Mycroft rowed the boat to the middle of the lake.
"This place is so pretty." Moly said.
"It lost its beauty for me when I was five. When you live here day after day, it gets boring."
"I love it."
Mycroft lost his grip on the oar and it sank to the bottom of the lake. The two stared as it sank. Molly started laughing hysterically at him.
"I don't see why you're laughing. We're both stuck out here." Mycroft said.
That sobered Molly quickly. "You mean, there isn't another paddle?"
"Yes, I keep a package of spare paddles in the secret compartment in the boat." He said sarcastically.
"Hey, no need to get sarcastic with me. I t was a valid question." Molly thought for a moment. "Okay, we'll swim back."
Mycroft jerked his eyes to her. "What? Are you mental?"
"We either swim or stay here. I don't know about you, but I'm swimming back." Molly said. "Actually, I do want you to come." She grabbed his jacket and jumped in the water.
"That's mine."
"Come and get it." Molly taunted.
Mycroft jumped into the water and chased Molly to the edge of the lake. They laughed together at the hilarity of the entire situation. They trudged, soaking wet, back to the house.
"That was so much fun."
"Yes, we should change our clothes." Mycroft said.
"Oh, yes, right."
After dinner, Molly went towards her room to read a book. Mycroft followed her.
"Are you enjoying yourself?"
"Yes, very much. You made it out that staying with your parents would be boring. I haven't had so much fun in a long time."
"To be honest, I haven't had this much excitement since meeting you." Mycroft said.
Molly's face turned red. "I'm glad I can provide you entertainment."
They stood in uncomfortable silence.
"I'm going to, um, go read a bit."
"Okay."
They went into their respective rooms. Molly leaned back on the door. She took deep breaths to calm her rapidly beating heart. She just knew her cheeks were flaming pink. Then she decided on her next move.
"Oh bugger it all!" She threw the door open and met Mycroft in the hall. He looked at her with a look of curiosity and a hint of excitement. She furrowed her brow. "What are you doing still here?"
"I'd say the same thing as you."
Mycroft grabbed Molly's waist and kissed her softly on the lips. Molly placed her hands on his chest. After a moment, they pulled apart and looked in each other's eyes.
"That was amazing." Molly said breathlessly.
"The woman snatcher and the hopeless girl. Perfect pairing I'd say." Mycroft replied.
"Yeah.
Mrs. Holmes knew something had changed between the two. Mycroft made every attempt to brush Molly's hand or make small touches. When they went back to the campus, Mrs. Holmes saw Mycroft with his hand on the small of Molly's back.
Everything was great between Molly and Mycroft until his senior year when he graduated. After graduation, he took Molly to their favorite library table.
"Look at you, Mr. Graduate." Molly said with a smile.
Mycroft looked somber and that adorable smile did not grace his lips. "Molly, we can't do this anymore."
Molly's smile turned into a frown. "It's worked just fine for two years. What's changed? Did I do something wrong?"
"No! Nothing is wrong with us per se. It's just—this is harder than I thought—I'm leaving here and you're still here for another year. It's highly probable that we will never see each other again." Mycroft explained.
Molly's eyes filled with tears. "How probable?"
"Very. Balance of probability."
"Okay."
"Molly, believe me, if I thought it could work, I would keep us this way." Mycroft said.
"No. I understand. Really I do." Molly hugged him. "It's been nice knowing you, Mycroft Holmes."
"Likewise, Molly Hooper. Don't cry, Molly. Promise me you won't cry."
"I promise."
Mycroft sat in his car on the way to London. He made Molly promise not to cry, but he made no such promise. A tear ran down his face at all the happy memories they had made. That moment, he decided that caring was not an advantage if this was the result.
Years later, Molly Hooper was the best pathologist at St. Bart's Hospital. She worked with the consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes. On this particular night, Molly was standing over the presumed body of Irene Adler. Sherlock came in, but Molly was startled by the other man in the room. She would know that face anywhere. Even after all this time.
"Her face is bashed up a bit, so-"
"Show me the rest of her." Sherlock demanded.
Mycroft turned to follow Sherlock out.
"How did he recognize her from not her face?"
He said nothing.
"I thought balance of probability was very high that we would never see each other again."
"My probability was off I'll admit, but you did always defy my logic." Mycroft said.
"So, are you a government official or whatever it was you were aiming for?"
"Sort of. I am the British Government." Mycroft said. "I see you are a pathologist like you talked about."
"The dead body was a dead giveaway. How have you been?" Molly asked.
"Fine."
"Mycroft Holmes, do not tell me that you have become an emotionless drone. I will not have it. If I wasn't allowed neither are you." Molly scolded.
"I've missed you. How long has it been?"
"Six years." Molly replied. "I've been excellent in my politics though."
"Really? Who did you vote for recently?"
"That tall, brunette guy." Molly said with a smile.
"What were his political views?"
"He was very much for politics."
"Every politician is for politics. Did I teach you nothing?" Mycroft said.
"He saves kittens from certain death." Molly said in all seriousness.
Mycroft rolled his eyes. "Good Lord. I thought you were kidding about that."
"No. I told you I was serious."
There was an awkward silence.
"So you're still Hooper." Mycroft said.
"You do not want to get me started on my track record. Seriously, it's awful. How about you? Is there a Mrs. Holmes?"
"No."
"I must have been wrong about the woman snatching thing." Molly teased.
"There you are wrong. I'm about to snatch myself a woman right now."
Mycroft grabbed her waist and pulled her into a kiss.
A/N: So there you have it. An adorably fluffy story I couldn't help writing. Please leave a review. I'd be so happy.