AN: Thank you all so much for your words of encouragement for my mother last chapter! I was very touched...close to tears by the outpouring from you guys! You all are so wonderful and I just appreciate you all so very much! Thank you and thank you all again!

I do ask that you all keep her in your thoughts, she still has not found work and it has been almost a year for her. I have a new job and they are giving us unlimited overtime until the end of December. I am working 12 hour days so I haven't had much time to write. Once things slow down, I hope to be able to update my stuff faster.

Now onto this chapter, there are no warnings. There is a lot of plot development in this. I hope you all find it was worth the wait. And again THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART! I do appreciate all of you! Thanks for your continued support of this story, it has many things in it that can be hard to read and it evokes many different emotions for many people.

If you have time and are so inclined, please leave a review and let me know what you thought of this and how it is developing. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday tomorrow and for those of you that do not celebrate Thanksgiving as a holiday, I hope that you have a wonderful day and enjoy the coming advent and Christmas season!

Chapter 20

Sherlock was lost in the feel of Molly. He didn't want to break the kiss even for a moment afraid that she would shove him away and tell him to never touch her again.

He pulled back to allow her to breath when he felt her hands balling into fists on his shirt. He looked down at her face and his eyes focused on her swollen puffy lips. "You are so beautiful Molly."

She put her hand against his stubbled cheek and smiled. "I always wanted him to say that to me."

"I will tell you every day for the rest of your life because it is true. You are so very beautiful." He said before leaning down to capture her mouth with his again. She parted her lips for him and his tongue swept into her mouth. Molly's hand stayed cupping his cheek while her other rested against his chest.

They stayed like this unaware of time or anything else utterly engrossed with each other. Only the sounds of their lips parting and intake of rushed breath could be heard. Molly was so entranced within her mind visualizing the man she had loved for so long. She imagined her had was cupping a soft cheek instead of a stubbled one and when she stroked his hair, she felt the soft curls between her fingers instead of the short cropped hair of the man above her.

She remembered being in her Sherlock's arms when Jim had brought him briefly into this world and how strong his body felt in spite of its leanness. The body above hers was heavy and defined with larger muscles, but in her mind she did not notice the difference. In her mind, she was with her Sherlock and he felt above her exactly as he should. She sighed deeply into his mouth at the memory of him.

Sherlock mistook her sigh of contentment at the memory she was lost in to mean something else. He had been careful to keep his groin from touching her body. When she sighed however, he groaned and pressed himself into her, his engorged cock pressing into her stomach.

Molly's eyes flew open and the memory faded before her eyes and was replaced with a sick feeling deep within the pit of her stomach. She pulled away from him as her hands came together on his chest and pressed. "I…I can't…I…" Molly managed to gasp out.

Sherlock stopped instantly, pulling away from her and sitting up. He smiled gently at her, despite the obvious need and want in his eyes. "It's alright Molly." Sherlock said as gently as he smiled at her. "I understand that you are not ready. I can only hope to change your mind someday."

Molly frowned. "Sherlock…I don't know if I'll ever be ready for that with you…I just…I can't imagine ever wanting you in that way, not after what happened."

He swallowed hard and nodded. "As I said, I can only hope to make you love me someday and with that love would come trust and security."

"Sherlock…I can't promise you…" She began, but he cut her off.

"I'm not asking you too Molly. I am not a fool. I know what I want from you is something that you might never be able to give me, but that does not stop me from hoping. And if I only ever get your friendship and companionship that in itself is a thousand times more than I could ever even begin to hope to deserve from you."

She watched him as he stood, leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead. He turned and left her alone in the study.

The rest of the ride to the Grange was silent as John pondered on what Mycroft had said to him. Could he ever be that desperate? Could he ever be so lost in despair that he simply would stop caring and lose some of his humanity? If Mary was ever raped…could he murder?

He looked at Sherlock who stared out the window. John knew that his friend was taking in absolutely everything, every single nuance of this wretched world. Nothing would go unnoticed by Sherlock and suddenly John became very concerned about their situation.

Sherlock against Sherlock. How would Sherlock come out against himself? Both men were brilliant, fierce, and unwavering. Granted the Sherlock of this terrible place had seen things and experienced things that John and his Sherlock could scarcely imagine. It had made the Sherlock of this world a violently cruel man.

But John knew that his Sherlock could be just as vicious when defending someone that he loved as well. John honestly did not know if he would ever see his world again. It was very possible that he and Sherlock could lose this time.

