When Molly had been released from hospital, everyone was relieved and welcomed her back into the crazy life that came with being with Sherlock Holmes and, incredulously, their entire friend group. It took her a couple months of therapy from a great woman by the name of Ella Thompson of whom John had recommended to her, to feel even the least bit normal again after everything she went through. Even though she was still jumpy at times and had some nightmares, her life was finally getting back on track and she was going to begin her first day back at Bart's. Sherlock had pretty much moved into her house full-time to ensure that she was "protected", the exception being when he was on a case and had use for 221B Baker Street. He was adamant that he wanted to be there, and their relationship was working well despite the obviously large hurdle they had to cross that came in the form of Molly's newfound trauma.

It helped greatly that her brother Matthew was now home from war for the time being and happy himself, being able to reconnect with his own love, Miranda Hayes, after four long years. Starting back where they left off, they could hardly keep away from each other.

John's new relationship with girlfriend Caroline seemed promising, and Rosie had taken a liking to her as well. When they had asked them to dinner at Molly's house, Molly had forced Sherlock to hold his breath about making a comment regarding John's type and a certain liking of "blondes". She was an all-around intelligent and kind woman, good for John in many ways.

Greg had been teasing Sherlock non-stop about being a man and not a machine, falling in love with the incredible Molly Hooper, and finding (and holding on to!) a woman that would allow him to continue to lead the psychotic chaos filled life that he was prone to.

Elizabeth had been pestering Mycroft to come out with the big secret about Molly's family, to tell her and her brother about their unknown sister and "almost" step-mother; to let them do what they may with the information. However, Mycroft had insisted that he would only when the time was right, and that Molly was dealing with too much at the moment to be able to handle it.

Molly rolls over, frustratedly turning off her alarm that signaled the beginning of her work week. The time had come to grab hold of her gumption and step back into the workforce. Rubbing her face, she groans. "I suppose it could be worse", she thinks to herself, "I could've had nightmares last night." After a moment of de-fogging her mind she feels a warm lump next to her. She turns to her side and sees Sherlock who smiles sleepily and pulls her close into his arms, nuzzling her neck. "Mmm...Sherlock..wh-"

"I finished the case early last night, but you were asleep when I got here. You looked cold, so I held you for a while, but I suppose I fell asleep too." A big smile spreads across his face. "Molly, you didn't have a nightmare last night."

Molly cuddles close to his warmth and runs her fingers through his curls, eliciting a small groan of contentment from him. "I'm always glad when you're home, and no, I didn't. I guess that's a step in the right direction. I have to get ready for work..."

Sherlock groans and holds her tighter, breathing her in and gently peppering her jaw and neck in kisses, smirking when her cheeks flush, spreading down to her chest. "Do you really have to go today...I could call Mike, you know how convincing I am..."

"Sherlock, you know I have to...", Molly says breathlessly, her small pants speeding up with every touch of his lips on her skin. They have yet to pass /that/ intimacy threshold, but he is becoming a lot softer and more comfortable around her in this way.

He groans softly and pulls back, looking into her warm cocoa brown eyes. Gently brushing his thumb along her cheek, he cups it and smiles his sweet, genuine, only-for-Molly smile that metaphorically makes her completely weak in the knees. "I know, but despite what I have ever thought about closeness, with you, it's absolutely intoxicating, and I find myself craving it when you are no longer in my arms."

Molly turns red and looks up at him, his gorgeous smile and sparkling oceanic eyes peering down into hers. "Is that so? Well I do too, but alas, we are adults and we have lives. Oh, the horror." She giggles a bit trying to thin out the thickness of their compatible tension.

He nods and leans down, pressing a soft yet breathtaking kiss to her lips for a few moments before hesitantly separating them from hers. "The horror indeed, however, I am very happy that you are feeling up to working again. And I will be checking in to be sure you aren't regretting the decision a bit later. Maybe for lunch."

