So, bit of a mixed bag of a chapter here. We need to tackle the fallout from the night before and then it's time to up the ante on the mystery side. Enjoy!

Chapter 11

'Molly...' He sounded almost a little surprised to see her there, a questioning tone in his voice and a confused frown flickering across his face.

She didn't move, not sure what to do or say. All she really wanted to do was kiss him, to feel him moving against her and inside her once more. All the lust she'd felt the previous evening seemed to come flooding back and it was all she could do not to press herself against him. But she held back not quite sure how Sherlock would view the events of the night before in the cold light of day.

It seemed though that Sherlock didn't have any such reservations as he stretched and yawned before pulling Molly back towards him for a kiss.

She heard and felt him hum with approval as the kiss developed feeling him move over her body, his already hard, morning erection pressing against her hip. She found herself responding, naturally opening up for him, her hands sliding up the length of his naked back. She couldn't quite remember them undressing the night before but they were definitely both naked now.

Before he could enter her he gripped her hips and suddenly rolled them both so that Molly was on top. She let out a short yelp of shock before looking down at his smirking face. He soon moved his hand to cup her breast and lift his face towards it. Molly moaned loudly as he bit down on her nipple before rolling his tongue around it.

She rocked herself against him using his cock to stimulate her, he felt so hard and ready for her. She didn't need to say anything or ask his permission she just leant forward and positioned him hearing him utter a deep groan as she stroked him with her hand before sliding down onto him. She held still for a moment letting herself adjust to him being inside her once more; her mind trying to keep up with her body. This was really happening...again!

She started to rock against him and as he continued to toy and play with her breasts with his mouth and hand; his other hand was on her lower back pressing her onto him, guiding her movements.

She could feel her orgasm starting to build, the feeling of him starting to overwhelm her. She knew she was muttering his name, telling him how good he felt, how big. He broke off from her breast and used his hand to pull her too him for another kiss, his tongue immediately invading her mouth as their movements became more and more frenetic. Molly couldn't think of anything other than Sherlock and the fact that it was him she was with; they were together and it was perfect. She was teetering on the edge desperate to come before he did, feeling his movements starting to take over from her own.

'God, Molly, you feel so good, I need you to come for me. Oh God...' The sound of his voice tipped her over and she climaxed knowing she was calling out his name and not able to stop. She felt him give a final thrust and shudder as he came; holding onto her so hard she knew she might bruise but not caring, almost wanting it as proof of this happening.

She collapsed onto his chest her head tucked between his neck and his shoulder her lips kissing what skin she could reach. 'Mmmm, God Molly you can wake me up like that anytime you want!' She could feel his hands stroking her back and holding her and Molly didn't want this moment to ever end, but end it must. She slid off his lap and looked round to find a dressing gown or towel so she could go to the bathroom. Sherlock leant up on his elbow watching her moving around the room.

'Hey, just wait a minute.'

Molly pulled the dressing gown round her before looking back round trying not to notice the fact that he was naked but knowing she was blushing anyway. He gazed at her for a moment, 'listen...'

Molly's heart sank in that moment at that one serious sounding word, 'umm it's OK. We can talk later, I really need a shower. I'll...I'll see you downstairs for breakfast yeah?' With that she stood up and left the room before he could stop her.

She had no desire to go through an it's not you it's me speech, she'd been through enough in her life and delivered a couple. She couldn't face it right now especially not from Sherlock.

She stood under the water of the shower and knew she was crying. Being with him had felt so right, so perfect. Was it better to have slept with him and have it end or would she have felt better if she'd never known how good it could be? She was so caught up in her own emotions that she didn't notice the bathroom door being unlocked or the person entering.

It was only when Sherlock opened the shower door and climbed in next to her that she almost jumped out of her skin. 'What on earth are you doing?' She asked as she looked up at him in shock.

He pushed his wet hair off his face before cupping hers with both his hands. 'You didn't let me finish. Why did you run away like that?'

'I...umm...I just didn't want to go through a break up speech.'

'Molly, we'd just had sex, I'd just told you I didn't mind waking up like that more often. What on earth made you think I was breaking up with you? And does that mean we're what...going out now?' He glanced to the side grimacing a little, 'I'm not sure I like the sound of that, being a boyfriend sounds so juvenile, how about partner...or lover? Yes that's better.'

Molly was struggling to keep up but one thing seemed certain he didn't seem to be wanting to end things.

'Listen...I want to be honest with you Molly. I don't think I can offer you love, I'm not sure that's something I'm even capable of; but that being said, I do want to be with you, I think we're good together. I find I enjoy having sex with you and I already know I can spend time with you satisfactorily. I can offer you sex and companionship. Is that enough?'

Molly bit her lip looking up into his earnest face, watching the water from the shower dripping down the sides of his face. Was it enough? What alternative did she even have? She couldn't walk away and even if she did she didn't want anyone else. And who knows what the future might bring, she'd ventured into enough relationships previously before there was any love involved, maybe she could love enough for the two of them.

