A/N: Thank you to everyone who has favorited / followed my story, and most of all to those who are reviewing. It makes a huge difference to know people love my story. If you haven't reviewed please consider doing so, I love opinions on what I can do better and ideas people would like to see as much as anything else.

This chapter is a short interlude to establish the relationship of Rose and Mary, because I think that these women would have a lot in common and their situations would really lend a level of understanding that neither would find anywhere else. I plan to build on this friendship for both of them, and for it to become as important to the women as the friendship between John and Sherlock is to them.

Standard Disclaimer.

Chapter 10. Mutual Secrets

Molly made her way to the door, feeling oddly better than she had in a while, less alone. Rose finally finished making her cup of tea and seated herself on the long couch by the wall. Rose liked this spot, she could see the doorways and the windows, had her back to a wall and enough room to stretch out her legs. Yes thought Rose this would do as her spot nicely. Besides she was slightly out of Sherlock's eye line here, maybe he would forget her for a while and she could actually wind down for five minutes, her shower had been very nice but coming out to eyeballs and jealous pathologists fearing their position in Sherlock's life was being threatened was enough to kill what little relaxing she had been able to achieve.

Rose liked Molly, she smiled to herself it was always fun to disturb geniuses and befriending his friends was enough to keep Sherlock on his toes. He might find it easy to push around a single person or even a few people but a united force that had Rose in it was just what was needed to remind him the others don't exists to work just for him. She hadn't let a near millennia old alien push her around, Sherlock certainly wasn't about to get away with it. Rose sank deeper in to the end of the couch and sipped her tea, she closed her eyes as the relaxing warmth radiated out wards after downing half the cup. She could relax here for the rest of the day quiet happily.

"Don't relax too much Rose."

Balls! Rose cracked open an eye, wondering if she could possibly ignore him. Nope, that was him sitting right on the other side of the coffee table, in a chair he had managed to drag over silently to avoid alerting her. There went any chance at escape as well. Rose sighed, she was smart enough to know he wanted to go over the incident outside his brothers office. Surly it was just getting blown out of proportion, so someone had been watching her and she had been creeped the hell out. She had just lost and started a life, in a new universe, again, surely she was entitled to one little freak-out over nothing. Right?

"Do we have to go over this now? I over reacted to some random guy who was probably just sightseeing."

"Yes I'm sure you were just over-reacting, women are prone to such actions, however id like a description of the person as they were most likely looking for me not you, and I like to be aware of my 'fans' as a rule. They can be troublesome."

Rose blinked, how the hell was she supposed to react to that? Pull him up on the insult? Deflate his arrogance? Narrowing her eyes Rose decided to combat the innate arrogance with its own source.

Rose sipped the last of her tea calmly, "You tell me, you saw everything when you looked around when we left Mycroft's office didn't you? It must be stored away in your head somewhere. I was just your average overwrought female, I can't remember what he looked like."

Getting up from the couch Rose turned her back on Sherlock and blinking at her in shock, she took her cup to the sink, rinsed it out and placed it in the cupboard then turned and walked back to the bathroom. It had been days since she had more than finger brushed her hair, surely a man who was as arrogant as that was vain to match so there was bound to be a hair brush around somewhere. Searching through the under sink cabinets Rose found a very large nearly complete first aid kit, spares of a high end shampoo and conditioner set, expensive shaver heads and a dusty package of condoms at the very back, looking at the expiration date on the back Rose saw they had actually expired. Letting out an amused chuckle she simply thought, interesting. Standing Rose checked the small space behind the sliding mirror, score! Rose sighed happily as she pulled the brush through her hair, it was the little things in life that made it easier to cope.

Rose cocked her head slightly at the light scuff of expensive shoes moving down the hall towards the bathroom, Sherlock moved to the door frame and leaned on it again and crossed his arms. The two observed each other quietly, mutually wondering how such stubbornness could coexist for any length of time before their house became a crime scene.

"John and Mary will be here in 5 minutes, Mary wishes to take you shopping."

"I see," replied Rose non-committedly. Sherlock pulled his wallet out of his jacket and flipped it open. Taking out a shiny grey card he passed it to Rose.

"This is the card to your new account, there is enough in it to last a few months, the rent is taken out directly each month so don't worry about that, remember while you are out to get a mobile phone." Turning on his heel Sherlock walked back down the hall and Rose heard him switch the kettle on. So he had decided to sooth his hurt pride by not giving her a choice in going out, how very adult of him. Rose scoffed to herself, well getting away from him would be nice at this point any way. Finishing with her hair Rose moved out to the living room and bent to put her shoes on.

What he wouldn't give for a cigarette right now. Sherlock moved to the fridge, he would complete his experiment on the eyeballs Molly had brought him while he waited for Rose to leave and John to get here. Taking the bag from the fridge he put it on a plate and opened the neck. Prodding a few eyeballs to the side Sherlock found a likely looking one. Glancing up Sherlock looked straight at a bent at the waist Rose, and accidently speared his promising looking eyeball. Humming with annoyance he picked up a different, rather tatty looking eyeball with his tweezers. Lifting his torch as Rose straitened he applied flame to the eyeball, in no way wishing she'd bend over again.

