The glow of the morning sun peeks up from behind the nearest tall building, shining it's rays through the long, vertical window of Molly's hospital room. Sherlock shifts on his cot uncomfortably, groaning as the brightness hits his face. He slowly sits up, rubbing his face. It's been nearly three days since he has gotten a decent amount of sleep.

Looking over at Molly, he sees her small, sleeping form on the stark white hospital bed, tubes and wires all still attached and giving her everything her body needs to properly heal from her scary ordeal. His body cracks as he stretches and yawns, scooting over to Molly's bed and gently holding her in his arms, careful not to tug on any tubes. Molly hums softly against his neck and her eyes flutter open gently, her warm brown eyes now a golden honey color due to the sun flickering upon them.

"Sherlock..."

"Yes Molly, I'm right here. How are you feeling today?"

"Mhh...sore."

"Well that's to be expected. Not only were you pricked in multiple places, but these beds are God awful for comfort."

She smiles sweetly and kisses his cheek. "You stayed."

"Of course I stayed, why would I ever leave you alone after what you went through. Molly Hooper, I doubt I will be leaving you alone for a very very long time. In fact, I may have to get Mycroft to out you on the 1A surveillance just to be sure that you are safe at all times."

Molly groans and shifts slightly. "That's really not necessary, Sherlock. I like my privacy."

"Even at the expense of your safety? Molly, I...I couldn't lose you", his voice softens and his face falls. "I can never lose you."

"We'll talk it over another time. I'll be alright. Did they catch them? The people who did that to me?"

Sherlock swallows the lump in his throat and kisses her forehead. "I...heard from Mycroft last night...I'm sorry Molly..."

Molly tears up. "They didn't catch them?"

"It was Sebastian Moran and the last remaining cronies from Moriarty's network. They're..very clever. They fled the country. I am so sorry...I'm just as pissed, believe me. I will KILL Moran if he ever steps foot in London again. Mycroft has eyes watching in case he ever does. Okay?"

"Okay", she says quietly and shakily.

"Molly, I'll protect you...I know that it's my fault and..."

"Sherlock, shh. It wasn't your fault. It was only theirs."

"Loving you made me weaker...made me lose focus and that put you in danger and I just..I keep wondering if..."

She puts a finger to his lips softly. "Stop. Right there. Stop. You loving me is why I'm here right now. It's why I'm alive. So don't you dare go and say that you can't love me after I nearly lost everything." Her eyes fill with tears. "Please don't..."

Sherlock bows his head, resting it in the crook of her neck and breathes her in. "I want to protect you."

"The best way to protect me is by being with me. Being around me. I love you, Sherlock."

"I-I love you too Molly."

"Then promise me you'll stay."

"Okay", he murmurs. "I'll stay...I'll keep trying, I'll keep being yours, Molly Hooper."

Molly runs her fingers through his curls, eliciting a soft groan of contentment from him. "And I will always be yours, Sherlock Holmes."

"Does he know? What do you mean he left before the message was given to him!? You need to get someone from his regime to find him and tell him NOW! Now Corporal!" Mycroft hangs up the phone angrily and huffs in frustration.

Lady Smallwood knocks gently before entering, looking flustered. "Mycroft, we have big news regarding the surveillance of Sullivan Moran...are you still trying to get in touch with Lieutenant Hooper's regime?"

"Yes, and getting nowhere! They say he left before they got word from us that it was a medical miracle that she pulled through after her heart stopped. How the hell are we supposed to backtrack now? For God's sake, he thinks she'd dead!"

"Yes, it's too bad it was a bit too late, though I'm glad Watson called to let you know that she had in fact woken up. I must say, it's a relief. Both for your brother, and in turn, you. He would have been absolutely monstrous to deal with through that sort of grief."

"Hmph..I suppose. What is it that you want me to know?"

"Well Sullivan Moran will no longer be an issue."

"And how so...he was just released from prison two days ago."

"Well, we believe that one of Sebastian Moran's snipers took care of him. He was shot in the head from a long range, most likely the top or inside of a building. We assume that they decided to get rid of him so he wouldn't talk about anything further."

"Well that's one less tie to the Moran family to worry about. Nothing to weep over. Less security to handle for us as well."

"That's true."

Mycroft rubs his temples. "So...Doctor Hooper is alive."

