Chapter 2
"Yes that's what I said... No I told you the other one... Look if he doesn't breathe a word tell him- I'll call you back," Jim ends the call irritated, but his mood changed entirely with the sight of Molly.
"Off we go, then!" Jim lead her down the stairs and held the door for her, gentleman like. The Jaguar glistened, possibly because it was washed every other day, emitting a deep maroon. Of course reddish, Molly thought to herself and tried not to snicker. By his insistence, he packed the luggage himself and held the door open for her again, all giddy and energetic. In his hands the beauty of a car roared to life and with some fluid hand movements, they sped off through the London streets, the old life disappearing around a bend.
They sat in silence for a while, until Molly finally spoke up, "So, you said we were going to the estate. Is it actually an- an estate?" She couldn't help but imagine something grand and luxurious- something out of a film. His laugh started out as a low chuckle, yet in the small space the loudness rang through the air.
"O Molly. Remember, who I am, James Moriarty, and I like nice things," he answered with a small hiss on the last syllable. Given a few more sharp turns, they found themselves on a more open road, where there were less buildings and more country.
"Ah, hello sweetie..."
Massive could not begin to describe it. Clearly he was not one to even attempt to hide his location, or maybe it was more hiding in plain sight. Jim had to slow the car on the gravel in order for the decorative iron gates to swing open and allow them entrance.
"As stated before, you'll take up residence in the back in the pool house, though the house is for your use as well. Except for maybe Seb's room, he prefers his privacy anyway," Jim droned as if annoyed by the fact. Molly's eyes widened and her jaw dropped as she stared at the mansion in front of her.
"Oh my god..." she mumbled. This was bigger and grander than anything she could've imagined. After a few moments just staring at the place, she looked back at Jim, still wide-eyed.
"I'm probably going to get lost in this place," she laughed nervously.
With a shrug, he pulled up and offered Molly a hand too. Instead of taking out her luggage this time, he immediately escorted her to around the back, and in being a large establishment, it allowed him time to rattle off the impressive security systems, tall hedges of privacy, and his brag about the ocean of a heated swimming pool.
"And here is, the pool house, I hope it is to your liking," he announced with a sheepish grin. This one was a house, not a shack, but a true house, single story. Still bigger than the flat, was her immediate thought as Molly tried to wrap her head around the fact that Jim's place was so large that it had another house out back, her house, now.
"I- I... Oh, I'm sure it's fine. More than fine, great! Umm, wow, this... this is a lot to take in..."
"As I said before I like nice things, now," Jim spun around fast and thrust a hand in his pocket, pulling out a key, "This is yours. Do what you like with it. If you want the decorum or the walls painted or whatever, just ask a maid and they'll call someone to come out. Furthermore, your possessions should be here in two hours or sooner. If not please inform me so I might, ahem, get them to speed up.
"Lastly, someone ought to be knocking on your door at about six; I have arranged a dress wardrobe. Got to look your prettiest for tonight's dinner. So enjoy, relax. Do what you like. I'll see you at eight," everything was said in one breath before Jim walked away, head held high, back to the mansion.
Watching him walk off, still wide-eyed, Molly turned back to her new home. Guess dinner with him, hardly time to even give an opinion, a reply, or even a refusal. What refusal? The thought waggled in her mind. Entering inside she almost dropped Toby though she set him down, shocked as her eyes wandered around the pool house.
It was beautiful. There were no other words to describe it, with its fancy, unsoiled furniture and a general sense of upkeep that made it obvious that there were maids to tidy up after its inhabitants. The house had everything one would expect an actual house to have- a living room, a kitchen a bedroom... And Molly didn't think she'd want to change anything about it. Even if she did, she wouldn't know what to change. She felt out-of-place, like she didn't belong in this luxurious new home.
The living room with a stone wall, fireplace ready to be lit any time, and warm lamps causing the white, plump cushions to change colour. The kitchen contained more rustic appeal with wooden cabinets, a table practically a slab of freshly hewed tree, and the holes filled with glass. Sprinting around every room was like opening a new gift. Bathroom with blue tiles, robin's egg blue walls, and a shower with an enormous shower head. The bedroom a splendid mix of grey and purple, a combination Molly figured unimaginable, except here was different.
For fun she, Molly raced to strip her clothes and try the shower out. Such tranquility. The hot water splashed around her, feeling like a mermaid under a waterfall as she sat on the little bench inside. A voice rang out she was startled. Something about filling her pantry and refrigerator? When the coast seemed clear, Molly dried herself and ventured outside. The fridge was suddenly full as well as a few cabinets. Fresh basic food supplies, snacks of all kinds, some she never heard of, and Toby happily snoozed in a cat bed that did not exist half an hour ago.