Both Rose and Sherlock turned their heads as a very odd sound floated up the stairs, sounds like someone throttling an owl thought Rose.

"John is here, Mary will be waiting in the car for you." Sherlock stated looking back to his smoking eyeball.

"Try not to leave any of those on the floor" said Rose pocketing the card and leaving for the stairs. Half way down she passed John, giving him a smile and a wink she bounded past him and out the door. Good luck to him she thought, hoping he could sooth the ruffled feathers in Baker Street.

Closing the door behind her Rose looked around and spotted Mary leaning on a car a few car lengths up the road, smiling Rose trotted up to Mary and leaned straight in to give her a hug. Mary stood rather stiffly in shock but loosened up quickly. With a slight smile of puzzlement she leaned back to observe the odd blonde.

"You look chipper for someone who spent the morning with Mycroft," said Mary.

"No I'm chipper at being outside without either of the brothers Holmes in sight!" exclaimed Rose trotting to the passenger side door, "Now let's go shopping!"

Mary shook her head getting into the driver's seat and starting the car, she was still wary of the woman but it was almost impossible not to like her.

-s-s-s-

Rose could read the lines of discomfort on Mary as she moved a few isles over, she had obviously requested this shopping expedition to sort out what ever sort of threat she thought Rose might be but now wasn't sure how to go about confronting her about it. Moving from the underwear isle with her half full basket to the pants isle Rose considered the problem as well. A direct approach had its merits, they were both practical women, beating around the bush was obviously only going to confuse matters. Mary moved up the isle with a jumper in her hands for Rose to yay or nay.

"Sherlock sent John a message with your background story," Mary spoke up, holding up the jumper as if to compare it colour to Roses own.

"I'd like to believe it, John does. But I don't, it's a lie isn't it?" Mary seemed to ask, but the sentence had been a statement.

"It's as much the truth as your history is," Rose replied knowingly and defensively. Neither woman wanted a fight but neither would be cowed or intimidated by the other, both where standing at the ready to defend the only life they had from the risk the other seemed to pose. Tense moments passed as the women eyed one another, Rose wondered absently if Mary was aware she had taken a combat ready stance, leaning towards the side Rose was holding the basket. Rose decided one of them had to give in first, both had everything to lose. Rose moved towards Mary and said in an undertone,

"I don't know what you used to do to need to lie to everyone and I don't care. I know it was dangerous and made you a very dangerous person, but I have no interest in outing you to John and Sherlock when you clearly care for them both. I don't want to be your enemy." Said Rose with complete honesty, "All I want to do is live my life, yes the story is a fake but it's not far off the truth. The main truth is that I have nothing and no one anymore… and you know what that's like don't you?" said Rose shrewdly as the corners of Marys eyes twitched in reaction to Rose's words.

"I think we both just want to live simple lives without our pasts haunting us don't we?" asked Rose a little desperately, wanting the woman to see they could exist in the same circle with no threat. "All I want is to live this life, with Sherlock, solving cases." Rose told Mary, watching her intently. Mary weighed up Roses words, if they were truly in the same boat then maybe, just maybe, they had found the only other person who could truly understand what the other had gone through to have this life, and probably the only other person who would defend it just as zealously.

"I think we can mutually respect that the other has secrets and just live in the now." said Mary finally.

The woman stared at each other a moment longer, each in their own way hardened warriors who had seen battle, who had lost and who wanted nothing more than to live a life now without a threat hanging over them.

"Well I'm glad we didn't have this talk in the bra isle, because that would have totally taken away from the seriousness of it" stated Mary with bland humour breaking the tension and surprising a laugh from Rose.

"Yes," said Rose, "I could really kill for a coffee right now, it's been a very long day."

Mary smiled and pointed to the section for tops, "Just a few more things and then I'll introduce you to a mocha, chocolate in coffee, it's a life saver when you're around our boys too much."

Rose grinned she liked the sound of our boys, like sisters in arms against the oft times overwhelming doctor/detective team.

With the elephant in the room skun and hung on the wall Rose began to more honestly enjoy herself. Mary had an innate sense of style and didn't blink at Roses complete lack of knowledge of the apparel that differed here compared to her other universes. Weighted down with bags of clothes and toiletries the women made a quick trip back to the car before making way to a café for an early dinner. Well not really early thought Rose, it was getting late. Ordering for them both Mary requested quiche and salad with mochas.

Leaning back both women relaxed, both noting with amusement that the other had positioned with their backs to a closed area, fronts to the open area but still curved around the table so that nearly all the visual area was covered between them. The hot drinks appeared soon and both drank them down gratefully, Rose was an instant mocha convert. Sighing happily Rose turned to observe the bustling street.

