St. Bart's laboratory

Molly was just bending over the microscope to examine some fibres she had found on the body during the autopsy. Lestrade asked her to do a detailed examination, as this was in connection with a murder case.

When she was suddenly interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Hello Molly"

Katie stood in the doorway and smiled at her.

It took Molly a short time to realise who was standing in front of her. She had changed. Her hair was longer and a slightly different colour but she couldn't forget that smile, that warm smile.

"Oh my God, Katie!" she screamed and ran frantically towards her to take her in her arms.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were in Chicago?"

Now Katie laughed as she saw how joyfully Molly greeted her.

"I was. But after hearing that Moriarty was dead and that I'd almost been killed by a serial killer, I decided to come back."

"Oh my God, Katie is this true? That's horrible. I'm sorry, but you're okay?"

Katie nodded.

"And does John already know you're here and do you know where you'll be living now? And -"

"Molly, slow down" laughed Katie.

"I'm sorry but I'm so happy to see you. I must say this is a very interesting month. First Sherlock returns from the dead and then you reappear. Oh, my God, you don't know about Sherlock, do you?"

Sherlock. The name made her heart jump in her chest. So he was able to complete his mission successfully.

"I had heard about his suicide on the news, yes. And when he resurfaced.

She did not want to tell her yet that he had visited her in Chicago.

"Yes, that was one of those things. Quite exciting. But tell me, what are you doing here? Do you want to stay in London, or are you just passing through and going back to Leeds?"

"I've been there. I had some things to sort out and now I'm looking for a flat and a job. That's why I wanted to talk to you. But say, wouldn't you like to have lunch with me?"

"Very good idea. We can meet in half an hour at the bistro just around the corner. I need something else than this canteen food," she suggested, twisting her eyes playfully.

Katie was glad that Molly was happy to see her and wasn't angry that she hadn't contacted her. She was sure that Molly could also help her find a job and would certainly put in a good word with her supervisor. Lost in thought, she was heading for the bistro that Molly had suggested when she was suddenly hit by the swinging open door.

"Oh my God, I'm sorry. I didn't see you" A beautiful blonde woman was bent over her. In her hands she was holding two cups.

"It's okay. Nothing happened. I'm fine. It's hard to push open a door and coordinate with two full hands" joked Katie and slowly stood up again.

The blonde woman smiled now too.

"Yes, you're right. But without (she held the cups up) I wouldn't get through the day and my boss would drive me crazy."

Now both had to laugh. Then the woman apologised because her lunch break would soon be over and said goodbye to her.

Katie looked at her for a moment and smiled. What a nice and lovely woman, she thought to herself.

Then she entered the small bistro and started looking for a place to sit. She decided on a table further back, where you could talk undisturbed.

It didn't take long and Molly came in through the door. She briefly greeted the owner, apparently she often went out to eat here, ordered her usual food and then joined Katie.

As she took off her jacket and thick scarf, she spoke.

"So what did you want to talk to me about?"

Katie took a deep breath.

"So, as you know, I have a degree in scientific forensics from the Department of Forensic Psychiatry. However, as there are no vacancies in this area at the moment and I saw that you were looking for a lab assistant, I wanted to ask you if you could put in a good word with your boss? I have already submitted my application earlier".

Molly pondered for a moment. Then she smiled.

"Of course I'll do it. It would be great if you and I could work together. And I could devote more time to my real work again. So, now that that's settled, tell me, how have you been the last few years, apart from running from some murderers?"

Molly and her jokes. But she liked her for it and that she didn't worry about it, even if her jokes were sometimes abysmally bad.

So Katie told her about her life in Chicago. That she had worked in a bar where she met Jack. That she helped him with cases from time to time and they fell in love but in the end it was all a lie.

Molly listened carefully all the time, trying to comfort her at the right moments. Afterwards Katie wanted to know what Molly had been up to all these years and how things were going with her fiancé Tom. Molly loved her stories and raved about him all the time. Katie had to smile all the time, but it couldn't reach her eyes. She couldn't stop thinking about Sherlock. I wonder if he had already forgotten her.

At some point Molly changed the subject.

"What I wanted to ask you. How are you actually doing, after what happened, I mean in the first few months? We couldn't talk about it again then," Molly stammered.

Yes, Molly knew about it, too. She had talked to John about it after that message and Molly was also in the room. At first she was less enthusiastic but her loving and warm nature had helped her a lot.

"Molly. It's okay. It's not a taboo subject. I mean, I still think about it a lot and still feel a little guilty that I couldn't stop it but I'm okay. Thanks for asking."

"And does Sherlock know?"

Katie, who just took a sip of her water, now spat it across the table.

"How did... how do you know about this?"

"Katie, I'm not stupid. I saw it on your face back at the airfield and the fact that Sherlock wasn't there confirmed my suspicions. Oh, and by the way, you owe me a new sofa" Molly replied warningly, but she still smiled.

Katie had lowered her eyes. Her cheeks were colouring.

"Molly, I'm so sorry. I mean, you were so nice to me. You let me into your house and I knew how you felt about Sherlock back then and I stupid cow, do something like that! And of course, I'll pay you another one. That is, as soon as I get a job."

Molly smiled lovingly and then reached for Katie's hand.

"Everything is okay. I am not angry with you and you are not a stupid cow. I've seen how he always looked at you and I knew that I'll never have a chance with him. Besides, I have Tom now!

So are you gonna tell him? Does he know you're back?"

Katie was deeply touched by her nature. How could anyone be so sweet and understanding?

"No, I don't think he knows, and I want it to stay that way. I don't know how to tell him and besides, there's nothing there now. I mean, I don't have it anymore. So he's not committed to anything.

And no, I haven't contacted him since I got back. But he will certainly know through his brother. I honestly don't know if I'm ready to see him yet." There was a brief pause.

"You should know that four months ago, Sherlock came to live with me for a few days. He was looking for one of Moriarty's networks and needed a hideout. He'd also saved me from this serial killer when it turned out to be the same man. But nothing happened. Well, nothing except this one kiss when he left. I haven't heard from him since."

Molly swallowed.

"I understand but I think he's gonna want to know. You should tell him. He's changed."

Katie sighed.

"I don't know, Molly. I'll think about it. But right now, I really need a place to live and a job. I can't stay in a hotel much longer."

"I'll take care of it. Don't worry about it. If I know anything, I'll get back to you. But, you know, if you get the job, you'll see more of Sherlock?!"

Katie hadn't thought about it yet but she needed the job and she wanted to work in a laboratory again after so long.

"I'll manage somehow. I mean, I'm gonna meet him sooner or later anyway.

Katie quickly gave her her new number and thanked her for her help and understanding. Then they said goodbye, as Molly had to go back.

Of course this was a lie. It was not okay. She was not ready to see him again. What would he say? Would he tell her about the time with her or this kiss goodbye? Probably not. He would probably have forgotten her by now.

She thought about what Molly had told her. Sherlock's changed. He'd want to know. Would he really? There was really only one person who knew what Sherlock was really like. So she went to the person who knew Sherlock best and trusted him the most.