Alright, so I wanted to write a piece about Molly and what seems to plague her characterization, which would be Insecurity. Now, there is some slight Sherlolly at the end; but fair warning it is heavily focused on Molly's journey on trying to overcome her insecurities. So, sorry if it ends up boring you.

Appreciation by Azrael Cameo

Molly Hooper rarely ever felt pretty in her life. Insecurity, society acknowledges as unattractive; however, to Molly that idea just meant that her unattractiveness was inevitable. To her insecurity was a natural human phenomenon. To be human is to doubt yourself, to be insecure. Still, she decided that gave her no excuse to feel sorry for herself. Pushover. Doormat. Mousy. Words that people thought described Molly Hooper. No longer. "There is no strength in having insecurities. But there is strength in acknowledging them and moving past them." Molly's father used to remind her of that whenever she needed to remember her strength.

Growing up, Molly's father had always taught her to be kind and try her best to help others. She had learned by example. Her father had his faults; but, overall he was a humble man. He was always living for others, specifically for Molly. Harris Hooper provided for his wife and children despite his average income because he was a hard worker. After a car accident claimed the life of his wife and son, he raised Molly single-handedly. Despite, the various hardships he faced, Harris always had a smile on his face. Molly's father was humble but he still took pride in the idea that he never let his child realize that the unfortunate events of his affected him. Even before he passed away he kept that smile on his face.

No. Molly knew. She was far more observant than people give her credit for. She knew that he did it for her. Harris Hooper did many things for Molly. He even saved up money for her to pay for Medical School. He did not judge her when Molly decided to go into pathology like some parents may have. Instead, He was proud of her.

The more Molly thought about it. It seemed almost shameful that her father worked so hard for her and took pride in her and she still often times felt inadequate. Rather than viewing the idea of putting herself first as narcissistic, Molly convinced herself that by taking pride in herself she would be honoring her father's hard work. Thus, Molly swore that starting this week she would put herself first and try new things. Her father raised no coward.


Oh. Well. Never mind, her father may have raised a coward. Molly Hooper walked into the hair salon, looking at various styles. There was a tiny voice in the back of her mind that kept taunting her and telling her that none of these would look good on her. It did not help that Molly thought about how she had overdone her makeup, hair and clothing the night of the Christmas party at 221B. She had expected herself to feel empowered by getting all dolled up; but ultimately felt like she was trying to be someone she was not.

That's decided then.

It was time for a hairstyle for the real Molly Hooper. Not a hairstyle for the Molly "Try Hard" Hooper. She decided on long layers with side swept bangs. She closed her eyes and tried not to panic as she heard the stylist's scissors chopping off parts of her hair. However, when she opened her eyes what she saw pleased her. This hairstyle proved to be one that Molly Hooper could take pride in. Beautiful but not overdone. It even looked just as good with her hair up as it did when it was down.

Molly applied the same rules for when shopping for clothing. She began taking care of her health and joined a fitness class. She kept herself busy. By the end of the 2nd week, Molly did not seem like a brand new person. She didn't want to seem like a brand new person; she wanted to be Molly Hooper. Only the best version of herself. It seemed like she was on the right track.

Molly Hooper tried not to be surprised. She also tried not to be annoyed. She was still herself but more confident. As a result, she was getting more attention from people. When Molly's old college friend Harper invited her to a party, she forced herself to go despite hating social situations where she would hardly know anyone.

Yet, by the end of the night, she put herself out there and had actually met a friendly good-looking dirty-blonde haired man named Elliot Dalton, who seemed like he was not actually a secret psychopath.

Initially, Molly had been nervous. Well, nervous was an understatement. Her mind kept spiraling back to her previous failing in relationships, Jim Moriarty being one of them. Molly reminded herself that she can't overgeneralize men. Just because Jim and her previous boyfriends were horrible did not mean that all men in the London Area were horrible or psychopaths. Or at least she hoped not. No, logic reasoned that some had to be nice. John Watson. Case in point. Not that she was attracted to John Watson. No, it was the crazy ones. She was always attracted to ones that were completely strange.

Elliot Dalton had called her three days later. He did not seem completely strange. Molly worked past her concerns about dating and met him for coffee. She was glad to be proven right. Some men were nice. Right? Yes. Yes, Elliot was respectful, funny, and slightly awkward like Molly was at times; but not so much that it was uncomfortable. Elliot was an accountant.