And then, at six, exactly when Jim said they would come, someone dropped off the dress that she was to wear for dinner. Molly stared at it for a long while, feeling undeserving of it, but eventually convinced herself to get dressed. It fit perfectly and she found herself briefly wondering exactly how Jim had known what would fit. She looked at herself in the mirror, the red dress fell perfectly, hugging her curves in all the right places and accentuating them. The shoes were not ridiculous high heels, thankfully Jim guessed eccentric shoe types would cause her instability and settled with a simpler heel. As for the icing on the cake, a necklace with a tear drop diamond dangling around her neck. With it on Molly felt like a completely different person, and then it was nearly eight and someone was knocking on the door. A final glance in the mirror and she gasped, not recognizing the person across from her. Another, harder knock broke the hypnosis.
"Ms. Hooper, Sebastian Moran..." the man announced a bit gruffly and offered an arm. Himself in a tux, clean cut shaven, a bit of blonde hair fell over his hazel eyes. On acceptance, he led her up the patio and past the small fountain that had been planted in the middle of it. Peering into the French doors, it was the dining room with a good medium sized table, not too big or small; lights were drawn low, but not dark.
"He'll be with you momentarily, Miss, it seems I have to go fetch him again," Sebastian explained with a roll of his eyes and a friendly smile. Sebastian seemed almost... nice… if Molly ignored the fact that she knew he was an expertly trained killer; she could almost see herself getting along with him. This was the Colonel then, she thought and began to wonder how a Moriarty and Moran found each other. Given the circumstances she slightly smiled at him to be polite.
"Okay. Erm, I'll- I'll just wait here, I guess," awkwardly standing near the table and not knowing whether or not she should sit.
Late. Of course he would be, having to deal with the idiocy and incompetence of Ordinary people. Brushing himself off, wearing his favorite Westwood, he strolled down the stairs and almost out into the dining room. But Jim gave pause for a moment and leaned against the wall, arms crossed and drumming his fingers. It was adorable. She doesn't know what to do with herself, he thought. Not to mention any words he would have expelled seem caught in his throat at the sight of the dress. It captured every essence, each detail. Almost sad to disturb the painting he saw in his mind, he finally announced himself.
"Hello Molly. Excuse my tardiness, business of course," Jim said before pushing himself off the wall.
"Oh, umm, Jim… hi," Molly replied, nervously brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, "That's- that's alright. I know you're, uh, a busy man." Busy orchestrating crimes, she thought for a moment, before deciding to ignore that and pushing the thought from her mind. Maybe then she'd feel less guilty about all of this, after all, it wasn't her orchestrating the crimes, right? Her old life was becoming dull and meaningless anyway. Nothing to lose. Nothing. Nothing to lose.
"Maybe I should take a holiday," Jim thought aloud, "Either way here I am and here you are. Oh you are going to be so spoiled tonight," he said softly, guiding her to the table with a hand on her back, letting it trail to along her spine before quickly pulling away so he could offer her a chair. Something about the way Jim said it and the way he controlled hand sent chills through her body as she took the seat he offered her. What exactly did he mean by 'spoiled'? Molly decided she didn't want to know and sat quietly as he took his seat. Settled Jim gave her a bit of a wink before clapping his hands loudly.
Out came four servers, not looking directly at Jim because they knew their place and it was to serve, not question. So, one set down a basket of breads, a variety, along with it butter and oil, spices on the side. Another poured them wine, red, almost matching Molly's dress, and finally the third presented them with salads. When finished, they went away, leaving the fourth behind.
"Is this too your liking sir?"
"Very much, so good Alex. And you? You want anything else?" Jim asked.
Molly was awestruck as she watched the servers bring out what appeared to only be the first course of a multi-course meal. The mind jumped to all sorts of entrees, appetizers, and desserts. The pictures flooded her and then she realized she had yet to answer.
"Oh, uh, no thank you, I-I'm fine," she tried to smile, but knew that he could probably see the look of shock on her face. The girl wasn't accustomed to things like this, and it was painfully obvious. Keeping it together, Jim buried his laughter with a smile and waved the man away. With a bow, Alex left them swiftly and Jim rubbed his hands together.
"Delicious. I'm so famished too." Helping himself to a roll, he hastened to put the food in his mouth and then remembered who was sitting across from him. One awkward smile later, he decided to start slowly with the greens.
"So... I guess then everything is good for you? Have enough space in the pool house? A happy Toby?"
Nervously Molly picked at her salad. "Oh, yes, it-it's lovely. It's, uhm, rather... larger than I imagined," she answered with a bite.
"Fantastic, it'll be nice to have a woman about the house, yes a nice change. Too many men, we can be soo useless really," he mentioned in-between bites, but noticed her tension," Molly, please, don't be nervous. Something bothering you? I just want you to comfortable."