"Yes. We should get a car to pick up her brother at the airport and brief him on the incident...I'm sure he's very distraught."

"Good idea. Have Wilder go and hold a sign for him. When he gets back here, I will brief him personally."

"Are you sure you're the one who should?"

"Why shouldn't I? It was due to an enemy tie to my brother."

"Well yes, but I think maybe someone more...sensitive to his feelings should brief him. Plus, we don't want him to hate your brother if he plans on staying connected to Miss Hooper."

"It's possible that you're correct in thinking that's better...", he pauses for a moment. "Alright, fine. You can brief him."

"Me? Mycroft..."

"Yes, you. You're more sentimental and you're the only one I truly trust with my brother's affairs."

Elizabeth sighs and looks at him. "Okay, but you must be in the briefing to take notes to file."

Mycroft nods and pages Wilder, explaining for him to get to the airport and what gate to go to, to pick up Lieutenant Matthew Hooper.

John rushes into New Scotland Yard and makes a beeline for Lestrade's office, unable to reach him the day before; the officers had claimed he went home early, and his cell was turned off. He flings his office door, causing Greg to jump a mile and look up from his coffee and paperwork, a donut in his hand. "Greg!"

Lestrade quickly puts down the donut and wipes his face. "Yeah, John? What is it, is there something wrong?"

"No! No..there's..there's something absolutely, incredibly right!"

"Wh-"

"Molly's alive! She's alive Greg, I saw her with my own two eyes, Sherlock..I thought he was using when he called me and told me she was alive, so I went to Bart's and there she was, breathing. Sherlock said she was lying dead on the slab and then she just gasped and sort of...came alive again. She's alive!"

"What? Oh God...she's..she's...!?" Greg hops out of his seat in disbelief, running his hands through hair.

"She's alive!"

"Oh God..she's alive!" He laughs in pure relief and the two men hug and pat each other's backs.

"Jesus Christ...those two give us the worst fucking scares!"

"You're telling me!" John steps back and grins. "I'm just so damn relieved, for both of them, for Rosie, for...for everyone."

Lestrade takes a deep breath and rubs his face, still looking exhausted. "I am so happy that's she's going to be alright. She is going to be alright, right?"

"Yeah, yeah. Slowly, but surely. Sherlock texted me last night and said she woke up and seemed in her right mind. It's really sort of a miracle."

"Well, it's Sherlock. Nothing short of miracles would do, y'know?", he chuckles softly.

John snorts. "Yeah, as we know. Anyway, I just had to let you know. I told Mrs. Hudson last night and she was bawling her eyes out, and rightly so."

"Of course, she's very fond of Molly."

"I don't think there's many of us who aren't."

"True, she's a lovely woman."

"Yeah. Well, I'll let you get back to...business."

Greg flashes a smirk and nods. "Right, thanks again for letting me know John. I'm just so relieved."

"Of course Greg. I'll be seeing you."

"See you John."

Matthew steps off the plane with his gigantic army bag of belongings, sighing sadly. He makes his way through the crowds of people and through security, getting a few polite salutes, which he returns, forcing a smile upon his face. When he reaches the end of his gate and into the airport lobby, he sees a gigantic sign with his name on it. He furrows his brow and walks over to the unfamiliar old man with a quite impressive white mustache. The old man salutes him professionally, and Matthew returns it, noting that he must have a history of military service.

"Uh, hello. It's nice to meet you." Matt shakes his hand firmly. "May I ask who sent you?"

"My name is Mortimer Wilder, I work for the British Government. I have been sent to collect you for a briefing regarding your sister. Please, follow me to the car. Unfortunately I have no details for you, but the meeting place is not too far away."

"Okay, thanks...", his face falls and he mentally holds back his sadness, feeling tears pricking his eyeballs.

They walk to the black car and he loads his bag into the trunk, slipping into the back seat. Matt sits there quietly, bouncing his leg nervously. He does not exactly want to break down in front of a bunch of people at a government briefing, but assumes his Colonel set this up to help him, even though he wishes he could skip going.

After approximately twenty-five minutes, the car comes to a halt in front of a large white mansion with the number "10" emblazoned on the columns. Wilder gets out and helps him retrieve his bag, leading him into the building, then passes him off to another gentleman who doesn't speak. Matt looks around the large hallways as they make their way through them. Coming to a large door, it is opened to reveal a large conference room. There's a woman and a man standing there looking extremely professional and held to a high regard by their stances.

