I wish to thank Guest, Succi, Kathmak, shazzykins, applejacks0808…I don't completely understand why you are willing to read my stories but I'm so thankful that you do…Also, thank you so much for the reviews…It does keep me writing and working on the next parts so…yeah, everything I write is all your fault! I do hope you are ashamed of yourself!

A little warning: there is some talk of blowjobs, we don't see or read the act but I know some might feel…uncomfortable with the subject so I thought I'd give you a heads up!…It's just to be amusing really and to set up a delightful scene with Molly and Sherlock later…Many of you know my weird methods by now, so do be prepared!

~*~And So Beats A Gentle Heart~*~

~*~PART 2~*~

'…The situation strikes me as so desperate that the most extreme measures are justified.'

-The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

In his eyes she eclipse and predominates the whole of her sex.

-A Scandal in Bohemia by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

~*~SHERLOCK~*~

(Sometime much earlier)

"Really, Dr. Hooper?" Mycroft Holmes asked her quite skeptically.

Molly lifted her chin, refusing to be mild and meek before such a cold, cynic and unblinking stare.

"What would be so wrong in checking out the cottage?" Molly demanded her heart filled with worry over his brother's kidnapping…

"Other than it being an obvious waste of time?" Was Mycroft's completely unwelcoming response.

"What if it's not?" Molly asked with a terrifying anger inside her…She would not hit Sherlock's brother…Nope, she wouldn't do it!

A small cold smile graced his lips as if to mocking those words, before answering in a chillingly polite way, "Dr. Hooper…You went out with Moriarty for a very short time, yes? I'm quite certain that what he said and did was so he could get close to Sherlock and play his childish yet deadly game with him. We both know that he only took you out on that lovely romantic picnic that you spoke of because of that game. Now he may have taken you out to the country side and then randomly pointed to some distance cottage saying it was a beloved place of childhood memories and that his brother now owned it…What I mean to say is this…Moriarty was a great liar and manipulator. One should never be foolish enough to have believed in anything that man may have said."

"Surly, the best lie has some element of truth to it, Mr. Holmes…And when he looked over and pointed out the cottage to me and reminisced about spending the holidays there with his brother…I don't see how he had been lying! I know Jim…James…had deceived me greatly, I understand that…Hell, I have accepted that…But that moment…That one moment felt real…Something was very real about that very moment. It was in that man's eyes and his voice…Something that hadn't been there at all while he had been playing his manipulating games. I honestly believe he was remembering something real and precious to him…So what if that cottage is also precious to his brother…What if, Moriarty's brother is holding Sherlock there? Seeing how he blames him for James' death maybe…Maybe…Seriously, why can't you check it out?"

Mycroft sighed and for a split second something close to pity moved within his coldly intelligent eyes.

"There may have indeed been something real in that blasted man's eyes and tone but the truth of the manner still remains the same. James Moriarty was nothing more than a con artist, a master manipulator and a liar…"

"But he was telling the truth about having a brother! So why not the cottage?!" Molly cut in desperate that this man, who was supposedly the British government actually do something other than argue with her!

"And tell me, Dr. Hooper, did the man who at the time you knew as Jim…say what his brother's name was? Hmm?" Mycroft asked softly and almost…knowingly…creepy really.

Molly looked away before muttering, "James…He called his brother James…"

Mycroft took a deep breath before slowly releasing it before stating, "Yes…Well, we now know that Moriarty did indeed have a brother…an older one no less who tricked an entire nation with the lie that James Moriarty wasn't really dead and he pulled off an even greater 'rumors of my death are greatly exaggerated' moment than Sherlock had! All I know, Dr. Hooper, is that Moriarty's brother now has my brother. I have damn fine people working for me that will find him. Hell, I'm working on it personally! Except I will not go hunting in some dark thick fog on some worthless prick's lies that were told to you years ago!"

"But…Couldn't you simply check?" Molly asked hopefully, not wanting to let this go…For Sherlock she'd act like a starving dog upon a bone. "I can show you the exact place! I remember, really I do!"

"No."

"Please?" Molly honestly thought saying the magic word couldn't hurt...

