Higher 11

Day 56: 18:45 nearing sunset.

"Molly, since we are all finished let's go and -"

"There's no time for that Sherlock." Molly attempted a severe glare towards him. It wasn't menacing in the slightest.

The two had finished prepping the rehearsal tables as requested. Sherlock had rearranged the flowers into a far more becoming design then the original florist had, or more accurately an under florists who rushed the order. Now there was a wait of at least 30 minutes before the wedding party arrived. Sherlock knew just how he wanted to spend it with Molly.

"Molly, of course there is. I'll make it brief. Come with me." He swaggered closer to her as she leaned against the bar.

"Make it brief? Is that supposed to entice me Sherlock?" Ah that half-smile. Did she realize what that smile could do to him?

"I know you want to do it as much as I do." His voice dipped lower and he watched as her already flushed gave deepened as she locked her gaze on him lips.

"Of course I do, I've longed to for years, but Sherlock we need to plan this better. It will be far more special and enjoyable if we can take our time. Plan it out a bit. Right? "

Sherlock sat down beside her and pouted like an overgrown child on the stool.

Molly laughed at him. This time it annoyed rather than charmed him. He hated not getting his own way. Especially on things that would bring him such great pleasure. Part of him was glad to know that he still could be annoyed by her.

Molly grabbed him by he hand. "Come with me."

"Why should I. "'he whined.

"Sherlock, just because we don't have time to do what you want us to do doesn't mean we can't go have a little bit of fun before everyone gets here. " Molly laughed again.

He allowed a tiny smile to crack through his pout.

"And what activity are you considering for us to enjoy Ms. Hooper?"

"Find me Mr. Holmes and find out."

And Molly spun and took off.

Sherlock allowed her a few seconds head start before leaping from his chair to deduce what the petite woman had in mind to amuse him.

When the two of them had reached the top of West Hill, Sherlock's eye had immediately been drawn to an advertisement for a local attraction. Smugglers Adventure. A series of caves that had been used for centuries to bypass taxes and regulations. Of course most of the museum was a dull tourist trap full of equally dull wax dummies that were somehow needed to make the general public understand what activity went on in days of old, but still... The caves themselves were fascinating. Large enough that during its hey day a ballroom had been used for local assembly's and deep enough that it had kept 500 of Hastings residents safe from the German bombing that made further ruins of the ancient Normandy castle near where Sherlock and Molly now stood. He longed to explore. To allow his childhood ambitions of Piracy to run free once more. Part of him even hoped he might find some hidden room full of treasure in there. Adventure was calling him and he wanted to run to it.

He idly wondered if it was the location or all that was happening between Molly and himself that had him feeling so exuberant. Determining he did not care which it was he had immediately begun begging Molly to come and explore. She told him to go on his own, and he had considered it, seriously considered it in fact, but when he went to go he'd looked at Molly who was flitting about and changed his mind. It surprised him how much he wanted to experience St. Clements Caves with Molly at his side. To share their humorous observations together. He would wait for her, grudgingly yes, but he knew they both were looking forward to it exploring together.

But for now there was a certain woman he needed, no not needed. Wanted to find.

He burst through the door way of the temporary event tent, scanning his eyes right to left. Without any difficulty he noticed the indention of her small foot prints across the grass. Following them he walked a few hundred yards until the grass ended near the side of a hill. Once more he scanned horizontally for indicators of where she headed, but all he saw were mild disturbances on heavily traveled gravel. He spun around noticed a small foot path to climb the hill, and darted to take it. The narrow passage made for a slow going walk but when he made it near its turn he spotted the familiar garish pattern of Molly's dress. She was seated on a large rock and looking out over the glittering water.

Sunset was approaching and softening the sky to a creamy orange. It blended with the fading blue of the day and the deeper hue of the water below. A romantic might say it was stunning. But in truth it held nothing to Molly at this moment. Merely a nice background to his intriguing, (title to be determined) ... Molly. She was smiling a happy, private smile just to herself as she looked down at the village and sea below the bluff ever. Sherlock paused and committed to scene to memory. This was the new image he wanted of her on the hearth in His Mind Palace.

"Wasn't it not to long ago that you told me how much you dislike heights?" That her smile grew before she schooled it down gave him another rush of...something. He allowed it be named adrenaline rather than something emotional.

"Yes, well this path is a familiar one to me. I've done this bluff so many times that it doesn't seem dangerous at all. " She answered.

"The drop below the hill though... That's a bit steeper. " He rambled as he drew closer to her and her perch. "May I ?" He motioned to join her.

