Chapter Four
I stayed outside Molly's door trying to decide if I should stay or finally head back to Baker Street, maybe go for a walk to clear my head and figure out what I should be doing next. I have a few messages waiting on my phone that I'm sure are all from John, but they can wait a little longer. I can hear Molly and Tom's terse conversation and decide to stay. I have a feeling Tom will be leaving soon.
I've always known Molly's feelings towards me even if I chose to ignore them most of the time, which usually led to me embarrassing her, myself, or even on occasion both of us. Hearing her tell Tom that no one else would ever measure up to me makes me wonder what it is she thinks sees in me. What is it about me that she could be so enamored with?
I'm a complete arse most of the time. I'm always having to endure John telling me that I've said or done something "not good." However, Molly has always been able to see me in ways that no one else could. Maybe there's a chance she sees something that even I can't see or maybe I just don't want to see in myself. Maybe I've been following my brother's philosophies for too long.
I'm surprised when Tom rushes past me without any notice. I thought that I'd have to deal with another confrontation, and I wasn't planning on being so nice this time around. I'm actually kind of disappointed that I don't get a chance to punch him too.
"Molly," I said walking back into her room, "I think I'm going to head out for a while. I'm sure John is going to be waiting for me at Baker Street since I haven't returned any of his many messages. Will you be okay alone?"
"Greg has someone posted outside, so I'm sure I'll be safe. He is still out there right?"
"Yes, he's still there. I shouldn't be too long, would you like me to get anything for you?"
"Um, I think Tom brought me some stuff in that bag over there," she said motioning towards the chair, "can you see what's inside?"
"Sure," I said picking up the bag. It feels a bit strange going through her things knowing that her engagement has just ended, "it looks like some pajamas, underthings and toiletries."
"That's probably all I'll need when I'm discharged."
"About that Molly. I was thinking maybe, maybe you should come stay with me at Baker Street." I'm surprised at the nervousness in my voice, and I hope she hasn't noticed as well.
"You're asking me to move in with you? Won't I just be in the way? I mean I know you'll be busy finding Jim and I don't want you to feel I'm always underfoot."
"You won't be in the way Molly. I want to know, need to know that you'll be safe. I won't let him hurt you any further."
"Okay, I guess if I won't be in your way."
"Well, I'll be off then."
I was correct in thinking that John would be waiting for me at the flat. I could hear both him and Mary conversing as I made my way up the stairs.
"I figured you'd be here," I told John as I walked through the door.
"Well, you were ignoring my messages and I knew you'd end up here eventually. You always do. And just so you know I've searched the place looking for any of your secret stashes."
"Of course you did. Sorry to disappoint then."
"How's Molly doing?" Mary interjected.
"Let's see, there has been quite a bit of crying, some sleeping, and an ended engagement, though I'm not sure I'm supposed to know about that last part."
"What?" they both questioned at once.
"She and Tom have ended their engagement, I thought I was quite clear when I mentioned it."
"Were you at Bart's all night?" John asked.
"Yes, of course that's where I was." Before they could question me further Mrs. Hudson walks in with tea and biscuits.
"Oh Sherlock, I didn't hear you come in. How is sweet Molly doing?"
"As I was just explaining to John and Mary there has been crying, sleeping and an ended engagement. I'm sure that John has already reported all of her injuries to you."
"Oh dear, her engagement has ended. She must be devastated."
"I could see how she might be. You feel free to coddle her all you'd like when I bring her back after she leaves the hospital."
"You're bringing her here? Do you think that's the smartest idea?" John asked with raised eyebrows, "You're not exactly known for being the nicest person when it comes to Molly."
"Yes, of course I am. She shouldn't be alone with Moriarty out there playing this game of his. I need to know she's safe." I think I see a bit of a smirk on John's face, but dismiss the idea immediately.
"Still no clues or contact then?"
"No. What is he waiting for? Usually he's given some sort of puzzle to solve or is taunting me by now. Though Molly said he wanted to break me, so maybe he's just going to drive me to madness by ignoring me." I know I'm being sarcastic, but it's my best defense mechanism.
