A/N: Awkward head patting...
After Sherlock managed to put the last of Molly's luggage in John's old bedroom, he asked her to settle down and feel at home.
And in no time, Molly found herself curled up on the sofa in the living room reading one of her novels.
221B Baker Street is far from being a posh flat but it certainly felt homey in an odd sort of way. It would scream the opposite if another person would come in but strange enough, she felt like she belonged there. Maybe it's because she's also odd in a way. The masculine interior intimidated her at first (also the disturbing way Sherlock has scattered random body parts in the kitchen – which they'll have a talk about as soon as possible) but it was cosy. The smell of anti-septic (must be from one of Sherlock's recent experiments) mingled with the faint smell of cigarettes. And the assortment of books, oh those she can drown in. Sherlock's book shelves boasted several books on medicine and she even saw a book about beekeeping which amused her.
But she needs to remind herself not to get too attached with the place. She's only here temporarily after all. In the meantime though, she's allowing herself the luxury of relaxing by reading a book after a very long day.
Sherlock broke her from her reverie by slamming a huge book on the coffee table in front of her.
"Yes?" she asked the man in front of her.
Sherlock ignored her annoyed look. "John and Mary are on their way. So are Lestrade and Mycroft. Then we'll discuss this whole ordeal."
She looked thoughtful for a second then nodded and went back to reading her novel.
Sherlock didn't move from his position.
"Anything else?" Molly asked without looking away from her book.
He responded by sitting on the coffee table in front of the couch, levelling with her.
"None. Just a bit confused with your reaction."
"And it's confusing because…" Molly trailed her question.
"Are you not rattled at all? Molly, Moriarty could be back. And the chance that he'll be targeting you is high. That's the reason why you're here in the first place. But look at you. You seem oblivious. I tried so hard to deduce as to why you're behaving this way but it frustrates me on how I can't quite understand why you're like this." Sherlock was on the verge of hinting at his frustration by pulling at his curls but he held himself.
"Sherlock," Molly started as she put down the book she was reading. "Of course I am scared. So, so very scared on the possibility that Jim is indeed back. Even more on the account on how he can hurt me and the people around us. But what will happen if I just stay in a corner and cower all day? That won't make things any better. I'm – I'm trying to be strong, no matter how stupid that sounds as I am indeed only a pathologist. But I have you guys with me. I know, whatever is happening is really crucial but I think I can manage with you guys."
With that, Sherlock said nothing but Molly saw how his features softened for a while before reverting to the indifferent façade. Then, he just awkwardly patted her head.
"Umm, Sherlock?" Molly flinched at the unexpected contact.
"Hush Molly. Just know, that while we're here, nothing bad will happen to you." He assured her.
"Yes but I can do without the head patting you know. You're making me feel like a dog who needs constant attention." Molly complained as he moved away from his hand.
Sherlock instantly withdrew his hand. "Er, right. Sorry about that."
The two were saved from any more awkward exchanges when the door to the flat flew open and in came the Watsons.
"Molly, dear! Are you hurt?" Mary rushed over to Molly, knocking Sherlock out of the way.
"Control your wife John!" Sherlock exclaimed as he rubbed his elbow that made contact with the floor when Mary shoved him and fell from his place on the coffee table.
John mouthed the words as he silently gestured to his wife, "I can't. Very pregnant." To which Sherlock just shook his head.
"No need to fuss Mary. I'm okay. Under the protection of the world's consulting detective as you can see." Molly motioned to Sherlock who was still sitting on the floor. "Besides, it's you who we need to worry about. This stress couldn't possibly be doing any good to baby Watson here."
"Oh don't worry Molly. Mary can handle it." John commented as he sat down on his chair.
"Oh yeah. I keep on forgetting about that." Molly commented as she remembered the time Sherlock told her what happened last Christmas and who actually shot him. To say that she was surprised was an understatement. She was livid when she knew but after Sherlock explained things, she understood. And it wasn't really her place to meddle as she was just a bystander in that regard.
Molly was put out of her thoughts however, when after a while, Lestrade arrived followed by Mycroft.
"Sorry for my tardiness. I was called in by Lady Smallwood." Mycroft explained as they gathered around the living room.
"My men have traced the feed from just outside London, somewhere near Northampton. I've already sent a team to scope out the place and have found no one except for some equipment used in the broadcast. My team already secured the said equipment." Mycroft finished.
"Much appreciated Mycroft but I would still like to look at the location where the person behind this has camped out. Your men might not have done the job properly." Sherlock said.
