Sorry about the delay in getting this chapter up. There was a death in the family and I didn't quite heave the time or the heart to write it. That said I'm not sure how I feel about this chapter, I can't decided if I like it or hate it. I always find it harder to write a chapter when I have to follow someone else's script.

Speaking of following scripts, I was re-watching HoB and noticed the I got my continuity screwed up. Lestrade had a tan line on his finger meaning that he was still wearing his ring when he was on vacations. So, for my sake, let's just pretend that everything jives. :)

For the texting in this chapter I set it up like real life texts, the received message is on the left and the sent message is on the right. At least, that's how it is on my phone so i'm assuming that's a universal thing.

Last thing, I realized that I have created a lot of back story for these two and was wondering if you would like to see more of that. I would write separate fics, chapter or one-shot, that would be in the same universe but take a look at each of their pasts. If you guys are interested tell me in a review or shoot me a PM.


It had been weeks since his divorce had made any real progress and the stares that he got at work were becoming infuriating. He had stopped actively avoiding Molly and had begun inventing excuses to go see her, sometimes to get away from the office gossip which seemed to be mostly about him, sometimes just to see her. He had been nearly out of his mind and was going to tell everyone at the Yard to bugger off and mind their own damn business when Molly had suggested a holiday. So he took some of his time and went down to Spain to visit some friends, Paul and Julia, who had moved there to be with her ailing mother years ago. It had felt odd at first, being away on his own but after the first two days he got quite used to it. Most of his time he spent wandering around the small town or the beach just outside of Malaga, or entertaining Paul and Julia's son Alvaro who loved to hear stories about Greg's different cases. He may have embellished the details a tiny bit but the eight year old didn't seem to mind much.

At night he caught up with Paul and Julia who had met their last year of university and married a year after that. The first night Paul offered his condolences about the state of Greg's marriage and said that he always knew that Elaine was a witch before Julia slapped him on the arm. He didn't mind, in fact he found it refreshing that people were telling him exactly what they thought. The next nights were filled with laughter and reminiscing. He was finally starting to feel refreshed but before he knew it his week was over and he had to go back to London. With goodbyes long enough that he almost missed his flight and a solemn promise to Alvaro that he would send him letters telling him about every one of the cases he solved he left Spain.

The flight was long but at night so he could at least sleep through most of it. He had just gathered his luggage and was heading towards the car park when his mobile started to ring. I'm back five minutes and they're already bothering me. He answered the call reluctantly and headed out into the cool London air.

"Hello Detective Inspector, I trust you had a nice vacation," a smooth voice said over the line, he knew it from somewhere but he couldn't quite place it.

"Sorry, who is this?"

"Mycroft Holmes, I trust you remember who I am."

Of course he remembered, you don't forget someone like Mycroft Holmes easily, "Yes, I remember. What can I do for you?"

"Tell me, what do you know of Baskerville and Dartmoor?"

"Baskerville's that top secret military base, the one where people think we have aliens or other nonsense hidden away," He finally found his car and put his bags in it, he closed the door and paused before getting in himself, suspicious that he knew where this conversation was going to lead. "Why?"

"My brother and the good Doctor Watson have gotten themselves into trouble over that way."

"If you want me to bail them out I'm afraid you'll have better luck," he got into the car but didn't start it yet.

"I'm afraid that him being in jail would be much simpler all around. No, he's found himself a case and I would be indebted to the person who made sure he doesn't get himself shot, or worse."

"Isn't that what he has John for?"

"I'm afraid there are some things even Doctor Watson needs help with."

"Well, I'd love to really," no I wouldn't, "but all my time off just got used up unfortunately. I'm afraid I'm stuck in London for a while."

"No need to worry about that, I've already had everything arranged. I'll have my assistant send you the details."

He tried to protest but he heard the other end of the line go dead. Apparently his holiday wasn't over after all. His phone beeped, alerting him of a new text, before he could take it away from his ear. He opened up the text to see a length of details for him.

