Chapter 53-Into the Fire

"We need to buy you some more time with the black boxes. Percy is getting anxious. He wants me to take her in."

"Over my dead body," Sherlock roared over the phone. "You want to hand over my wife and unborn child to those murdering jackals? I think not," the 't' came out sharp accenting his outright refusal of such a preposterous idea.

Molly knew Sherlock had to know of her condition by now but it did not make it any easier for this to be their first declaration of the news. She choked on a sob. "How can we buy them more time?"

"If you let Michael take you in Percy will think he has leverage. While he has you we can hurry and get the last two boxes. We'll need to split up. The one in Pennsylvania will be the hardest to get since the agent in Canada seems willing to pass over the box." Nikita explained in a hurry.

"That could very well be a trap and you know it!" snarled Sherlock. "There's no point in risking my family's safety when it is only a possibility that it would help and not a definite."

Molly could imagine him pacing angrily back and forth while running his fingers through his unruly curls trying to figure out an alternative.

"Even so we still need that box. If Percy thinks he has Molly than he will let his guard down thinking she's his bargaining tool," Nikita reasoned.

"We don't have time to argue," Michael interrupted. "Molly and I need to go before someone checks on her. This was a small window of opportunity and we won't get another shot. Let me see your leg so I can cut off your monitor."

Molly put her leg up on the bed obediently and allowed him to remove the device as the conversation continued.

"Molly, why are you in the hospital and why a monitor?" Sherlock deduced her situation.

"Just a check up on the baby," she choked on the last word.

"Lies don't become you Mrs. Holmes. Are you okay and why the monitor?"

"Baby's fine. They don't want to lose track of me. Mycroft allowed it. Will this plan buy you more time?"

"Not hardly, Nikita is a fool if she thinks this will buy us more time but it's not really about that, is it?" Sherlock was snarling at his temporary partner again.

Nikita gave a huff. "Molly, we need Michael to stay in Division head quarters. We don't have Percy's box yet and we need someone on the inside. If he doesn't go back with you it will put all of us in more danger. But...the decision is yours."

"But make it quickly." Michael urged checking out the door.

"Is Mary there?" Molly asked in a small tear-filled voice.

"I'm right here. Molly?" the former agent chimed in.

"Should I go? Will it help?"

"Those are two different questions."

"What would Annabelle say?"

Mary drew in a hiss. "We need Michael on the inside."

There were noises in the background. Watson could be heard yelling at Sherlock to get out of his wife's face as angry words were exchanged in the background.

"Sherlock! Sherlock!" Molly yelled getting his attention. "We don't have time for this."

"Molly, don't go. Think about me! Think about the baby!" Sherlock was desperate for her to see sense.

"I am." Molly choked back tears. She felt like Alice in Wonderland. Everyone around her was mad and she was in a confusing world. She felt like her tears would drown her. "If we do this than Division will be done for. All my life I have looked over my shoulder for them wondering when they would find me. I didn't date. Didn't have hope for a husband or for a family. I never allowed myself to dream of being a mum. And now," Molly sobbed, "I want it. I want it all. I want you and our baby and..." she wanted her dad but did not want to put any other distracting thoughts out there. "Mary does this give all of us our best shot?"

John answered for his wife who was too choked up to speak. "Molly, Mary's nodding her head but as a doctor-"

"I know what you have to say."

"Molly," Sherlock started to beg. "Don't be foolish!"

"If I don't go now maybe I'll be safe for a day and maybe I'll be okay tomorrow but they will keep coming. Don't you see that?" Molly was crying in earnest but managed to get her words out. "This way we have a chance. If I go with Michael at least I'll have someone on the inside." Molly reasoned.

"Don't do this! Where are the agents that are supposed to be protecting you?" He would have gone on but Molly spoke over him.

"I love you Sherlock." And without giving Sherlock time to even reciprocate Molly hung up the phone.

"Let's go." Michael grabbed Molly's arm and held out his hand for the gun.

"Let's get some things clear. You will protect me for my child's sake at all costs. I only trust you because I know that Percy took your wife and child from you. Got that?"

