DISCLAIMER: I don't own Sherlock or any of the characters. Just a huge fan with an active imagination.

My Tears Ricochet by Taylor Swift.

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RICOCHET

Chapter 2 - Go With Grace

I didn't have it in myself to go with grace

And you're the hero flying around, saving face.

"Um, I see you are going out. Off to work then? John asked as he stood eyeing her nervously, hands clasped behind his back while shuffling his feet.

"No I am actually off today…"Molly said as she looked at the floor. They both stood in awkward silence. Neither of them not knowing what to say.

"John, is there something you needed? Is Rosie ok?…Is Sherlock ok?" Molly chewed her lip worriedly. She wanted to move on from Sherlock but that didn't mean she could just flip a switch and stop caring for him. John looked her up and down. He looked at her oddly.

"You look different. Did you do something your hair." He asked. Molly barked out a small laugh. She patted her hair self consciously and smiled.

"No, just decided to try something different. You didn't answer my question though. Is everything ok?"

"Do you think we could go to your flat. Im sorry if this is an inconvenient time but I really need to talk to you. I don't want to do it out here, it's about yesterday and Sherlock wanted to see how you…" Molly cut him off.

"If Sherlock wanted to see how I am he should have came himself. How dare he send you here like a personal message service." Molly exclaimed angrily. She could feel her face heating up. How dare he?! Sherlock had some nerve. He was obviously being a coward.

John looked around the foyer of her flat building quickly and came closer to her. "Look I know, I know…but I think you need to know what happened yesterday. The past couple days have been hell. I don't want to tell you out here. It's something that should be discussed in private. Please, I know you are angry but Im your friend and I want to make sure you are ok and to explain."

Two people came into the building and eyed them warily as they passed. Molly realised John was right. This wasn't the place to have this conversation and as angry as she was she wanted to hear the truth. She knew that at least John would give her that.

"Ok, Come on." She turned and headed back to flat with John following close behind. She opened the door, guided him to the living room while telling him to make himself at home, she then went to make tea. Did she really want to hear what he had to say? To possibly hear that Sherlock didn't really mean what he said. She jumped when the kettle started shrieking on the hob. As she poured the water into the mugs she could see her hands were slightly shaking. She just wanted to put this all behind her and concentrate on her list. The list that would propel her into everlasting happiness. She rolled her eyes at herself, picked up both mugs and walked into the living room.

"Sorry, I'm out of milk so it's going to have to be black tea Im afraid…" She was so focused on carrying both mugs that she didn't notice that John was crouched down and looking at something on the floor. When she finally looked up and saw what he was staring at she blushed. John picked up the remnants of her phone, stood up and opened him palm to show her the pieces all while he looked at her in confusion.

"So this explains why you didn't answer when I tried calling you earlier. I was calling to see if you were at home."

Molly set down the mugs on the coffee table and sank into her well worn armchair. Covering her face with both her hands she let out of groan.

"Ugh! Sorry, after yesterday I just needed to vent my frustration. As you can see frustration now vented." Molly said pointing to her broken phone.

John nodded understandingly and slowly sat on her couch opposite her. He leaned forward, put his elbows on his knees and opened his mouth. He closed it again. Molly could see he was trying to figure out what to say so she stayed silent and waited for him to gather his thoughts.

"What i'm about to tell you is top secret. If Mycroft found out he'd have me by the bollocks. So please don't breathe a word of this to anyone and I mean anyone, understood?"

Molly leaned forward in anticipation and worry. She assured John that she wouldn't breathe a word of this to anyone. She urged him to go on.

He then proceeded to explained everything. Eurus and how Moriarty met her, Sherringford, the game she had made them all play. He explained that in order to save her life Eurus told Sherlock to call her….about the coffin. He told her about Sherlock's parents and how Mycroft lied to them all these years. Finally, he explained that today Sherlock was on his way to Sherringford again, this time with his parents in tow. As John kept delving deeper into the story Molly felt as if she wanted to throw up. After John finished he collapsed back into the sofa. He folded into himself in exhaustion. They both sat in silence, him reliving it and she processing everything she just heard.

"Why me?" Molly asked. "Why single me out, why not Mrs. Hudson or Lestrad?" she asked.

John gave her an incredulous look while shaking his head. "Because you are probably the most important person in Sherlock's life…aside from me of course. The last part said in a joking manner.

