Metricjenn reckons that Sherlock will be wrapped around Molly like lights on a tree and I have to say that that was my favourite analogy. And of course he is.

Anyway as an apology for the delay over the weekend you get two chapters back to back xx

Chapter 10

It was still dark when Molly awoke but it didn't surprise her. At this time of year the sun was slow to rise and quick to set. What did surprise her however was waking up with her back pressed against the front of another person; their arm around her waist pulling her against them. Almost at the same moment that she felt confusion remembrance of the night before flooded back and she gasped in shock as she realised it was Sherlock holding her; his hand tucked under her ribs, almost brushing against her breasts. Not only that but she could feel something that was suspiciously hard against her bum.

She closed her eyes and pressed her lips together and felt suddenly grateful for the darkness of the room, that way no one could see just how much she must be blushing. It felt almost enlightening to realise that Sherlock was just a man with human male responses; responses which included a morning erection. She had no doubt in her mind that it was nothing to do with her per se and everything to do with the general situation and an involuntary physical reaction to it.

The question now was what should she do? This wasn't an easy situation to get out of without potentially disturbing and waking him.

She took a breath and then slowly let her hand slide over his feeling how warm he felt. His skin was smooth and warm and she could feel the knuckles of his hand under her fingers. She felt her own lust unfurling in her stomach at touching him so intimately and she tried to will it away but it was no good, her body was betraying her, trying to persuade her to roll over and push him onto his back before straddling his slim body and impaling herself on the erection that she could feel pressed up against her.

Once she had her hand over his she tried to lift it enough that she could slide out from under it but instead he groaned and pulled her tighter against him. Dear God she even felt his cock pulse against her backside and she felt a flood of wetness through her core. He was killing her.

She tried again but this time she was a bit firmer in her actions rolling onto her back as she lifted his hand. She knew the moment he awoke because his hand instinctively caught at her own and she heard his intake of breath as he tried to work out what was happening.

She found herself whispering into the dark to reassure him. 'Hey Sherlock…morning. I..umm..was just going to get up.

He immediately released her and she could feel him pulling away and sitting up as she reached over to flick on the bedside lamp; relieved that it was an old energy saver bulb so the light took some time before brightening. She glanced over at Sherlock to see him looking sexier and more disheveled than she'd ever seen him before... he simply looked gorgeous. He yawned and then smiled a little as he caught her gaze.

'How are you feeling? How's your head?'

He gingerly reached up to where he'd banged it the night before and closed his eyes briefly as he touched it. He swallowed before talking as if to get some moisture back in his mouth and she berated herself for not making him drink some more water the night before, being dehydrated wasn't going to help him recover. 'It's not too bad, maybe you could get me a couple more painkillers though.'

'Yes, of course. You wait here and I'll get you some water as well.'

She sat up and picked up her dressing gown before leaving the room. She freshened up in the bathroom first and then made her way downstairs. As she did she could hear her aunt moving about in the kitchen making some tea and crumpets as she always did for breakfast.

As she entered the room her aunt turned and gave her a wide smile and…did she just wink?

'Good morning Molly dear. I take it you had a good evening at Pete and Barry's house. They're such a lovely couple, a real asset to the island.'

'Umm...yes, no it was good. The food was delicious, I didn't realise Barry was such a good cook.'

'And I see you brought Sherlock back with you, I knew it wouldn't be long before you two got together. I'm so happy for you my dear.'

Molly suddenly understood the reason for her aunt winking at her. She thought her and Sherlock had….

'Oh God no…no it's not what you think.'

The older woman chuckled and shook her head. 'You don't need to lie on my behalf Molly, I know what you young things are like and it's not as though you don't know each other.'

'But seriously though Aunty it really isn't what it looks like. Someone tried to kill him last night, they blew up his lodge. I…' her voice caught in her throat unexpectedly as she tried to go on. The shock from the night before catching up with her. 'I don't know how he survived.'

Her aunt slowly put down the butter knife and turned to face her niece before coming over and wrapping her arms around her.

'Oh my dear. I had no idea; it must have been such a scare for you both. Now you sit down and I'll pour you some tea.'

'I said I'd take him some water and paracetamol.' Molly waved a hand in the direction of the stairs but even as she spoke she could hear the shower running upstairs which indicated that Sherlock was already up.

She sat down at the small kitchen table which doubled up as their dining table and she let her aunt fuss around her, adding sugar to her tea and buttering some crumpets.

A couple of minutes later and she could hear Sherlock making his way down the stairs but nothing would ever have prepared her for the sight she saw as he made his way into the kitchen. He was naked apart from one of her aunt's fuchsia pink towels slung around his waist.

'Morning Aunt Evie, I take it Molly has explained my presence here.'

The older woman took one look at him and smiled. 'She has though she didn't mention she brought you here with no clothes.'

