Chapter 5 - Pasta, Edinburgh and Explanations

Molly burst through her flat and ran into her bedroom. She haphazardly started throwing clothes into her weekend bag. She wasn't supposed to be leaving for Edinburgh until tomorrow but she couldn't stay in the city, not tonight, maybe not ever. As she slammed the door to her wardrobe her finger got caught in the frame and she swore loudly.

"Fuck!"

Poor Toby, he had been curled up on the bed sleeping and jumped at her explicative. He hadn't really warmed up to her yet and this was surely going to cause him to continue giving her a wide berth.

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she pressed her lips together and held her smashed finger tightly. It throbbed like crazy, but there was nothing to see. It wasn't swollen, cut, or black-and-blue. It just hurt like everything. Molly sat on the bed and dropped her head down in defeat. The tears dripped like rain on to her jeans and the drops created round patterns on the material. She felt a small nudge on her arm, looked up and saw Toby looking at her. He started to purr and rub his body on her arm. She smiled and slowly stroked his head. He probably sensed her extreme anguish and knew that she needed some comfort.

"Oh Toby, what am I going to do?" She asked half to Toby and half to herself. Something inside Molly squeezed shut. The hurt in her heart pounded on that invisible shut door. It was an old, familiar hurt.

She wiped her eyes and was determined to get out of London tonight. Getting away might put things in perspective. She calmly finished packing her bags and checked train times. If she hurried she could get the train from Euston at 9:40pm. She quickly ran down the hall and knocked on her neighbour's door. Ms Maria or Mama Maria as she she liked to be called came from Italy to England thirty years ago. Everyone in the building held her in great regards. She loved animals and as soon as she saw Toby she had offered to watch him whenever Molly needed. She knocked on the door and Mama Maria answered, she smiled brightly when she saw Molly.

"Ciao Molly, come in come in. You hungry, I cook pasta. You so skinny. I fatten you up like a cow. Men love something to grab onto, no?"

Molly chuckles and explained, "This is actually a short visit unfortunately. I have a last minute trip to Edinburgh tonight and I was wondering if you could watch Toby till Sunday."

Mama Maria shook he finger at her and pushed her into her kitchen and forcibly sat Molly down in a chair at her table. "You young people - go, go, go. You never take time to smell the flowers. Here eat this," she said as she put a plate of pasta in front of Molly and continued, "Then you go bring Toby. I watch him for you."

Molly knew better than to reject the food, it would be a great insult to her. So she ate as quickly as she could without being rude and gulped down the glass of wine Maria had set next to the plate. Molly wiped her mouth with her serviette and thanked Mama Maria for the amazing meal.

"I'll go get Toby and all his things, I'll be right back. "

Mama Maria shooed her away and started cleaning up the where Molly had just sat. Molly gather Toby's toys, kitty litter, food, and of course Toby and rushed back to Maria's flat. Molly gave Toby a quick cuddle, she felt bad leaving him after just bonding for the first time less than an hour ago.

Mama Maria pulled Molly into a hug and said…

"Now then you get back we have a better meal and talk about the handsome man that come to your door and about why you are running and sad. Hmmm?"

"How do you know there's a man?"

"Mama Maria know things…and I saw him many times going to your flat. You always look happy but now, now you look affronto."

Molly looked confused and asked what the last part meant.

Mama Maria patted Molly's cheek in a motherly fashion and smiled sadly, "Heartbroken."

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Later, As she boarded the train Molly tried to let go of her frustration with Sherlock and everything else. She wished she felt excitement. She normally loved traveling cross country on the train and would have been looking forward to this part of the adventure…if she wasn't so tired.

Molly felt numb all the way to Edinburgh. Everything inside her felt shaken by the thought that Irene could be a better match for Sherlock than she was. She scrambled emotionally to pick up whatever wasn't shattered and to find a safe place to store her feelings in her heart. Why would Sherlock want time to think about them being together when he didn't want to be? At 4am the train rolled into the station and Molly just wanted to get to her hotel and sleep for at least twelve hours. The whole train journey she didn't sleep. She kept looking at her phone, hoping Sherlock would text, but no. Again she expected too much of him.

Molly quickly picked up her bag and shuffled outside the station to look for a taxi. Mike should have sent the hotel reservation to her by now. She had called him to let him know she was going a day early and he kindly offered to arrange her hotel. She opened her emails and checked the address of the hotel on her phone. She hopped in the first taxi she could find and was on her way.

When the taxi pulled up over she found herself at the front of the large, opulent castle-like hotel. The entrance was huge and dramatic, and the intricate designs on the building's front made it look old, grand, and very expensive. As she entered the lobby and treaded lightly across the rich burgundy-and gold-patterned carpet she wondered if Mike had made a mistake. There's no way the hospital would pay for this. The uniformed desk clerk looked up at her with a smile and welcomed her to the hotel. Molly gave her name and the man typed it into the computer, he looked at her again, walked away and went behind a closed door. Great she thought, I bet this is the wrong hotel and there is no way she was paying for a place like this out of her own pocket. An older gentleman came out, greeted her and asked her if she indeed was Molly Hooper. She confirmed she was and he looked very pleased.

"Hello, my name is Alastair McConnell and you are most welcome here. You will be my personal guest." He said in a thick Scottish accent. He turned to the desk clerk and said, "Put Miss Hooper in our best suite."

