"Is that all of it?" Sherlock gestured to the pile of evidence gathered in front of him. After seeing Molly to work, Sherlock immediately went to Mycroft's office to meet John and to check the evidence collected from the site.

"Yes Mr. Holmes." Anthea answered.

"Useless." Sherlock muttered.

"What?" John asked.

"Useless!" Sherlock puffed out. "This pile of evidence is nothing but rubbish Mycroft!"

"It is." Mycroft deadpanned. Nonplussed by Sherlock's ire.

"Then why collect it in the first place?" John asked clearly confused.

"He did the broadcast, John." Sherlock said, pinning his calculating gaze on his brother. "Mycroft fabricated it and I have yet to find out the reason why he lied to all of England."

"Oh no. I didn't lie brother dear. I merely changed the story for the better. England is still pretty much in trouble." Mycroft stated as he sat on his chair.

"Is this right? Moriarty's not back then?" John stupidly asked, clearly still at a loss with the recent developments unravelling before him.

"Yes John." Sherlock waved off John. "Now Mycroft…"

"You missed a rat, Sherlock." Mycroft started. "He is as not as dangerous as Moriarty but threatening, nonetheless."

"Impossible! I took care of it all!" Sherlock exclaimed.

"Well, you slipped brother mine. You let one go."

Sherlock sat on the couch near him and closed his eyes, looking back through the memories of the past months he's been hiding and travelling the world, taking down Moriarty's underground network. It was a collection of memories Sherlock would chose not to remember as it is all simply unpleasant. Several recollections of his tasks cascaded through his mind. Running away from thugs, donning on endless disguises and several near-death experiences resurfaced in an instant as he tried to remember if he had indeed cleaned up Moriarty's empire completely. Mycroft's words simply cause him to doubt himself that easily and it made him feel totally incompetent.

Then just there, in the corner of his mind palace, he was brought back to the time when he was in an abandoned and cold basement in Riga, Latvia. He was scouting the premises for a tip he received from Mycroft that some of Moriarty's men were trying to rebuild the empire once again. He was sleep deprived, dirty, and hungry. Travel weary from his last trip in Ukraine, Sherlock was on the look-out for Mikhail and Ivanov who were meeting with other members of Moriarty's network. When he did spot the two Russians, it was only a matter of time before Sherlock phoned Mycroft to send in reinforcements, acknowledging that he was too exhausted to handle the two brutes himself. When the two men along with the other members were accosted and handcuffed by Mycroft's men, a man who was not seen with the entourage but was admittedly a contact of the arrested criminals was presented to Sherlock. He identified the unknown man as a hacker-for-hire who had the unfortunate luck to get mixed up with the wrong bunch. The hacker pleaded to be let go and Sherlock acquiesced, leaving him behind in the basement as he went away with Myrcoft's men.

"Bogdan Orlov." Sherlock said aloud as he stood up from his seat and started pacing. "The hacker. He was in Mikhail and Ivanov's contact list. I didn't know he was one of Moriarty's rats."

Mycroft nodded. "You always miss something, brother mine. He was one of Moriarty's lesser rats. Bogdan Orlov was also one of the pioneers together with Mikhail and Ivanov in planning their rebuilding but you let him go, Sherlock."

"Yes, letting him go was stupid, Mycroft. But that man is harmless. He's… puny. When I saw him then, I deduced he hasn't even held a gun in his life."

"He's not physically threatening, I agree on that matter but think of all the information he has on his hands, Sherlock, and the information he can get. This could be Magnussen all over again."

Sherlock visibly flinched at the mention of his last case. Also not wanting to remember that.

John, who was sitting and listening all throughout stood and asked, "But why the Moriarty ruse, Mycroft?"

