Chapter Seven: The Showdown
John felt the side of the bed for the familiar shape of his flat mate. All he felt was the sheet.
"Sherlock!" He called sleepily. "What are you doing? What time is it?"
"It's half-past seven. I have to go to St. Bart's. Molly texted me and said that they had some new arrivals." He yelled from the other room. All John could see were shirts being carelessly thrown around.
"I'm not cleaning that up again!"
"I don't expect you to," he said, coming out in a pair of black trousers, a blue shirt, and a black blazer. "Don't expect me back for lunch." He grabbed his coat and scarf from the rack, and went out the door.
I really have to get used to this. It's not normal to get up this bloody early. John thought to himself.
Outside Baker Street, Sherlock hailed a cab. "Saint Bartholomew's Morgue." He told the cabbie. He was turning a small box in his hand. It had blue wrapping paper, with a red bow. I really hope she will like this, he thought. When he arrived, he got out of the cab, paid the man, and adjusted his coat collar. "Here goes," he said. He pushed open the door. He walked right pas the reception desk. He knew where Molly would be. He was right. She was in a lab on the top floor, looming over a newly dead body.
"Hey Molly." He said, opening the door. "Is that a new one?"
"Yes, yes it is. Would you like to take a look?" She said, pulling back the sheet with a flourish.
"Yes, of course. But first, here." He thrust the small box into her hands. "Happy Birthday, Molly."
She opened the box. "Oh Sherlock, it's beautiful!" she exclaimed. Inside the box was a silk scarf, embroidered with gold thread.
"I had some help, as I usually don't buy presents."
"It's lovely. Thank you. To tell you the truth, I didn't think you would remember my birthday." She put the scarf around her neck.
"Why would I forget that?" He leaned in close to her. "It's very important." He leaned in more until their noses almost touched, then kissed her. It was surprising to Molly at first, and then she let the moment consume her, dropping the box to run her fingers through his thick curly hair.
He is a good kisser. Much better than Greg. I don't ever want this to stop.
"What the HELL is going on here?" a voice said. They pulled apart and whirled around. Molly looked guilty, but Sherlock just looked annoyed.
"Oh Lestrade, it's you. I was just…"
"I know PERFECTLY well what you were doing." He said angrily. "You were trying to get with Molly. You bastard." He swung to punch Sherlock, but he caught his hand mid-swing.
"I have you know I was trained in Judo. I don't want to have to fight you. But I am positive I could kick your arse." They lunged for each other, pinning each other on the ground and rolling around.
"WHAT THE HELL?" Another voice said. There, standing in the doorway, was John. "What the bloody hell is going on?"
"Sherlock was kissing my girlfriend. Hasn't anyone told him it's bad to do that to another man's girlfriend? Especially one of their mates'?" He was being pulled down again by Sherlock.
"Oh I would hardly call you a mate, Greg. I was just merely experimenting, as I've never kissed a woman before."
"Experimenting my arse." Lestrade said, wrapping his arms around Sherlock's neck. "You stupid bastard!"
"Alright, alright, that's enough. Break it up!" John said, pulling Sherlock off of the detective inspector. "Now Greg, you stand here, and Sherlock, you stand there." They were facing each other, with John in the middle. "Let's settle this like men shall we?" he said with his military voice.
"But….he…" They said in unison.
John put up his hand to stop them. "One at a time please. Sherlock, you go first."
"Yeah, you would pick him first." Lestrade said with a huff.
All it took was one glare from John to shut him up. "Go on, Sherlock."
"As I was trying to tell this Idiot before, it was merely an experiment. I knew today was Molly's birthday, and I wanted to give her my present."
All of the men turned and looked at Molly. "Is that true?" John asked her. "Is today really your birthday?"
"Yes, it is." She was huddled in the corner, where she moved to when Sherlock and Greg started fighting.
"Well then, Happy Birthday."
