Author's Note: Thank you to those who reviewed. You made my day and encouraged me to keep writing! I hope I don't disappoint. This chapter has some adult content/ language. Nothing smutty, I promise! Again, I do not own Sherlock, just a lot of Sherlloly feels!
After Molly left Sherlock returned to his microscope, however he had a hard time concentrating. Deciding that he wouldn't get much accomplished he put away his samples, sat in his chair, and retreated to his Mind Palace. Walking through the hallways in his mind he began to assess the last eight months he had spent with Molly, more specifically, their beginning.
Being a new husband and father occupied much of John Watson's time (too much time if you asked Sherlock). Sure he understood that the good doctor would have many more responsibilities, obviously, but it didn't mean he had to like it. So in an effort to impede boredom, he had to find alternate forms of entertainment. Enter Molly. It began with a few trips to Bart's every few days to pick up body parts for his personal research. Trips that originally began as five minute visits became hour-long ordeals, where he sat with Molly in her lab and discussed recent research in pathology and innovations in the field of forensics. When she was particularly busy he would observe her perform autopsies and offer suggestions on cause of death. On several occasions he would arrive at Bart's, get caught up in conversation, and leave empty handed. Those days provided an excuse to call Molly and ask that she drop off the body parts at Baker St; and when she was feeling particularly generous she would even help out with his work. Ever the gentleman, he would have take-away delivered and waiting as payment for her kindness. Dinners and experiments soon became a frequent affair between the two.
Eventually it became less experiments and more 'hanging out.' This usually happened at Molly's flat which was cozier, and let's be honest, much more sanitary. It was unusual to see Molly so relaxed around him, but it was definitely a welcomed relief. Without the constant stuttering and nervousness, they were able to have conversations about anything and everything; he learned a lot about her childhood, things he had never deduced. And though he didn't offer the same courtesy, he was aware that they were friends now. Suddenly, not having John around didn't seem like such an inconvenience; he had Molly. The two were inseparable, spending most of their free time together, even during Sherlock's weekly Sunday dinners at the Watsons.
One evening while walking Molly back to her flat after leaving the Watson's home, he decided to broach the topic of intimacy. "Molly… I enjoy your company," he said cautiously. "Wow, thanks Sherlock. You know I enjoy yours too, right?" Fighting the urge to roll his eyes he responded, "Obviously you do, or you wouldn't spend so much time with me." "True I guess," she giggled before letting the conversation lull.
Not one to be deterred, he continued. "You haven't dated anyone in a while. Why is that?" Caught a little off guard by his choice in topic, she tentatively answered. "I don't know really. I suppose after everything that happened with Tom, I feel a bit um- discouraged, if that makes sense. Not to mention that I don't have much free time; after all babysitting you is a full-time job!"
Sherlock chuckled, "I'm sure both John and Mycroft would agree with you. However I am slightly offended that you believe I need to be babysat. I am a grown man, you know." Molly turned to him and smiled, pursing her lips to keep from laughing out loud. After a beat, he resumed with a more serious attitude, "Do you miss it?"
She was unable to follow his train of thoughts and furrowed her brows. "Miss what? Tom or dating?" Sherlock ignored her confusion and continued looking forward, "No I meant… do you miss sex?"
Startled by the bluntness of his question, she stopped dead in her tracks, this time gaping at him. He got half way down the block before he realized she was no longer walking alongside him. Molly shook off her astonishment and picked up her pace to catch up. "Sherlock, exactly why are we having this conversation?" Feeling that this wasn't a conversation to be had while walking, he stopped and faced her. "Well if you do miss sex, and have decided to not pursue dating, I am offering an option... Me." He couldn't read the blank expression on her face, so he chose to do what he did best and list the facts. "Logically speaking, there are many reasons why we should engage in a sexual relationship. First, we enjoy each other's company which could translate to sexual compatibility. Secondly, you are familiar with my idiosyncrasies and yet you put up with me, thus proving that you have already formed some sort of attachment to me. Thirdly, we are both healthy and reasonably attractive, which I believe will make it enjoyable for the both of us… Really I could keep going, but I think I've made my point," he finished a bit breathlessly, somewhat pleased with himself.
Molly sighed and closed her eyes for a minute before sadly whispering, "But you don't love me."
Sherlock wasn't well versed in social niceties, but even he understood that he had to tread carefully. "No Molly I don't, but I do care for you. I respect you, I value you, I trust you, and I wasn't lying when I said I enjoy being with you. I am not promising flowers, candies, and dates… or whatever it is people do. What I am offering is adding a sexual component to our friendship." Hesitantly he reached for her hands, and tried to meet her gaze. "I am fond of you, but I am not capable of love. I won't be your boyfriend, but I could be a companion of sorts. You can have me... We already spend much of our time together. Not much would change."
At this, Molly's head snapped up. "Not much would change? Everything would change Sherlock! You know how I feel about you, how can I be happy having you without really having you?"
It was Sherlock's turn to sigh before he continued. "This is not something I take lightly; as you know I can barely handle friendships. What I am proposing goes beyond that, and I am completely out of my depth. But… it is all I can give, and I am offering it to you. You can expect me to always be honest with you, and if we reach a point in which either of us is no longer happy with the arrangement, we can stop. Can you- will you- at least consider it?"
