Hello there! As usual, I'd like to thank you all for reading & following, also for bearing with my slow updates. And thank you SammyKatz, Icecat62 and cocopops1995 for your lovely reviews :)

A/N: English is not my first language and I admittedly struggled a bit with putting the past (perfect) tense right, my apologies for any possible mistakes there.

This is settled in the events of 'The Sign Of Three'. I hope you'll enjoy!

Not Healthy

Delight, joy and pride mixed with doubt and perplexity – Molly was flushed with emotions she couldn't control. She had been joking in front of her mirror, just this morning: 'Into battle.' But it wasn't any longer about Sherlock 'fighting' sentiment or struggling with his speech.

After the detective and the newlyweds had suddenly disappeared after the toast, Molly made her own disappearance in need of some fresh air. At a quiet corner in the venue's garden she started pacing up and down the grass, trying to cope with all the unexpected emotions.

She had felt her stomach turn whenever Sherlock had talked to that bridesmaid. She had been worried for him when he hadn't known how to start his speech. She had found him endearing while he had been reading out the telegrams. She had felt heartbroken when he had admitted he'd never expected to be anybody's best friend. She had cried when he had declared his love for John. She was just so utterly proud of him, but that wasn't all.

~ 'I used to think that's what made me special – quite frankly, I still do.' ~

Sherlock's words still echoed in her mind and she remembered all too well how she had been fidgeting with her engagement ring and what she had thought at that precise moment. She remembered her urge to tell him that he was special indeed and that he always will be special to her.

'Damn it!' she suddenly hissed. 'This is ridiculous. I shouldn't feel this way...I mustn't!'

'You mustn't what?'

Molly winced and instantly turned around to see her fiancée's smiling face. 'Tom,' she gasped, 'you've made me jump.'

'Sorry, Molls.' He now frowned and came closer to take her hands into his. 'Are you alright? You've been acting a little strange all day, as if something's troubling you.'

'Oh, I...,' she saw the sincere concern in his eyes, 'I'm sorry about that, hun. I didn't mean to worry you. I'm fine, really. Just needed some fresh air.'

'Okay,' he nodded. 'And, um...why have you been talking to yourself just now?' he asked while amusedly raising his eyebrows.

'I-I...I just told myself...that I, um...that I mustn't drink any more alcohol. I felt a bit dizzy, I think I've had too much wine.' She explained and forced a weak smile.

Tom planted a gentle kiss on her forehead. 'Then you better do as you say. Too much alcohol is not healthy anyway,' he concluded as he carefully embraced her.

'Indeed,' she sighed against his chest, closing her eyes to stop the suddenly upcoming tears, 'it's not healthy.'


'Sherlock, where are you going?' a hint of sadness echoed in her voice. Molly knew the answer already but she couldn't resist to ask, as if there was a chance he would change his mind and stay.

The detective stopped dead in his tracks but didn't turn around. 'Molly,' he sighed, but didn't sound surprised at all. 'Don't worry about me, go back inside and enjoy the rest of the evening.'

She slowly came closer until she was only an arm-length away from him. 'John and Mary would be sad if you'd leave already.'

A weak smile spread on his lips. 'John and Mary deserve to enjoy themselves now, they've had enough distractions today, they won't miss me.'

'But I will,' she suddenly blurted out and instantly regretted it. Why did she go after him anyway? Why couldn't she just turn off that low but determined voice in her head?

Sherlock finally turned around to face her and instantly got caught by her eyes – her warm, intelligent, caring eyes. It was dark but the dim light from inside the dance hall provided just enough brightness for him to see that her cheeks were flushed.

Molly just wanted to run; run away from his piercing stare, his perfect cheekbones and his soothing baritone voice. Yet she couldn't move, it felt like her feet were cemented to the ground. Why the hell did she go after him?

'I-I...,' she attempted to speak but held back when she realized the words wouldn't come out smoothly. She took a deep breath and raised her chin. 'Listen, I just wanted to say: it's John and Mary's wedding, all your friends are here and just want to enjoy themselves. Why don't you come back inside and join us? I know these kind of...events are not really your thing but don't you think even Sherlock Holmes' mind could need a little break, at least every now and then?' She raised her eyebrows and her lips curled into a little smile.

He just stared at her as if he was trying to read her. Only for a second he closed his eyes before his glance fixed her again. He realized that she cared for him, that she always had – he had just never paid attention or simply hadn't cared. His heart suddenly sank a little.

'Believe me, Molly Hooper, people are not able to enjoy themselves when I'm around,' he smirked and noticed she was about to protest so he directly continued: 'I am fine, Molly. You know me,' he darted an affirmative look at her. 'You don't need to worry so much...it's no advantage and not healthy either,' he half-smiled and came one step closer to her. He just couldn't help it, his thumb naturally found its way to her cheek and quickly but gently stroked it. 'You should go back inside now.' That said, he turned around to finally continue on his way out.

Molly touched her cheek as she watched him for a moment, her skin still burning where he had just touched her. 'Sherlock, wait!' she suddenly yelled and he stopped as she now came running towards him. 'Just one dance?' she panted when she finally reached him.

A deep sigh came from his lungs but how could he say no?

Thanks for reading.

A/N: This scene is so not finished yet, those two should have their dance :) I'll try to update as soon as I can.