"I needed to assemble something big enough to ensure that Sherlock was not exiled. If I simply told the higher-ups about this case, they would go against me recommending Sherlock in handling this. They would prefer handing it over to the MI-6. What they do not know is what Sherlock has been doing during his 'death'. I decided for it to be kept strictly confidential for security purposes, so with that, I can't just say that Sherlock has prior knowledge about Orlov."

"So he needed to formulate something drastic, and need I say, dramatic for my exile to be prevented to handle this 'Moriarty-is-back' case…" Sherlock added.

"When in truth you're actually working the Orlov case." John commented.

"Brilliant John you're catching up!" John was sure there was a tinge of sarcasm hidden behind Sherlock's statement but he ignored it.

"Now," Mycroft started. "Sherlock, you know of Bogdan Orlov."

"Hardly, brother. I've barely had the opportunity to sit down with him over tea and biscuits." Sherlock dryly remarked. "I have met the man, yes, but if you recall, I was rather fatigued on that mission that I've only deduced enough."

"Well, that settles it then. My men have actually pinpointed the location of Orlov. We are still overlooking and observing his activities. I will make sure that you get timely updates from me about his undertakings."

"Of course. Now is that all?"

"I believe so, yes." Mycroft responded.

"Then we shall take our leave. Goodbye Mycroft." Sherlock said as he wound his scarf around his neck. "Let's go, John."

The two got out of Mycroft's office into the curb to hail a cab.

"Waiting. I hate it the most." Sherlock muttered under his breath.

"Well, don't you think it's much better than having Moriarty actually back and alive?" John asked as they got in the cab Sherlock hailed. "I mean I'd rather face this hacker. You make him sound so weak."

"He is weak, John. That man can't throw a punch to save himself. But what Mycroft said was right. With his skills, he can have any information in his hands. Selling information to the wrong people can stir up quite a fuss. And if Orlov is still set on rebuilding Moriarty's empire or whatever's left of it, he's quite capable of it." Sherlock explained.

"Well, that is rather forbidding." John commented. "But you don't have anything substantial on him."

"Not yet and that's what's frustrating. We have no other choice but to wait for Mycroft's men. I can have some people from my homeless network do a little investigation on their own but I'm not sure where to start." Sherlock explained looking quite agitated at the lack of leads this case currently impose.

"I'm sure we'll get there." John attempted to subdue Sherlock who just nodded in agreement.

"You know," John remarked after a while. "If you indeed say that this Russian guy."

"Bogdan Orlov." Sherlock corrected him.

"Yes, well if you say that Orlov is not that threatening and he's harmless… at least physically,"

"Yes."

"Molly doesn't really need to be bunking in with you after all."

Sherlock was silent for a while.

"Well?" John prodded.

"Well what John? As you know, I wasn't aware of the whole ordeal behind the Moriarty broadcast up till Mycroft shed light on the matter."

"Well, she can go back to her flat then. It was a good idea she didn't sublet it."

"What are you talking about John? She will still stay with me."

"Oh? And why is that?"

"It's convenient. Especially when I'm in need of her assistance on experiments. An extra pair of hands is always appreciated especially now when we're living together. Plus, it still boils down to security matter, of course. Who knows, Orlov might have hired some men to do all the heavy-lifting for him."

"Well, I don't think it's actually up to you to decide that. And I'm positive Mycroft is more than willing to give Molly ample security detail to shadow her. What I mean is that Molly has a say on this. Especially if you're only letting her stay just for experiments." John's voice took on a warning note. One he usually used when he knows Sherlock is up to no good.

Sherlock sighed and rolled his eyes. "You give my brother too much credit, John. Yes, he'll be able to give Molly some security but I'd rather see to it personally. So it still goes down to safety purposes."

"Why do you have to 'see to it personally' then?" John prodded.

"Why not?" Sherlock answered in a petulant way. John noted that he was now clearly arguing with a child.

"Do you, by chance, feel something for Molly?" John asked disregarding Sherlock's act of complete immaturity.