"Boring." That's what Sherlock would say.

Ugh. No. No, I won't let him get in the way again.

Even when Sherlock wasn't around he would meddle his way into Molly's life. Jim was only with Molly to get closer to Sherlock. And, Oh! Of course every other man she brought into her life was "deduced" out of her life. It's hard to try to get to know someone when someone else throws their suitcases of luggage open in front of your face in the initial stages of a relationship. It's hard to look past that.

Sherlock saw what was wrong. Always. Always. He saw behind and struck down the images people try to put up for themselves and the rest of society.

Wait…No, Moll had decided she wasn't going to focus on him.


Right. Right. So, Elliot. Elliot on paper might not exactly get a person's blood rushing; but neither would Molly on paper. Molly had to figure out his other interests, his real personality. So Molly was upfront and asked. What she found surprised her.

Apparently, left-brained Elliot had a secret love for the stars. His love for astronomy was what prompted him to take Molly for a "star-gazing" event which he brought up at their second date.

"star-gazing?" Molly questioned, "Here? in London?"

Elliot laughed as if she had made a hilarious joke.

"Star-gazing in London? No. No, not the best locale. The light pollution from the city wouldn't let us see that much. But I know a good place out in the countryside. If…If that would interest you?" Elliot politely asked tucking his blonde hair to the side.

Away from London. Maybe that's what Molly needed. A new experience.

Molly looked Elliot in the eye and smiled, "Yes, that sounds lovely. Next weekend, you said?"

The months following Sherlock Holmes' return from the dead had kept both him and John Watson as busy as possible. Things had rapidly changed in the past few months. They went from being celebrities, to forgotten about, to the center of attention again. Cases were coming in by the hundreds. Sherlock and John, after working everything out, were back to work.

However, things were different. Their celebrity status had made it almost impossible to work on cases discreetly with the paparazzi following them around. The manner in which Sherlock and John worked had changed.

The relationship between the Consulting Detective and his PA had changed. John had begun dating Mary. Less time was spent on work, and even less time was spent at Barts. There Sherlock could have at least began working on experiments. He also hadn't spoken to Molly Hooper since the fall. After acquiring her help, he had gone off the grid. Cut ties to everyone. He tried not to think about it. He had thought about thanking her. That's what she had said to him that day of the fall.

"You could probably say thank you, actually."

He hadn't realized how much she counted. She deserved at least another thank you. He knew he owed her more than that. Sherlock glad he hadn't seen her yet. He was never up to par on knowledge of social situations, but somehow this seemed even more wildly out of his element.

It didn't matter though. Not while Sherlock had to avoid the limelight. This meant avoiding Barts as well. No, the paparazzi would find him there too. He and John would have to lay low for a while.


Sherlock came out of his bedroom to hear hushed whispers of John and Mary. Clearly, they were discussing something concerning Sherlock which he could tell from the "caught" looks on their face. Mary began speaking first, while John shot her discouraging looks.

"Sherlock, John and I were thinking of spending some time away" she began.

John sighed, "No, No. Sherlock we're not-"

Mary interjected "Yes. John Hamish Watson, we are."

"Mary, my dear, I am not going to leave Sherlock here alone to be attacked by the paparazzi. We both know that would just end badly" John explained.

"John! Luckily, I can acknowledge your strange co-dependent relationship, which is why I was suggesting that Sherlock come with us!" Mary countered.

Sherlock, all the while, was shooting looks between the couple and suddenly interjected.

"oh look at you two, fighting like an old married couple. And no, thank you John. I know that I had previously crashed a date of yours and despite what you ardently believe; I do not actually enjoy intervening in your romantic life. In addition, I do not require a handler. I must decline your well thought out invitation" He haughtily replied.

John considered this, "Sherlock, you will be stuck in 221B trying to avoid the papers. Come away from London with us, at least for a night. Get out of the London air and what not."

After further convincing from the pseudo-old married couple, Sherlock reluctantly agreed.

Mary smiled in triumph, "right, now that that's settled. Next weekend?"


Okay so yeah… I'm going to right one more chapter to finish up this story. This was just an attempt to set up the situation. Again sorry if the characterization is weird. That's always my biggest fear is messing up characterization. But what do you guys think? Remotely interested? Trust me there is more sherlolly in the next one. Thanks for reading, even if you didn't like it!