Looking over his face and very much breathless from his lovely kiss, Molly nods and smiles at how far he has come in terms of "sentiment". "Lunch would be amazing Sherlock. I love you."

"I love you too. Now, you'd better get ready. Don't want to be late on your first day back."

"No wouldn't want to do that..." Molly murmurs, but internally groans, hating the fact that she has to leave this glorious man in her bed to go to her morgue. For God's sake he was shirtless, his curls were gorgeously disheveled from sleep as well as her fingers, and all she really /wanted/ to do at the moment was snog him silly until neither of them could breathe correctly and she had turned him into a man full of sensual need and desire. Unfortunately, what she did do was drag herself away from him and to her closet after grabbing her khakis from her dresser.

"Oh please Molly...not one of those ridiculously blinding jumpers. They do absolutely nothing for your beautiful figure."

"Ah, I see you're thinking like a warm-blooded man then Mr. Holmes."

Sherlock furrows his brow and sits up. "I don't understand."

"Well I'm shocked you haven't seen the obvious."

"What?"

Molly smirks and looks through her closet and giggles a bit.

"Tell me!"

"Well, you see Sherlock Holmes, these "ridiculously blinding jumpers" may not do anything for my figure, but I do work in a morgue. It gets very cold, and layers are best. If I didn't need the layers, I would be perfectly fine with only a blouse, but I do actually need a jumper. Plus, nobody is looking at my figure when I work with the dead", she snorts. "As for their blinding nature, as you so poetically put it, I like feeling colorful. It counteracts the drab and dreary aura of a morgue. So there you have it. It's not totally what I'd want to wear, but it's most practical."

Sherlock smirks. "Good for you Doctor Hooper. It's odd how I never saw the practicality of it, but then again that may just be because of the effect you have on me. Always have actually."

Molly chuckles and picks out a lavender blouse and a blue and gray swirled jumper as Sherlock makes a face. "Now, now. It's for work. No need for faces of disdain."

"Fine, no protests from me, BUT that is as long as you promise me that you'll wear more flattering and less blinding things on days off. Or else I will really need to see an eye doctor."

She laughs and ruffles his curls, kissing his cheek. "I usually wear jeans and fitted tees or blouses anyway, darling. I've just broken you in early by wearing joggers and oversized bed tees."

Sherlock gapes as she giggles and steps into the bathroom to change. "Heyyy!"

Molly changes and gets ready for work, sighing as she peers back at her reflection in the mirror. "Okay Molly. You can do this. You're a specialist registrar. You've got this", she mutters to herself. Stepping back into her room, she puts on her socks and her work loafers and throws her hair into her trademark ponytail. She notices that Sherlock is no longer there and goes into the sitting room, seeing him making coffee in the kitchen. "Wow this is nice."

"I figured I could do something to ease the morning. I can tell you're nervous, despite acting as if you're not. It's alright you know...you went through a lot and.. going there could be daunting for anyone after what you went through."

She sighs shakily and goes over to him, hugging his now clothed side. "I know...but I can't never go back. I went through too much school and too much experience to turn my back on it now. Also, I'm sure you'll be needing me for cases at some point. I don't know about the PTSD aspect of it but...I'll get through it."

Sherlock wraps his arm around her and kisses her head. "You will because you're you. You are one of the most resilient people I have ever known Margaret Hooper. I know that with therapy you can do this. Plus, I intend on making a bit more visits than I usually do to the morgue to be sure that you are alright. If you ever need someone there, just...to be there, you know I'll come when you ask."

Looking up at him, she tears up slightly and pulls him down into a kiss. "Thank you. I would do everything all over again if it meant having you here with me...I love you so much Sherlock."

Sherlock looks at her softly and strokes her cheek. "I love you so much, Molly. I may not always know what to do with all of your love, but I can promise you that I am trying my best. I don't deserve you, and I have always known that. But I know now that I can't live without you, and I will never take that for granted. And if I ever act ignorant to how important you are, I beg of you to slap me back into reality."

