A/N: This chapter was really hard to write, so I hope it's believable! x

John was bored, when Sherlock had charged off with a sudden urge to conduct an experiment he hadn't realised that it would end up taking so long.

Molly had remained sequestered in her office ever since the coffee incident and John was starting to get the impression that Sherlock was determined to stay where he was until she resurfaced.

Well, not on his watch; he felt bad enough having brought the coffee incident to Sherlock's attention, he wasn't going to leave her alone with him now.

Even if that meant he was stuck here, he sighed heavily.

"If you want to go John, don't let me keep you," Sherlock told him absently, placing another slide under the microscope.

"Don't think I don't know what you're doing, Sherlock," John warned him, Sherlock looked up with mild interest, "I'm not going to let you torture poor Molly, I'm staying put."

Sherlock made a noise somewhere between derision and exasperation, "I have no plans to torture Molly," he replied, turning back to his microscope.

"Please, when do you ever do otherwise?" John said, crossing his arms and leaning back in his seat. "Don't you think the poor girl's been through enough without you leading her on?" he added.

Sherlock glared into the microscope, "I'm not leading her on," he muttered.

John snorted, "Right, of course," he sighed, "I forgot, it's sentiment, you wouldn't understand," he added. "Look, Sherlock, I like Molly, ok? I don't want to see her get hurt," he told him levelly.

Sherlock took a steadying breath before turning to face John, "I don't want to hurt her, John," he said calmly, "but I need to talk to her," he said simply, turning back to the microscope.

"Why?" John demanded.

"Because she invaded my Mind Palace," Sherlock spat, "I can't get her out of my head and I'm not entirely sure that I want to," he continued at John's dumbfounded silence. He looked up, "Satisfied?" he asked.

"That was…unexpected," John said finally.

Sherlock gave a noncommittal 'hmm' as he turned back to the microscope.

"So…I guess I should leave then?" John asked, looking like he was in shock.

"I would prefer to be without an audience in this instance, yes," Sherlock agreed, not looking up.

"Right, um, good luck," John said, casting one more confounded look in Sherlock's direction before slipping into his coat and leaving.

"I don't need luck," Sherlock mumbled to himself, "I need my mind back."

"Talking to yourself is the first sign of insanity," Molly said quietly, startling him from his thoughts. He looked up to find her looking apprehensive, "Where's John?" she asked.

"I sent him home," Sherlock replied.

"Oh," she said softly, fidgeting, "um, did you need anything?" she asked finally.

Sherlock cocked his head to the side, "Do I torture you?" he asked, intrigued.

Molly's eyes snapped to his face, "What?" she spluttered, "No-you…no, you don't torture me."

He pursed his lips, "But I have hurt you?" he clarified.

"Yes," she admitted in a small voice.

"I'm sorry," he said sincerely, she eyed him warily.

She shrugged a shoulder, "It doesn't matter, you haven't…not since, well…"

"Christmas."

"Yes."

An awkward silence descended as Sherlock tried to think of what to say next and Molly examined her shoes.

"Are you sure I can't get you anything?" she asked finally, breaking the silence and looking back up at him.

He took a deep breath, "No thank you, I have everything I need right here," he told her, attempting to give her a meaningful look.

A look that appeared to have been completely lost on her as she rocked back on her heels looking like she felt out of place.

"I'm sorry about the coffee," she said in a rush, surprising him, she bit her lip, "I, um…"

"Now take your coffee black with two sugars?" he supplied, raising an eyebrow.

She nodded mutely, avoiding his eyes.

"Intriguing," he said, watching her carefully now, "because I now take mine white with no sugar."

She looked up at him, searching for signs that he was mocking her; she found none.

"Ask me why," he pressed, "I know you want to know," he paused, "you've wanted to ask ever since it happened."

"Why?" she asked, holding his gaze steadily.

"Because it reminded me of you," he said simply, "it was sentimental and dull, but the simple truth is…I missed you."

Molly looked shocked and she reached out to hold onto the bench for support, "You missed me?"

He nodded, standing slowly so that he wouldn't startle her, "Yes."

He moved so that he towered over her; she trembled slightly and her grip on the bench tightened, but she continued to hold his gaze. "I didn't want to miss you, in fact, I tried very hard to put you out of my mind," he continued seriously.

She found her voice, "But you didn't."

"But I couldn't," he corrected her, "you slipped passed all my defences and conquered my Mind Palace, conquered me, without my even realising it. I love you," he confessed.

Molly opened her mouth to reply but no sound came out, closing her mouth she stared up at him hopelessly.

He smirked, "You're staring," he teased lightly, shifting closer to her and brushing a lock of hair off her face, making her blush. "I'm not romantic, Molly," he continued, his voice becoming serious once more, "I can't promise you roses and candlelight," his eyes bore into hers, "but you know all that I am and I offer that to you."

"I…I…"

"Just breathe, Molly," he instructed her gently, resting his hands lightly on her shoulders.

She closed her eyes and obeyed his instructions, feeling calm once more she opened her eyes. "Do you mean it?" she asked finally, looking up at him with pleading eyes.

Sherlock knew that he deserved her doubt, but that didn't mean he didn't feel a little stab of pain at her words. "Every word," he promised.

She smiled shyly, "Well, then, I accept your surrender."

He fought off a smirk, "Excellent metaphorical extrapolation," he complimented her.

"Sherlock," she said, attempting to look stern, "just shut up and kiss me."

It was Sherlock's turn to gape at her, momentarily taken aback by her tone – where had his timid Molly gone? – before he closed the distance and kissed her.

He smiled as she melted against him; finally she truly was his Molly.