"I... I guess I'm just not used to all... this," she said, gesturing at her surroundings.
"I do apologize if it is overwhelming. I mean this morning you woke up in a small flat, feed Toby and yourself a bit of breakfast before shuffling off to work with the dead. Then at the end of the day, shuffle back and being too tired, relax quietly while waiting patiently for the weekend. Boring. So dull... I can't ever imagine how people live with themselves like that; it's not really living now is it?" Jim wondered aloud, more than halfway through his salad. Molly ate silently, listening to Jim describe her, previously, uneventful life.
"It's not so bad," she finally responded, "Actually, it can be rather nice at times, not to have to worry about things all the time. It's relaxing," she paused, and then, looking up at him across the table, added, "You don't have to be constantly putting your life at risk to truly be living. Sometimes it's nice to be... normal."
"Mmmm I suppose, just not my life style. Or if not, it might be more of a psychological disorder, the type where you have to get your kicks by being in constant danger, far beyond that of a thrill junky maybe," he said calmly, twirling the salad fork into the empty bowl, "As long as I have my cleverness, I'm mostly satisfied. I have been accused of being a psychopath before."
"Mostly?" she asked, "Why only mostly?"
Few times was Jim caught off guard where he did not know what to say. So he stared hard at the residue of his salad dressing and tried to think. Why was he never satisfied?
"Because I always feel like I want more maybe? A little taste of power. It's so sweet. The thrill. It's an addiction Molly-" Jim stopped himself, "I'm sorry I am sounding mad, please excuse the babbling."
Molly blinked up at him a few moments, debating whether she should keep pushing forward with the subject. Deciding not to, she mumbled, "It's okay," and glanced back down at her empty bowl.
"O sorry, um, Alex!" At his beckoning call, Alex and his team came out with a rich, creamy broth and set it before them, taking away the empty dishes with them.
"Thank you then," Jim said before Alex bowed once more and exited. For the next while, the room was quiet. Jim ate away and had been sipping his wine the whole while and unconsciously he couldn't stop staring...
'You're staring too long, might make her uncomfortable.'
'I didn't ask for your opinion.'
'Come on she knows you kill people, she's a bit scared.' 'You think I don't know that.'
The eyes continued to watch as Jim swirled the liquid in his glass. Waves splashing about in the colour red. Startling red.
He'd been staring at her as they sat in silence, and when Molly glanced up at him, she met his gaze and quickly looked back down at her food, a blush forming on her cheeks. She didn't know what to say, and she could only wonder what he could possibly be thinking. Cautiously here eyes wandered back up at him, her cheeks still pink,
"What- what are you thinking?" Molly wondered if maybe asking that hadn't been the right choice, but she had made so many choices that she couldn't decide whether they were right or wrong ones, that it didn't bother her all that much any longer.
"Well... I was just wondering, I suppose, what did you want to be when you were child? Like, what did you want to be when you grew up," James gave a smile and finished his bowl.
"Oh," she replied, caught off-guard by the question, "Well, for a long while, I wanted to be a ballerina," she laughed, "But my mum finally convinced me that was a bad idea- I was in ballet lessons and everything, but I wasn't very good."
Molly paused, "I don't remember if I wanted to be anything else after that besides a doctor, "I went to medical school and everything... But- Well, I guess living patients weren't my thing. I was too scared that I might not be able to save them... So I- well, I became a pathologist instead. The dead are easier to deal with, fewer mistakes with dire consequences to be made, I suppose."
"Molly..." the thought of her losing a dream made Jim's inside crumple a little and to even have less confidence to work with people, "I will not stand for this," he stated, almost jumping out of chair. Rounding the table, Jim pulled Molly's chair out from underneath, startling her.
"You're lying. Not good at dancing? I don't believe you," next, he stretched out his left arm to her, his right arm resting behind his back, "Come on dear."'
"Oh, I- I really am no good, Jim," she blushed, looking away, "I- I shouldn't. I can't."
"I'll have none of that. No more doubts or pessimism in this house eh?" Jim knelt down and took her hand, gracefully, planting a kiss on the top, "Please? Don't make your boss order," he chuckled. She frowned. Internally she dealt with a small anxiety attack at his movements of persuasion and the kiss and the way he spoke. Calm! I need to calm!
"Fine. But you can't say I didn't warn you," Molly replied, hesitantly standing up. Instantly she could feel her cheeks burning red in embarrassment and she just knew she was going to make a fool of herself.
"Easy love, relax," he accidently said in a whisper, leading her to the more open area, "It'll be fine," with two snaps of a finger, some orchestrated music came on, and he smiled a bit proudly.