Molly grins, a beautiful blush on her cheeks. "I know how you are Sherlock, and I love you anyway. I always have, just as hyper, and clingy, and impossible as you are. Now, I should be going. I'll see you for lunch?"

Handing her the coffee thermos, he leans down and kisses her cheek. "Lunch it is. See you then. I'll try not to ravage the house while you're away."

"Sherlock!"

"Okay fine, I'll try to keep it tidy", he muses. "Maybe a small experiment on Toby though..."

"William Holmes!"

Sherlock cringes. "No!"

"You will not be experimenting on my fluffy feline. Do you understand?"

"Yessss M'aammmm" he whines. Molly giggles and kisses his cheek.

"Behave. See you later." Molly grabs her keys and takes off for Bart's in her bright yellow car.

A
round 11:00am, Molly's bashful yet optimistic teen assistant comes in and lets her know who the next autopsy will be for. Of course today had to be the week that the local high school was allowing students to shadow in different departments within the hospital in order for those interested in the medical field to see if they want to go into medicine for University. She's a petite girl; fair skin, beautiful sky-blue eyes, a freckled face, and pale blonde hair. Molly is glad she didn't have a side braid today, as that was what the friendly teen's gorgeous blonde locks were entwined into.

"Thank you...er..I'm sorry, what's your name again?"

"Oh, um, I'm Carly."

"Well Carly, you're doing a lovely job today. You must be hungry though. Why don't you take an hour lunch and then meet me back here okay?"

Carly nods shyly. "Thanks ma'am..uh Doctor..uh.."

Molly smiles softly, remembering what it was like, even when she was an intern. "You can just call me Molly."

"Thanks Molly", she smiles sweetly and grabs her bag, leaving for the cafeteria.

Molly rolls out the next autopsy and a sudden sense of dread looms over her as she stares at the covered slab. Her temperature begins to rise and she feels warm, glancing at the clock. 11:15am. She looks quickly towards the door and her breathing quickens. Glancing around the room erratically, she notices the familiar dent in the diagonal refrigerator compartment and can feel herself sweating and her heart racing. Molly leans on the table and pants, suddenly feeling terrified as tears begin to run down her face.

Sherlock flings the double doors of the morgue open in classic fashion, smiling before seeing the state she is in. He runs over and wraps his arms around her, her knuckles white as she clings to the metal table. "Molly? Molly tell me what's wrong?"

Molly turns and buries her face into his chest, sobbing brokenly. "I-I'm s-sorry..I.."

"Shhh...I'm here now. You're alright...I've got you." Sherlock murmurs softly into her hair and wraps the front flaps of his Belstaff around her shorter form.

"I'm just..I'm h-having..."

"...a panic attack, yes, I know." Sherlock sways and then leads her into her office, shutting the door with his foot and gently lowering her into her chair, before kneeling in front of her. He cups her cheek and gently strokes away the stray tears with his thumb. "PTSD...nobody would blame you Molly. It's only your first day back and for what you went through...you're strong for even being here. It's only been three months."

Molly's tears subside and she focuses on breathing, concentrating on Sherlock's concerned face. Once she has it mostly under control, she throws her arms around his neck and he in turn, snakes his around her middle, holding her close against him. "I know you probably don't want to talk about it right now, but you should eat something."

"Sherlock, I'm not hungry", she murmurs into his shoulder.

"I know. I know you aren't, but you made me promise that we would hold each other accountable the other day, remember? Sometimes we need to eat...old habits die hard, but you and me, we need to."

She pulls back just slightly and Sherlock cradles her face. "I saw Mike on my way in, he said you had a helper today. I figured we could go out for lunch, but if you don't have time we can stop by the cafe. They have grilled cheese or pasta with meat sauce. I'd go for the grilled cheese."

