CHAPTER 7

We were back at Baker Street, neither of us saying a word. The moment we came in, Sherlock said, "Good night," and locked himself in his room without looking back. Toby jumped when Sherlock's door closed, waking him up from sleeping on the couch. I smiled, petted him and told him to follow me to John's room. It would be our new room now.

I changed into the pijamas Mrs. Hudson had been so kind to lend me and got into bed, Toby sleeping by my side. I stared at the roof for God knows how long until I fell asleep. I have to stay here, doesn't matter how hard it gets, or how hurt I might be. I have to sleep here every night for the next six months.

I woke up hearing voices out of my room. There were people in the living room. I opened the bedroom door just an inch to be able to hear more clearly. I could hear Sherlock explaining last night's events in his monotonous voice, and saying that I will have to move here for the next six months.

"But, what did he mean infected? What is this sickness?" It was John Watson who asked. And I was glad he asked. That was the question that had been bothering me all last night.

"John, you can deduce it. A girl who died in Valentine's Day? A message for the blind? This sickness can kill you while you're still breathing. It can blind you while you see. You've suffered from it."

I tried to look out the door and saw John nodding in understanding. "You can't fall in love with her."

"I must not fall in love with her." Sherlock corrected. My heart jumped and I took a step back while Sherlock continued, "Moriarty knows Molly plays a very important role in my life and is trying to take advantage of it."

"But not falling in love must come easy to you. I mean, you are Sherlock Holmes."

"That's the game, John. That's exactly the game. And Moriarty is pretty sure I will lose." There was something in his voice that didn't make sense. He didn't sound as energetic as other times when there was something to do.

"Do you think you will lose?"

"It doesn't matter what I think, John. I can't lose, and I won't. I must push Molly away."

"That will hurt her."

"Which in turn, hurts me too. See the brilliance in this?"

I sat on the bed and analyzed what I had just heard. They kept chatting, but I didn't listen anymore. I saw, with more clarity, what Jim had done. Before I met Moriarty, I used to keep a blog. In it, I mentioned Sherlock, and my huge, unrequited crush. He obviously read it. He got close to me, asked me about him and how I knew him and for how long. Due to our long acquaintance, he thought he could get to Sherlock through me, and then noticed I didn't really mattered to him. So he left me.

And then came the fall. Sherlock stayed with me. I helped him. Moriarty probably knew this and maybe that's why he thought I mattered.

Wait.

Irene Adler. I remember she flirted with Sherlock and he never responded to her. But, according to John, she remains as one of the most important women in Sherlock's life. I remember he even x-rayed her cellphone. Could it be that the women most important to him are the ones he tries to push away? Like Irene Adler? Could it be that's why Moriarty invented this little game with me at the center of it?

Then, that means he could someday feel something for me. Moriarty thought so. I must confess, that if my assumption is right, Moriarty planned this really well. He ended up hurting us both. I sighed.

Now, more than ever, I must accept that Sherlock and I are never going to be a couple. We can't. As dramatic as it sounds, lives depend on this. So, I must live with the man I love while trying to make him not love me back.

I opened the door and called Toby to take him out to pee. "Good morning," I greeted while I walked, with Toby by my side, through the living room. "Just taking him out to pee."

"Hello, Molly." John greeted with a smile. Sherlock looked everywhere but me. "I'll have to get used to see you around here."

"Trust me, John, I'll have get used to be here." I smiled and took the dog out. I'll have to get used to everything. Get ready for more rejections from Sherlock's part, seeing him every single day. Taking a different tube to go to work. Human parts in the refrigerator.

I can make it, I thought. I'll just try get rid of my infection.