He returned her smile as he made his way to the seat that she offered him. 'Not quite naked you'll be glad to hear but my pyjamas smell of smoke and the only other items I have are my coat and my shoes. I tried on the gown hung on the back of the door but the colour didn't suit me and it was four sizes too small.'

Evelyn was already putting tea and crumpets in front of him before finding some paracetamol on Molly's instructions.

'You're a cheeky one I see. Molly you'll have to pop round and see if Pete has anything that Sherlock can borrow. He's about the same size. I'd suggest Kirsty's husband as well but I wouldn't be indebted to that scoundrel if he was the last man on the island. Now come on, eat up your food.'

Molly caught Sherlock's eye and she tried to stay focused on his face and not his naked chest. She could already feel his knees touching her own and it was doing nothing to reduce her heart rate.

Once breakfast was finished she got changed and went round to Pete's house leaving Sherlock and her aunt chatting in the kitchen. They seemed deep in conversation and she wondered just what they had found to talk about. She'd have been very surprised and worried if she'd known that it was her.

SHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSH

As soon as Molly had left the kitchen to go and get dressed Evelyn had sat down opposite him.

'You're in love with my niece…' she saw Sherlock making to interrupt her and she held her hand up '…now don't try and deny it. I've been on this earth for too many years and I recognise love when I see it. You cover it well but I see it…and it confuses me.'

Sherlock was curious to see where she was going with this and for some reason that he couldn't quite fathom he didn't feel up to denying it…maybe it was the concussion.

'What's so confusing?'

'Well, I know about that horrible phone call that you made because you had to so we both know that you know exactly how Molly feels about you. She says you've always known deep down. So if you love her and you know she loves you why have you never done anything about it?'

He sighed pushing his chair back from the table and brushing his hands through his hair as he searched for the right answer. He found he didn't want to lie to her, he'd lied to so many people for so long but just like Molly did on most things, bar his feelings, Evelyn seemed to see right through him and he suspected she'd be able to tell if he was lying.

'I'm not a good man…'

'That's not what I hear.'

He chuckled ruefully. 'I suspect your source may be a little biased.'

'You seem like a good man to me. I grant you I haven't known you long but I have an eye for these things.'

'I won't be good for her. I mean I've been on this island for less than 24 hours and already had an attempt on my life. Imagine how Molly will feel each and every time I go into danger, knowing I might never come back. How could I do that to her? She should find someone else, someone less risky…someone who'll appreciate her and love her better than I can.'

Evelyn stood and made her way back to the kettle refilling it and switching it on before she sat back down.

She took a deep breath and Sherlock knew that she was struggling with something…he narrowed his eyes and used all of his considerable brain power to figure it out.

A moment later he nodded his head, more to himself than her. Then he softly asked 'who was he and how did he die?'

Her head shot up and her eyes widened and for a split second he could see the resemblance with his Molly.

'He was Kenny Brady and he was 23 when he died. We both were. I'd known him since I was thirteen years old and been in love with him since I was fourteen. We started dating when I turned twenty and we'd just got engaged when he was killed outright in a motorbike accident. So you see Mr Holmes I know just how it feels to lose someone. I've always joked that we Hoopers when we mate we mate for life. There have never been any divorces…at least none instigated by us. When we fall in love it's complete and absolute.'

After a moments contemplation she carried on. 'So, what would have been worse for me than losing Kenny?' She paused for a second until Sherlock indicated for her to continue.

'Losing him and never having known what is was to be loved by him. For him to have died and for me never to have known that he loved me as well. His love has carried me the last fifty years and it will carry me to my grave until we're reunited once more.'

She carried on. 'You talk of Molly moving on and being with someone else but as you well know she tried that with Tom. He was a lovely man and he offered her everything you said, security, love, family but she gave it up and I'm assuming you know why.'

Sherlock shook his head. He'd had his suspicions but he had never liked to ask…maybe fear over the answer.

'She gave him up because she knew she'd never love him as much as she loves you.'

He felt his heart skip a beat at the confirmation; a warmth spreading through him making his nerves tingle.

'So if you never step up, if you never make a move Molly will remain as she is; single, alone, unloved. Don't get me wrong. She'd cope, she's carved out a good life for herself with good friends and a career that fulfils her but I think we both know that she deserves so much more than that…and whether you like it or not it's down to you.'

'But I don't even know where to start; relationships are really not my thing.'

She chuckled and shook her head. 'What on earth makes you think that the rest of us mere mortals know what we're doing? We all just muddle along.'

She stood back up as she heard the door unlatching but before she walked away she patted Sherlock's hand where it was resting on the table.

'One last thing….I'm deaf as a post when I take this hearing aid out. So don't you worry about me hearing anything tonight.' She winked at him and then made her way to the kettle leaving a slightly shocked but amused Consulting Detective in her wake.

Well I think we knew that Evie was going to give him a talking to at some point. Here's hoping it gives our detective the shove he needs. Do you think it will be enough?