Molly chuckles softly and rubs under her eyes. "Okay...I'll go with you."

"Good, okay.", Sherlock smiles gently and takes her hand, leading her out the doors and to the cafeteria.

Matthew lugs the grocery bags into Miranda's flat, huffing and puffing from the stairs. "Jesus, I'm supposed to be in the best physical shape and your stairs still kill me Mir!"

She laughs and follows him in with a few more, closing the door with her elbow. "Hey! It's not just the stairs! You are adamant about eating as much as a freaking whale."

"I'm a guy!"

"Yeah, a damn hungry one. Constantly!"

"Maybe", he snorts.

They begin putting the groceries away, falling into a pattern as if they lived together for years. Matty glances over at her and grins handsomely. "What?"

"Nothing...you're just...so beautiful."

Mira blushes deeply, her cheeks nearly matching the shade of her hair. "Stoppp", she chuckles, covering her face.

"Nooo because it's true." He finishes putting away the rest of the items, which he was holding and goes over to her wrapping his arms around her from behind. She giggles and smiles brightly, looking back at him.

"Well hello."

"Hello gorgeous."

"Matty!"

Matty smirks and kisses her neck playfully as she laughs softly, reaching behind to tousle his hair. "I love you."

"I love you too, always."

He nuzzles her cheek and turns her around to face him, pulling her into a deep and passionate kiss and holding her hips. She gasps a bit but melts into it, snaking her arms around his neck and pulling him closer. "Mmm", he hums on her lips.

Mira leans into it, gently sliding her tongue against his, the both of them moaning softly with the sensation until they are forced to part for oxygen. Panting she gently strokes his cheek, then his lips. She looks up at him with bright, but dilated eyes. "I'm so glad you're home with me..." she murmurs, moving onto her tiptoes to kiss his ear.

Matty shudders in response and gently scoops her up in his arms, holding her around his waist as he grins at their more level height. "I am too, my love."

"That was an incredible snog."

"It was. Would you like some more?"

"God yesss', she laughs as he carries her upstairs to her room. Once there, he sets her down on her bed and climbs on as well, hovering over her and capturing her lips in another searing kiss; she reciprocates with a hunger they haven't had since he day before he left for the Army.

John goes into Rosie's room, hearing her wake from her nap. They were getting sparser the older she got. He's lucky she'll even take one at this point.

"Addy!" Rosie grins and hold her arms out to him.

"Hello my sweet girl", John grins and scoops her out of her crib. He changes her nappy then carries her downstairs. "What do you want to play with?"

Rosie points to her pink and purple themed blocks and grins. "Bocks!"

"Blocks? You've got it." John grabs the bag and empties them on the floor for her, sitting cross-legged across from her. He tries for the hundredth time to teach her how to keep them stacked, however, she insists on knocking them over even when they're only four blocks high, unable to contain her anticipation. John chuckles when she knocks them down, and hears the doorbell ring. "Ooh, who could that be Rosie?" John gets up and opens the door, grinning when he sees his girlfriend standing there. "Caroline! What are you doing here?"

"I actually had a business meeting at one of my boss's homes a couple blocks away so I thought I'd stop by. I hope I'm not intruding?"

"No, no never." John lets her in and kisses her gently. "I always love seeing you. You know that."

Caroline smiles beautifully, her smile lines matching John's and her blue eyes twinkling. "Oh, good afternoon Miss Rosie!"

Rosie looks up and sees her squealing happily. She runs over and hugs her leg. "Cah-lin!"

She scoops her up and hugs her. "Are you having fun with your daddy?"

Rosie nods and grins, pointing at her blocks. "Bocks!"

"Blocks, I see that. That looks like a lot of fun sweetie." Rosie squirms and Caroline chuckles, setting her back on her feet to run back to her toys.

"No cases today darling?"

John leads her to the sofa and sits. "No, no. Nothing today. It's good to have an actual day off sometimes. Between the clinic and Sherlock...things get crazy. I love time with Rosie, and of course with you."

