Disclaimer: I own nothing of Sherlock BBC.
The group met up at the Fox to welcome the New Year. The pub was buzzing with excitement as everyone waited for the much anticipated countdown. "Where's Tom?" Mary asked Molly. "He's on a last minute work trip." The nurse was about to reply but was distracted by the arrival of Sherlock. However he was not alone, the pathologist was accompanied by a woman. Correction, a woman that qualifies to be called a sex symbol.
Greg gawked at the pathologist's date when they made their way over to them and Sally shot her superior a dirty look. "I'm Irene Adler, Sherlock's friend and you must be Molly Hooper, the world's only consulting detective." Molly put down her drink to shake the woman's extended hand. "Wow, I didn't know I'm that famous. Pleasure to meet you, Miss Adler." Irene smiled back sensuously, "The pleasure is all mine, Miss Hooper."
The pathologist continued to sneak glances at Molly. From the moment they entered the Fox, she never once looked at his direction, not to mention speaking to him and it bothered Sherlock more than he let on. The entire situation relating to the consulting detective escalated from being a mere nuisance to becoming a problem that he could no longer ignore. Something has to be done. "Two murder cases on New Year's Eve. So much for a holiday break. Coming, Molly?" Greg sighed and turned to the consulting detective.
"Text me the address and I'll meet you two there. I need to run some errands first," Molly replied while busily typing her phone. Minutes after the detectives left, she hopped off from her seat and bid her goodbyes. "Might as well stay for the countdown before you go, Molly." Mary said as the crowd started to shout "30, 29, 28…" The consulting detective hugged the Watsons and laughed, "It's not as if I have someone to kiss at the stroke of midnight anyway. I wish you both a very happy new year."
Seeing Molly's departure, the pathologist stood up abruptly and chased after her. "Molly!" The consulting detective was about to board the taxi when she heard her name. Sherlock stopped in front of Molly but no words came out of him. All he could do was to look at her like he never truly looked at her before until now. The consulting detective silently returned the stare with the same intensity. "…5, 4, 3, 2, 1!" Smiling, Molly leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, "Happy New Year, Sherlock." In a daze, the pathologist watched as the taxi drove off.
That was the exact moment when Sherlock knew that he loves her.
The pathologist gave up withholding the grin on his face at the sight of Molly but Sherlock soon dropped his smile when he saw her frowning. The consulting detective does not brood even if she is handling a challenging case. Molly is known for her jolly nature regardless of how difficult the circumstances are. She was in deep contemplation when a cup of coffee was placed beside her on the laboratory table. "Sugar and cream, that's how you take it right?" Molly glanced at Sherlock before focusing her attention on the coffee. "Thank you."
The consulting detective was absentmindedly sipping her coffee when Sherlock blurted out, "Are you alright, Molly? Earlier on, you looked sad...when you thought no one can see you." Surprised, Molly turned to look at him and answered, "You can see me." The pathologist shook his head, "I don't count." For the longest time, the consulting detective did not know what to say in response to his remark. "If you need any-" Molly uncharacteristically interrupted him. "How forgetful of me, I have a date with Tom and I'm going to be late. Thank you for your coffee, Sherlock. Goodbye."
For the second time, the pathologist stared after her disappearing form.
Molly kneeled in front of her father's grave. "Time does flies, daddy. Another year had passed and there was never a day when I did not miss you but don't worry about me. I'll be fine, I promise," the consulting detective wiped away her tears with a shaking hand, "I missed you so much, daddy, so much." Molly tightened her grip on her father's wedding ring. Using a sliver chain, the consulting detective wore the ring around her neck in remembrance of him.
"I know you would want me to move on with my life but how could I? I would close your last case, the case that you never gotten the chance to. You do approve of my doings and support me right, daddy?" Asking her father a question that Molly knows he could never answer back just doubled the pain so the consulting detective let her tears flow freely, hoping to ease the constant ache in her heart. She never felt more alone.
"Oh, Miss Adler! I was actually planning to go and see you. I didn't expect you to be in my flat and unclothed too." The consulting detective took the seat opposite the Dominatrix. "Shall we go straight to the point? You have something in possession that my client wishes to retrieve and I was tasked to find out what would it takes for you to return it." Molly gave herself a pat on her shoulder for keeping her eyes on the Dominatrix's face instead of straying downwards.