"Suuuure, ok, and the sky is green and the grass is blue. We both know that Sherlock always has a motive for everything. He might have warmed up a little over the years but he still keeps people close for his own personal gain. Take you for instance, don't you get tired of it all. You are like his…bitch. Molly stuttered the last word and blushed.

John huffed in slight annoyance. "You don't really believe that Molly, deep down - you know - that he has changed a lot. Yes, Sherlock can be an absolute cock when he wants to be but he does care for you. You can't begin to comprehend how upset he was when your face came on the TV screen in Sherringford. He smashed the bloody coffin in rage! Rage I've never seen him exhibit before. So yes Molly Hooper you are very important to him."

Molly felt tears sliding down her face but didn't even have the strength to wipe them away. Her tears quickly turned into sobs as she put her head in both hands. She felt stupid and ashamed for doubting that Sherlock really cared for her. John came over and awkwardly patted her back. As she slowly stopped crying she started to hiccup. She took a deep breath in and said,

"John, I love him. I really do."

"I know, he and I have never talked about it but I believe he does too, but Im not sure if he is capable of giving you the love you want."

"I know, and that's what's killing me." She said dejectedly.

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After John left Molly sat on the sofa staring in to space. She had her list in her hand and every so often she glanced at it. This morning she felt a sense of purpose and now she felt lost. She shook her head to clear the noise in her head and stood up. She slammed her notepad down on her coffee table and decided she wasn't going to waste the day. She had planned on going to get new clothes today and she was sticking to it.

Hours later she returned. The sun was beginning to set as she stepped out of the cab. She had two bags in one hand three in the other, and her handbag falling off her shoulder. SHe was exhausted. From now on she was shopping online. As she walked into her building she was trying to pick her keys out of her bag unsuccessfully.

"Need a hand."

Molly looked up startled and dropping all her bags to floor. There stood Sherlock, leaning against her door looking cool and calm as ever. Why did he have to be so handsome. Molly blushed as she quickly picked up two bags. He strode over to her and picked up the rest. Molly quickly plucked her keys out of her bag and rather clumsily pushed the key into the lock on her door.

"Whh-at are you doing here?" She rolled her eyes at herself and wondered if she would ever not stumble over her words when she was around him. It was getting old. She opened the door, walked inside and looked at him. He seemed hesitant and unsure, something which Molly wasn't used to seeing him depict. Sherlock placed his arms behind his back and stood rigidly.

"May I come in?"

"Um, ok, yeah sure. You can give me the bags. Im just going to put them in my room real quick. Make yourself at home." She then turned and scuttled away to her bedroom. She dropped the bags onto the bed unceremoniously, hastily pulled off her her jacket, looked in the mirror and fluffed her hair. Her lipstick had been smudged away from being on all day but she wasn't going to reapply it. She did that once before and he had noticed it straight away. She took the bag which contained milk and biscuits and walked towards the kitchen. Luckily she stopped at the shops on her way home.

"Im just going to make some tea she called out, would you like any?" She called out as she filled up the kettle and turned on the hob. Maybe she should have a sneaky shot of tequila to calm her nerves. After the last couple days they were definitely frayed. No, he would notice that too. I guess its good old fashion courage that was going to get her through this. She noticed He didn't answer her question. In fact it was exceptionally quiet. She walked into the living room and saw that he was standing in the middle of the room facing away from her with his head down. She called his name quietly.

"Sherlock, did you hear me?"

He turned as if in slow motion. There, in his hands, was her notebook with the list on it.

"Are you really going to leave?" He asked slowly and quietly. Mortified, Molly snatched the book from his hand and cuddled it close to her chest.

"Sherlock, this is private." She felt absolutely humiliated. No one was supposed to see the list, especially not him.

"Well maybe you shouldn't leave it out. Someone might be mistaken thinking it is for the public's perusal. Sherlock said matter-of-factly as he turned her eyebrow up at her.

"This is my flat and you know I live here alone, there is no public here to peruse it." She shouted as she blinked back hot tears. She would not cry in front of him. Luckily the kettle started to squeal so she briskly walked into the kitchen and turned off the hob. She careless made the tea, banging cabinets and slamming doors. He came up behind her and said,

"We need to talk."

"I know." She inhaled deeply and whispered. She finished making the tea and handed him his mug. They both walked back to the living room in silence. Molly had a feeling it was going to be a long night.

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