The black car turned onto a road that led them past a massive forest and much greenery. Suddenly the road was bright with soft lights that illuminated the road and everything around them. John's eyes snapped open wide in astonishment when he saw the edge of the massive stone wall. The car drove on for miles and the stone wall never stopped.

"What is this?" John asked unable to hide his curiosity.

"It is the outer wall of the Grange." Mycroft said. "The entire area is surrounded by this wall. It deters unwanted visitors."

"Yes I guess it would." John remarked dryly.

"The Grange is simply enormous." Lestrade remarked. "The land that it sits on and the surrounding land all belongs to the Holmes family. The Grange itself is the second largest Holmes family home. Sherlock owns the largest which also sits on Holmes land. It's not far from here."

"You said it was a refuge?" John prompted unable to stand the thought of going back to silence.

"It is a small village built around the estate. There is another place like this in Hull and another in Edinburgh held by other families." Mycroft said. "There are small areas of refuge just like the Grange all over Europe and Asia."

The car came to a large drive way that housed a massive Iron and stone gate. Slowly the gate opened and allowed the car to pass. John no longer wanted to speak as he was too interested in what he was taking in. There were homes and small shops all over the landscape. Very few people were out and about due to it being nightfall. The car drove further and further into the landscape passing a judicial building and police station. Finally the car turned into another driveway which housed a smaller iron gate. The gate bared the Holmes Family crest. Slowly it opened and allowed the car to pass.

The enormous home came into view almost instantly as the car moved forward finally stopping at the front entrance. Mycroft quickly climbed out of the car followed by Lestrade. Sherlock and John were slower to leave the car as John was looking in awe at his surroundings while Sherlock was making mental notes. The two men followed Mycroft and Lestrade into the home. Mycroft spoke to a man who was waiting for them.

"Sir, I trust everything was uneventful?" The stoic man said.

"Everything went smoothly Martin. Would you show Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson into the study?" Mycroft asked.

The man nodded and turned towards Sherlock and John. His eyebrow rose slightly when he looked at Sherlock. "He is much thinner than your brother sir. And I had forgotten how curly his hair is naturally. He looks almost as he did as a child"

Mycroft smiled. "Yes, indeed. You must excuse Martin Mr. Holmes; he has served my family for years and was always partial to Sherlock."

The man called Martin turned without another word and motioned for Sherlock and John to follow. He led them to the study, poured them a drink and left them to wait for Mycroft and Lestrade. They weren't kept waiting long.

Sherlock spoke for the first time. "Tell me of this Great War that single handedly brought the world to despair."

Mycroft's mouth formed a grim line. "Very well. A miscalculation…one small technological glitch within a defense program created by the United Nations. The computer program was infected with a virus. A very small insignificant virus, barely noticeable. Unfortunately it grew and grew rapidly and within minutes nuclear weapons were being fired randomly and haphazardly. Nations believed they were being attacked by others and wars broke out all over the world. Pandemonium and desolation ran rampant. In less than a week the world was brought to its knees. We were all unprepared for such devastation and death. By the time the American and British intelligence discovered that this was a terrorist act by one lone person, it was too late. The people that were left alive broke off into their own factions' hell bent on their own survival. The US managed to maintain more order than the rest of us. There are several different governments within the US now. The days of one President for all fifty states are long gone. The governments have managed to work together to form some semblance of peace, but they also have those who would seek to destroy what they've managed to maintain."

Sherlock sat cross legged on Mycroft's couch, his elbows resting on his knees and his chin resting on his steepled fingers. He did not look at Mycroft. "And after the war…what happened here?"

"Everything changed after the war. As I have said entire populations and races were decimated. Marshal Law ran rampant and soon factions of smaller governments, many of them terrorist sprang up. Only the strong survived as war broke out among factions. My brother and James fought together and established their own power." Mycroft paused and sat down.

"Why would your brother align himself with Moriarty? John asked.

"You must understand Doctor, the Holmes' were a very powerful and wealthy family. I held a minor position within the government…" Mycroft paused when Sherlock sighed and rolled his eyes.

Mycroft smiled. "Very well…not so minor. Our father held an even higher position within the government. After the government fell due to the war, there were those who believed that the Holmes' could be a threat to a new world order. There were those who wanted to use the desolation for their own purpose to create a new society where the weak were abused and used. Moriarty was not the only thug hungry for power." Suddenly his expression became pained. "You must excuse me gentleman…this is not an easy tale for me to tell."

