The sun over a misty London had lowered, signalling the quite repetitive and eventual end of a day. And still, this great city roared with life. Lights flickered among the constant laughter of people heading home, or yelling for a cab after a trip to the local pub.
Whilst the general population had turned in for a satisfying bout of sleep, some still refused this beckoning. In particular, this came to be Sherlock Holmes, and his long time best friend, John Watson. They currently resided in Sherlock's apartment, entranced by the video playing on John's well worn laptop.
This video was so captivating, that despite numerous attempts from Molly and Mary, the two women could simply not get them off to bed.
Each had their own reasons; Molly wanted to give Sherlock some much sought after thumbs, before she returned home after an exhausting day at the morgue. Sherlock's text had stressed the importance of arriving with the cold digits, and how there would be further instructions when Molly had arrived.
Mary on the other-hand, had wanted to end this visit hours ago. Only her husband kept her from returning home, and fueled her mounting annoyance.
The video in question was a single episode from a well awarded television show. Originally John had found out about the show from an advertisement, and had shown it to Sherlock as a joke. But quickly enough that had changed, so that both men found actual enjoyment in the series.
So much, that they couldn't be swayed to think of anything else.
The show's plot was centered around a band of pirates, which immediately piqued Sherlock's interest, being both of historic accuracy, and general creativity in the script, costumes, cinematography, and story. There was enough action to sate John's thirst, and quickly Bonded By The Sea(also known as B.B.T.S. to the more dedicated fans) was becoming a favourite between the pair.
Mary turned away from the sight of her husband and his friend perched on the consulting detective's couch, once again facing Molly with a sigh.
She met the brunette's frown with a grimace, mumbling "Men" under her breath. Just as Molly begun to nod, John's voice grumbled throughout the flat.
"I heard that."
Unconcernedly Mary finished buttoning the last two clasps to her coat, "Lovely, now maybe you can hear this. I'm tired of waiting for you John, so either you come along, or I'll head home by myself."
Clearing her own throat, Molly shifted her weight as she eyed Sherlock from the corner of her eye, "I-I was actually thinking the same thing, Sherlock. Going home, I mean. I'll just put the thumbs in the fridge, if you don't mind."
Sherlock made a noncommittal hum, waving the sound of Molly's voice away with the flick of his wrist. Besides that, there was no further response from either men.
Frowning, Mary turned back to Molly, "Right, should we head out then?"
Molly quickly nodded, hurrying to stuff the container filled with patient's thumbs into the fridge before joining the small blonde. As they headed out, closing the door to Sherlock's abode behind them, they started to have an awkward sort of chat.
Neither really dealt with the other before, at least, besides the occasional nod and pleasantries. They had, however, an even footing to strike up a conversation.
"I really do hate when they get like that," Mary admitted, "makes you wonder if he'd notice if I left."
"I know what you mean. Invisible. It always makes m-you question if you even matter."
As they climbed down the steps, Mary paused, "That's a thought, isn't it?"
Molly faltered as well, overcome with confusion as she frowned at the blonde beside her, "I'm not quite sure what you mean?"
Mary reached out, placing a firm grip on the brunette's shoulder with a impish grin, "Being invisible!"
"...Sorry?"
Mary glanced back to the top of the stairs, wondering if anyone would listen in to their conversation, satisfied, she turned back to Molly.
"Think about it, us, running off!"
Molly stepped as far back as the staircase would allow, brows knit together, "And why on earth would we do that?" She shook her head, "Where would we go?"
"That's the best part, we'd go anywhere. Just you and I; let's make a trip out of it!"
"I..." Troubled, Molly shifted the bag hanging from her shoulder, "I have responsibilities. The hospital and..and I have a cat! Toby, remember...?"
Mary snorted, "Those are just excuses. We both know you're long over due for some vacation time, not to mention you could easily get someone to watch Toby for you."
"Well what about you?! You're married for Pete's sake! I don't think John will like this plan, not one bit!"
