Hey, I know I'm repeating myself when I say thank you for all your support and reviews and comments but I really mean it. You've all given me such a boost at a difficult time. Life is gradually getting back to normal...kids and work kind of force that on you and I'm enjoying picking up my proverbial pen again and starting to write.

It makes me happy that you are all on board with this fic and so without further ado here's the next chapter.

Chapter 3

It was the next day when Molly was able to send all the details through to Sherlock and Lestrade. There wasn't a lot of insightful information but she knew that the smallest detail could be the one which helped Sherlock to solve the case and she had to admit she wanted whoever it was caught.

The papers had already linked the location of the murder with the Ripper killings and were outdoing each other in predictions of more deaths and lurid details, most of which were wrong and obviously made up. They were also speculating about whether Sherlock was assisting in the case as there were eye witnesses saying that they had seen him at the crime scene and she snickered a little at all the stock images of him wearing the dreaded deerstalker. She knew how much he hated that hat as well as the fact that it was now one of his trademark looks.

She read the latest on her iPad over her morning cuppa and it was then that her estate agents rang. Her flat had been on the market for just over a week and this was their first call and she had to admit to feeling a flutter of nerves as she answered.

'Hello.'

'Hi Dr Hooper? It's Bartlett Estate Agents here. We've received an offer on your flat and need to discuss it with you. Is now a good time?'

Molly's mouth fell open in shock. 'An offer? But nobody has even been to see it.'

'Well that's often the way with overseas buyers looking for an investment property.'

'Oh, are they foreign then? Not that that matters.'

'They'd rather remain anonymous…again, that's fairly common. It is a verified offer though, they have given us proof that they have the funds. It's just an offer that comes with conditions.'

This time Molly felt a substantial amount of suspicion. 'What conditions?'

'Well, they've offered £50 000 over the asking price on the condition that you be out within ten days.'

'Ten days...but I haven't got anywhere to go to. I haven't found another property…I'm not packed or anything.'

'I understand that but it's a good offer. You could put your furniture into storage, stay with a friend. It would mean that you aren't in a chain when looking for another property which would put you in a really good situation. How about I give you a few hours to think about it and you can let me have your answer?'

Molly nodded in shock initially before remembering that the estate agent couldn't see her. 'Yes…yes that would be good. I'll ring you later.'

'Just remember Dr Hooper this is a really good offer. Anyway, we can talk soon.'

Molly put her mobile back on the table and sat back on her settee shaking her head. Toby jumped up at the side of her and she scratched his head distractedly, her mind whirling with possibilities. It all seemed so real now and even though she felt nervous she couldn't help the bubble of excitement that welled up inside her.

'A fresh start hey Tobes…what do you think?'

Two hours later and she was in work but she knew her head wasn't in the game and most of her time had been spent researching storage firms and going through the list of her friends to see what the chances were of her staying temporarily. It was a mixed picture. The storage firms were cheaper than she had expected but so far she had had no luck finding someone to stay with. Her Her oldest London-based friend Caroline had just had a baby, so she was out. Her family lived too far away and Meena was already flat sharing and there was no extra space.

When Sherlock arrived she was googling short term rentals but in the areas she was looking at they were all prohibitively expensive.

He threw his coat over one of the lab desks and asked Molly some questions about the autopsy, distracting her and making her a bit irritable. Unsurprisingly it wasn't long before he noticed and wandered over. She tried to close down the page she was looking at but the tab below was just the same and she saw his eyes narrowing.

'Looking for a new flat Molly? What's wrong with the old one?'

'Nothing. At least there wasn't until recently.'

He tilted his head, looking at her questioningly and she sighed.

'I…I just can't get the idea of your sister spying on me out of my head. The place just doesn't feel the same any more. Anyway, I've had an offer but if I accept it I'd have to be out in a few days and it means I need to find somewhere short term as I haven't yet found another place…hence me looking up rentals. Some of the rents are just ridiculous though; look, the cheapest are nearly £2000 per month and some are over five grand…I can't afford that.'

'So stay with a friend, surely you have some…what about that girl upstairs in oncology that you're friends with?'

Molly rolled her eyes. 'She's just had a baby Sherlock, surely you noticed she was pregnant?'

He shrugged. 'Not really, not important. And there's no one else?'

Molly turned despondently back to her computer. 'No, not that I can think of.'

He cleared his throat and she looked back at him as he wandered over to his microscope. 'What?'

'You never thought to ask me? I thought we were friends?'