"I'll finish for you Mycroft." Lestrade said gently. "One winter evening nearly ten years ago, Mycroft and his father were finishing up at what was left of parliament trying to work on the rebuilding of what was left of England. Sherlock was home with his mother. He was called out by his father to come and meet him and Mycroft. Sherlock went immediately, leaving his mother alone with the maid. When the Holmes men returned home nearly two hours later everything was as it usually was. Sherlock entered the home first and was the first to sense it." Lestrade paused and looked at Mycroft who had turned his head away to stare into the fire.

"Sherlock called to his mother and there was no answer. His father moved to grab him, but Sherlock had already broken into a run. He ran to his mother's study where he had left her only a few hours earlier. He found her there…naked, bound, raped, tortured, and murdered. Beside her lay the maid who had also been raped repeatedly. She was barely alive and had been beaten savagely. She died before any help could be gotten for her. Sherlock just couldn't cope with the horror of it."

"He changed instantly." Mycroft began. "The brother I knew and loved disappeared the moment he found our mother. In his grief and rage, he was so easy to manipulate and James wasted no time. He offered Sherlock the vengeance that he hungered for and the stability of unlimited power and social standing in this new world."

"It was Sherlock's first act of violence." Lestrade said. "Moriarty knew who had attacked Sherlock's mother. He presented the four men to Sherlock on a silver platter. Sherlock murdered all four of them himself with his bare hands. After that, he aligned himself with Moriarty and they have held the power ever since together."

"I had hoped that once his vengeance was quenched and when I established the Grange that Sherlock would come home where he belongs, but he was too far entrenched in the new life that James had helped start for him." Mycroft said his voice heavy with sadness. "Though he blames me and our father publically for her death, I truly believe that he blames himself. I think he cannot cope with the fact that he left her alone. I have tried to make him understand that had he been there, he would have been killed too and may have been made to watch what was done to our mother. I am certain that he would never have recovered from that. I have tried to make him see, but he refuses to see me. He will not even respond to any letters that I send him. He will only speak to me through others."

John glanced at Sherlock who looked unnerved by all he had heard. He knew of his friend's deep love for his mother and it was not easy to hear such a disgusting horrible thing. Sherlock noticed John looking at him and he quickly schooled his features. He uncrossed his legs and sat back.

"And then he became a rapist when he violated Molly." Sherlock said. "What would mommy dearest think of her youngest boy?"

"I am so very sorry for what my brother did to her. I did not tell you all of this to make excuses for his behavior. You asked me what happened to this world and that is what I told you. My brother will have to take responsibility for the choices he has made. There is no excuse for violating a woman in such a way." Mycroft said seriously. "But I had hoped that Dr. Hooper would soften him enough to make him at least be willing to meet and speak with me. She has turned his mind on many other things that I never thought possible. Had it been any other time, Sherlock would have had the young girl murdered that took the note to Lestrade for Irene and possibly might have tried to have Lestrade killed."

"Molly's influence on Sherlock seems so strong that even James did not harm the girl." Lestrade added.

"So now you are hoping to use Molly to influence your Sherlock into what?" Sherlock asked shrewdly.

Mycroft smiled. "Use is such a strong word with such negative connotations. I do not wish to use Dr. Hooper for anything I can assure you. I have held no conversation with her, Sherlock would never allow such a thing. I have merely heard through others that your little pathologist has taken it upon herself to try and sway my brother's mind."

"Would having your brother on your side make much of a difference?" John asked.

Before Mycroft could answer Lestrade spoke. "There would be much risk. There are many loyal to Sherlock but there are also many whose loyalties are unknown. Who knows if they would support him or Moriarty?"

"A revolution would mean discourse with James and I am certain that my brother would never align himself to anyone who James would stand against. Sherlock is fiercely loyal if he is anything." Mycroft remarked solemnly.

"If only we could remove James from this." Lestrade said softly.

"And how would you go about removing James?" Mycroft asked.

Lestrade looked thoughtful. "Perhaps I have used the wrong word. What if James could be replaced in Sherlock's loyalties?"

Mycroft looked mildly interested. "Again, how would we go about this?"

"What if James could be provoked into threatening Molly?" Lestrade offered.

Mycroft looked intrigued. "You believe he would kill James for her?"

Sherlock was on his feet in an instant and had Lestrade by the throat against the wall. "Do you think for one moment that I would allow that? You think that I would allow you two to put Molly in that kind of danger?" Sherlock hissed.

Mycroft and John grabbed Sherlock's arms and pulled him away from Lestrade. "Sherlock I'm sure that's not what he meant." John said gently.

"James would never harm Molly." Mycroft said shaking his head. "He is still grieving the loss of the Molly from this world himself."

