Molly remembered the first time Sherlock had seen her - instead of seeing through her. He'd looked up from his microscope, eyes darting quickly to John, then up to her face. She had noticed his sorrow when no one else had, and she'd given it a voice. There was a facade he gave to the entire world, but he was as human as any of them.
She had helped him when he asked and he'd used her flat as a bolt hole. He moved straight into her bedroom. That was okay with her. She fit more comfortably on the couch than he would and it was only for a few nights. Afterwords she had reluctantly washed the sheets. The thought of sleeping where he has slept, laying her head where his had been, it was tempting. But he was destined to travel far away and maybe not come back. She was already devastated by his need to leave. She didn't need to add that to her already aching heart.
So now each time her fingers paused, poised above the keyboard of her phone, she remembered that dark time. There were no words she could use that would express why she'd reacted so negatively in the morgue.
It was complicated.
She couldn't read his motives in the slant of his cheekbones or in how he styled his hair. She wasn't a genius - not like he was. When she looked at him he seemed so closed. She had no idea what he was thinking from one moment to the next. All she knew was he had kissed her. That certainly wasn't his first kiss. And here she thought he might be a virgin. She strongly doubted it now. What else might he be hiding?
Molly sighed and picked up her phone again. Her outbox was full of unsent texts. She deleted them all.
Her phone bleeped and immediately her heart was racing.
Forgive me. -SH
There's nothing to forgive. -Molls
I think we both know better than that. There's a reason you reacted so strongly. -SH
Molly bit at her lip, unsure what to say to that. He apparently knew why she was upset. She hadn't really thought about it. Of course he would know. This was Sherlock.
It felt like I was being used. Again. I thought you wanted something. -Molls
There's only one thing I want. -SH
Molly reminded herself to breathe. Her hands were shaking as she typed out a reply.
What's that? -Molls
Another chance. -SH
Molly felt absurdly pleased. There was warmth in her cheeks and her stomach was churning.
We've missed you the last few times at game night. Will I see you tomorrow? -Molls
I'll be there. Good night Molly. -SH