"Me and Seb programmed it together, it's just wonderful!" Playing in the background was Carnival of Animals: Aquarium. The song seemed familiar to Molly, almost becoming lost with the sound and was instantly reminded that another was in the room.
"Remember a gentleman leads..." With his hand, Jim cupped her waist and drew her close and weaved his fingers through her hand, starting slow. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she let him lead her in their dance, shyly glancing up at him every so often. Molly wasn't dancing too terribly, something she was grateful for. In her mind she suspected it had something to do with the fact that he was an excellent dancer, and she was just following along. The song ended and he slowed, picking up her chin with his hand.
"Hey, hey. You were brilliant, seriously. Now stop letting that head drop of yours alright? Bad for your neck and it hides your eyes. Your eyes compliment that necklace."
"Oh. Uhm, right. Okay," she blinked up at him and mumbled nervously. What did he care if it hid her eyes?
"Excuse me sir..."
Both of them whipped around to find Alex standing there, and Jim gave him a glare, he hated to be interrupted. In response, Alex flinched and ever so slightly took a step back, although he relaxed and sighed in relief when his Boss changed into a smile.
"Main course ready?"
"Yes sir."
Molly blushed, knowing what it must look like to Alex, Jim and herself standing so close. Head pulled away, biting her lip. Technically, she thought, she was just an employee too, so why was she being treated to this dinner and why was Jim being... nice? This was not at all how he acted when they dated, a sore memory that touched her stomach. No further need to cast his magic, she knew she was convinced to stay. What was he playing at? Or showing off?
"Mmm," Jim, lead her back to the table when he realized he was still clutching her hand, "O sorry, pardon," releasing her and returning to his seat. As he cleared his throat the squad came in with platters of a bit of pasta, more wine, and large steaks. Its smell filled with the room, and for Jim, he was glad of the distraction, and taking a long whiff his mouth watered.
Molly watched, eyeing the large platters of food that were brought in. It looked and smelled delicious, better than anything ever experienced.
"Bon appetite my dear," Jim kissed his hand in the air, and began with his steak, and to his happiness he found his mostly raw. He stole a quick glance to hers and was happy the cook obeyed his orders, figuring Molly was not an animal, someone who preferred their meats cooked. Molly ate eagerly, the food was something else, as they sat in silence just as they had earlier. She wondered if she should start a conversation, but decided against it, remembering what Sherlock always told her about how conversation wasn't really her area. Jim dabbed his mouth with a napkin and drummed his fingers.
'Say something!'
'What?'
'Anything you fucking idiot!'
'Oh how I go about my day as an underground criminal who sometimes has body parts in the back of his Jaguar?'
'God you can be such a dick!'
"So..." he started slowly, "What um... read any good books lately?"
His voice pierced the silence so Molly looked up, surprised. What books had she read recently?
"Oh, um... I read Jane Eyre recently," she said, "Though I don't know if that's exactly your type of book..." she blushed, Jane Eyre was essentially a 19th century romance novel- why in the world did she even mention that?
"Ohh..." Jim raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Glad to know a close partner of mine has the decency and intelligence to read. Must keep the mind stimulated as my mother use to say, yes, yes." Unfortunately, his gaze shifted to her lips, now lightly stained from the wine and his hair stood on end.
Because he was obvious Molly looked away, blushing furiously. Surely she'd just been imagining things, he couldn't possibly have actually just glanced at her lips. No, it wasn't possible. Each person could have tied themselves into a pretzel the tension was extreme internally.
"Umm, have you read any good books recently?" she asked, attempting to keep the conversation going.
"Yes, just finished Julius Caesar and am currently in the middle of Clockwork Orange," he snapped his eyes to her, but it didn't help, "Um...yes. And now I plan to read something else. I ought to check my library."
"Library?" Molly appeared dumbfounded once more, "I'm sorry, but did you just... Did you just say you have your own library?"
Cleverly, an idea sparked inside Jim's mind and with a grin, he quickly finished the rest of his dinner.
"Before I show you this, tell me your favorite dessert. Cake? Chocolates? If you could have anything what would it be? Anything."
"A-anything?" Molly paused because had always been indecisive and having the world to choose from didn't help, "I- Well, I've always liked ice-cream," she finally replied.
Ice-cream? Really, Molly? Ice-cream?
"Toppings? On top of brownies? Also flavors are important," Jim explained as he texted away, his fingers flew over the keys.
"Oh, I... I don't know," she replied, "You choose."
"Ok. Now," he clicked his phone shut, "While they see to that, let me show you." Once more he offered his arm and gave a smile. Standing, Molly hesitated for a moment to take his arm.
"You- you actually have your own library?"
"But of course, knowledge is power and books are the greatest weapons. You know why? Because they give us ideas and that's the funny thing about ideas. Can never be destroyed."