Mycroft blinked at her as if something had seriously surprised him, it also looked as if he was now actually considering what she was asking all because of the word 'please'…Then came the word, "NO." once more… Quite firmly in fact…

Molly studied him for a long moment in desperation before she leaned forward slightly to whisper, as if sharing a secret, "I can get you body parts. I have some lovely fresh eyes and fingers…I would have gladly given them to your brother…but…well…They could very well be yours!" She attempted to bargain.

Mycroft gave a slight grimace. "I may be many things, Dr. Hooper, but I am not my brother! Do please keep those body parts for Sherlock and give them to him when I bring him back to you."

"Still, Mr. Holmes couldn't you just check the cottage? What harm would it do?" Molly found herself asking once more. Her voice was now perhaps unsteady.

"Well…It would be highly embarrassing if I sent in a team of highly skilled men and all that ends up happening is that we scare a ninety-four year old woman who simply hoards seventy-nine cats. Surely you wouldn't like that to happen, I know I bloody well wouldn't! Not again! Once in a lifetime is enough for that to happen!" Mycroft told her in an abrupt tone as if the discussion had already been over hours ago. So, why the hell would she keep bringing it up? Like a bill collector demanding money…

After Mycroft paused, he finally continued with, "Now…Please allow me to find my dear highly annoying brother and you can go back and work in your morgue…I have heard you are good at what you do so you go and do it…And while you work please, rest that silly feminine mind, hmm? One of your weaken brain cells must not think too hard…"

"You are a twat," John Watson's voice rang from the side where he had been silently listening and watching them. "Her brain cells are just fine and better than some men I've known. You should listen to her, Mycroft. It's something that we didn't have before. Let her take some of your men and see what happens."

Intense impatience showed in Mycroft's eyes as he turned his face to study Sherlock's best friend. "If you think it's worth checking out than you go right ahead, John. The game is afoot! I however know Moriarty to be nothing more than a liar and I'm quite certain he was lying about that silly cottage. Also, there is no record of him or his brother owning one."

"They were children with they spent their holidays there! So, it's likely the cottage might be under another name…Maybe their mother's maiden name, perhaps?" John quickly argued.

"If they even went to a bloody cottage during some stupid holiday!" Mycroft shot back nastily. "Do accept that and move on! Just as we must accept the fact that Sherlock could already be dead and the world will now be a better place because of it!"

Molly couldn't have stopped herself even if she had put some effort into it. One moment she was trying real hard to be a reasonable and nice adult and the next her hand was stinging harshly from the incredibly hard and loud slap she had just gifted to one, Mycroft Holmes…

His face was now turned away from her by the brutal force of the slap and a bright red spot revealed where exactly she had hit him. The whole world seemed to gasp right before it stood deathly still.

Slowly, oh so very slowly, Mycroft faced Molly once more. She watched him blink rapidly as if his mind was in shock over what had just taken place. Disbelief was paramount within his eyes. He opened his mouth as if to say something but nothing came out which was good because at that moment if he had…She would have gladly hit him again!

"Don't you dare…" Molly informed him in a low, completely furious tone. Eyes burning with bright hot anger. "Don't you dare ever say such a vicious thing ever again, Mycroft Holmes, ever! Sherlock is still very much alive and the world would not be a better place!"

Molly wasn't sure how she knew this steadfast fact…In her very heart…Deep within her very soul declared this to be true. There was something profoundly powerful within her that told her…Sherlock was still very much alive and was holding on…Waiting for…Someone, most likely John to rescue him…That something deep within her would have told her otherwise. She was certain of it. It would have hurt…shattered her into a million pieces and then died within her. Like a light slowly fading away into complete darkness…

Sherlock…Her Sherlock was not dead…

Molly continued, still quite angry, "The world…Our world would not be better off if he was dead! As his brother you know this to be true! So don't you dare start being a lying prick like Moriarty! Now say you are sorry and that you didn't mean what you just said…"

She watched Mycroft's eyes widen even more.

"Say it!" Molly shouted taking a step towards him. Her hand itching to slap him once more.

