Chapter XIV

Maybe it's time to make sacrifices

She had been unconscious for three days, the bullets made their way through her stomach and chest, it was a miracle she was still alive and John had warned Sherlock to be prepared for the worst. She was still in intensive care and according to the doctors there wasn't too much hope for her. Of course Sherlock blamed himself and he felt useless, he didn't see where the shooter came from, he was powerless but he was sure of one thing: this was a warning. This had to be related to the case he was working on and the criminal was successful on sending his message. Now it was personal and Sherlock was going to take revenge, a life for another.

Now it was not the time though, he wanted to be with Molly he didn't dare to leave. He had a still face all the time but he was terrified, the thought of losing her petrified him. Molly was his world, his everything and now she was there with a foot on the grave and it was his entire fault. He spent all the time with her, holding her hand and talking to her even though she couldn't hear him.

"I'm so sorry…this is my fault. I should be there not you, those bullets were for me. I … I don't know if there's a God but if there is I ask him to let you stay with me…please Molly don't leave me. I need you, I love you so much I beg you with all that's left of me please don't go."

John was worried about Sherlock, if Molly died God only knows what he would do, he was always unpredictable and this was a dangerous thing. Sherlock had asked him to take care of Molly because he knew John would do the impossible to keep her alive and it was true, John had done everything he could but still there wasn't too much hope. Not only he was trying to save Molly but he was trying to save Sherlock too, it wasn't working too well though. Sherlock didn't eat or sleep it was impossible to make him leave her, all he would have was water and coffee and when he slept it was just for a few hours.

Daniel's presence was not helping at all but no one asked him to leave not even Sherlock. John was afraid they could start a fight, by the way Daniel looked at Sherlock it seemed that he would try to kill him at any time but it didn't happened, none of them had the strength to fight, at least not now, however Daniel wasn't going to keep quiet he had to make Sherlock know his thoughts, he had to hurt him and make him know this was all because of him.

"Are you happy now Mr. Holmes?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"This is your entire fault."

"Don't you think I know that?"

"Then why didn't you stay away from her?"

"I love her."

"No, you don't love her. You don't do this to the people you love, you don't expose them to danger."

"I tried to protect her…"

"How? You should've known she could be a target…but still you were selfish. You should've stayed away from her and none of this would've happened."

It was true Sherlock thought, of course he knew she could be a target but to him Molly became as necessary as the air and he couldn't leave her, yes it was selfish but how could he quit the reason of his happiness and peace and besides she wanted to be with him too.

"Do you even know who did this?"

"No."

"Well you're not that brilliant anyway are you?"

"I didn't saw his face, it all happened really fast."

"Then why don't you go and find out?"

"I can't…she might wake up, she needs me."

"You know what I think? I think YOU need HER; she was just fine without you. Now if you really love her make her justice and find the fucker who did this to her."

He didn't need to say more, Sherlock decided it was time to find the person who did this, and yes it was true he did need Molly more than she needed him and of course he was going to find the fucker and he was going to make him pay.

Sherlock went to see Molly before leaving, he had to say goodbye and it hurt more than anything, he was afraid of not seeing her face anymore, he was afraid this was going to be their last goodbye.

"I'm going out for a while, and I'll be back as soon as I can, John's going to look after you…I was wondering if you could make me a favour? Can you please not…go? I will come back to you Molly, I love you"

Said this he kissed her forehead and left.

He had only one clue and it was that this had to be someone related to Mr. Cross's case, his client was being observed and now he was being observed too, he had to find a way to inform the girl he was working for about this but maybe she already knew. Despite how hard thing seemed he felt motivated now, he felt close to find the murderer it wasn't going to be easy but he was going to do it, he had to because he owed it to Molly.

The first thing he did was to contact the girl. He managed to get inside the school and disguised as a professor asked to talk to her.

"Do you work here now?"

"Don't be stupid…I'm here to ask you if you have found anything? And I'm here to warn you, you're being observed. Someone tried to kill me but…someone else got hurt instead."