"So, it's true. You have all that information in your head." Michael's eyes focused on Molly's cranium and not her eyes. "What did you mean when you said you've been watching for Division your whole life."

"They took my mother and me when I was seven."

Michael fought back a wave of nausea and his hand let go of Molly's arm to put away the gun she had returned. "I didn't know. Perhaps it's better if-"

"We're going to help my husband. Let's go." Molly led the way out of her hospital room. She had no time to think about how brief the phone call with her husband had been. She would have plenty of time to do that later when she was locked up, as she undoubtedly would be.

Michael saw her look to the ceiling at the cameras. "Don't worry about that. All security is shut down for now. We just have to get out before your guard dogs come sniffing around."

Molly resisted saying that they were her family and not guard dogs but only just. Michael slipped his hand into Molly's to pose as a couple. Michael seeing the burn-phone in Molly's hand told her to ditch it in a wastebasket when the opportunity arose. Molly made sure someone saw her toss it in case the news got back to House. It was a long shot but perhaps House could get in contact with Sherlock. If Nikita did not throw her phone out first.

"Yeah?" Dr. Cameron picked up her phone knowing it was House.

"Did you check on Molly yet?" House asked as he walked down the hall with four agents in tow towards Molly's room.

"Yeah. She's fine. Not hungry yet."

"Was she alone?"

"No. Uhh...British guy with her...Tom I think. Why?"

"Hey, do we know a Tom?" House asked mid-limp without turning his head.

"Tall with curly hair," Ziva shot off his most easily recognizable features.

House reiterated the info and then cursed when Cam gave him opposing features saying that the man was short with short hair. "Change of plans. We need to split up. I'll head to the exit with Israel."

"Can you call security-" Vance started wanting to cover more ground.

"No point. These people don't mess around. Security will be down." House started to limp faster than they imagined he could without waiting for the others to agree.

"How about we just follow the anklet?" Gibbs asked.

"Can't. It's down too." Tony answered.

"What?" Vance exclaimed.

"I just got a hold of it. I'm not McGee. I don't computer and walk."

"No time. I'm going after the doc. Ziva!" Gibbs called as he went in the same direction House had gone in.

"On your six, boss," Ziva called as she jogged behind him.

Molly and Michael finally reached the lobby. Molly had to let her mind go numb so that she would not panic over what she was about to do. She took a deep breath as they started to cross the brightly lit room with high ceilings.

"When we get out of here. I'm going to have to put my earwig back in and we'll be online. So no more talking. I'm going to use chloroform-"

"No. I'll fake it and you can truss me up and throw me in the trunk for all I care but no drugs. And throw me softly so as not to hurt my-"

"Molly?"

Molly stopped in her tracks as she turned at Dr. Wilson's voice.

"Hey, are you doing okay? When House brought you to my office it seemed like..." Dr. James Wilson was at a loss of words.

"House is a bloody drama queen. I just need to get out and get some air." Molly checked over her shoulder nervously.

Wilson scrunched up his eyes in confusion, "I agree he is a drama queen," he gave a half-smile that dropped quickly, "but not usually over someone's health. Who's your friend?"

"I'm Tom." Michael dropped the name in a British accent. "One of Molly's bodyguards. Like she said she just needs a bit o' fresh air and a spot of tea and she'll be right as rain." He laid it on too thick. Molly resisted the urge to stamp on his foot for his mimicry.

"Molly, wait! Wilson, stop them!" House called from the upstairs balcony.

"We have to go. James, please stall them." Molly pleaded.

Wilson had looked away for a second but when he looked back Molly and 'Tom' were running.

Ziva and Gibbs made it in time to see Molly slip out the door. They gave chase but and called her name but by the time they exited the hospital the agent and Molly were already in a car. Ziva pulled her gun to try and get a shot at the tires but the car squealed out of the parking lot.

And with that, Molly was gone.

Sorry it's so late. Good news is that there are a few chapters finished and I'll be posting them over the next couple days. Thank you everyone for your patience. I did not know the story would get this long. Let me know what you think! Thanks again for journeying with me!