Mycroft actually flinched and may have slowly moved towards John perhaps because he was military or even Sherlock's best friend would somehow protect him from the wrath of an angry woman. John was still simply watching with surprised eyes and a slightly opened mouth. His body language clearly stated that he knew of Molly's wrath and was quite grateful that it had never fallen on him…

"Sorry…" Mycroft muttered looking away before he looked back at her to meet her eyes than he spoke in a much stronger voice. "If I ever really lost my brother it would break my heart…and I do have one, you know? Perhaps he is my heart. He's my brother. We don't always like each other, yet our blood declares our relationship quite loudly. Our relationship, Dr. Hooper, no matter how cruel or how at odds it can be at times is strong and true. When the game of life or even in some foolhardy game of others, calls…We stand loyal and firm at each other's side. I might not always be a good man and neither can my brother but to be honest he's the only… friend I have. The only friend I have ever had. He's the only one I have ever truly trusted…I was once going to send him away on a mission in which he would have been dead within six months' time, do trust me when I say that during those six months I would have been working behind the scenes to get him out of such a ghastly predicament that I myself had placed him in…All to get him out of another of his stupid predicaments!" He admitted to her honestly.

Molly took a deep breath, much of her fury leaving her at his true, heartfelt words. "I understand…I do, people will say and do stupid things when they are worried and afraid…Or when they feel that must remove themselves emotionally when the one they love are in danger." She spoke with genuine understanding yet her next words sharpened into steel. "But, Mr. Holmes…never repeat out loud what you said. The world would not be a better place if Sherlock were dead. Never say such a ghastly thing ever again. Do you understand me?"

Mycroft actually looked deeply ashamed of himself as he gave a quick nod. "Yes, perfectly and again…I am sorry."

John looked awfully surprised. One could even say that he looked as if he wanted to quickly run and look out a window to see if the four horsemen were happily riding in the sky to declare the upcoming apocalypse.

Molly accepted his words with a slow nod; as if she was a queen and she was granting him something of value…She carefully placed her hands behind her back. The action actually caused the British government to relax slightly with a soft sigh of relief.

"So…" Molly decided to get back to the heart of the matter. Finding Sherlock and getting him out of the hands of a madman. "You won't send men to the cottage but I can take John…Good thing he has some pictures of Moriarty's brother's men on his phone that Sherlock had placed on it…If we see any men in question at the cottage…Will you call in your men to help?"

Mycroft slowly rubbed his still red cheek thoughtfully, "Of course I will, but what exactly are you planning to do? Simply go up to the cottage and ring the bell?"

Molly lifted her chin and glared hotly at him. Which they both knew didn't answer the question until she finally responded with, "Why not? Sure, I'll simply go up and ring the bloody bell. I'll inform who ever answers, especially if it's a man, that I'm a member of a local cult and I'd love to save their soul with a damn fine blow job!"

Both men looked positively stunned, even more so than when Molly had slapped the hell right out of Mycroft…

John, even though he was a happily married man, looked as if he was pondering the likely hood of there actually being a cult out there full of beautiful women who simply wanted to save souls by way of blowjobs…A damn fine one at that!

"I'll either have the door slammed in my face or I'll be invited in!" Molly continued, not telling the men that if that stranger attempted to take her up on her crazy offer she'd bite him…hard…

Mycroft cleared his throat looking a bit uncomfortable, "I do understand that you would do anything for my dear brother but surly…"

"No, buts, I would do anything for Sherlock, for you see, if something were to happen to him it would do more than break my heart." Molly quickly cut in being completely straightforward.

"You love my brother, deeply." Mycroft stated softly yet mildly as if discussing the weather…A chance of rain, take a good brolly when stepping outside today…

"Yeah," Molly confirmed. "Everyone seems to know that fact. Congratulations, you are now in the loop with everyone else!"

A small smile graced Mycroft's lips, his cold eyes actually seemed to warm a little. "Oh, joy! Normally it takes years for simpleminded everyone to even see a glimpse of my loop…Heaven forbid they ever actually ever place themselves in my loop!"

Molly gave him a warm and friendly smile that lit up her face…Making her extremely beautiful.

Something seemed to shut down within the British government as he once more went back from being momentarily human into complete stone…Now he was the wonderful arse that everyone was familiar with…making John feel more at home.

