A/N: Sorry this chapter took so long for me to put out. Originally, I wanted to follow the storyline for series three but I was having a lot of difficulty for the whole Moriarty thing because honestly, I can't do it justice. In my head, Moriarty is back and shit is about to go down. But I'm just having so much trouble with it and honestly, that aspect isn't even really what my story is about so I'm just going to go another way. Basically, from this chapter on, it's not really going to tie in with the canon anymore. Sorry!
It's been almost a month since Molly last saw Sherlock. The only communication they had was when she texted him the results of the samples she examined and he replied with
Thank you. -S.
She heard that he'd been busy with a case so she hadn't spoken with him since he apologized to her. That was nice.. but mustn't read too much into it. Who knows what Sherlock is thinking, but at least he seemed sincere. And either way, she missed him, so at least now she can just move on.
Molly just arrived at Bart's and was in the middle of putting on her lab coat when she received a text.
Is it inconvenient if I come in and use the lab today? -S
Not at all. -M
As soon as Molly hits the send button, there's a ping out side the door, and less then a second later Sherlock walks in nodding his head at her in greeting.
"Molly."
"Hi," she says, taken aback by his sudden appearance. "That was fast."
"Yes, well," he seems distracted, looking around the lab.
When it's clear that Sherlock isn't going to say more, Molly says, "You can use your regular station. We're down one intern today so there's a an empty spot." Sherlock is still looking around but nods his head and that's the only indication that Molly gets that he is listening to her. "I'm leaving early, but you can stay as long as you need. Mike is covering for me so he can help you with anything."
"Very well. Thank you."
Sherlock walks over, taking off his jacket and folding it over the back of his chair. He sits down and starts setting up his station without another word.
The day passes without much said between them. Sherlock stays in the lab for the entire day, analyzing whatever it is he is analyzing while Molly is in and out. Before too long it's 3pm and Molly gets ready to leave. She walks back into the lab and sees Sherlock still working.
"Sherlock?"
"Hmm?", he grunts, without looking away from his microscope.
"I'm about to leave, so if you need anything just let Mike or one of the other interns know."
He finally looks up and checks the time. "Ah," and that's the only response she gets.
"Okay then," and Molly goes into her office to get her things. She shuts down her computer, puts on her coat and locks the door. When she turns around, Sherlock is there, standing in his coat, just finishing looping up his scarf.
"You're leaving too?"
"Yes."
"Okay," she says and gives him a small smile. "I'll see you later."
Molly walks around him and is about to open the door when Sherlock speaks up.
"Actually, I was wondering if you would like me to join you?"
She turns around and blinks up at him confused. "Sorry? Join me where?"
He clears his throat and focus on a spot to the right of her face. "I've been informed that friends accompany one another during important and significant emotional events." Sherlock blinks and then meets her eyes, "Today is the anniversary of your father's death is it not?"
Her mouth opens, but she doesn't know what to say so she just closes it again.
"Have I been misinformed? Do friends not do this?"
Molly scoffs, looking down, blinking. "No you haven't," she answers him, looking up. He looks so worried, as if he's done something horribly wrong. She half smiles at him and asks, "How did you know?"
Sherlock breathes out and she can see the worry leave his brows. "I have my ways," he answers her, matching her smile.
They are both silent, but it's comfortable. Almost like how it used to be between them. Finally Molly speaks up.
"Thank you, Sherlock, but it's okay."
He cocks his head and raises an eyebrow. Clearly that wasn't the answer he was expecting. "What?"
She can't help but chuckle, he looks so confused. "While I appreciate the gesture, it's okay." Sherlock is still looking at her, brow wrinkled trying to understand what she is saying. "I'm used to be being alone," she says, shrugging her shoulders.
He nods his head at her, blinking, and she can actually see it on his face. The process of him trying to understand what she is telling him.
"Are you positive?"
"Yes, but honestly, thank you," she says, eyes warm and smiling. "You'd just be bored anyway."
"No doubt," he says looking down. "Do you mind if I ask what your plans are?", Sherlock asks, genuinely curious.
Sighing, she says, "I don't really have anything planned honestly. It's been a few years and I don't have any family in London. I usually just go home, think about my dad, watch some telly." Sherlock's eyes light up at that, but Molly is too distracted figuring out her evening to notice. "Actually, maybe I'll stop by the chippy," she says, more to herself than to him.
"Oh?"
Molly looks up and meets his eyes. "Yeah, my dad and I would always get fish and chips if we had nothing planned for dinner," she replies, still smiling.
Sherlock is looking at her and raises his brow, "I like chips."
"I know," she says laughing. "That's what you ate 90% of the time you spent in my flat."
"Yes, well you had nothing else to offer," he says with a shrug. "Besides you ate them as well."
"They were mine! You kept insisting I make them."
Sherlock doesn't reply. Just smiles sheepishly and shrugs again. They are both silent again, reflecting on the shared memory.
"Well then, I'm off. I'll see you later?", Molly asks.
He doesn't say anything. Just smiles and gives a little shake of his head.
"Goodnight, Sherlock," she says, with a slight dip of her head before she turns around and walks out the lab.
Sherlock stands there, hands in his pockets and sighs, "Goodnight, Molly."