Sherlock is investigating the death of Henry Knights father. Murdered 20 years ago at Dewars Hollow. Legend of a 'demon hound' since. Sherlock suspects Baskerville Military Base. Hotel reservations made in your name at Cross Keys Inn. Check in 11 am. Avoid the M3. -M

He closed the text and looked at the time 7.34, it was over three hours to Dartmoor. He started his car and pulled out of the car park, at least he had been able to sleep on the plane. His phone beeped once again and he opened the new text just as he got in line to pay for parking.

Are u back? Did u have fun? Pls save me from Anderson. ~X(

He grinned as he read Molly's text and sent a quick reply before he left the airport.

I'm back, it was great. Over too soon. I have to go to Dartmoor and keep Sherlock out of trouble. I'm afraid you're stuck with Anderson for a few more days.

It only took a few seconds before his phone beeped again.

Dartmoor? Y's he there?

On a case. Got to go, 3+ hour drive ahead of me.

KK drive safe. I can't be responsible for the safety of Anderson should he have an accident in my lab while ur gone.

I'll hurry back.

:)

Thanks to Mycroft's advice he got to Dartmoor just at 11 am, found the Inn just outside of the town center and parked across the street. He found a man behind the counter as soon as he walked in the door.

"Welcome to the Cross Keys Inn, how may I help you?" The man said when he saw Greg walk through the door.

"Greg Lestrade, there should be a reservation."

The man turned to the computer and clicked around a bit before addressing him, "Here we are, Lestrade. You'll be in room 8 on the second floor."

"How much? And can I get a pint?"

"Room's all paid for," the man said pouring a pint before leaving the desk to get a the key from the back room.

"Well, at least there's that," he said. He had just leaned on the counter when he heard a familiar voice accost him from outside.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

Well at least this saves me from having to find him, "Nice to see you too. I'm on holiday, would you believe. Hello John," John greeted him in return and when Sherlock said nothing he decided it was safe to press on, "I heard you were in the area. What are you up to? After that Hound of Hell like on the telly?"

"I'm still waiting for and explanation, Inspector. Why are you here?"

"Told you, I'm on holiday."

"You're brown as a nut! You're clearly just back from holidays."

"Maybe I fancied another one."

"Oh, this is Mycroft, isn't it?"

"Now look..." wherever this was going he was sure it wasn't going to be pleasant.

"Of course it is! One mention of Baskerville and he send down my handler to spy on me incognito. Is that why you're calling yourself Greg?"

John spoke up before he had the chance, "That's his name!"

He gave a quick nod of appreciation as Sherlock asked if it really was.

"Yes," now he was put out, "if you'd ever have bothered to find out." Six years the man's known me! He knows the differences between 250 types of ash and he doesn't know my bloody first name!

They had questioned the Inn owners almost immediately but when it turned out that there was nothing to charge them with he decided to leave John and Sherlock to their own devices. He decided to go for a walk and check out the town, why let this free time go to waste? He had walked about a block when he got a new text from Molly.

Get there OK?

Safe and sound.

Thats good. Sherlock keeping out of trouble?

As much as he's able.

:)

So whats this case about?

A demon hound supposedly killed a man 20 years ago. His son hired Sherlock to investigate after he saw the dog a few days ago.

Demon hound? Does Sherlock really believe that?

I think he thinks it's some sort of genetic experiment escaped from Baskerville.

Sounds like quite the adventure ur having down there. Spking of which, how was Spain?

It's certainly not dull. Spain was fabulous. Had a great time catching up, almost missed my flight back it was so hard to say goodbye.

U have to show me sometime.

I mean... ur photos.

Or I could show you it in person.

It had been a few minutes and still no reply from Molly. His last text had been a risk, opening up a door he wasn't sure she would go down, but he was ready to move forward and he was just beginning to realize that he wanted to do that with her. He put his phone away and walked into a little shop. He walked around a bit before Molly finally replied.

Sorry, I got called away. I'd like that. :)

He couldn't hide his smile after he read it, he wasn't sure that he wanted to anyway.