"Well, Dr. Hooper, you and John go off and do what you believe to be the correct course of action…For you do feel so strongly about it. I, however, will work on what I feel needs to be done. So if…or when…the time comes and you are certain that you are indeed right…Just hit speed dial one on your phone and I will have my men at your side posthaste."

Molly wrinkled her brow in deep confusion. "But you're not speed dial one on my phone…"

"I am now. Sherlock is moved down to number two. It happened less than twenty minutes ago…I knew I could have it changed instantly less than two minutes as you left the building without you even knowing …Though it looks like I won't have to follow through with that plan." Mycroft retorted. The simple way he had said it…As if such an action on his part was an everyday occurrence…Spoke volumes.

This man before her could easily be a scary and dangerous man to know personally…A savagely powerful one as well…One Molly had just slapped! Hmm…Oh, well...She'd do it again in a heartbeat!

Molly couldn't help but take a step back before eyeing him a bit nervously…Her hand back to her side…Waiting…Mycroft gave her a cold smile as if reading her thoughts, almost daring her…Like a cat with a new toy…

Finally the British government continued, "Now, to be on the safe side, you and John should each take a gun. I know your grandfather was former MI5 and he taught you to shot and to handle yourself…if push ever came to shove…"

"I-I…" Molly's eyes were now wide, seeming to be stunned that he knew that before explaining, "I don't like guns. Never have…but yes, my grandfather taught me…He also said that if I was going to shot I bloody well better shot to kill…It's different when the target is cans and bottles…Human targets are a completely different thing."

"Well…As you stated Dr. Hooper, you will do anything for my dear brother." He calmly reminded her now with no expression.

Molly studied him before slowly nodding as she swallowed hard. It was true. She had said just that and had meant it with all her heart…Anything…She would, for Sherlock, she would do what she hated…She'd handle a gun…The last time…God, no, she wasn't going to remember that! Could she hold one in her hand again? The last time had been an accident and a part of her would always be damaged because of it…

Could she take another life? This time on purpose? Could she? Really?

Molly could easily handle there being bodies on her slab…but what about a body that she had placed there herself?

She had to bite her bottom lip to stop if from trembling…If Mycroft knew about her MI5 grandfather than he probably knew why she hated guns…Still he studied her…This time he was the one waiting…He seemed to know exactly what her response would be…

For Sherlock…The man she loved…A man who would never return that love but still…He was her heart…He was her friend…A tarnished knight in armor that would always be there for her, if ever need be, he would stand at her side sword at ready…She didn't doubt that. She couldn't ever doubt that to be a great truth. Damn it all, she'd walk through hell itself for him! She'd relieve a nightmare. A mistake that could never be fixed…never…She would probably create more nightmares before the day was done.

Mycroft still studied her as if she was under a high powered microscope as she nodded.

"I would…" Molly whispered, voice feeling weak and raw, eyes watery. "And I will."

With those words spoken Mycroft turned his sharp focus unto John before informing him, "Your wife is still visiting with Mrs. Hudson over at Baker Street. Go pick her up and take her with you out into the lovely country side. Do leave the baby in Mrs. Hudson's care and then ask your wife to take you both out to her secret storage unit filled with all types of weapons that…certain people such as myself has gladly turned a blind eye to…I'm quite certain that nothing will happen but just to be on the safe side…"

John gave him a long look as if he didn't want to follow his orders, his brother's orders sure, why not? But Mycroft Holmes' orders? Not so much, no. Yet, because he was a man who would also do anything for Sherlock…No matter how annoying he could be…No matter how much questionable chemicals he may try to secretly give him…He'd follow those orders…For Sherlock, his best friend…John would even ignore that Mycroft knew things about his wife that he didn't…

So John nodded before he declared as the brave and loyal soldier that he'd always be, "Let's get this show on the road. Our best mate is waiting for us!"

Molly looked a bit dazed as she moved towards the door with John dreading the thought of placing a gun into her own hand…She stopped as she heard, "Oh, Dr. Hooper?"

"Y-Yes? And…um…please do call me, Molly."

Sherlock's brother gave a stiff nod at her words before saying some words of his own, "And so I shall, Molly and in return please call me Mycroft."