"So are you and John getting married soon?" asked Rose curiously. Mary smiled, as she did automatically whenever John was mentioned.

"In two months" said Mary happily, and then she giggled, "John is asking Sherlock to be his best man right now."

Rose choked slightly on her mocha, imagining Sherlock attending the duties of a best man.

"Well that will be… interesting." Said Rose giggling slightly, Marry grinned imagining the same.

Their snickers quietened when their dinner arrived and conversation revolved around the wedding as food disappeared quickly. Rose was delighted when Mary asked her to help with the wedding planning, she already had a maid of honour but said maid had a very demanding job and wasn't able to help out as much as she would like. Rose was happy to fill the gap. Both women were quickly becoming comfortable with the other and were happy with the prospect of a friend who had that small understanding of the other that no one else quiet had.

Mary drained the last of her mocha and stood with reluctance, motioning for Rose to stand she said regretfully,

"Common, we still need to get you a phone, I don't doubt Sherlock stipulated you need one, god forbid the man can't get hold of you the moment he wants you." Mary said rolling her eyes.

As she led the younger woman to the electronics store Mary watched her closely. Rose had the easy gait of someone who was fit and limber, her right hand sat slightly high and the muscles in her arms and shoulders were slightly more developed than your average woman's would be. Mary could read easily that Rose was combat able, she may not deduce like Sherlock or asses as Rose apparently did but Mary was canny and instinctual enough to have survived to the age she had despite her previous profession. She was glad they had come to an understanding, Mary liked Rose and had no desire to have to remove her from the equation. She had enough on her plate without adding another threat to be dealt with. But in this pale girl with the odd feeling surrounding her Mary sensed a kindred spirit. Someone else who like her had been forced to fight tooth and nail for what they wanted in life and to keep it. Mary grinned as she watched a store clerk moved to try to help Rose and flirt in the process only to be rebuffed by Rose telling the man she was here at the request of her partner to get a phone. Rose had seemed as oblivious to the man's flirting as Sherlock seemed to be in similar situations, how interesting Mary noted.

Mary's phone sounded with a message alert, Marys eyes flickered over the text, smiling as John described Sherlock's reaction to his best man proposal, cringing yet giggling over the eyeball coffee. He was going to catch a cab home and hoped she wouldn't be too late. Mary grinned at the suggestive end to the text. Looking over Mary saw Rose finish picking her phone and move to pay for it, when she presented her card Mary's eyes widened in surprise, wondering if Rose knew what she had there. That card wasn't something one saw very often, a credit card that colour was normally attached to an account that was close to bottomless. Noting that Rose had picked a fairly cheap phone Mary doubted she was aware, she debated telling Rose but decided it would make a nice surprise for a time when Sherlock upset the younger woman, it was bound to happen and spending his money would be a very nice way to cheer her up, Mary mentally chuckled to herself.

"All done?" asked Mary as Rose approached, electronics bag in hand.

"Yep all done, I think it's time to go home and fall into bed, new pyjamas and all." Rose smiled at the thought of clean pj's and a soft pillow and maybe a nice sleep in if she was really lucky. Mary smiled in response and turned to head for her car.

"Did Sherlock take the request well?" Rose asked, indicating she had seen Mary read the text.

"Oh yes," said Mary, "So well he dropped an eyeball into his coffee, forgot it was there and drank the coffee!" Rose burst out laughing at the image this created in her mind.

"Remind me never to shock him without a camera in my hand," said Rose as the woman got into the car, both still chuckling.

-s-s-s-

"Are you sure you don't want some help?" called Mary out her car window as Rose hauled all the bags to the door of 221B.

"No I'm fine! Thanks for everything." called Rose back and waved goodbye, Mary waved back and pulled into traffic, eager to get home. Rose turned the door handle and pushed it open, lugging her bags through before turning to close it. Stopping for breath a moment Rose leaned against the door, debating her next step; talk to Sherlock or straight to bed? He would still probably want to know about the staring old man. Ah screw it, bed it was. She would deal with the detective after a full night's sleep. Rose gathered her bags up again and started up the stairs. Rounding the last corner she stuck her head in to the living room to say a very quick good night to Sherlock. Spotting him in his chair and deep in thought Rose started to pull her head back preferring not to disturb him and make him grumpy.

"Your shopping trip looks to have been successful," stated Sherlock, looking towards the red faced slightly breathless Rose.

"Yep" she said popping the p, "Heading straight to bed, it's been a long day, goodnight." Rose pulled her head back, not risking the chance Sherlock might want her to talk any more.

"Sleep well.' Rose heard him call.

"Don't forget to brush your teeth" Rose called back, finishing with a laugh.

In the living room Sherlock muttered to himself, "I swear the only thing that travels faster than bad news is gossip."

Neither was aware of the long black limo pulling up to the front of 221B at that moment, or the events it heralded for their future.