Sherlock appeared to be caught off guard as he choked on his own spit and cleared his throat. "Of course not. I mean if I do have, it will only be a strong feeling of protecting her. She's our friend John and I owe her. And I don't think Molly still sees me in that way. She's moved on you see…"

"Right, right." John cut in, mentally shaking his head at Sherlock. If only this thick-headed prat knew. He mused. "If it really has to do something with her security, as you so put it, you would inform her of the development. She at least deserves that."

"You're rather riled up with this." Sherlock observed.

"Of course I am you dolt. Molly is our friend as you said. And she was rather involved with your 'death'." John reasoned out. Not letting Sherlock on what Molly was actually going through.

Sherlock hummed his reply and soon the cab was stopping in front of the flat.

When they entered 221 B, Molly was already home from work, tidying up the kitchen as she tried to prepare dinner.

"What are you doing?" Sherlock demanded as he strode towards her.

"I'm trying to scrub out the stain from your sauce pan. I'm planning on cooking some pasta for a late lunch and I've also gone shopping. Is John with you? Mary just called."

"Why are you home? Shouldn't you still be at St. Bart's? I was supposed to collect you in five hours. Why didn't you call me?" Sherlock asked, taking away the sauce pan from her hands.

"Um, well, there wasn't much to do in the morgue as I've finished all the paper work. Mike gave me the permission to leave early." Molly explained, sounding confused. She looked at John who was now at the kitchen for answers as to why Sherlock was being touchy.

"I did inform you this morning that we are to go home together, correct?" Sherlock continued.

"Yes. But I thought I shouldn't bother you, knowing you were busy with the case and all." Molly said. Now sounding a bit annoyed at Sherlock's display of haughtiness.

"You should've called me then!"

"I don't see the big deal. I'm already home aren't' I?" Molly threw her hands up in exasperation. "John!" she said, her eyes practically begging for help in subduing the man-child in front of her who was being beyond senseless.

"Okay," John clapped his hands together, answering Molly's plea for help of intervention. "We need to sit down. Sherlock has something important to say."

"Now, John?" Sherlock asked dubiously.

"Yes, Sherlock. Now." John stated in a stern voice.

"Alright." Sherlock cleared his voice. "The sitting room then?"

The three of them walked out of the kitchen to the sitting room. Both Sherlock and John sat on their preferred armchairs while Molly settled on the couch.

"So, this is about the case..." Molly trailed.

"Yes. And Sherlock will tell all the details." John answered.

Sherlock threw a pointed glance on John's way.

"Moriarty is not back. He's dead. The broadcast was just a ruse." Sherlock started. He was shocked however when Molly chose to remain quiet.

"Well?" Sherlock asked.

"Well?" Molly countered.

"Aren't you going to ask some questions?"

"Oh I have lots of questions. I just thought you'd want to explain a bit further. Go on with it then." Molly said, causing John to control his laughter.

Sherlock huffed at the two of them and proceeded to explain to Molly all the developments. He did not leave one bit out as indeed, John was correct. Molly deserved all the truth after all she'd done.

"So this guy… He's not as dangerous as Moriarty then?" Molly asked in a small voice.

"He's dangerous, Molly but not to the same degree of Moriarty's psychopath tendencies. He's dangerous because of all the information he can access."

"I see." Molly appeared to be in deep thought before saying, "If he's not that threatening, well at least physically, I can go back to my flat then. I mean, I would assume I would get security detail but I think going home can be an actual option for me."

John gave Sherlock an 'I told you so' look. "Absolutely not!" Sherlock exclaimed.

"Oh god. I'm a grown woman, Sherlock. I have been taking care of myself for a while now. I'm sure I can manage." Molly said, trying to reason out with the impossible consulting detective in front of her.

