(Hullo my super patient readers, if you see this message then you might be confused. To continue where I left off with this RP I have gone back to reread the work and in the process have been fixing errors, continuity and to better the characters and their design. Some chapters I found way too short and smushed them together. Be patient, new new chapters are coming. Also make sure you go back and reread the newly edited Chp1 and 2!)

Chapter 3

During his explanation, Jim had led her through the parlor with a fireplace, rugs strewn about, and a few cushioned chairs. Turning down a wide corridor, there were a few doors that lead to who knew what, until he finally came upon the last door, at the very end of the hallway.

"This is the northeast corner of the place and my private library," he looked to her for approval as he pushed on the twin heavy oak doors. Molly stared, awestruck for what seemed like the billionth time today alone. She had never seen so many books in one place before. The library was amazing.

"Oh my god... This is, wow."

"And it's all yours too, take whatever pleases your eye, ok. Oh, hello Sebastian," Jim waved an arm to a figure in a chair, unseen as he faced the fireplace. The colonel raised in arm in acknowledgment engrossed in some story.

"He was simply barbaric when I first took him in. Wouldn't even touch a novel as if it was inflected with plague or something, at least now he's better," he said looking to Molly with a warm smile. From the chair, they heard a grunt and a German dialect without friendly tone.

"Oh," she glanced at the blonde-haired man. He'd seemed nice enough earlier, and Molly had a hard time imagining him as 'barbaric', but she decided not to test it. Perhaps not nearly as large as Beast's library castle from the film, yet Molly was understanding how Belle felt.

"I- I wouldn't know where to start... there's so many books," Molly glanced at Jim, smiling softly, "Thank you."

It warmed his stomach to hear her and in response he shifted back and forth on his feet for a moment, slightly self conscious. They stood there until his phone buzzed with a text and he beamed childishly at the message.

"According to Alex, preparations of dessert are ready love!"

"Oh, umm, okay," she replied, wondering to herself whether or not she was the only person he referred to as 'love', and then realizing that she shouldn't even be thinking about that. Molly shook her head, as though that would also shake the thought from her mind. Back near the dining room Jim walked ahead of her, eagerly, because he was a sucker for sweets.

"Ta-dah! I couldn't decide so I preferred to let your stomach be your guide. Mine Cerrrrrtainly will!" he sang out, spinning around the table. A row of different flavors lined the table and then further along toppings and sauces of all kinds. Taking a bowl, Jim took a little of everything and sat relaxed.

"I might have to guess... strawberry is perhaps a favorite?"

Reaching out Molly froze because she had just been about to get the strawberry-flavoured ice-cream when he spoke, and she paused mid-step. Was she really that predictable? She turned and got vanilla ice-cream instead.

"Strawberry's good. Though I- I wouldn't say my favorite," she lied.

"Ha, don't put on an act. Enjoy yourself, Molly. I particularly do not enjoy the company of someone who lies," he said a bit darkly, narrowing his eyes before swallowing a mouth full, "I prefer honesty, it is the best policy."

A knot in Molly's stomach appeared since she hated being predictable, hated when people like Sherlock and Jim could deduce her so easily. She wasn't going to admit that he'd been right.

"Who says I'm putting on an act?" she replied, stubbornly, "I like vanilla."

The answer made his eye twitch and Jim felt it was ignorable. Spoon dangling from mouth, he stood up with hands in his pocket and neared her.

"You don't like strawberry? Vanilla is your favorite?"

Determined, Molly attempted not to look away, even though she really wanted to, "I didn't say that- that I don't like strawberry... I- I just said it's not my favourite... And I do like vanilla."

Very close to her, Jim loomed over her as he looked down on her, a bit disapproving and even a little annoyed. To his surprise though when she did not look away as almost everyone did, it made him happy and forget.

"You definitely got wits Molly. Don't forget that," he smirked as cupped her face with his palm, until his phone buzzed. With his other hand, he pulled it out and read the message, responding with rolled eyes and a grunt of annoyance.

"Sorry dear, I must dash again. Silly, silly men I have to deal with," he said, sticking his spoon from his mouth into the container of vanilla.

"Adieu then!"

Her heart hammered in her chest as he stood so close, wondering what he was going to do- and then his phone went off and he was leaving. She stood there awkwardly, not knowing exactly what to do if he was gone. Thoughtfully Molly supposed she could go back to her new house, or perhaps to the library... indecisive still and biting her lip.

"He's sometimes like that. Sometimes his temper might get the best of him," Sebastian spoke up.

"Oh," she snapped around to face Sebastian, blushing at having been caught just standing there like an idiot, "I- I was just... Uh..."

No valid excuse could be thought up to explain why she was just standing there, so she just looked away, still blushing and nervously brushing a stray hair behind her ear. Inhaling a long draft from his smoke, Sebastian let it drift out of his mouth before coming near the table and helping himself.

"Usually something like that would set him off, but it looks like you're special. Actually you are special. James Moriarty hates to be close to people," he explained matter of fact as if the two were conversing about the weather. Molly wrinkled her nose slightly at the smell of the smoke, she never really liked smoking, but she didn't say anything about it. If Sebastian wanted to smoke, then so be it she wasn't going to be the one to stop an expertly trained killer from doing what he wanted. At least not something as minute as smoking. She shook her head.