'I…I mean, yes we are but…'

'But what Molly?'

'I…just…well…I can't imagine you wanting me getting in your way.'

'Who says you'll be in my way? And even if you were I don't see that being a problem. Anyway, John's old room is there if you want it.'

Molly leant back in her chair and chewed on the end of her pen. She honestly hadn't even thought of asking Sherlock…at all. But now he'd mentioned it his place would be ideal. It was a good location and there was a spare room. Maybe, just maybe it could work.

MHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMH

Molly began regretting accepting Sherlock's proposal almost as soon as she had said the words. It seemed to equate in his mind to adopting her as his new assistant. He spent the rest of his time at Barts barking instructions at her and as he left he said he'd text if he needed her that evening for anything to do with the murder.

'You know I do have quite a lot to do at home Sherlock. I'm supposed to be getting ready to move out.'

He waved his hand dismissively as he carried on texting with the other. Molly was amazed he could do that one handedly, it took all her effort to text using both hands but he seemed to manage it effortlessly.

'Surely solving a murder is more important. John always used to tell me off for not caring enough...but I always care about catching a killer. Anyway, I can always come round and help you pack nearer the time.'

Molly couldn't help the snort of derision that she let out and he finally looked up at her, raising one eyebrow. 'Problem?'

She was still finding the whole idea amusing and she couldn't help the grin on her face. 'You? Packing? You're full of surprises today. Are you sure you haven't hit your head or something?'

It was only when she saw a very fleeting look of hurt pass through his eyes that she wondered if she might have gone too far, he was obviously trying really hard to say the right thing, to make friendly offers.

She schooled her features and thanked him. 'If you're serious then yes, I would appreciate the extra pair of hands. Thank you.'

He nodded and smiled. 'Good, I'll be in touch.' Then he was gone leaving the door swinging shut and Molly wondering just what she had agreed to and trying to work out how it made her feel.

SHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSH

Sherlock knew exactly how he was feeling though as he walked away and that was exhilarated. For the first time in weeks he felt in control and as though things were going his way and it told him much more about his feelings than all his previous procrastination did.

He decided then and there that he needed to explore his feelings for Molly and progress them. He had seen what being emotionless had done to his sister and he had tried for years to follow Mycroft example but he wasn't Eurus and he wasn't Mycroft and it was about time he followed his heart and not his head.

That didn't mean he wanted to rush headlong into anything, he needed to tread carefully for Molly's sake as much as his own. He needed to be sure of his feelings and not hurt her, she deserved nothing less from him. That being said he was already counting down to when he would next see her again and it couldn't come soon enough. First though he was sitting in on some interviews that Greg was conducting with the victim's friends and co-workers. He'd had to promise to be on his best behaviour and not make any of them cry. He rolled his eyes even thinking about it…he hated time-wasting and sometimes shock tactics were the quickest way.

SHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSH

Four hours later and he was irritated beyond belief. Greg had refused to allow him to sit in on any more interviews after the first and all because of some trivial complaint about the way he had questioned the husband. Surely the man must have know about her serial philandering it was obvious to anyone who looked at her.

Instead he'd initially spent his time with Anderson watching the interviews through the two way glass but he'd eventually given that idea up because the other man wouldn't stop asking him questions and talking about inane things. He'd been so tempted to tell him to shut up but he'd remembered just how eager Philip had been to believe in him when he'd faked his death and he found he just couldn't be as cruel as he once had been to him.

He then spent a couple of hours going through some of the CCTV footage from shops and businesses near the murder site hoping that something would strike a chord. It was a long shot with the first murder but by the second or third he might start to recognise a familiar walk or body shape. There was only so much people could do to disguise themselves and Sherlock knew all of the tricks.

Eventually he glanced at his watch and saw that it was almost eight o'clock and he figured he ought to make his way back to Baker St, he just found himself really reluctant to go. It was Mrs Hudson's Bingo night, she went every Thursday with Mrs Turner from next door which meant his place would be empty again. He should be used to it by now but he wasn't. He missed John's company; he missed just having someone to listen to him, to bounce ideas off, someone who cared about him.

Without even consciously thinking about it he found himself hailing a cab and giving the driver Mollys address.

As he sat in the back he couldn't help the slow smile that spread across his face at the thought of seeing her…he had made the right decision.

I'm assuming we're all happy with the way Sherlock's feelings are progressing but let me know...and do we like the idea of a flat share?

For once I have a quiet weekend (with plans to write) so I should be back with a new chapter in a couple of days xx