Slowly Molly removed her hands from his and continued walking the short distance to her flat. Following her lead, Sherlock wordlessly walked alongside her waiting for her answer. They remained silent the rest of the way; Molly thinking loudly while Sherlock trying not to think. Once they reached the door, Molly made eye contact for the first time since the awkward conversation began. "Look Sherlock, this is a lot to process and I think I just need some time. Is that okay?"
"Sure Molly, take all the time you need," he said as he leaned in to kiss her cheek. It didn't escape his notice the red that colored her cheeks before stepping inside.
Sherlock snapped out of his mind palace a few hours later when he heard the sound of an incoming text. Deeming it unimportant, he looked at the time and saw that he had thirty minutes before he was expected to arrive at the Watson's home. It was a silly tradition, meeting every Sunday for dinner, but he truly did enjoy it. If John was the brother he wished he had, then Mary was definitely the sister he never had. Perhaps it was her past that allowed her to relate with him so well, but whatever it was he relished it. And how he adored the latest addition, Miss Emily Watson!
Exactly twenty minutes later, he rang the doorbell to his best friend's flat. "Hello John," he greeted as the door opened and was ushered in. John stood at the door for a few seconds waiting for Molly to follow him in as she usually does. "Um… Sherlock, is Molly not coming?"
Sherlock sighed inwardly, slightly annoyed that he would have to explain the situation to his friends. "No, actually we broke up," he revealed without any emotion as he made his way towards the sitting area.
If he was being completely honest, John had anticipated it for some time. It wasn't that he thought they weren't suited for each other, but he knew that nothing good could come from this arrangement. You can't ignore feelings and emotions when entering a relationship without it blowing up in your face. He expected that from Sherlock (he was emotionally stunted), but he was truly surprised that Molly would willingly agree to this.
John huffed and rubbed his hands over his face. "Christ Sherlock, what did you do?" Before Sherlock could respond, Mary entered the room carrying Baby Emily. She walked over to Sherlock and kissed his cheek. "Hello Sherlock, dinner is almost ready." Sensing something was wrong she looked between the two men and asked, "What's going on?"
"I just informed your husband that Molly and I are no longer together…" Mary gasped before handing her daughter to John. "Oh, what did you do?"
"I didn't do anything," he countered defensively. John placed his daughter in the cot and walked over to join his wife on the sofa. "What happened then?" he asked sounding a bit troubled.
He plopped onto the armchair and ruffled his hair. "Well she came over this morning and said that we should end things. She wants children and marriage, I don't, so that was it... It was all pretty straightforward."
"Pfft, he makes it sound like he's talking about the weather," John whispered to his wife. Mary ignored him and addressed Sherlock. "And just like that it's over? You're not going to try and work it out?"
"There isn't anything to work out, Mary. I told her from the beginning that I couldn't offer those things. She knew what she was getting into; and we both agreed that if we reached a point where we were unhappy we would end it."
"How mature of you," John muttered under his breath, thinly hiding his irritation.
"Anyway, she made a valid point. She said that I would resent her if she tried to change me. Which I would. We all know that I am not capable of being a husband or a father," he shuddered for dramatic effect.
John rolled his eyes and stood up from his seat. "At one point you didn't think you were "capable" of having friends, and look at you now."
"You also said relationships "were not your area", and you were with Molly for eight months!" Mary added.
"What's your point?" Sherlock asked through gritted teeth glaring at his best friend.
"My point, you dick, is that you are capable. You are hiding behind all that "sociopathic" nonsense so that you don't have to deal with your feelings. But I know you Sherlock!"
"Feelings?" Sherlock scoffed. "What feelings? While I do care for Molly, we both knew this wasn't going to last. We reached an impasse and it was time to go our separate ways, simple as that."
Resisting the urge to punch his friend in the face, John pounded the table instead. "'Simple as that' he says! That woman is a saint for putting up with you as long as she did!"
"I don't understand why you are upset Dr. Watson. Molly and I had a discussion, and we parted on amicable terms. Why don't you stop being passive-aggressive and tell me what is really bothering you!"
"You know, I knew this would happen." John said despondently. "You asked for this, you just about badgered Molly into this 'agreement' of yours, and she's the one who gets hurt. How is that fair? Hmm…"
"Okay John, what's done is done. The only thing we can do is move forward and help Sherlock along," Mary said in an attempt to pacify the situation.
"Help me? Why do I need help?" Sherlock asked skeptically.
"Because she's been a large part of your life," she said soothingly. "It will take time to adjust to these changes."
"Things won't change all that much. We were friends before, we'll be friends again. Not to mention that we will still have to work together," Sherlock uttered as he walked to the dining table. "I think both of you are turning this into a bigger deal than what it really is."
Mary turned to her husband and shrugged before following the detective, leaving John behind. He walked over to his daughter's cot and picked her up before whispering, "Your Uncle Sherlock has no idea what he's in for."
A/N: Please take a second to review. I am new to this, so any suggestions or critiques you have to offer are greatly appreciated. Also I apologize for any formatting issues. I am still learning! :)