"I'm sorry…but I do have good news. There's a man…he's Russian, he's the minder of my uncle, he calls him Lyov and I checked on the list of workers so I know his full name is Lyov Glaskov that's all I could find out and also he wears scarves often, his neck is never uncovered like he's trying to hide something."

"I know this is unsafe but do you think you can get a picture?"

"I don't know. He scares me."

"I need you to get a picture, use your cellphone if you are careful nothing can go wrong, please I need that picture."

"I'll do what I can."

"I expect so, like I said you're being observed you might need to get a new phone so we can talk, if you do get the picture call me immediately and I'll tell you where to send it."

"Yes, I will."

"One more thing, are you sure no one knows you hired me?"

"No, I didn't tell anyone I swear."

"Fine, I believe you. I have to go but whatever happens keep me informed."

He decided it was time to quit his pride and ask for help, Lestrade could help him find something about this man; it was going to be easier if he had help. He wasn't very welcomed obviously, Donovan and Anderson where not too happy to see him and they didn't missed the opportunity to call him freak or zombie but this stopped bothering Sherlock long time ago, there were more important things than to pay attention to this childish behavior. Lestrade on the contrary was really happy to help though he warned him this wasn't going to be easy, this man had influences he could use to protect himself against justice.

"What do you want me to do?"

"Find something about him, something we could use."

"What do you think I can find?"

"Maybe he was involved with crimes in Russia, maybe he belongs to a band of criminals…you have to find something."

"Okay…I will try my best. Uh…how is Molly?"

"She hasn't awakened."

"I'm sorry."

"Me too, please help me find something. If I…if I can't get her back at least I have to make her justice."

"I will do what's in my hands to help you."

Sherlock came back to the hospital, he was exhausted before going there he tried to investigate on his own but he couldn't concentrate and he wanted to see Molly so he resolved to come back and continue tomorrow. John was in the waiting room when he got there, this irritated Sherlock a bit he didn't want Molly to be alone and also he wanted John to monitor her signs in case there was some improvement.

"What are you doing here, you're supposed to be taking care of her."

"I needed some air, and she isn't alone, Daniel is there."

"Bugger."

"He's not as bad as you make him look actually and he's suffering as much as you."

"No one is suffering more than I do John! There's no one on this earth who loves her more than I do!"

"Keep your voice down will you?"

"Was there any change?"

"No…sorry."

"Do you think she will make it?"

"I'm not sure to be honest, she's fighting but…I don't know Sherlock."

"This is my fault you know?"

"I do not think it's your fault, I do think however it was a big risk for her to be with you. Your lifestyle is…well is not safe, the job you have implies certain sacrifices…I'm not saying you have to be alone but the people close to you can get hurt and that's a big price to pay isn't it?"

"That Daniel should be been better for her I suppose."

"Sherlock…if she does wake up, leave her alone. I know you love her but if you're not willing to leave your job or at least try not to get involved in "big things" leave her alone, let her have a normal life and be happy, you owe that to her. It's time to make sacrifices and it's up to you which one is it going to be…a job that can get you killed or the woman that has loved you the most, it's your choice."

"I need my job."

"Well then…stay away from her from now on and no one gets hurt."

John was right it was time to choose but how could he? His job was one of the things that kept him going, everything else seemed dull he was born to catch criminals it was the thing he did best. But Molly, he loved her and nothing had been the same since they were together, she had showed him feelings that were unknown to him she was good for him, she motivated him and helped him show the best of him. With him she was never going to be safe though, she was always going to be in some sort of danger, it wouldn't be possible for her to have a normal life if she was with him, they wouldn't be able to get married or have kids…he even laughed with the thought of it, he couldn't believe he was actually thinking in marrying her and having a family with her, he had changed a lot. The new Sherlock wanted a home so bad but still he was scared of that life of not having the excitement and the danger. John was right she deserved a normal life.