Molly holds Sherlock's hand tightly as they go back into the restaurant and over to John and Mary's table. They sit across from the other couple. Molly and Mary greet each other and Molly greets John but the words die on her lips when she realizes that the two men are staring each other down. John sits back with his arms folded across his chest and Sherlock lounges languidly in his chair, feigning bored indifference. The fact that he can lounge in a restaurant chair as gracefully as he can on a sofa makes her a little sorry that she insisted on going out this morning.
Molly gives their food orders while the two men continue to glare at each other.
Finally Sherlock sighs. "Okay, John. How did you figure it out. Please stun me with your massive brilliance." Molly kicks him under the table.
"You can blame her date," he says, gesturing to Molly. "He felt so bad about her having to rush back to work that he suggested we bring her some dinner. So we did. Oh, Molly it was a beautiful spinach ravioli in cream sauce. Which we ended up taking home with us because, when we got to Bart's not only was Molly not there, but no one had seen her since she left at six, no one had heard from her via text or any other channels, and she certainly didn't leave any work undone. They seemed to think that was quite funny, Molly, the idea you'd leave work undone. So well done on the work ethic."
"Thank you," she says, looking intently into her cup of coffee.
"So anyhow, we knew something was fishy but we were also a bit worried so we phoned Sherlock. Went straight to voicemail. This git never shuts his phone off. You can hardly get him to put it on vibrate. So off we went to Baker Street. It's dark and empty there and Mrs. Hudson hasn't seen you since that afternoon when you'd left the flat wearing what she called shamefully tight dungarees. We figured you had to be holed up together at Molly's place, but we weren't going to interrupt. Luckily, Mary remembered that you love this place, Molly. You brought Mary here to recover after her hen night. We figured why not. If we didn't run into you we'd have a nice brunch then pop round to Molly's after since it'd be a more suitable hour. But here you are, walking in smelling like a bordello with your face all glowing."
"Very good, John, I'm glad it only took you several months to figure it out."
"I didn't just figure it out, you prat. We just never caught you."
"Why didn't you just ask me, or Molly?"
"Because I shouldn't bloody have to," John says through clenched teeth. Molly realizes that John is more hurt than angry, but she's not sure that Sherlock realizes it yet. She gives his thigh a squeeze, trying to communicate to him to be careful. He rubs her hand gently.
"You're right."
Everyone at the table gapes at Sherlock.
"What?" Sherlock asks. "He's right. We were wrong. There was no real reason to hide our relationship from John and Mary. They wouldn't tell anyone or let it slip. So has everyone who needs to know been informed or do we have to tell Lestrade, too?"
"Wait, Mrs. Hudson knows?"
"Yes, apparently she's known for a while but just let us know she knew yesterday. So how does it feel to be out sleuthed by an old woman?"
"This has been just another bloody game to you, hasn't it? Anything else the two of you need to get off your chest, then? Secret marriage? Love child?"
"Well, if you must know—" Molly elbows him in the ribs.
"John," she says, "That's it, no more secrets. We were just being overly cautious."
"Sherlock, this had better be the last time you ever lie to me, do you understand?" Something in John's voice makes Sherlock drop all pretense of nonchalance.
"Yes."
"Right. So, how long has it been, then?"
"I kissed Molly for the first time in August, but because of scheduling and a few murders we didn't go on our first date until October."
"October?" John sputters. "Sherlock, it's May."
"Fantastic observation, John. Here comes our food. How about we all shut up and eat?"
John opens his mouth again, but then shuts it, shrugging and digging into his food. He is two bites in when Sherlock's text alert goes off.
Molly knows by the way Sherlock smiles that it is a case. John realizes it too and groans.
"Perfect timing as usual," John mutters, throwing his napkin on the table.
Sherlock is already up. He gives Molly enough cash to pay for all their meals and kisses her on the forehead before heading to the door.
"John, I'll have to stop by my flat for a change of clothes. You head to the crime scene."
John nods and kisses Mary. He takes one last longing look at his meal, grabs a piece of toast, and follows Sherlock out the door.
Molly and Mary stare at the overabundance of food at their table, then burst out laughing. The waitress comes over to refill their coffee and surveys the scene.
"Well, they had to rush off, didn't they? What are they, surgeons or something?"
"No, erm, they're dog whisperers," Mary says.
"Yes," says Molly. "Just got a frantic text from a client. Standard poodle that's developed a bit of a crush on the cat."
"Oh, well, I'll just put this in takeaway boxes then?"
"Thank you," says Molly. She looks at Mary after the waitress leaves. "Dog whisperers? Is that the best you could do? I nearly pissed myself."
"Well, I couldn't say detectives, could I? She might have put two and two together and recognized them, despite that awful getup Sherlock is in."
"That's one of John's jumpers, you know."
"Yes, I know."
"So, you're not mad, then?"
"A little irritated I've missed out on all these months of relationship talk. All of the girls at work are single and I just can't relate to that whole walk of shame, knickers in your handbag stuff anymore. But no, I'm not mad. I do hope you know that you can trust us."
"I do. And I'm sorry. Really."
"It's okay. So, have you finished that book I lent you, or have you been too busy shagging Sherlock?"
"Mary, keep your voice down. And I'm almost finished. It's brilliant. And that's not all we do, by the way."
"Yeah, I guess you are far enough into the relationship for that to be true."
Molly's text alert rings before she can retort.
-Got more info from one's only a seven. Should be wrapped up by tomorrow evening if no exciting twists pop up. Pencil me in for a late dinner. SH—
"Well, looks like my day just opened wide up. Want to see a movie?"
Mary is looking at a text of her own. "Why not? But let's stream something so we can watch it in our pyjamas."
"Brilliant," Molly says. Her text alert rings again.
-You were fantastic, by the way. Glad I didn't have to face him alone. Love, SH.—
She fires off a reply before turning back to her friend and her meal.
-Always.—
A/N Thank you so much to everyone who has read, followed, and reviewed this story. I've been overwhelmed by the response to it. I'm so sorry it took so long to finish. I was honestly just really reluctant to let it go. Hopefully I'll get to revisit this universe at some point.