"Please do. "

They sat together quietly watching ships returning from their fishing. And people walking about the streets below. It reminded Sherlock of how he felt observing his beloved London from the rooftops, but life in Hastings was at a slower, quieter pace. The greater height also allowed him a greater variance of interactions. There where families loading themselves into cars, a man buying flowers on the corner, a couple arguing on the corner near the hotel they were staying. Sherlock enjoyed the multiple views, the movements of town and the peaceful calm of the water, not to mention the woman beside him. It was such a simple pleasure.

Sherlock turned to observe Molly some more and found she was studying him and not the view. Molly didn't advert her gaze, but kept it. Tight on his eyes. It was unusual behavior for her to consider him, or rather unusual in that she was so bold with it. He had felt, and ignored this heady gaze from her many times over their years of working together, once while they had solved crimes. He stayed still and allowed her to control the moment. It was a thrilling experiment.

Molly took a hand and calmly brushed a curl back that hung over his forehead. She next ran her digits softly across his eyebrows, a gentle exploration that brought every inch of his skin to attention. He allowed his eyes to close as her fingers moved whisper soft across his temple and down the line of his cheek. They dropped lower and caressed his lips. A ragged breath escaped as she ran the pad of her thumb on his lower lip.

"I've always wondered what that be like. " she said softly.

"And are you satisfied with your findings?" He breathed. Damn this was driving him crazy. Sherlock Holmes, was fairly certain he should not feel this wrecked from a simple caress but he did not want it to stop.

" Yes. No! I think I need more data and I have more variables to test before I find out if my hypothesis is correct."

His eyes opened once more. Molly Hooper, ever the scientist.

"Hypothesis? And what would that hypothesis be exactly ?" He smiled with her.

"If I learn exactly what it feels like to do that, then will I then be satisfied or will I long to do it all the more. " Molly's voice had taken a deeper, huskier quality. Her fingers moved down his chin and neck, but returned to slide up over his cheek once more.

Allowing himself to shallow and study her reactions he asked again "What are your findings so far then, Doctor?"

She pulled her eyes off the path that her fingers had traveled and spoke, "The results seem to be in line with my realization that occurred during my similar experiments when you kissed me the first time." Oh the flush on her checks and lips. " It surpassed expectations and will require further study. There are just so many variables to consider."

Molly leaned in and gave a him a sound kiss. It held no timidness or hesitation, which admittedly surprised him. The connection was strong but it wasn't deep or at all invasive. Just them connecting. Sherlock pulled her closer to his lap, a bit surprised that she pushed herself up on to it. His arms shifted and held her closer to his chest, while her own worked themselves half under one of his arms and over the other.

A soft pink tongue slid out and lapped at his lower lip. The sound of a grown reached his ear, and he wasn't at all surprised to realize that it had come from his own throat. In fact he wanted to do it again. Molly, was still moving against his lips, but had shifted closer too. The increased pressure, along with sensory memory of her straddling his lap ( had that really been just that morning) caused him instant firming. God, it would be so thrilling to explore her charming body right here on this bluff. However time was not in their favor. He needed to stop this. Fast.

"Molly."

She opened her eyes, but didn't remove her lips.

"Molly" he repeated. In a tad erhm, firmer tone this time.

She pulled back to look at him again. Although her eyes indicated that she was in a passionate haze he had her attention.

"You'll remember of course that you said we didn't have time for the Smugglers adventure, and I don't believe we have time enough explore this particular activity right now either as much as I regret that fact. " She made a tiny oh gasp and she realized how entangled their bodies had become.

" As pleasurable as I believe we both are finding..this. It will be better to wait until we have time to fully engage ourselves with it. Plan it out a bit. Make it special. And a great deal less public. Don't you agree? " He crooned her earlier placation back to her.

She jumped up off of him and patted down her dress as and began to stutter apologies to him.

"Molly." He said once more. She finally turned her eyes to his.

"You were right. That was..." Thrilling. Superb. Addictive. "Fun."

She gave him a calm, intimate smile as he rose.

"We'd better get back though. They will be here soon."

With one final embrace, he motioned for her to lead on and they made there way back to the tent.

It was only moments after they had stored their coats that the first guests arrived. Sherlock slipped into a corner where he could observe but not be noticed by the arriving guests and Molly gritted her teeth and stood at the door greeting family and acquaintances on behalf of her cousin. The tent filled with voices and waiters began filling drinks and passing horderves.

