grab a couple of those oh-so-divine honey bread loaves. Before dashing out the door Mary and Molly grabbed their coats and then continued out the door. They scuttled across the rainy street and entered the small bakery. Molly came in first with Mary bringing up the rear, they both stopped and inhaled deeply. The aromas entering their noses were so sweet and savory that they felt as if they were in a loaf of bread at that moment, baking in one of the small ovens lining the back wall of the shop. The head baker turned his attention to the familiar face of Molly Hooper.

"How's my favorite customer on this fine day? Enjoying this weather?" He boomed in a low baritone voice.

"Doing well, thank you for asking! Oh, yes indeed. How's the wife and the boys?" she answered, still amazed by how the bakery smelt.

"Same ole, same ole…. Both Robert and Henry are growing like weeds, eating me out of house and home!" he said while flailing his large, callused hands in the air.

"That's good to hear. Well, Mary and I have just come over to pick up a few of your scrumptious honey loaves!" she stated motioning for Mary to join in on the conversation.

"Just in time, too. I've just got three coming out of the oven! Oh, yes, Mary. How's the ole Doctor Watson doing?" he bellowed while arranging the loaves into the brown paper sack.

"He's doing fine, thanks for asking. Enjoying the game with Lestrade right now." Mary chimed in.

"Wish I could join you, but bread doesn't make itself you know! You enjoy this bread… on the house." Phillip stated with a long rolling chuckle.

"Thank you so!" said Molly, surprised by this uncalled for act of kindness.

"Yes, indeed. Well, we better be on our way. Don't want to miss the any of the match, do we Molly?" Mary reminded sweetly.

"Oh, yes. We better get going. See you Phillip! And thanks again!" called Molly as they walked out the door.

Mary and Molly dashed back across the street, trying not to be hit be the cabs. They raced up the stairs and got to Molly's door just in the nick of time. No sooner then they placed the brown bakery sack on the kitchen table did they hear the commentators on the tellie say that it was time to kick off the second half. As Molly took both Mary's and her coat to hang in the entry hall, Mary pulled out the festive red, white, and blue plates and served a few pieces of the bread to the two men lounging on the large sofa in the tv room. The boys' eyes glued to the television set thanked Mary for the bread and gobbled up the bread quicker than Sherlock could say, "Vatican Cameos". While the others enjoyed the bread, Molly sorted through her mail and added the remaining coupons to her coupon basket. As she went to drop more of Phillip's money savers into the basket is when she noticed it. The small mint green colored envelope with her name and address carefully labeled on the front. She turned the petite letter in her hands thinking to herself, How could this be? He told me he would never be able to contact me again. I-is it, could it be that he's in trouble…. She quickly cleared her thoughts, There is no way he would ever say anything again. He's hiding, and he wouldn't be dumb enough to put his name on the return address… Would he? She carefully turned the envelope over and there in dark fountain pen the address, 221b Baker Street, and the two letters, -SH.