Lestrade smiled rubbing his bruising throat. "But if an attempt was made by some of James's men. We already know that they would never truly be able to get near her, not with Sherlock keeping her under lock and key as he does."

Mycroft frowned. "James would never order such a thing."

"His men don't have to know that the order didn't actually come from him." Lestrade explained patiently.

"I will not have Molly harmed!" Sherlock snapped.

"No one would be able to get near her." Lestrade assured. "Sherlock never lets her leave the grounds unless accompanied by him or John Watson. All there need be is a whisper of a threat."

Mycroft sighed. "A war between Sherlock and James would be costly…so very costly."

Lestrade nodded. "I know, but it could be just the push for change and revolution that we need. Mycroft you know as well as I do that there are other men of power who long for how it was before the war. They just need someone to push them…someone to lead the way."

"And my brother is who you would pick as their leader?" Mycroft said.

Lestrade smiled. "If properly provoked Sherlock is vicious and almost unstoppable."

"As is James." Mycroft pointed out.

"But James has enemies where Sherlock does not. You forget Mycroft the kind of suffering James Moriarty brought even before the war." Lestrade reminded him.

"I want Molly out of his house before anything is done." Sherlock said. "I came here in the hopes that you would supply me with the things that I need to get her and bring her home. If you have no intention of doing so, tell me now and I will stop wasting my time. I will get her by myself."

"You cannot do this alone Mr. Holmes." Mycroft said. "I have every intention of helping you but you cannot just barge in and expect to be successful."

"He will never let her go Mycroft." Lestrade said. "And even if you were successful in rescuing her, Sherlock would simply follow her to her own world and take her. And this time, he would take her where she would never be found again."

"Let him try." Sherlock said softly. "I would kill him before I would let him have her again."

"And it may come to that Mr. Holmes." Lestrade said softly glancing at Mycroft.

Mycroft turned and looked at Sherlock. "What would you do Mr. Holmes if she chose to stay with my brother? Would you let her go?"

"Why would she ever choose to stay willingly with her rapist?" Sherlock spat out.

"She made a bargain with him for the protection of others. Should she be taken from him, it is likely that my brother would react in a most unfortunate way towards those in his house hold. Are you prepared to accept responsibility for the death of two innocent girls?" Mycroft asked.

"When I rescue Molly from your brother, I will insure the safety of the other two girls." Sherlock said with a conviction that brooded no arguments.

"You're arrogance and certainty matches my brother's." Mycroft said laughing. "How passionate you are. Sentiment…it has taken hold of you as well I see. It is a shame. Sentiment has no place in this world. But please do not misunderstand me Mr. Holmes. I do wish you well. I hope that you are able to rescue Molly and take her back to her own world, though part of me is so thankful for the changes that I have been told of already within him. But she does not belong here in this place and she does not deserve to be kept here nor did she deserve what she has suffered at his hands."

Mycroft moved away from the fireplace and sat down in his desk chair. "Lestrade, tell us more of how you plan to trick Moriarty's men into attempting Molly's life."

"I think he is at least thinking about it…even if he doesn't realize it." Molly said. "If only Jim wasn't a part of this!"

"But he is a part of this." Irene said. "Oh Molly please be careful! What if Sherlock finds out that you are just trying to sway his mind? I'm so afraid that he would hurt you again."

Molly sat down on the bed beside Irene. "I don't believe he would ever do that to me again. I don't know why…but I just…I know he wouldn't. Irene, I know that I can make him remember how it was before the war destroyed your world."

"He'll never go against James!" Irene said. "He won't! This is madness!"

"I don't agree Irene. The man Sherlock used to be is still in there underneath all of the despair, bitterness, and hatred. I can see it in glimpses of his face. There has to be something that could make him remember when things weren't like this…when oppression wasn't what was expected." Molly said with conviction. "I just wish he would talk to his brother. I think it would make a difference…and the memory of his mother stirs such deep emotions within him."

"It is too dangerous for you to trifle with his feelings. If he became angry…Molly I have seen him enraged…I have been the victim of that rage and you cannot imagine…"Irene shuddered and paled at the memory of Sherlock's attack.

Molly wrapped her arms around her. "Irene please…don't worry. It won't come to that. And I'd never do anything to risk the safety of you, Brianna or Soo Lin. But I'm not going to stop trying. I have to believe that there is a way out for all of us. I know there is and I'm not giving up. You can't give up Irene. There's always hope as long as you believe that there is. The moment you give into despair, it's over for you."

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