Rolling her eyes, Mary scoffed, "John? John, goes on countless, and not to mention dangerous missions with that friend of his. He's not exactly one to judge. And look, I don't plan on cheating on him or anything. All I'm saying is...it's not fair. Why do they get all the adventures while we waste away at home? Worrying?"
Molly bristled, "You make it sound like I'm a can about to expire, I have nothing to worry about! I-it's not like Sherlock and I are.." Quickly Molly waved the thought away with her hand.
"You might as well be! Molly, you're at his beck and call. All he has to do is text or call, and you show up at riduclous times in the middle of the night. Just so you can give him some body parts for his experiments, then you get tossed out on your arse. You may not want to admit it, but it's true. "
"Then what? What am I supposed to do, Mary?" Molly gave a short and bitter chuckle, "Clearly you have all the answers, so please, enlighten me."
"Show him what you are."
"And that is...?"
Mary placed her hand back on Molly's shoulder, squeezing it, "A strong and independent individual. Someone that went through years of medical school, and isn't willing to be used and thrown in the bin. If you can't do this for yourself, do it for Sherlock. Establish guidelines, and the idea that you won't wait around for wishful thinking."
The staircase became silent, forgoing the faint chatter of Bonded By The Sea still running. Mrs. Hudson had already gone to sleep, leaving the tension to settle between Molly and Mary, and sink into the wood beneath their feet.
Molly looked away, staring ahead as she pondered Mary's lengthy rant. The slight curve of her mouth bunched together, appearing as if she'd tasted something sour. Finally she relaxed her face, and met the other's gaze once more.
"Fine. I'll do it." She raised her chin in the air, proud as she dared Mary to say anything. Satisfied that the nurse wouldn't, she continued with, "This was your idea, so I expect you'll come to me with all the information and research. Just so you know, I'll prefer to go somewhere hot, is that alright with you?"
Mary nodded, beaming at the other.
"Good." Molly took a couple of steps down the stairs before she paused once again, casting a glance over her shoulder, "How does the saying go? Absence makes the heart grow fonder?"
Molly smiled briefly, "I could live with that." she whispered, before she resumed going back the stairs.
"You certainly deserve it; how does Jamaica sound?!"
This is...this is utter madness!
"And this is his favourite toy filled with catnip, and this-"
"Molly" Meena interrupted, "it's fine. Really. I think I can handle watching a cat for a week or two at most."
But still, the pathologist fidgeted with the suitcase in front of her. Checking the items inside, for the hundredth time that day. Festering with paranoia and anxiety, she fought back the mounting stress.
"I know...it's just, I kind of want to stay home..."
"No you don't!" Meena chastised, "You're just scared about unknown territory, and not being within your comfort zone. But Molly, I know you.." Meena reached forward, hugging the petite pathologist towards her with a grin. "And I know if you don't go, you'll just regret this for the rest of your life."
Molly sighed, gripping the back of Meena's silken shirt as she inhaled the scent of her friend. Against the coppery skin, a perfume of lemons and cinnamon arose. And coupled with a warm embrace, immediately the stiffness of Molly's body dissipated.
"You're right, as bloody always."
Meena pulled back from her friend, assuring her with a small but confident smile, "You'll do fine. But let's stop the theatrics here, you'll miss your flight if you don't hurry up."
As the pathologist closed her suitcase again, taking a few steadying breaths before she headed off to grab the nearest cab to the airport, Meena flashed her another breathtaking smile.
"Molly, relax! You'll be back as soon as you know it, and I bet you'll even wish you could stay longer! When you come back, I expect a full summary of your vacation, with all the spicy details!"
Nodding her assent, quickly Molly hugged her friend one last time and gave Toby a few goodbye pats before she went on her way.
A small packet entered Molly's personal space, catching her eye as she shifted in her seat.
"Thanks." she whispered, smiling briefly as she took the object from Mary's hand. Sliding the packet open, she popped a piece of gum from its protective casing.
After putting the piece in her mouth, Molly handed the container of gum back to Mary. Chewing on the mint flavoured gum for a second, Molly frowned as she pondered something.
"So, how'd it go for you?"