The space filled quickly and Sherlock quickly was reminded of all that he had been dreading about this trip. Strangers. They were everywhere. Laughing inanely. Talking overtop of each other. Downing drink after drink... Actually that wasn't such a bad idea. He sauntered to the line to the bar. How long till he could escape? Surely he could just slip out side and wait till dinner was over. He'd spend the evening outside, just slip back to the bluff Molly showed him earlier and wait till she was ready to go back to their inn. There were always emails to check with idiotic cases so simple Anderson could solve them. It had been a far to long since he had pestered Mycroft after all. Next he'd text John about forgiving Mary some more. Text Mary about status of her womb's occupant. Normal diversions. His turn to order and he asked for a scotch and a glass of Chardonnay for Molly.

Taking the wine to her he found her speaking to an older tall gentleman. Uncle, he guessed. A woman who Molly greatly favored stood between the two. None of the trio looked particularly happy, and he saw Molly's dark eyes fill with guilt and flash over at him. She murmured something to them as he approached.

"So this is him then." Uncle with a boring common name. Prominent in the local government, therefore full of self importance which is ridiculous, child's play after assisting Myroft. Clearly thinks that he should be intimidated by him. Not going to happen.

Sherlock handed Molly her wine and saw out of the corner of his eye as she took a heathy sip of it.

"Sherlock Holmes. Yes. And you are?"

The man stood taller while the older woman tilted her head in a way that instantly connected her to her vile daughter. His respect was dwindling rapidly toward the couple. Molly took another sip.

"I am Robert Collins, father of the bride. This is my wife Ruth, Molly's aunt. And as you, sir have yourself have gained entrance through forcing my niece to allow you to join her for whatever convoluted reason you have derived I believe we are owed an explanation. Care to explain yourself?"

"Hmm. Nope." Sherlock smirked, although politely.

He watched Molly's aunt turn to give her niece a silent chastisement and Molly's answering sip. The Chardonnay was almost gone already.

Molly's aunt continued her silent communication with her niece, then turned to speak to him. "We'll Mr. Holmes, as Molly's... guest you are welcome . I'm sure Molly appreciates having a friend by her side this weekend as its sure to be a difficult one for her. I trust you will have an enjoyable time together."Aunt Ruth's pointed glare as far more effective than her nieces. He nodded once in understanding.

"Ah here's Jillian and Richard now. I'll grab the microphone. Bob you will make the introductions yes? Now go join the other bridesmaids Molly. " With one last clear look at Sherlock Aunt Ruth moved to get every thing prepped. Molly tossed back the remains of her glass and handed it to him. Avoiding his eyes. How where they back to that already?

Drinking from his scotch he took a seat at their assigned table. So much for skipping out on the rehearsal dinner now.

"Ladies, gentleman, our honored guests. On behalf of the Billing and Collins families we welcome you to the rehearsal dinner. It is a privilege to introduce to you, for the last time, Mr Richard Billings and his fiancé, my darling daughter Dr. Jillian Collins"

The party around him applauded and lauded the couple. The bride came in glowing with radiant smiles and waved to family and friends gathered around the room. She resembled a woman on a pageant stage who had just received a title and was now parading her victory. He doubted this was anything less than what she saw her marriage to be. A title.

The groom was immaculately dressed and had a charming smile as he waved to those gathered around the room. Richard Billings was an up and coming lawyer who had high political ambitions that required him to subscribe to the old world habits of obtaining a suitable wife, despite the fact that his affections lie with those of his own sex. A handsome, solid man he and Jillian made a striking couple together. They completely embodied the term 'power couple' in appearance of not in the bedroom.

Three more sets of couples were introduced all of non importance. Classic friends from childhood and higher education, all who had been chosen to amplify the main couples good looks. Finally Molly came in as her Uncle announced her and her corresponding Groomsman a man who looked just like...

Meat Dagger.

"Here we have our niece Molly Hooper escorted by Mr. Tom Abernathy!" Molly looked pale and ready to kill. Tom looked pleased as punch and smiled a charming smile as he held her hand to his arm.

It looked like Molly would be walking down the aisle with her former Fiancé after all.

Well Shit.

A/N

Oh but I did. Tom is back and Jillian, Nasty Bitch as I have been informed is her proper title has insisted they be paired together. Hmm, why I wonder? This Chapter was so much fun to write. I apologize for it taking longer to get out to you, but we have been celebrating a lot of family things, and my writing time has been sparse. But its all over and I'm off now to work out the next chapter. If I can get these damn one shots out of my head... But I will be focusing on Higher primarily.

I really want to say thank you to all of you who have followed, Favorited and an extra special thank you to my Reviewers. Ya'll are awesome and make me laugh, and inspire me completely. If you are on Tumblr feel free to find me ( Same user name ), I sometimes post teasers and snippets of the chapters or one shots.