"Have a seat Lieutenant Hooper", the man says, and he complies, setting his bag down next to him on the floor. Both parties take a seat across the table from him. He swallows hard, and folds his hands together to keep from fidgeting them.

"My name is Lady Elizabeth Smallwood, and I am one of the Directors of National Security and Affairs. This is Mycroft Holmes, Head of National and International Security and Affairs. We have brought you here to speak with you about an incident regarding your sister. As you know, she has entered into a sort of relationship with the famous detective Sherlock Holmes. Is this correct?"

"Affirmative, ma'am. I know of their...relationship, however complicated. My sister and I have communicated when I was able."

She nods softly. "Mycroft Holmes is the elder brother of Sherlock, so we have taken it upon ourselves to inform you of the matter at hand, and how it transpired."

"Right..h-..", he clears his throat and continues. "How did she...die...?"

"Well that's what we wanted to brief you about..."

"Okay...well..?"

Elizabeth glances at Mycroft who sits back and bites his lip.

"Doctor Hooper was abducted by one of London's most notorious criminals, Mr. Moran, in revenge to a case that was solved by Sherlock Holmes many years ago which led to Moran's leader, and we suppose, lover, being killed. I regret to say that your sister was buried alive. Though she was found by Sherlock, his friend, and a D.I from Scotland Yard within six hours, she suffered suffocation. They did rush her to the closest hospital, but her heart stopped in the ambulance on the way there, despite their efforts."

Matty tears us and keeps his gaze fixed on his folded fists.

"She was in the morgue for approximately a half an hour. Sherlock was with her, and suddenly she just...began breathing again. I've never heard of anything like it before. But as of right now, she is alive, and she is recovering at Bart's ICU. She's going to be alright, Lieutenant Hooper."

"Wh-what..?" His eyes fill with tears that threaten to spill over, and he looks up at them in shock. "She's...oh my God, she's alive? She's not gone?"

"Right now, she is alive and recovering, yes." Lady Smallwood smiles at him softly and Matty covers his face, crying quietly in relief.

"Oh my God. I need to go see her. Please take me to see her."

Mycroft nods and salutes him, which Matt returns. They then shake hands. "My brother..he has a dangerous job, and an elaborate personality, but I can say with precision that he deeply cares for your sister. He did everything he could to prevent her from getting hurt."

"I've heard...I just want her to be safe and happy. She deserves that more than anyone, truly." He nods politely and leaves the same way he came.

Mira fusses over her sixth outfit, sighing into the mirror. A pale blue t-shirt and skinny jeans. Basic, but classic. She quickly twists her long red hair into two braids and checks her phone, seeing a text.

{Molly survived, she's alive! It's a long story, but I am finally back in town. I'm on my way to Bart's hospital to see her. Am I still staying with you? I can't wait to see you, Mira. I love you. ❤️ xo Matty}

Her jaw drops a bit, and she gets butterflies in her stomach in anticipation to see him again. She has been missing him so much that it physically hurt. Yesterday Matty had told her that he got word that Molly was dead, and she had comforted him all the way to the airport on the phone. They had even cried together, and now she's alive? Texting him back, she can hardly contain her smile of both relief and happiness.

{OMG, really? I'm so glad she's okay! Of course you're staying with me, you better not stay away! I can't wait to see you either, I love you sooooo much Mattybear 😉 ~Mira}

{Oh noooo the pet name returnssss! xo Matty}

{Hey, I told you when you gifted me that gigantic Valentine's bear in the middle of the high school hallway that you'd never live it down! So now you're stuck with it forever! HA ~Mira}

{Ughhhhhh LOL. Okay, fine. But only in private! xo Matty}

{Oh, okayyy. See you soon! SQUEEEE! I'm so excited to see you. 😜 ~Mira}

Mira giggles, sitting on her bed; Matty chuckles slightly as well, looking out the window of the car.

{Me too love. I'll see you in a couple hours! ❤️ xo Matty}

{See you then! ~Mira}

Smirking, she grabs her keys and purse and heads out the door. There's no way she's waiting another two hours to see him.

"Molly, you have to eat something."

"Sherlock, we both know the food is disgusting."

"Yes, but you NEED to eat. Please? For me?"

