Chapter 11

She looked down at her hands, they were trembling slightly. She had just barely kept her sanity during coffee with John, lying to him was emotionally exhausting.

She had decided on her walk home that he had acted on an impulse built from the emotional and physical trauma of his fall and being cooped up inside with only her for company. She knew how much work there was to do, the last thing he needed was poor lovelorn Molly causing more problems.

She'd let him off the hook, let him know that she understood that it was a mistake, that she was a big girl and could take care of herself.

She sighed, "Look, I understand."

He looked at her with a puzzled expression.

"It's fine really, everyone makes mistakes. We'll just pretend it never happened..."

He frowned, what was she saying? He cleared his throat, "A mistake? Is that what you think?"

"I'm not saying I didn't enjoy it, but I'm not holding you too it. People react to stress in all different ways."

"So you think I kissed you because I'm 'stressed' from the events of the other day?"

She didn't say anything, just stared at her hands.

He sighed, "Molly, look at me." She raised her head, and looked at him, willing herself not to let any emotions show.

He moved to the end of the sofa, reached across and took her hand. "It was not a mistake. I don't make mistakes."

She gasped, her hand still trembling under his touch.

"I'm not saying I understand what is happening, but I meant it the other night when I said that you've always counted."

He moved his hand to her face, tracing his fingers across her cheek. "Whatever this is, hasn't just happened, it's always been there. I've just been a fool and ignored it."

She leaned into his touch, letting his words wash over her. She had tried to give him an easy way out, but he continued to surprise her.

He softly kissed her lips, resting his forehead against hers. "Molly you are my strength. You've always been there for me, even when I didn't deserve it. You have never abandoned me, and I'm going to need your help now more than ever."

She was floored by his confession. She had hoped for this moment, but never believed it to be possible. He had really meant it when he told her, "You do count. You've always counted..."*

Not trusting herself to speak, she took a seat next to him on the sofa, interlocked their hands together and leaned her head on his shoulder.

He wrapped his arm around her, they sat comfortably in silence enjoying the closeness of each other.

He broke the silence, "Things aren't going to be easy."

"They never are with you," she smiled softly.

He chuckled wryly, "No I suppose not." He ran his fingers lightly through her hair. "We won't be able to do anything normal people do until this is all over."

"Normal is boring," she murmured, relaxing further into him. "Why have normal when I can have you?"

Would she ever cease to amaze him? He opened his mouth to respond, but realized that she had fallen asleep.

He smiled continuing to stroke her hair, and reached for the book Molly had been reading to him, he opened it to where they had left off earlier. He was curious to see how it ended.

* The Reichenbach Fall