"How did what go?" Mary asked, putting the packet back in her coat pocket.
Molly gestured around them, and back to Mary with her hand, raising a brow in question.
"Oh that," Mary shrugged, "he was very understanding, and completely agreed with a little break between two gals." She playfully shook Molly with her elbow, offering her a wink.
When John came to, he gave a massive yawn as he stretched from his place on the sofa. The room was littered in snacks, and half empty or plainly empty beer bottles. It looked like a tornado had come through here, tearing the place apart.
Blinking back sleep from his eyes, John glared at Sherlock from the steady stream of light filtering through the windows.
"We really have to stop binge watching shows together."
Sherlock yawned in response, "You're the one that showed me it in the first place, if anything you're the one that has to stop."
John whacked the closest thing of Sherlock near him, meaning the slender length of his leg. The action earned him a grunt.
"God, what's the time?" He frowned at the watch clutching his arm, reading 12:45 pm. "Shit! Mary's going to kill me later when I get home!"
"Ah the pleasures of the domestic life." Sherlock sneered.
John was just about to hit Sherlock upside his curly head, when his phone trembled with an incoming text. Groaning, John picked it up and thumbed through his messages.
John, if you get this, then I'll be on my way to Jamaica right now. And before you freak out, it isn't because of some stupid affair or some mission, as Sherlock would suggest. I'm taking Molly Hooper for a little trip, poor girl could use one. I've already pre-made some dinners, and they're just in either the fridge or freezer. I won't respond to you until much later, as this is an automated text. I'll see you in a week! xoxo
- Your loving wife, Mary
"What the fuck..." John started, disbelief colouring his tone. His cell was ripped from his hands, taken into Sherlock's grip and narrowed gaze.
Wordlessly he read the text before he tossed the device back into John's lap, reaching for his own cell.
It appeared he first tried to text Molly, but after waiting for a minute and still no response, Sherlock moved on to calling her.
John was gathering his things together, getting ready to race home to check if his wife was still there, as a part of him still believed this was some sick joke.
"Molly, I've read the text from Mary. I expect you to call me back as soon as you get this, no later than that." The call was swiftly ended by Sherlock abruptly hanging up.
"What the hell do you think this all means?!" John frantically asked, stuffing his laptop into its travel case.
Sherlock lazily ruffled his hair, belittling the swirling emotions just underneath his stoic facade. "Obviously Mary has pushed Molly into another one of her schemes."
"Mary?!" John spun around from his bag, "How do we not know this isn't Molly's doing? She seems quite able to grab human remains for you, which I'm pretty sure is illegal. I don't think whisking my wife on some tropical trip is much of a stretch here, Sherlock!"
A glare cracked its way onto Sherlock's mask, "Oh come on, Molly is clearly not the mastermind here! This work has former CIA agent written all over it!"
Sherlock jumped to his feet at John's guff, "Molly Hooper hardly leaves her flat to join her friends for social activities, even though she's been asked countless times. She'd much rather stay home, either watching the telly, playing with that insufferable cat of hers, or reading medical journals. My Molly is simply too innocent and comfortable to make such a drastic change, not when she knows I need her here!"
Silence stretched between the two, filled only by the small panting coming from Sherlock's speech. John stood there for a second, mute as he observed his looming friend. The frown on his face broke as he began to chuckle, softly at first until it became full fledged howls of laughter.
Sherlock's brow dropped, and narrowed in his annoyance. "And what is so funny, John?" he asked through clenched teeth.
John gripped the arm of the couch for balance, torso still shaking with his amusement. He shook his head, trying to calm himself. Until finally he managed to say, "S-since when is she your Molly, mate?"
The consulting detective froze for a second, blinking in confusion as he rewound back to his own words mere moments before. Shoulders hunching together defensively, he snatched up a pillow from the couch and flung it at his friend, shouting "Oh, shut up!" Then as dignified as he possibly could be, Sherlock stomped his way to the confines of his bedroom, both slamming and locking the door shut.
He refused to speak to John for the rest of the day, even when at the promise of solving a case together.