"Sherlock.."

"Jello? Sherbet? Anything."

Molly sighs and rubs her face. "Fine...gimme the jello."

Sherlock grins. "That's my girl."

"Oi you are so stubborn!", she says, rolling her eyes at him.

"Always, but to be fair, so are you."

"True."

Sherlock opens the orange jello and grabs a plastic spoon scooping some onto it. "Okay, open up."

"Oh my God, I can feed myself Sherlockkk."

He smirks and hands it to her gently. "Oh fine, I was just trying to be a nice boyfriend but fine, get your own way."

"Oh don't you start that", Molly giggles and eats a couple bites. She grins at him. "You used the word."

"I did."

"And?"

"And what?"

"Well..you weren't weird about it."

"I guess almost losing you made me see that some things are too trivial to care about, like what label we use."

She looks at him lovingly and he smiles softly, cupping her cheek and placing a soft kiss on her lips. Molly's eyes flutter and she puts down the jello, wrapping her arms around his neck, kissing back deeper.

"Mmm...Molls..."

"Shh, I'll survive...", she murmurs as they continue to snog.

Suddenly they hear someone clear their throat and they pull away sheepishly, seeing one of the nurses standing there. "Oh, excuse me Doctor Hooper but you have a very important visitor."

"I do? Who?"

The nurse grins and turns towards the door, waving them in. Into the room walks Matthew, dressed in his military camouflage. Molly gasps and covers her mouth, nearly forgetting her wires and jumping out of bed.

"Molly! Molly, no, your wires!" Sherlock gently holds her back onto the bed.

She breaks down and Matty goes over to her, hugging her tightly and crying as well. Molly buries her face in his shoulder and sobs hard. "Oh...Matty...I missed you."

Matty sniffles and sobs softly. "I missed you. I..I thought you were gone."

"No, no, I'm right here. I'm right here..." she murmurs shakily and strokes his hair comfortingly.

He squeezes his eyes shut and holds her tightly. "I love you so much, Moll."

"I love you so much Matty. Oh, let me look at you." Molly pulls back and cradles his face, smiling through her tears. "Handsome as always, but a lot more mature than the last time I saw you."

He blushes softly, and moves her hands. "Shhhh, stop that."

"Oh! This is Sherlock Holmes, my er...boyfriend. Sherlock, this is my baby brother, Matty."

Sherlock smiles at how happy she is and shakes his hand. "It's very nice to meet you, Matthew. Molly has told me a lot about you. You keep her worrying, you know."

"Nice to meet you as well. She's talked about you too. I'm not the only one that makes her worry."

Sherlock bites his lip. "Yeah, well, that's certainly true." He leans over and kisses Molly's cheek.

Molly grins at Matt. "I worry about both of my boys. Now, are you okay? How are you doing? How long are you home? Did you see Mira yet?"

Sitting on the edge of her bed, he chuckles and squeezes her hand. "Oh wow, rapid fire already, okay then. Yes, I'm okay, I'm so much better now that I know you are too. I believe I'm home for a year. No, I haven't seen Mira yet. But I'm going to head there from here. I'll be staying with her now that she has her own flat."

"Ooh, so you're ditching me for your girl then, alright, I see how it is", she smirks.

"Hey, you have Sherlock now, and I am not ditching you, she lives like six blocks away"

"I know, I know I'm just teasing you! Of course you want to be with Mira."

He blushes and squeezes her hand. "I'm just so glad to be home. That you're still here..I don't know what I'd do if I lost you..."

Molly hugs him close and rubs his back. "It's alright, I'm okay now. You're not going to lose me so easily."

"I know...I love you." He kisses her cheek and grins boyishly.

"I love you too. I'll be okay here. Sherlock has been staying with me, so I'll be looked after for the time being."

"Good."

"God..it's just so amazing that you're here...I missed seeing your face and talking to you directly and being sure that you're unharmed."

Matt smiles softly. "Me too Moll. I'm upset that you got hurt and I wasn't here...I just want you to be safe too. I want you to be happy too...really happy", he throws a glance to Sherlock. "Look, I know what you've put her through over the years, and I know that you're supposedly a better person now. I know that she loves you with everything she has. But you have my word that if you /ever/ hurt her again, you will cease to see the light of day."

"Matthew Dominic Hooper!"