"No, you're wrong. I'm not special, I'm just his... doctor, apparently." It still felt strange about having accepted the job offer.

"Listen sweetheart there are only two people Boss trusts in. Me and himself. And now he's let you into his home, at the drop of a hat. Furthermore, he's letting you get close to him, I mean literally. Stupid git wouldn't go to any other doctors and I have had to take care of him. Sure he's alive, but I'm not a very good of physician," he laughed to himself and ate a little.

"I'm not even actually a doctor, though," she said, "I mean sure, I went to medical school, but I dropped out before I finished and became a pathologist instead..." Molly refused to believe that Jim actually thought of her as anything but ordinary- obviously there had to be a bigger plan here, a bigger plan that she was missing.

"Gah, who knows what he's thinking. Been with the bastard for at least four years and I still can't predict him. Either way, I like you, and given what you had to do with that detective, you seem well enough to get things done."

Turning around, he began to walk away to the stair case before calling behind him, "Defiantly trusts you I guess. I never seen him threaten the movers to get your stuff over here that fast. Night."

"G'night," Molly responded, staring after him. No, he couldn't be right. Once more she decided to shake the thought from her mind and headed back to her new home. Inside, Molly found that all her things had been moved in whilst she was at dinner. Sebastian's words came back to her mind, but she ignored them. No, he had to be wrong. Curled up underneath a blanket on the couch with Toby and, before she knew it, she had fallen asleep while reading one of her own books that had been brought along with her few possessions from her flat.

It was very late by the time he came back and he was very tired, even slightly sore. Using what was left of his energy, Jim trudged upstairs and headed into his private bathroom, washed his face and hands on the end of the sink he gave bit of a sigh.

"You know I told you I could have done it myself," Sebastian said as he appeared in the doorway.

"Well it had been awhile and just needed to have a little fun," Jim said before he gave Sebastian a grin. Remaining still, Sebastian smoked his cigarette in thought as Jim stripped off his suit down to his bloodied undershirt.

"So you think she's ok?"

"Of course's she's fine, what you scared of the woman touching you Sebby?" he teased.

"No Boss, I just meant... you think we could trust her?" and immediately he threw up his guard, blocking a slap that would have landed on his face.

"Hmph, too slow. Never question me like that Sebastian. Remember," Jim said soothingly.

"Hey, only looking out for my Boss. Don't get your panties in a twist. Yes, I understand," the Colonel smirked.

"Good. I'll talk to you in the morning, and make sure they clean my shirt better this time alright? If not they are all yours," he ordered calmly and bopped Sebastian's nose.

"Yes sir."

Molly woke up a short while later, uncomfortable because she'd fallen asleep on the couch and in her dress. She moved Toby aside and walked over to her room to get a pair of pajamas and then to her bathroom to actually change. After having removed all her makeup and having gotten into her PJs, she took one long look at herself in the mirror. The image she saw was ordinary, completely ordinary. Sebastian had to be wrong. She sighed and went off to go to bed, but she couldn't sleep.

Sebastian's words just kept ringing through her head, and she couldn't help but wonder if there was any truth to them, even if she couldn't understand how there could be any truth to them. Sighing, Molly got up, put on some shoes, and decided to go to the library. If she wasn't going to sleep, she might as well explore, right? Trouble was, once she was in the main house, she found herself lost in the long passageways and corridors, instead of back in the library. 'Figures,' Molly thought, she would get lost on even this simple a journey.

In his bed, Jim blew some smoke from his cigarette and relaxed, happy to have given a stern talking to with one of his clients. Insomnia was also his best friend. Though he never minded it, it was the time he came up with some of the best ideas and the best games. He sat up and rubbed a hand down his face, he needed to move, remaining still made him hot sometimes. Almost considering his robe, it was left untouched behind the door and he stomped his smoke barefooted, not even feeling the burn. Before he left the room, Jim slipped his favorite pocket knife in pajamas pocket, the one his mother gave him a thousand years ago.

Hadn't she already been down this hallway earlier? Molly couldn't tell, but it looked familiar. Scanning the area, trying to see if she spotted, anything, Molly recognized, but still couldn't figure out where she was. In the empty corridor even her sigh seemed to echo as she, muttered to herself, "Great job, Molly, getting lost in the giant house, just like you said you would..."

First, Jim strolled the upstairs, lost in thought. Or maybe lost in no thought at all, just existing. Itching to do something, he found himself walking down stairs and into his office where Jacob sat waiting for him.

"Hi, hi, hi, there," he said pleasantly. Jacob remained silent as always, so Jim took a seat and gently let his fingers rest on the black and white keys.

"Any suggestions?"

No answer.

"Fine, something from 'Atonement' then, hm?"

Beginning from memory, he hummed the tune to himself as the notes dripped from his fingers and pooled in the room.

