*** I do not own any of these characters. Sherlock Holmes voluntarily giving someone a comforting embrace?! Molly must face the reality of the previous night's events. Will Sherlock come to love Molly after comforting her or will he return to treating her so abashedly? Reviews are appreciated! Thank you so much to everyone who has reviewed and liked my story. You're all lovely people and I wish you all good fortune and a bountiful harvest.***

7

I was nervous beyond reason the moment I woke up. I'd have to face him and he would tear down any thoughts I had about the embrace he gave me last night. But in my foolishness, I wanted to believe that there was some reason for it. In all the time that I've known him, he has not once made any physical contact with me. Now he'd kissed me once and held me during my mental breakdown. Even Sherlock Holmes couldn't convince me that it meant nothing.

I took a shower and spent a little extra time looking nice. If I was going to face him, I better look good doing it.

I gave myself another short pep talk before marching out into the living room. I jumped when I saw him laying on the couch. For as brave as I was, I had secretly been hoping that I wouldn't find him in my flat.

He sat up, clearly having deduced that I had come on a mission. I sat in the large overstuffed recliner, facing him. I could feel my courage draining so I knew I'd have to act fast.

"Where have you been the last couple days?" I ask him directly.

"Following a lead on one of Moriarty's men," he answered just as bluntly.

"How did you get hurt?"

"A minor miscalculation of mine. Won't happen again."

I sighed but declined to question him further on that particular front.

"Why were you angry with me last night?"

"As much as I desire an alternative, I rely on you. I needed your services and you were not there-"

"At you beck and call? Oh my, how very inconvenient for you," I drawled out sarcastically.

"I'm not your servant, Sherlock. I'm you friend," I said as calmly as I could manage.

He looked momentarily shocked but I watched as he considered my words.

"I realize that I'm not John, but we need to try a little harder. I can let you run off and not be so upset when I don't hear from you, but you need to treat me like a human being and not a provider of services-"

I was cut off as Sherlock took the few steps between us and kissed me on the lips.

In a moment, that I instantly regret, I shoved him away.

"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?" I ask incredulously.

"You seemed angry," he stated, as if he thought nothing of it.

"And you decided that kissing me was the best solution to this?"

"Based on how your pulse tends to quicken in my vicinity, and you demonstrate other signs of arousal quite frequently, I calculated that you would find the kiss pleasurable," he said, with a hint of confusion in his voice.

"arousal?" I squeaked.

I shook my head and stood up.

"This is too far, even for someone as 'socially inept' as you, Sherlock Holmes. You kiss someone because you like them not as a way to shut them up. I'm going to leave and spend the day with Mary. I suggest for your own safety that you not be in this flat when I return," I said with venom in my voice.

Without even looking at him, I stood up and grabbed my things before stomping out the front door.

As soon as I sat in the back of the cab, my fingers traced my lips. The idea that his had been there was only now sinking in. As furious as I was, I couldn't help but think of how soft his lips had been.