"That's good! I thought maybe I could make us dinner tonight if you'd like?"

"Wow, yeah, that would be great. What do you have in mind?"

"I could grab some steaks, maybe asparagus and mash?"

"Sounds delicious."

"I think some wine could be in order too."

John chuckles. "I think that's a good idea. It may be my day off but chasing after this little one all day is exhausting too. I'm sure business meetings aren't the most exhilarating either."

"No, no they're not", she laughs. John chuckles and wraps an arm around her, throwing on the telly as she leans into his hold.

Matthew rolls over onto his back and gently pulls Mira close into his arms, pulling the sheets over them. Both of them are sweating and panting hard. Mira nuzzles his neck, gently stroking his bare chest with her fingertips.

"So..."

"That was..."

"Mmmm..."

Mira giggles softly, her breathing still labored. "God...Matty, that was better than I ever imagined. You have no idea how nervous I was and how much I've thought about you the last four years. I wouldn't have wanted my first time with anyone else. Honestly, I don't really want any time to be with anyone else."

He swirls her hair between his fingers lazily and blushes softly. "You're incredible. I thought about you all the time, sometimes wondering how this would have been if we had gotten the chance before I left. But I'm kinda glad we were forced to wait, because this was everything I could've ever expected and more. I know it was a little awkward at first, but we'll learn and grow together hm? I wouldn't want this with anyone else either Mira. I love you so much."

"I love you more than anyone in the world, Matthew Hooper." She gazes up at him and he captures her lips in a soft and gentle kiss, a contrast to moments ago.

He strokes her cheek and looks into her eyes lovingly. "I have a feeling it's going to be even harder leaving this time...", his face falls and looks sad.

"Shh...I don't even want to think about that right now...you're here now, and we are together, and right now, that is all that matters, okay?", she tears up slightly.

He nods, "Okay...I'm sorry." He swallows the lump in his throat.

"It's okay", she whispers and strokes his chest. "I just want you to love me and to enjoy being here while you are."

"I can absolutely do that, love."

Mira smiles softly and cuddles into him. Within moments they are both asleep in each other's arms.

Hours pass, and Miranda is awoken by shouts and screams. She jolts awake and looks over to see Matthew thrashing around in the sheets and yelling out names. "Matty!?" She rubs his back gently, not wanting to get in front of an elbow. "Matty...wake up! Come on wake up! Matthew! Mattybear!" Gently shaking his shoulders, his body calms down a bit and she cups his face. "Matty...it's me, it's Miranda. Please wake up!"

He shakes his head and blinks, his eyes opening slowly. Looking up at her, he breaks down into sobs and pulls her onto his chest, clinging to her. "I-I'm s-sorry Mira...I..I'm..I'm so sorry."

"Shhh...I'm here my love. I'm right here Matty." Mira peppers his face in soft kisses as he sobs hard. "I'm here...I got you. Tell me about it..."

Matty tries to speak through the sobs wracking his body, terrible flashbacks of war haunting his dreams. "M-my friends...a few of my friends...they were hit by a roadside bomb. I-I saw...I saw them get in, and I was feet behind them. I-...I saw the entire thing explode. I should've been in there with them, but I was chosen to carry the extra supplies...oh God..."

Mira tears up and hugs him tighter. "Oh Matty...", she rocks him and rubs his back. He nuzzles his face into her neck.

"Please don't let go...please."

"Never...I've got you. Let it out..."

Holding her close against his skin, he sobs, unable to escape the flashing images in his head when he tries to sleep, guilt of bothering Mira with it thrown into his emotional meltdown as well.

"Matty I love you. I love you so much and I'm here forever. I am here, through anything. I promise."

After her first day at Saint Bartholomew's Pathology Department, Carly climbs into her mom's car.

"Sooo, how was it sweetheart?"