As Molly walked down yet another corridor, she heard the unmistakable sound of a piano coming from one of the rooms further along the hall. Who could possibly be playing piano at this time of night? Either way, whoever it was, she could possibly ask them how to get to the library, or even back outside so she could just head back home. She stepped up to the slightly open door and peeked into the room. To her surprise, it was Jim sitting at the piano, his fingers flying dexterously over the keys. Entranced, Molly watched and listened curiously for a bit, pushing the door slightly more open to get a better view, which caused a bit of a creaking noise. 'Oops,' she thought, he'd definitely had to have heard that. The noise startled Jim and he ended the song ungraciously, accidently hitting the wrong keys.

"M-Molly, um, what you doing up?" Quickly, he stood in the shadows, trying to hide his bare back from her.

"Oh, I- I was just..." Molly stood awkwardly in the doorway. She didn't want to admit that she'd gotten lost, it made her feel silly.

"Um, I was just going to, uh, go to the library," she mumbled, taking a step into the room, "But I heard the piano and I... Well I- I just wanted to... Never mind."

"Ah ha, I see the library. Sorry love, but you are bit off course; you are in the south west wing. Library's north east. "

"Oh. Uh, right. I- I knew that," Molly continued to mumble, blushing and keeping her head low, knowing Jim could obviously tell she hadn't known that and that she had indeed been lost.

"Come, come, come love. What did I say about keeping your head down," he said quietly and crossed the room, forgetting he was half dressed, "And if you need help just say so. Asking for help isn't silly or anything ok?"

He was shirtless and Molly couldn't help but stare for a brief moment before quickly snapping her eyes back up to meet his, her cheeks even redder than before.

"Right. Uh- I was just... I couldn't sleep," Molly blurted out and wanted to smack herself in the face, "I mean I wasn't sleepy, so I was going to go to the library to read something. But I- uh... I warned you this would happen... I- I got a bit lost on the way there."

Chuckling, Jim looked her in the eyes, "You can be very adorable when you babble you know? What's on your mind?"

Her eyes widened. "Nothing! Nothing's on my mind! Why would there be something on my mind?" she replied quickly. 'Smooth, Molly. Very believable,' she thought to herself.

Hands behind his back and looking to the ceiling, "I dunno intuition? Or maybe the fact your pupils have dilated, you swallow a bit more when nervous, and the fact you just placed a hair behind your ear," Jim replied a bit pompously.

The hand froze just as she was brushing a stray hair behind her ear. Oh. She looked away nervously, not knowing what to reply with. Molly chewed on her lip nervously instead of replying, there was no use denying it, anyways.

"If I may be so rude in asking, why?" he stepped closer again as she took a half step back, "I'm a very curious person you know. I love a good mystery."

"Wh- why what?" her voice came out almost as a squeak and she wouldn't meet his eyes.

"Do I scare you Molly? Chin up love," Jim asked quietly. Another step further. Now back out in the hallway. Molly gulped, heart hammering in her chest, and took another step back, finally looking up at him.

"Yes," she whispered.

"What is it you think about me that scares you then?" Jim asked with another step until her back hit the wall, "What is it you imagine?"

Trapped. Molly was trapped. Not daring to look away she stared at him, her heart racing.

"I- I don't know," her voice was barely a whisper, and she found herself glancing at his lips for just a second before meeting his gaze again, "I don't know."

"Then why come here Molly," his face fell a little, "I told you I didn't want you to come here on my account. I would rather like it if you wanted to be here. Please... do you want to go home?"

Did she want to go home? With the Mastermind Plotter almost pinning her against the wall Molly gave herself a moment to really think about it and found her answer...

"No. No, I-I don't want to go home," she replied, "I- I'm scared because... Because of that... Because I- I want to be here..." 'And I shouldn't want to,' Molly noted to herself, but decided not to add that bit aloud.

"Really?!" Jim was really surprised and the dark shift in his eyes disappeared. So he licked his lips for a moment, "I'm happy then. All I want is for you to be happy, really. I mean it," he smiled a bit shyly.

Was she happy? She wondered and found that yes, she was. As usual Molly was nervous and anxious and constantly worrying if she'd made the right decision, but even here, trapped with her back to a wall and a Consulting Criminal inches away from her, she was still happy. In her mind she thought that there must be something particularly wrong with her because of it, but it was the truth. Molly blinked up at him, glancing at his lips one more time, and then looking away again, feeling herself blush. What on earth was she thinking? He couldn't possibly care about her that way. No, this had to be a set up, part of some greater scheme that she'd never figure out until she was too wrapped up in it, just like when he was "Jim from IT" or when she had to help Sherlock fake his death. Molly was a nobody, just a pawn in the other players' games.

Studying her, Jim couldn't help but gulp himself. It was fascinating, watching the cogs turn in her brain and if he paid attention enough he smelled the faint perfume she still had on. Giving himself a sigh, he twiddled the knife in his pocket and spoke again.

"You still want to go to the library then, I might go there myself."

"Oh, okay," Molly replied, back still pressed against the wall and heart still racing. 'God, calm down, Molly... There's nothing to be scared of, at least not right now'.

"Library sounds... nice. Yeah."

"This way then," he pointed down the corridor, "After you." Following in tow, he told her which turns to take until they were back at the double doors.