"Oh…Okay…Sure." Molly responded almost meekly, yet both men knew that meekness to be a complete lie. There was hot steel within her…Where the Holmes' brothers were hard ice…Molly Hooper was pure fire. Warm to be near but she would burn if that someone if they did something she deemed wrong…

Mycroft pursed his lips into a hard, thoughtful line before asking, "Have you ever slapped my brother?"

Molly looked away with a deep flush upon her face, "W-Well…um…i-it's a long story really...and um…we don't have much time…"

John decided that there was enough time as he answered Mycroft. He never realized that his eyes lit up as the memory of dear, sweet, always kind, Molly Hooper as she slapped the hell out of his best friend…A friend that deserved it to be honest.

"Oh, she slapped him good and hard! You should have witnessed it! Molly was furious after she tested Sherlock's piss to find him quite high. She slapped him more than once and really, I must say, it was one of the most beautiful things I'd ever seen…Was one of the top five, really…"

This man could never be trusted with sensitive secrets, he loved gossip way too much…Mycroft half expected the fact that his baby brother once wanted to be a pirate to show up in one of those ridiculous blogs he enjoyed writing…Seriously, Sherlock better never share with John that when he was a small boy Mycroft once pretended that he was a musketeer…Okay, it had been more than once…However, some facts should never be shared!

"Interesting." Mycroft stated softly his eyes may have been on them both but one could clearly see his thoughts were now elsewhere…

"Bye, Mycroft…" Molly muttered giving him a friendly finger wave as she quickly left with John a few steps behind.

The powerful and highly intelligent man moved towards his desk before hitting the button for his favorite PA…

Mycroft quickly informed his lovely Anthea what he wanted her to do before he sat down and placed his fingertips together under his chin, completely dismissing her, trusting that she'd get what he wanted her to do done…

Suddenly, he was standing in his favorite mind rose garden outside his large and beautiful mind castle. His brother lounged in a comfortable lawn chair. Wearing his shiny blue dressing gown, a nice familiar dress shirt and dark trousers…His feet were completely bare and from two of his fingers dangled a lit cigarette. Both men simply studied each other. Neither of them saying a bloody thing…

"She's perfect…" Mycroft finally spoke. His brother's handsome face revealed nothing as he continued, "For you…She's perfect for you."

Sherlock lifted the cigarette to his lips still saying nothing. Still showing no expression what so ever…He may have wiggled his toes at him, however…

Mycroft sighed in annoyance, even in his mind Sherlock never did what he wanted him to do.

Like talk to him!

"Do you know that? That your pathologist is perfect for you?" Mycroft asked, watching as Sherlock slowly blew out the smoke between his lips.

Mycroft had to continue, feeling for once oddly chatty, that feeling didn't happen too often… "All that beautiful fire…Molly Hooper could easily melt the iciest of hearts, especially yours, dear brother. She loves and accepts you the way you are…However, she won't accept any crap out of you, nor would she ignore your horrid drug habit. I…find I could easily respect her…even like her. Mummy would love her quite easily. So, tell me…Do you know that your Molly is perfect for you?"

Something flashed in his brother's eyes only for a second before he finally answered, "Maybe I do, maybe I don't. You know bloody well that I always miss something, brother mine…But do trust me, I never miss that something for long."

Mycroft slowly smiled, pleased, "No, you don't especially if I lend a hand…Also, I think at some point I'll share with you about Molly being willing to give strangers blowjobs for you…I highly doubt you would be apathetic about that! Might even make you…well show her that she's yours, yes? Irene Adler might be 'the woman' to you but 'your woman' is quite a different matter! I think this might just be fun…Getting the two of you together…Oh, yes, I think I will lend a helping hand!"

Sherlock chuckled, his eyes full of boyish mischief…The same eyes he had when he had made Mycroft walk the plank with his stick, pretending it was a sword in his 'I'm a pirate' days… "You do that, Mycroft. You help me out with mywoman and while you poke that hornet nest with a stick…I will be in my mind palace strangling you…and enjoying it!"

As Sherlock brought the cigarette up to his smiling lips once more…Mycroft couldn't help but think his brother could be a bloody prick at times…

With that he was back in reality…He had important things to do…His main one at the moment was to get his brother back before it was too late…

~*~End of Part 2~*~