"No, no, he's right Molly. He's right." Sherlock looks at Matt. "I know my mistakes and I know I don't deserve her, not by a long shot. But she's shown me what love means, and what it is and can be. She's making me the man she already thought I could be. I love her, and I never want to see her hurt either. I promise you that."

Molly blushes. "Now, you both can stop because I can take care of myself, for the most part. I am not some damsel in distress."

Sherlock and Matt give each other a look. "We know, Molly."

"Well good. Now stop fussing over me. I can handle myself."

Molly glances towards the door and grins. "Matty, I think we have more company."

"Huh?" He turns around and gapes, seeing Miranda there. "Oh my God, Mira." Jumping up from the bed, he runs over and hugs her tightly, lifting her off of her feet and crying into her neck. She sobs into his neck and well, her arms tightly wound around his shoulders. They stay like that for awhile until he gently sets her down on her feet and cups her face.

Her eyes are filled with tears and she gently strokes his cheek. "I can't believe you're really here."

"I'm here...I'm home", he murmurs and puts his forehead on hers, then kisses her deeply.

She kisses back lovingly and clings to him as Molly giggles and cheers, clapping. They pull away, both flushed pink.

"You two are so cute, I'm glad you're reunited. Mira smiles shyly and goes over to Molly and hugs her gently. "I'm glad you're okay, you had us pretty upset for awhile there."

"Thank You, I'm relieved too. It was crazy, I remember struggling, and I sort of remember being dead, looking over my body. Then I remember being back, hearing Sherlock. I'm just glad to be here."

"Gosh that must have been really scary. Thank God you're alright now." Mira smiles and hands her a small pot of flowers that she brought. "I thought this might cheer you up."

"Oh, Mira they're beautiful, thank you", she smiles.

"Of course."

Matty smiles and wraps his arm around her waist, gently pulling her to his side and nuzzling her cheek. She blushes and looks at him lovingly.

"Alright you crazy kids, go and spend some much needed time together. I'll be fine."

Matty blushes and smiles shyly. "Are you sure, Moll? We can stay a bit if you want."

"Nooo, I'm sure the last place you want to be right now is sitting in a hospital. Go to Mira's, put on some comfy clothes and have a nice night. I'll be here, and hopefully I'll be home soon. You WILL visit me at the house right?"

He grins. "Okay, thanks sis. Yes I will be around. Just wait, you'll want to get rid of me again before the month is up!"

"Nah, I'd never want to get rid of you. I love ya too much. Now go on and get out of here." Molly beams happily, seeing how happy Matty is now that he is home and with her and Mira.

Matty leans down and kisses her cheek, giving her another hug. "Okay, we'll be going. I'm glad you're okay, and I love you. Call me if you need anything and I'll stop by your place and get it for you alright?"

She nods and smiles. "Alright, see you."

"See you tomorrow, love you."

Matty and Mira leave, his arm never leaving her waist, as if he would lose her if he let go. Molly smiles after them, then looks at Sherlock. "They're middle school sweethearts. I'm so happy for him. He deserves it. I'm glad she was still here for him to come home to."

"Well, I suppose a love like that never fades, does it? Especially one lasting that long."

"No, it doesn't. I would know", she smirks softly.

Sherlocks cheeks flush pink and he holds her hand. "I'm sorry it took me so long..."

"It doesn't matter, all that matters is that you're here now. I love you so much, Sherlock Holmes."

"And I love you so much, Molly Hooper."

Molly plays with his fingers. "I did sort of make a tiny white lie to them, though."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. As crazy as it sounds, I remember everything..."

"I don't follow...what do you mean?"

"Being alive, being dead...I remember being dead Sherlock. I remember seeing myself dead. I remember floating above the grave in the cemetery, I remember seeing myself on the slab, and I remember all the beautiful words you said to me, how much you sobbed.." Molly tears up.

Sherlock's brow furrows, and he nuzzles her cheek. "You do..? But...how is that possible?"

"Well, I suppose there are things beyond science that people still can't explain. But I remember it all vividly. And, I remember a bright white light. I was supposed to go into it, because I was dead, obviously. But I just couldn't shake the feeling that I could still come back to you. It turns out that it worked."

"Fascinating..."

"It was. Oh, by the way, is John dating again?"

"John? Yes...why?"

Molly beams with tears in her eyes. "Mary gives him her blessing."