"I cannot do that. People in my line of profession need some form of protection so pardon me if I cannot give it back to her." The Dominatrix walked over to Molly and perched on the arm of her chair. "Though I would love to continue our relationship for I have thoroughly enjoyed myself and I know she did too." The consulting detective blushed as she was unprepared for the sudden change in proximity and view. Molly could fully understand why Irene Adler was called the Dominatrix and she's straight.
"I'm sorry that I couldn't be of any help to you, Miss Hooper, but I'm sure I can assist in satisfying your other areas of needs." Irene Adler sat on the consulting detective's lap and Molly shouted out the first thought that came to her mind, "I don't swing that way, sorry!" The Dominatrix purred, "I can help you swing in my way, Miss Hooper. Tell me, Consulting Detective, how much do you enjoy pain?" Molly caught both of Irene Adler's wrists wandering too far and low for her liking, "If possible, I would like to avoid pain at all costs, Miss Adler."
Keeping an ear to the doorway, Molly heard footsteps and twisted her body, pining the Dominatrix to the chair. The consulting detective then raised her head, "Sherlock," and released Irene Adler after realizing what it must have looked like to him. Disregarding the naked Dominatrix, the pathologist asked Molly, "You texted me to come here?" The consulting detective sighed with relief, "Yes! Be a proper gentleman and send your friend back home, Sherlock." Picking up Irene Adler's coat that was lying on the couch, Molly handed it over to the Dominatrix with a small smile, "Wouldn't want you to catch a cold."
"Good evening, Mycroft." Molly greeted the British Government in a familiar manner and sat on a leather chair. The consulting detective took out a phone when Irene Adler walked into the room. "I was wondering where I misplaced it and it was you who stole my phone. How naughty of you, Miss Hooper. You deserved a proper whipping from me." Molly pressed a button and the screen lighted up.
I
AM
? ? ? ?
LOCKED
"Is Sherlock a good 'friend'?" Molly questioned casually and kept her eyes on Irene Adler but the Dominatrix ignored her. The consulting detective entered 'S' into the phone. "Have you heard of the physical signs of love, Miss Adler? When you, ahem, touched me, I took your pulse and it was normal but the most interesting thing happened when I called out Sherlock's name," Molly then went on to enter 'H', "your pulse started to race, your breathing became laboured and your pupils dilated," and 'E'.
"You broke the number one rule, letting your heart governed your mind. Plainly speaking, you lost sight of your initial objective and therefore Miss Adler, you are bound to fail." After entering the last digit of the code, 'R', the phone was unlocked and the consulting detective passed the phone to Mycroft. Pleased, the British Government nodded and two men appeared at the door, "Escort Miss Adler out of here." Staring at Molly with pure hatred, the Dominatrix was unceremoniously removed from the room.
"Wait! Send her to your French counterpart." The emotions in Irene Adler's eyes changed to confusion while the British Government arched his eyebrow at Molly. Mycroft considered for a few moments and acceded to the consulting detective's request. If Molly is known for her jolly nature then Mycroft is known for his 'I-can-read-your-mind' looks. "You must think of me as too soft-hearted," Molly said but the British Government lifted his shoulder, "I'm curious, that's all."
"We all know very well that she wouldn't be able to survive out there without her phone as protection. Besides, the French government would be very appreciative of your gesture. If Miss Adler chose to reform, her skills could be put to good use but if she don't, someone would need to watch after her and I understand that your resources have been stretched thinly so it's a win-win situation for everyone, yes? You are welcome, Mycroft." The consulting detective gave him a cheeky grin at the end of her explanation.
"Speaking of curious, I was wondering why you needed me to crack the code for you when you could do it yourself. Is this supposed to serve as a warning?" She asked the British Government with a half-smile. "Merely a reminder, Molly." Her smile faltered and the consulting detective touched the ring on her neck. "I understand your concerns, Mycroft. I do but I'm not Miss Adler. I would not lose sight of the Plan."
Author's note: You have my word that things would change for the better, eventually.
**To Guest, I'm glad that you enjoy it and I hope you would like this chapter too :D
**To 221BbakerStreet, *spoiler alert* this story will have a happy ending, just that it would take some time, haha