She smiled and saw the reciprocal relief in his eyes as he realised what her answer would be. She put her hands over his on her face, 'I'm willing to give it a go, after all I think you may have just ruined me for any other men.' He smiled in return and bent his head to kiss her.

Molly knew that they had kissed before but somehow this felt like the first time. No matter what he had just said this kiss felt loving rather than passionate. His lips were soft and pliant against hers, his hands sliding down to her back to hold her against him, hers around his neck playing with the wet strands of his hair. It seemed to last for ages until they both broke apart breathing heavily and smiling almost shyly at each other.

Sherlock motioned for her to turn around and then proceeded to wash her hair, listening to Molly humming with satisfaction as he massaged her scalp before repeating with the conditioner. He loved feeling the weight of it in his hands the smell of her all around him. He wanted to have sex with her again but he also knew that they needed to concentrate on the case. He couldn't afford to let this become a complication in his life, now he had a taste of a relationship he wanted to make it work for both of them.

Eventually they dried off and made it downstairs to breakfast. The landlady, Meredith raising an eyebrow at catching them holding hands and smiling as they talked.

As they ate Sherlock glanced at his watch, 'hurry up Molly. We need to be at church in ten minutes.'

Molly almost choked on her toast, 'I'm sorry what?'

'Church Molly, come on.' He stood up and looked at her expectantly.

Molly slid out from her seat, grabbing a last drink of tea before following him out of the pub, 'so why are we going to church?'

'Isn't it obvious?'

'No, not to me. I didn't even know you were religious. Do you do this every week?'

Sherlock stopped so suddenly Molly almost ran into the back of him, 'no of course I'm not religious Molly,' he retorted with exasperation, 'what on earth gave you that impression? Our biggest link in this case is the vicar and today is Sunday, so if we want to see him church is the place to be, he can't escape us there. Come on, the service starts at ten.'

By the time they arrived they could already hear singing. An elderly male verger showed them in, welcoming them to their first service. Sherlock glanced at the front and frowned, he turned to the verger before he left them and whispered, 'is Reverend Tucker not officiating today?'

'No, there's no sign of him at the vicarage. We're not sure where he is. I opened up and Mrs May, the lay reader has stepped in to take over the service.'

Sherlock turned to the front but ignored Molly as she offered to share her hymn book with him. He sat when they all sat and stood when they stood but Molly could tell he wasn't really paying any attention to the service. She saw him looking around at the congregation. Molly recognised Lord Sladen at the front as well as Melissa Bennett who was stood next to an older man who Molly assumed was her husband, Hugh. She looked thinner than Molly remembered and less polished. The loss of her daughter was obviously affecting her deeply. There were a few others that she couldn't name but whom she recognised from the pub over the last few days.

As the service drew to a close Sherlock stood and made his way past her to talk to the verger. Molly followed him over and caught the end of the conversation.

'I'm concerned that something untoward has happened to Rev Tucker, if you have access to the vicarage we need to check it now to make sure he's OK.'

'Oh, well. I'm not sure that's right. I mean, it's his home.'

'And what if he's ill; collapsed or had a heart attack? You've already said yourself that it's not like him to miss a service without telling anyone or making provisions for cover. My colleague here is a doctor.'

Molly smiled and it obviously went some way to reassure the old man that they weren't up to anything dodgy because he nodded his head briefly and told them to wait outside the vicarage whilst he went to fetch the spare set of keys.

MHMHMHMHMHMHMHMH

Sherlock huffed impatiently, repeatedly looking up at the house as though it's visage might change under his gaze. The verger soon came back and unlocked the front door, calling out as they went in, 'Vicar, vicar. It's just me Ken I'm just wantin' to make sure you're alright.'

Sherlock brushed past him and after briefly checking each room on the ground floor ran up the stairs two at a time.

'Oy, don't you go snoopin' it ain't right.' Ken followed him up the stairs. He and Molly got to the top just as Sherlock came out of the main bedroom, 'his bed's not been slept in...something's not right.' As he looked around his gaze alighted on a small chain hanging down from the loft hatch. He glanced at the floor beneath it crouching and touching some dust or dirt on the floor. He stood and looked back up and without another word he tugged the chain releasing the hatch and the folding ladder that went with it.

As soon as the passage to the attic opened Molly smelt it. That oh so familiar smell. She caught Sherlock's eye and they both nodded knowing exactly what they were going to find when they ascended the stairs.

Molly turned to the old man, 'I think you should stay down here. Call the police and an ambulance.'

Alright, let's just get one thing straight because I could hear some of you huffing in disgust at Sherlock's less than loving declaration. Sherlock is an idiot. Of course he is in love with Molly he just doesn't realise it yet. Be patient, he will get there I promise.

Oh and thank you for all your reviews, please send more :).