I realize I've started pacing again when I catch the three of them staring at me intently, waiting for me to continue my rant. Problem is I seem to be at my wit's end, not know where I should be going from this point. My brain just keeps asking why there are no clues or puzzle, and what it is that Moriarty really wants. I need to solve this. I need to figure out how to keep Molly safe.
"Would you like us to go pick up some of her things? She won't have anything to wear otherwise," Mary inquired after I don't offer up any more information on my frustration with the situation. Her words bring to mind thoughts of Molly in my shirt again. I need to stop letting her consume my thoughts, but I'm not sure I really want to stop.
"I was thinking about doing that before heading back to Bart's. Tom brought her a bag with some pajamas but I figure she'll need something more."
"We can do that for you. That way you can make sure she gets here without any problems. Any idea when they might be discharging her?" Mary asked.
"I figure it'll probably be later today since there isn't much else they can do for her at this point since none of her injuries are life threatening. I guess you could go get her some of her things. You should probably bring her cat as well." While I don't mind Toby too much I don't really know if I want him underfoot in my own home. When I was staying with Molly I was in his domain so I didn't have much of a choice. However, I know that having him here with make Molly happy and I want her to have some semblance of home while she's here.
"You with a cat," John said trying not to laugh, but failing miserably.
"What's so funny about bringing Toby here?"
"You actually know Molly's cat's name?" he asked laughing harder.
"Why wouldn't I know his name? I lived with Molly for a few weeks after my death. He actually likes me too." I have no idea why I felt the need to impart that last bit.
"Okay then. We'll head over to Molly's to pick up her things and bring them back here," Mary said since John was still in the throes of laughter.
When I arrived back at the hospital I was unpleasantly surprised to find my brother talking to Molly in her room. I stood just outside the door listening to figure out just exactly how furious I needed to be with Mycroft.
"I don't understand what it is you think I can tell you about Sherlock, Mr. Holmes," I heard Molly telling him.
"Well, I assume in his misguided guilt he's offered you some sort of protection such as moving into that abysmal flat of his. I just want you to keep me updated on his wellbeing."
"Mycroft, when are you going to stop trying to pay for information on me?" I inquired sauntering into the room.
"When you deem it important enough to keep me in the loop."
"Why would I do that when you bug my flat every few months anyway? Plus what could you possibly need to know that you don't already have figured out, or are you starting to slip?" The jab at his deductive skills would sting almost as much as a jab at his weight. In fact I could tell it was working as he tried to stare me down with such an intensity that he reserved for his most problematic situations. I always seemed to find myself somewhere at the top of that list.
"Sherlock," Molly's voice broke through our little staring contest. How is it that she can reprimand me, and bring me to focus all with my name, not even my mother has that ability. I could tell that Mycroft was secreting away this information for a later date when I caught him with the ghost of a smile on his face.
"And Mycroft Holmes what gives you the right to go around trying to force information out of Sherlock's friends?" Molly's tone towards Mycroft seemed to take him aback. I'm not sure anyone other than me has ever talked back to him. "If you want to know something then you should ask him yourself, and if he doesn't feel the need to answer you then maybe you don't need to know the answer. You both need to start acting like adults instead of children." I found that I was extremely proud of her. She used to cower around people like myself and Mycroft and here she was sitting on a hospital bed covered in cuts and bruises scolding us.
I don't know what I'm to do with all of these feelings that she keeps bringing out in me since my return. She keeps finding different ways to amaze me and I keep wondering how I missed all these qualities for so many years. Maybe I didn't really miss them, maybe I was repressing them. I always thought that I was protecting the both of us whenever I would rebuff her advances, but I think maybe I was just turning her into a shell instead. Could I have had this remarkable woman before me now all those years if I had just been a little bit nicer, or is it only through the trials we shared that she became who she is now? All I end up with are more and more questions.
"I think I will take that as my cue to leave," Mycroft said gruffly getting up and heading to the door. "Heal well Doctor Hooper," he said at the door before turning to me, "brother," and walking out the door.
Thank you everyone for being patient, this chapter has been giving me fits for a while now. I'm glad I finally have it finished for you and am hoping the next one won't take so long. Thank you to everyone who has sent in reviews as I greatly appreciate them. I hope you guys continue to enjoy the story and will stick around until the final chapter.