Cleaning up the mess from this case was a little more difficult than usual. He briefed the local detective about what had been happening and filled in what he could from Sherlock's side, though the man himself had disappeared with John not long after the explosion. Henry Knight had been taken off in an ambulance, he figured it was more to check on his mental health than physical. It took nearly an hour to get everything sorted and he was allowed to go back to the inn.

Once he got back to his room he found that he couldn't sleep, every time he closed his eyes he saw that demon dog. Sherlock explained that it was just an effect of the drug and it would soon wear off but that didn't make the memories any less terrifying. It was just after 11 and he knew that he wouldn't be able to sleep so he packed up his bag and headed back to London.

She had been fast asleep when her mobile beeped, alerting her of a new text. She had just opened her eyes when it beeped again. It took a few tries to blindly find it on her bed side table and when she looked at the screen she instantly regretted it when she was blinded. She blinked a few times before trying again to read the text from Greg.

Can I come over?

Sorry. I know it's late I just would rather not be alone right now.

She looked at her clock before she responded, it was a few minutes after 2am. It had to be something serious if he was asking to come over now.

Yeah. No prob. What's up?

I'll tell you when I get there.

It wasn't 20 minutes before she heard a soft knock on her door. She opened it and Greg stood before her, He was wearing casual clothes, a nice change from the suit that she normally saw him in. He looked tired, there were bags under his eyes and a slump to his shoulders. She invited him in, he shrugged off his jacket and threw it over the back of her couch before he sat down himself.

"So what's wrong then?" she asked sitting down next to him. When he didn't respond she took his hand in hers, "Greg, tell me what happened."

He looked into her eyes and her heart broke under his gaze. He looked lost and terrified and in that moment all she could think of was a scared child. All she wanted to do was pull him into a hug and not let go but he needed to get whatever happened to him out in the air first so she refrained.

"I saw something tonight Molly."

He explained how he had gotten the call from Mycroft as soon as he got out of the airport. How he had had to go to Dartmoor to keep and eye on Sherlock and make sure he didn't get himself into too much trouble. How the restaurant owners were keeping a dog to scare visitors and get more tourists it. How they had said that they had killed it because it was out of control but had set it loose instead, not having the heart to put the poor beast down. He explained how Sherlock suspected that their tea had been drugged but that he hadn't had any and had still seen the hound. How they had saved Henry Knight's life and discovered his father's true killer. How the dog had attacked them but because of the drugs all he saw was a giant demon. He explained how it looked nearly the size of a horse, skin and bones and huge teeth. How it had glowed and its horrible red eyes looked at him like a lion looks at its prey. How it leapt at them and he and John had had to kill it. Then he said how the scientist behind it all had run into a minefield and been blown up.

"Greg..."

"Now when I close my eyes all I can see when I try to sleep are those eyes, I know it was all just the drugs but..."

She didn't know what to say to him so she took his hand and held it for a while. She looked at the clock and saw that it was three in the morning, good thing I'm working the night shift tomorrow. Then she got an idea how to help him she stood up and pulled on his hand.

"Come on," he was slow to respond but she figured that it was just because he was so tired.

"What?"

Finally he stood and she led him to her bedroom. She pulled out a pair of her biggest sweatpants, a black pair that had St. Bartholomew's printed in white lettering down one leg, and handed them to him, "Put those on," he went into her bathroom and changed coming out in the sweatpants and a white t-shirt. The pants were a little tight on him but the whole ensemble was not unpleasant, he just gave her a look of confusion.

"I figured that if you woke up then you would see me next to you and know that it was just a dream, and if that doesn't make you feel better than you can wake me up and tell me about it. I find that things never seems as scary when you have someone to help you face them," she crawled into the bed and he followed.

"Thank you Molly. I don't deserve someone like you."

"Of course you do Greg, you deserve great things, don't ever think any different."

"Okay."


So, I'm just gonna say here and now that Greg sleeps through the night and that when they wake up they're totally wrapped in each others arms.