The days passed and Molly's condition hardly changed. It was now the 10th day since Molly first showed signs and she seemed to get worse with each passing day.
The doctors were all acting strangely and Sherlock could not explain it. He also got nowhere with his investigation into the cause of Carter's death. He put his brother on it, in the departments to investigate but so far without success.
John and Mary were also back from their honeymoon and visited Molly regularly in the hospital as soon as they heard.
Sherlock also stopped by from time to time to make sure she was still alive.
He just couldn't make sense of what her condition was all about. But he knew one thing. There had to be a connection with the letters and Molly's condition.
"So Sherlock, tell me about this secret letter writer? In the meantime, have you figured out who's behind it?
John had been back for 3 days and today he visited Baker Street and his friend again for a long time.
"NO! And that drives me crazy. I've tried everything, tested everything. Took the paper apart. Even asked Mycroft for help but NOTHING! The only one who could have really told me anything was that Carter guy but he's dead!" growled Sherlock, slightly exasperated.
"Okay. It's just an idea and you may not approve of it, but maybe you should go to Scotland Yard with it. Maybe Greg or something can help" John suggested.
"Pfff, how are they going to be able to help me? They can't even solve a case without my help" Sherlock arrogantly replied.
John made an annoyed sound.
"Sherlock!" he admonished loudly.
The latter winced slightly at his tone in response.
"John, I know... but this is literally a matter of life and death! And I'm not going to wait until Scotland Yard gets its head out of its ass and starts working!"
"What do you mean it's a matter of life and death?" asked John, curious and slightly confused.
"I think the letters and Molly's condition are related" he then calmly explained and let out a small sigh.
"Oh, okay. Can I see the letters?" asked John then.
Sherlock replied with a pointing hand gesture towards the desk, showing him where to find them.
John picked them up and took a quick look over them. Every now and then he asked a few questions.
"Do you have any idea what he wants you to pay for?"
Sherlock shook his head.
"I have no idea. It could be anything. You know Scotland Yard almost tripled its crime-solving rate thanks to me. But I've gone through all my cases and just couldn't find a clue to anyone who might want to take revenge on me, or who might have the skills to do so."
John rolled his eyes slightly in annoyance at his friend's statement about Scotland Yard, but then nodded. He then continued to flip through the letters and at one he suddenly stopped and frowned in confusion. His eyebrows lifted slightly.
I WILL TAKE AWAY WHAT YOU LOVE THE MOST!
"And you think these letters and Molly's sudden illness are connected?"
"Huh?" asked Sherlock, straightening his head. His hands, meanwhile, supported his head at his sides.
"I already told you that! Why are you asking that now?" he retorted, annoyed.
"So this secret letter writer has administered or done anything to Molly" John then stated to himself.
"Yes, he did and I've already told you that too. So what's your point?" he asked still annoyed.
"Okay, so let me recap. You've been receiving mysterious messages from SOMEONE threatening to make you pay for anything and take away what you love. In the same breath, Molly suddenly fell ill and her condition continues to deteriorate. And your guess is that the two are somehow connected. If you ask me, that's a pretty strange connection."
John grinned slightly.
"JOHN! What are you getting at?!" shouted Sherlock, standing up jerkily from his chair and then standing next to his friend.
At this, John just frowned even more. Sometimes his friend could be quite slow on the uptake, he just thought to himself and shook his head, slightly amused.
"Sherlock, this last message." he said, then held the letter up to his face.
When he offered nothing in return, John heaved a heavy sigh and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"Sherlock! You love Molly!" he cried out in surprise and almost euphoria.
Sherlock then stared at him with wide eyes. A slight blush crept onto his cheeks and he quickly turned his head so his friend wouldn't see.
"Don't be ridiculous, John. I'm sure it isn't!" he said gruffly, moving away from him to take a seat on the opposite couch.
John noticed Sherlock's sudden change in demeanor and also his nervousness. A small grin crept across his lips.
"You didn't really deny it. So it's true. You're in love with Molly and the mysterious letter writer knows about it" John said still grinning.
Sherlock stared at his counterpart, wishing his friend could wipe that silly grin off his face. Of course, it hadn't taken John long to figure it out. How could he? He was his best friend and simply knew Sherlock better than he knew himself in some things. And yes, it was true. Sherlock was in love with Molly and had been for a long time. He only really realized it during the years he was away. That he could not say goodbye to her pained him greatly. From day to day his thoughts turned to Molly and with them his feelings for her grew. And when he could finally see her again, he felt it. With every smile, with every touch, and with every kiss, he gave her another piece of his heart. The letter writer must have realized this as well and wanted to see Sherlock suffer with it. Sherlock had taken something he loved from him and he was doing the same to him now. Guilt spread through him. The thought of something happening to Molly, and because of him, plagued him heavily. And maybe, just maybe, he should talk to his friend about his feelings.
"Sherlock?" asked John, when he hadn't heard from his friend in several minutes.
The latter exhaled deeply once and sat up straight. Then he turned his gaze to John.
Quietly he began to speak.
"It's...it's...true." he stammered slightly.
"I have feelings for Molly, and the thought of that son of a bitch doing anything to her because of me is killing me!"
Briefly, John had to grin again. He had to bite his lips to keep from saying, "I knew it!"
John just knew it and had always known it. But his smile quickly disappeared when he heard that Molly was in danger. He had so many questions but time was of the essence. John could ask Sherlock about his feelings even after they solved the case.
"Okay and what are you going to do now? If it's really related to Molly, it would have to be someone who knows you and her, right?"
"I've come up with that idea myself. I've been lighting up everyone in my immediate circle and hers but nothing. I just can't figure out who would be behind this and why now."
"Okay. So maybe we should start over. What have you found out about these people so far?"
Sherlock then explained to John all the information he had gathered about each person in Molly's and his entourage.
After he finished his explanation, a stifling silence fell.
Both seemed to be deep in thought.
They were interrupted when suddenly John's phone rang.
It was Mary. She sounded excited.
"John?! Can you come to the hospital. It's about Molly. And bring Sherlock!" she explained calmly with a slightly nervous undertone.
He assured her that they were on their way immediately before hanging up and then turning to his friend. There was wonderment but also concern in his eyes.
"They want us to come to the hospital. It's about Molly."
Immediately Sherlock rose from his seat and took his scarf and coat from the coat rack. Panic spread through him.
`Hopefully it wasn't too late'