"It was great. The Doctor lady that I worked with was very nice. At first she seemed a bit confused that a sixteen year old could be interested in death and chemicals and forensic stuff, but then I think she realized that she was once me so...it was nice. She's really really smart, mum."

"I'm glad you enjoyed your day. I hope the rest of the week is just as good", she smiles and drives back to their home.

"Me too. I don't think she noticed, but you want to know something super weird?"

"What's that?"

"Well...we have the same last name. Isn't that crazy? How many Hoopers would you think are in London!" Carly chuckles.

Meredith's eyes widen and she grips the steering wheel. "What?"

"Yeah, isn't that freaky? I'll have to ask her."

"No, just...let it be."

"Why?"

"Because...because..." she sighs.

"Mum...what? You're worrying me."

"I haven't had that talk with you yet..."

"What talk, mum..?"

"The talk about your father. I mean, I know I've told you about him and how wonderful he was and how much he would have adored you, but I...I haven't told you the whole story."

Carly looks over at her and bites her lip. "What aren't you telling me?"

"Let's get home and settled, and...I'll explain everything."

Tossing her bag onto the nearest chair, Molly rips her coat off and flings it onto the coat rack. Sherlock comes rushing out from the bathroom with a pair of goggles on. "Molly! You're home!"

Molly collapses onto the sofa and huffs; Toby hops up and nuzzles her arm. "Yes, finally." She pets Toby and glances up and looks at him. "Wh-...Do I even want to ask why you're wearing goggles?"

"Uhhhhmmmm...it's all fine."

"Sherlock", she says in a warning tone.

"I'll clean it up! I swear. I'm going right now. See? Going!" Sherlock rushes back to the bathroom and she rolls her eyes, looking at Toby. "He is absolutely nuts, Tobes. You're lucky you've lasted this long unscathed."

Molly gets up and goes to "the" bedroom, quickly changing into her oversized pjs and her glasses, then goes to the kitchen to see what they have for dinner, finding only frozen meals or soup. Groaning she returns to the sofa. "Sherlock!"

An echoey shout comes from down the hall. "Almost finished! Give me a minute!"

"Pizza alright!?"

"Yeah!"

Molly smiles a bit and orders a pizza on her phone. Sherlock comes out a few moments later and puts his goggles away. "So erm...maybe wait until the morning to shower."

"Oh my God, what did you do?"

"Nothing just...shower in the morning to be safe."

Molly raises an eyebrow. "Please tell me you did not destroy my bathtub."

"I did not destroy your bathtub...I just kinda messed it up a bit. But it's fine now!"

"Ugh...it had better be."

Sherlock grins and kisses her cheek. "So...how was the rest of your day, after lunch? How's the girl?"

"It was really busy, so I had to rush a little bit, but it still came naturally. I thought I'd have more trouble going back than I did, aside from...y'know, the episode. Carly was amazing, she's a bit of a natural, and she helped speed things along. She's going to be an amazing pathologist one day. I hope I'm still there to work with her. That is if she doesn't take over my job."

"Noooo, nobody could ever take over. There is only one Molly Hooper. That, I can promise you. Oh, I wanted to ask if John could come over for dinner tomorrow. Just him. We have a smallish case. Shouldn't take us more than the day to solve.

"Sure, he's welcome whenever."

"Thanks...maybe you could tell him about...what happened. If you feel you can talk about it."

"About...? Ohh..About Mary. Yeah, I've meant to it just never seemed like the right time. I'll tell him. I hope it will help him more than sadden him. I'm still shocked that I can remember it. It's like a dream."

"I think it's magnificent...and I'm glad to know you weren't alone. That terrified me..."

Molly ruffles his curls and kisses him lovingly. "Mmm...as long as I have you, I'll never be alone again."

Sherlock grins and cuddles close to her, laying his head on her chest and hums contentedly like a second cat, as she strokes through his curls. "Me too."