Disclaimer: I still don't own anything!


The weeks passed, and the summer slowly turned into autumn, which bled into the beginnings of winter. Molly met with Sherlock every day after tea in order to go over a case that Sherlock had worked on. Sherlock meant what he said: he definitely wanted to challenge Molly. It was refreshing, actually, Molly thought. He refused to back down just because she was a woman; he pushed her to reach the correct conclusion. Under his, rather unusual, tutelage, she found herself becoming more observant. Sherlock taught Molly some of his skills of deduction, how to look for the details and to draw conclusions from even the most seemingly insignificant ones. While she was quite hopeless at the beginning of their meetings, she eventually began to pick up on the minor details that allowed Sherlock to solve the case and often was able to figure out the solution before he reached that part of his retelling. Her sense of pride and accomplishment was only increased by his expression of approval, however minute it might be. He tried to hide it, but she could see the flash of surprise or even joy in his eyes when she solved a case correctly.

He also explained to her the concept of his mind palace. She found it fascinating. He remembered everything! Molly could hardly imagine what such a mind would be like. The fact that he retained so much information, and that he was able to 'delete' information, caused her to have even more respect for the man. 'How busy it must be in his head,' she thought. 'No wonder he is so rude. Social niceties are probably not his priority when he has literally hundreds of other thoughts and details begging for his attention.' This new perspective encouraged her to have more patience with Sherlock and caused her to commit even more to becoming his friend.


Occasionally, Sherlock would receive a letter from a client. During these times, their routine halted, allowing Sherlock to focus on the new case, rather than remembering old ones. The first time he took on a client after the case of the Valley of Fear, Sherlock kicked Molly out of the room, claiming she was a distraction. For about three days Molly would come to check on him only for Sherlock to refuse Molly entrance, puzzling away at the case.

On the fourth day, something changed. Having been unable to reason a conclusion, Sherlock finally admitted that he was stuck (although, not in those very words, admittedly), and requested that Molly join him. Molly was pleased that he wanted to discuss the current case with her and listened intently as Sherlock explained all the details. After hearing everything he had to say, Molly asked one question to the consulting detective for clarification. Sherlock sat up straight from his reclined position, swooped Molly up, spun her around the room, and ran off to find John. Molly took Sherlock's absence as a chance to calm her racing heart and determinedly ignore the fact that she reacted in such a way to being held in Sherlock's arms. When the man in question returned, Molly hoped that the dim lighting was enough to hide the flush that she was certain was still in her cheeks.

Sherlock explained to a still-flustered Molly that her question was insightful enough to change his mind set and allow him to piece the puzzle together. He thanked Molly for her aid, surprising her again. It was the first time that she had ever heard Sherlock Holmes thank anybody for anything!

After that first case, Sherlock requested Molly's presence each time a new client approached him with a case. Molly was only too happy to agree.


After a couple of months of working over cases together, Sherlock unexpectedly added a new facet to their routine. When Molly knocked on his door, he opened it and immediately stepped out.

"Miss Hooper. Right on time. Follow me, if you will." Sherlock started walking down the hall, and Molly followed after him. She eventually found herself in one of the castle's cellars, although it didn't appear much like a cellar. She was stunned to see laboratory equipment covering the several tables that filled the space. Magnifying devices. Jars of mysterious substances. Even a telescope was found in the corner. It was a scientist's dream. Molly pinched herself to make certain that she wasn't dreaming.

Sherlock chuckled. "It would appear, Miss Hooper, that you approve of my laboratory?"

Molly only nodded. Shaking off the stupor, she remembered herself, and spoke, "Mr. Holmes. I don't know what to say! I had no idea that this even existed! It's… it's lovely."

"This is my inner sanctum. I come here to experiment and find peace in between cases. In this room, my brain can be active, and I can engage in scientific discovery. As a woman of a scientific mind, I figured that you would be interested."

A moment of silence followed as Molly continued to stare around her. She absentmindedly walked towards one of the tables and began inspecting a little glass bowl with something growing in it. She was so focused that she did not hear Sherlock approach to stand right behind her and was startled as he spoke again. "Miss Hooper, I was wondering if you would enjoy engaging in experimentation with me? It would allow you an opportunity to further your education. I would be happy to teach you, and I could use an assistant. What do you think?"

Molly smiled at him. "Why, Mr. Holmes, I would love to assist you if it means that I get to spend time in this beautiful room and surround myself with pure science. It's a dream come true!"

With nothing more than that simple declaration, Sherlock immediately began barking instructions, handing Molly an apron in the middle of his commands. Shaking her head at his authoritarian manner, she nevertheless put on the apron and began following orders. She wouldn't miss this opportunity for the world.


They spent many pleasant afternoons in conversation about cases, both past and present, and working on experiments. They also discussed other topics as well, once they exhausted the daily problem at hand, mostly revolving around science and medicine. Molly thoroughly enjoyed, even looked forward to the hours they spent together each day, but she couldn't help but notice that they never discussed anything more personal than their joint interests in science. The man was completely silent about his past, and this caused Molly to simply wonder more about what could have happened to turn this mysterious man into the recluse that he had become. She appreciated the relationship that they were developing, but wanted to know more of the man that had taken her in and taught her so much. Of course, she was never forward enough to bring up the questions that burned so deeply within her. This would all change, however, the first week of December.


A/N: Well, I just want to thank all of you again for your support. You are wonderful! I apologize that this chapter was mostly interlude. It was necessary, but I know it wasn't quite the same as the previous chapters. The story will pick up again in the next one, though: I promise!