A Doctors Opinion

"When did you last speak to Molly? How far along was she?" Sherlock started grilling John as they left Bath on the A46.

"She phoned just after you went to the bathroom. I didn't get a chance to ask many questions, I was too busy getting yelled at for losing you." He gave Sherlock a significant look, "But I don't think she'd been in labour long, an hour maybe less, before they realised it wasn't Braxton Hicks."

"So it's been… 5/6 hours since she went into labour." Sherlock nodded, looking at the clock. His face was pale; the only outward sign of how affected he was. "How long do you think we have?"

"Since it's her first, labour could be 12 to 24 hours even. Even with the hurry it does seem to be in." John told him, with a smile, trying to keep the mood light.

Sherlock bit his lip. He seemed to be having some kind of mental struggle with himself, fidgeting agitatedly. Finally what was bothering him burst forth from his lips.

"John, you don't think there will be any complications, do you? Since it's early. What if it's breech or something? And what about the long term affects?"

John glanced over quickly, surprised by the level of emotion on Sherlock's face. He also noted the phone alight in Sherlock's hand, open on the internet browser.

"Put the phone down Sherlock, if you google it you'll only scare yourself silly. That's the last thing Molly needs when you arrive." He rebuked him gently. He noticed Sherlock grip the phone tighter, though his thumbs were no longer flying over the keys. "Rule of thumb is the earlier the birth, the higher the risk. A week early isn't much at all. The risk is minimal. Your baby should be fine. Really Sherlock, I'm not just saying that to placate you. I know better than that." He added at Sherlock's sceptical look.

Sherlock nodded, wordless with emotion, and turned to look out of the window, hiding his watery eyes from John. He had got used to dealing with emotions since he'd been with Molly, but nothing had prepared him for this rush of emotion he was feeling for his child that would soon be arriving in the world. It scared him, feeling this out of control of his emotions. He just hoped he could get it under control by the time he reached Molly, though he had an unsettling feeling that it would probably only get worse.

"It's so typical isn't it? All the time you spent following the rules, then the one case that breaks them all and Molly goes into labour." John said, picking up on Sherlock's turmoil and seeking to distract him. "You probably missed her phone call by seconds. Or had you already switched the blasted thing off?"

Sherlock saw what he was doing, but allowed himself to be pulled into chatter about the case to distract himself. "No, they must have taken it and turned it off when it started ringing in my pocket. I made sure it was switched back on though." He smirked, glancing in the rear-view mirror at their passenger. He saw the shock on Nina's face that she'd been manipulated, but it didn't seem like she would kick up a fuss about it.

"And just in time too. Y'know I'd forgotten what a pain it was not being able to track you, before we got that app. I'll have to get you chipped in the future." John joked.

Sherlock snorted. "No thank you. I'm surprised you didn't figure out where they would be taking me. It was pretty obvious wasn't it, that a family of travelling musicians would have a caravan. Shouldn't have taken you that long to check out all the local campsites."

"Obvious when you know the answer." John muttered. "My first thought was hotels actually. And there are a fair few in Bath, I can tell you."

They carried on talking about the case most of the way back to London, until finally they arrived at the hospital where Molly was. Sherlock quelled his urge to rush straight in, as there was one thing he needed to do first. He pulled out his wallet as he got out the car, and turned to their passenger.

"You mentioned thoughts of running away before. I assume that means you have some kind of backup plan, family somewhere who can take you in?" He asked.

"Yes. Up North." She nodded quietly, evidently worried about how she'd get there.

"Turn left when you leave the car park, there's a tube station at the end of the road." He told her, holding out his hand to shake hers. As she did, he slipped a note into her palm and leaned close to her ear. "So you don't have to steal again." He whispered, before pulling back.

She gasped as she looked down at the money in her hand. "You don't have to-"

"No, I don't. But I did anyway. Goodbye, Nina. Safe journeys." He said and with a wink he strode away. Long, eager strides, impatient to get to his place by his Molly's side.

AN: I know, how cruel of me to keep stretching this out, when all you guys want is to see them together again and for the baby to be born. I did mean for it to go a bit quicker than this, but there was just too much needed to be said in between. Don't worry, it is coming :p Thanks again for the reviews and follows. :D