"I don't see the point of you going back to your flat Molly, when you can very well stay here for your safety. You'd just be bothering Mycroft, asking for extra help. I mean, he's already have this place on his watch. You'd go and trouble him by asking to spare more men to watch over you when those men can very well be doing other things to speed up the lead on this case? Think about it Molly, if Mycroft has extra man power, the faster this case will progress and the faster you'd get back to your own flat."

"Then what about personal space, Sherlock?"

"You have the room upstairs all to yourself. And I have not imposed myself on your 'personal space' since you've arrived here."

"But surely Sherlock-"

"No."

John thought Molly looked like she was about to scream and hurl the nearest hard bound book at Sherlock's face but she just took a deep breath and squared her shoulders.

"Okay, fine. Whatever you want." Molly then stood and went back to the kitchen to resume what she was doing.

"So you see John, Molly has agreed to staying here." Sherlock smirked as he turned on his laptop.

"No, I saw you bully Molly into staying here." John corrected.

"I am not a bully, John." Sherlock answered flatly.

"Oh, but you are." John responded as he stood up from his armchair and went towards the kitchen. "Molly, do you need help?" he called out.

Sherlock frowned at John's dismissal but ignored it. Also ignoring the lightness he felt in his chest after knowing that Molly was still going to stay with him.

Molly woke up the next day exhausted from the lack of sleep. She didn't know exactly what to feel after finding out that Moriarty wasn't back but a whole new threat was imminent. She thought it was at least comforting to know that Jim wasn't back. Everyone in England knew the danger and threat James Moriarty poses and it would do the country a lot of good with him being better off dead.

She was more curious with the fact that Sherlock absolutely forbids her to go back to her own flat. Sure, he made sense about the efficiency of having shared security detail but she thought that she should at least try to get out of this arrangement. She also concluded that if the Russian man cannot kill her, it would be Sherlock's nagging and attitude that would end her. She was rather getting tired arguing with the man.

Molly dragged herself out of bed and proceeded to prepare for work. She saw Sherlock napping on the couch, still dressed in yesterday's clothes. Molly silently padded towards the kitchen for her breakfast and left the coffee-maker on for him. She then soundlessly walked towards the door and went out of the flat, closing the door gently behind her. She knew Sherlock was adamant with her safety and that he insists on seeing her to work but she just couldn't bring herself to wake up the man. He looked so peaceful sleeping and she knew he needed the rest. She was positive that she would face the wrath of an annoyed detective but that, she can deal with later.

As she walked through the familiar side walks, it dawned on Molly that it was a still a little bit early for her shift at the hospital to start. She figured the restless sleep she had contributed to her waking up earlier than usual. Feeling terribly homesick, she thought that it wouldn't hurt to go by her flat to check on Toby and collect her mail. She did miss her tabby cat already.

She then arrived at her building and walked towards her mailbox to take out all the mail. After which, she headed for Mrs. Hampton's flat, where she left Toby. It was a good thing that her landlady was already awake and she managed to see and cuddle with Toby for quite a while and chatted with Mrs. Hampton over tea and biscuits. After a few minutes, she said goodbye to her cat and landlady and went out the hall.

She decided to drop by her flat on the third floor just to get a quick look over things when she noticed that the door was open. A million things ran through Molly's mind like calling Scotland Yard first or maybe, asking for help from her neighbour Alan who's just down the hall. But nonetheless, curiosity got the better of her and she reckoned that if she just left her door open, screaming and asking for help would be easier. She trudged on and opened the door wider to find her flat completely ransacked. Molly was shocked at what she saw. Most of her things were upturned, books were scattered about, picture frames and vases were broken, and the desk drawer her father gave her was vandalised.

Molly was about to go and check her bedroom when she remembered that this was probably the right time to call someone for help. She blindly reached for her phone in her bag as she surveyed her now messy flat when suddenly, someone grabbed her from behind and covered her mouth.

"Stay quiet."

A/N: Sorry for the extra week of tardiness. This chapter was already written and posted in ao3 and I forgot to update it on here. I do hope the longer chapter makes up for it!