Chapter 4

« I need you on this case. »

« Sherlock… we've been over this before. I can't do it behind Molly's back. »

The detective rolled his eyes and sighed heavily in exasperation.

«Oh please… You invaded Afghanistan, but you need your wife's permission to do a bit of investigation around London? »

"Of course, I need to talk to her about what I do. That's called being married! And it's not only about the job, it's about… you. Whenever your name is pronounced either she tries to avoid the conversation or she completely freaks out."

It had been three weeks since John had broken the news to Molly and she still refused to have a proper talk on the subject.

"This is ridiculous…" murmured Sherlock.

"Look…" John hesitated for a moment. "I don't know exactly what happened between you and Molly and I don't want to. But she's obviously holding some kind of… grudge against you."

Sherlock looked on the floor, slightly embarrassed. "I understand we haven't parted on good terms, but it was three years ago and now you're together. I thought she would have forgotten."

"Ah…you still have a lot to learn about women. They never forget!"

"Then I need to talk to her."

"I don't think she'll accept, but I'll try again. To be honest I'm tired of the situation myself."

"And… you miss the chase."

"Just a little bit."

"You're bored !"

"I have two children under the age of three, believe me I'm never bored!"

"Maybe, but you need the adrenaline. Otherwise you wouldn't have started gambling again."

"How do you…? Nevermind, it's only few pounds."

"Online poker? A dangerous hobby for a family man."

John didn't argue, he knew he would never have the last word with Sherlock anyway.

"So… what is this case of yours about?"

Sherlock grinned. "This is a fantastic one. Jabez Wilson, 56, works as a pawnbroker at Coburg Square, near the City. Two months ago, he replied to an ad published in the Daily Mail. It was a job offer, from a company called the Red-Headed League. It turned out to be some kind of philanthropic organization dedicated to the wellness of red headed men. Oh I forgot to mention that my client has the most flamboyant shade of red hair. So, he went to the interview and got the job."

"What job?" asked John, raising an eyebrow.

"That's where it becomes even weirder. He has to come to their office four hours a day and copy the Encyclopaedia Britannica. The job is purely nominal but he gets paid 500£ a week. Well used to… Because last Monday, he came and found the office empty. There was just a note saying that the league had been dissolved. So now he is angry and thinks he has been fooled. Of course the man is an idiot, but his story is fascinating. And I suspect there is some pretty nasty business behind all this."

"The Red-Headed League" repeated John. He started giggling uncontrollably. "The Red-Headed… oh my this is a good one!"

A smile cracked across Sherlock's face and soon the two men were sharing a memorable laughing fit.

"So ? Can I count on my blogger? Like in the good old days?"

"God yes !"

^/^

Molly had been in the bathroom for almost an hour. She had taken a shower, brushed her teeth and combed her hair, but now she was just standing there, staring at her reflection in the mirror. There were dark circles around her eyes, caused by too many sleepless nights. She was trying to put on a brave face for her children, but inside she was breaking down.

From the moment John had told about Sherlock's come back, her world had collapsed. She knew she should be happy, everybody expected her to. But instead of joy, an almost irrational fear had sized her. She was afraid of the consequences for Audrey, but most of all, she panicked at the idea of seeing Sherlock again. She was terribly angry at him. She could actually strangle him with her own hands for the pain he had caused her and all of his friends. Why kind of people faked their own death?

And yet, there were those moments when all she wanted was to hold him in her arms. She would tell him how much she had missed him and how beautiful his daughter was. But she couldn't take the risk of falling again for him. Her love for John was real, but she had never ceased thinking about Sherlock. A married woman could allow herself a bit of nostalgia about of a dead lover. But now that he was back among the living, it was different. He was a threat.

So she was standing there, waiting for her husband to fall asleep before going to bed herself, because she didn't want to talk about it. She entered their bedroom in the dark and sneaked under the sheets. After a short moment, she felt John's body curling against hers. He wasn't sleeping. Instead he started kissing her neck while his hand was wandering along her tight.

"I'm not in the mood for this", she whispered.

He rolled to the other side of the bed, obviously annoyed. They remained silent for a while, then he suddenly turned on the light.

"I've had enough", he said bluntly.

"What?"

"Molly, I'm trying to be patient… but I have my limit. This whole thing about Sherlock is getting ridiculous. I can understand it was a shock, I get that there is some sort of unresolved conflict between you two but… you need to find a solution because I'm getting tired. You think I don't see? How you try to avoid the subject every time I bring it up? How you're avoiding me? And now we can't even have sex anymore!"

She looked away, unable to meet with his eyes or to answer. John rarely got angry, but when he did, it could be quite impressive.

"Oh and by the way" he added, "Sherlock and I are going to start working together again".

"I'm sorry? What about your job?"

"I'm not quitting. I'll find an arrangement with the practice, it will only be on some cases."

"John, I don't think this is a good idea…"

"I'll do it with or without your consent. For god sake Molly, I don't understand you anymore. You missed him as much as I did. It's a miracle that he's back and you don't want to see him?"

"I don't know…" she said as tears started falling down her cheeks. "I don't want things to change. He wants you to work with him. What will it be next? What if he wants you to move back with him? What if he wants to take Audrey away from us?"

John shook his head and looked at wife almost with pity. "You realise this is all in your head…" He placed a finger under her chin and lifted her face. "Please talk to him. You'll see he has changed, for the best."

Molly knew she had no choice, she couldn't avoid him forever. And if she didn't do something soon, she was also risking to lose John. So she would be strong, meet Sherlock, and make things clear. Very clear.

"Alright…" she murmured.

"Really?", answered John, almost surprised. "Good. Do you want me to come with you?"

"No, I'd rather be alone. Tell him I'll come to Baker Street, tomorrow."

^/^

So… Sherlock & John will be back at solving crimes together. Molly and Sherlock are going to meet again ! And it will soon be time for Audrey to learn about her other daddy.

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