Mycroft, not one to be upped by his brother replied, "I'll have you know brother mine, that the place was swept clean and any vital information that you'll be needing is already in our hands."
"Does this happen often?" Mary whispered to Molly.
"Maybe? But I've seen worse when Sherlock was hiding in my flat and Mycroft visited him."
"Oh so you're close with Mycroft as well then?"
"Not really close. Acquaintances perhaps? We've met a few times while Sherlock was gone. Just to catch up and comfort each other in a way I guess. Also, he was apparently asked by Sherlock to check-up on me once in a while for 'security purposes' when he was out cleaning up Moriarty's empire. He would sometimes drop by my flat and we would just talk. Don't worry about this though. They really care for each other and just show it in a very odd way as Mycroft told me."
"Interesting." Mary hummed.
"Alright you two, break it off. We all know both of you are brilliant." Lestrade said as he intervened. "But this is hardly the time to one-up each other!"
John added, "Yes. You two definitely need to put a leash on it."
To which Sherlock scoffed, "No need for leashes John. We are not dogs."
"Get on with it!" Molly exclaimed. The remaining people in the room stared at her because of her sudden outburst. "Please?" she added in a softer voice. "We're having a national emergency here."
"Right." Mycroft cleared his voice. "Everyone's protection have been secured so you people can continue on doing your daily routine."
"Mycroft, I'll have a look at the acquired equipment from the location tomorrow." Sherlock said to his brother. "Now, it is imperative for everyone to be cautious and careful. Be wary. For now, John and I will be checking on the evidence gathered by Mycroft's men. Lestrade, be on the look-out for suspicious criminal cases and keep me up to date."
Everyone nodded in agreement and started to head out of the flat.
"Sherlock, I will try my best to accompany you with the case but I can't promise I would be there most of the time. I need to take care of Mary. She's almost due." John said as he excused Sherlock to a corner.
"I understand John. Don't worry."
"Thanks, mate. Mary and I have to go. Oh, and before I forget, please be easy on Molly, okay? I know she's trying to appear strong but I know she's shaken." Sherlock looked at Molly and he saw how hard she was trying to appear normal and nonplussed. He exhaled and nodded at his best friend. John, seemingly satisfied, excused himself and escorted Mary out of the flat.
"Brother, just inform me when you'll be checking the evidence. Now, I have to leave." Mycroft said.
"Yes, yes, I shall." Sherlock dismissed him with a wave of his hand as he headed towards Lestrade and Molly who were having their own conversation.
"Molly, are you sure you're alright staying here?" Greg asked Molly, quite bothered by the arrangement she and Sherlock have.
"I'll be fine Greg. I can handle it." Molly assured him with a smile.
"Okay. But if you think you – "
"Aren't you leaving?" Sherlock cut in.
Lestrade rolled his eyes and looked at Molly. "You can call me if you have problems with the git."
Molly just laughed and nodded.
"Excuse me, I'm right here."
"I know you are." Lestrade interjected. Sherlock then looked to glare at Lestrade.
"Alright, alright. I'm going." With a laugh Lestrade retreated out the door.
"That was uncalled for, Sherlock." Molly said as she move to pick up her book.
"Uncalled for? Can't he see that we already have an arrangement here?" Sherlock complained.
"Greg is very much aware of that." Molly noticed Sherlock's face crunch up in confusion when she brought up Lestrade's name.
"Oh please, we all know you know Lestrade's name, Sherlock."
"Nonetheless, he was clearly meaning to ask if you'd want to stay with him rather than here. Hardly proper if you think about it, when he has plans on pursuing his cheating wife once again."
Molly just stared at Sherlock disbelievingly, not bothering to mention that the only reason why Lestrade wanted to generously offer a space from his home was because he knew that Molly was trying to move on from the consulting detective.
Hell, everyone else knows except the git.
"Can we just stop talking about it since I'm obviously here - no, wait - forced to stay here and not somewhere else?" Molly finally asked, annoyance clear in her features.
Sherlock threw up his hands in exasperation. "We're back to that? It's for your own good Molly!"
"And so I've been told. I'm tired. I'm retiring to my room. Good night!" Molly dismissed Sherlock as she went up to her room.
"What? I'm just saying!" Sherlock explained in his defence. He was answered by the door slamming shut.
Sherlock was rather stunned at the attitude Molly was displaying right now. It was not like her to be so difficult. On normal days she would just be agreeable with everything. She was practical and understanding. Now, she's all feisty and vocal. (Not that he minds, but he's just surprised.) Maybe she's just stressed out with the events recently.
He sighed. "Patience."He thought as he pinched the bridge of his nose. He needs patience.