He could clearly see the baffled look on Molly's face and explained.

"Mike Stamford and I grew up together, we are like brothers. He called me and said his best employee was coming in to Edinburgh and to give her the best treatment."

I'd would be honoured to stay in your hotel, sir," Molly said with a bashful smile. She'd have to call Mike in the morning and thank him.

Graham here will check you in and call for assistance for your bag. Please call on me if you have any problems at all." The jovial Mr McConnell stepped away from her to greet another guest who had just exited the elevator.

"Your key, miss," the clerk said.

"Thanks," Molly said, taking the key. He rang a bell on the counter twice, and a young man in a tuxedo immediately appeared and picked up Molly's bag. Molly followed the bellhop to the elevator. He pushed a button, and they rode to the top floor. He then ushered her down a long, carpeted hallway to the door at the very end marked Park Suite. She unlocked the door and once again, her mouth dropped open as she took in the huge living room area with a brilliant golden chandelier hanging in the centre. Straight ahead was a fireplace with an elaborate golden mantel. To the left were large windows covered with elegant gold brocade drapes. To the right was a huge entertainment centre and a round dining room table. The bellhop walked over to the curtains and opened them, displaying a view of the enchanting lights of the town below. A sliding-glass door opened to a balcony. He went to the door on the far left, opened it, and motioned for Molly to enter. As she strolled through the door, she saw a huge bedroom with a large bed, a table, a couch, a television, and an adjoining bathroom with a sunken bathtub. She had never seen anything like this!

"Here you go,"Molly said, pulling some money from his pocket to tip the bellhop. He refused to take her money. "Enjoy," he said with a smile and then left.

Molly had gone crazy over the free, first-class accommodations. She treated herself to a bath and crawled into bed still commenting to herself on every gorgeous detail of their room. Sleep eventually found her and took her away into a dreamless sleep.

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Molly woke up to her mobile ringing over and over. By time she opened her eyes and picked it up it stopped. She blinked rapidly to clear the sleepiness from her eyes checked the time and saw that it was 11am. She also saw that she had four missed calls from Sherlock and twelve texts. She has one text from John and one call. She also had one missed call from Mrs. Hudson. Molly groaned and slammed her phone back down on the bedside table. Why couldn't everyone just leave her alone. Her phone rang again and without looking at it she answered.

"Sherlock I don't want to talk to you right now, please leave me alone."

"Hi Molly, not Sherlock. It's John."

"Hi John. Whats up? Calling behalf of Sherlock? Molly asked as she wiped her hand over her face. She knew John meant well, she just didn't want to deal with this right now.

"Uh Yes, and as a friend too. What happened yesterday?"

"Really John, I didn't expect this from you. You know she is staying there. If you were a friend a courtesy call would have been nice." She ridiculed. She was so tired of everyone treating her like she was stupid…she was doctor for goodness sake.

"Look, you're right maybe I should have called but Sherlock is actually losing it right now. He went to your flat and you were gone. Apparently he tried figuring out where you were at by breaking in but he couldn't see anything to indicate where you went. We are both worried about you. Molly I've never seen him so distraught. Ive had to go to my sisters because he was shooting at wall again. I can't have Rosie in that environment."

Molly almost caved when she heard him talk about Sherlock being so out of sorts , but as soon as she thought of Irene sitting in his flat naked and then how he spoke to her outside she hardened her resolve and chuckled humourlessly.

"Oh poor Sherlock, is he feeling upset? Imagine how I feel John! Im not bowing down to this pressure of putting Sherlock first, not this time. Emotions are trivial to him, Im sure he will get over it eventually."

John was silent and then sighed.

"Molly the way you're talking it sounds like you aren't coming back."

"Maybe I won't."she said defiantly whispered.

"Molly where are you?"She stay silent as he continued, "Look I won't tell him. Just, please, for my own peace of mind.

"Edinburgh, there's a job position here and honestly John Im really thinking of taking it." She croaked. Her throat felt like it was closing up and her eyes prickled with tears.

"Thank you but please whenever you get back please talk to him. If anything you both will need closure."

"Ok." She agreed with a sniffle. "Look John I have to go. I have a meeting is a couple hours."

"Take care of yourself."

"I will. Bye."

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Her meeting was a success and she had to say she could really see herself working here. As she took off her suit jacket, She roughly kicked off her shoes in protest at the shitty situation she found herself in.

"Be careful Miss Hooper, you might damage the furniture."

Molly screamed and looked round the corner to the sofa in her suite.

"Mycroft. Jesus you scared me half to death…how did you get in here?"She asked as she inspected her door lock curiously.

"Why don't you have a seat Miss Hooper. We have much to talk about and I have a very busy schedule I must keep."

"Why are you here?" Molly's eyes narrowed in defiance as she ignored his request to sit and stood near the door.

"My, My, you've become very spirited haven't you, no doubt from having to deal with my dear younger sibling."

" Which one Mycroft, you have two younger siblings, or have you forgot…again?"

"Touche´." He said as he shifted uncomfortably in his chair, Molly had obviously struck a nerve.

"What do you want?"

"Look we obviously got off on the wrong foot. We need to talk about Sherlock. Please sit." He smiled courteously as he gestured to the seat opposite him.

"No." Molly shook her head as she crossed her arms and Mycroft looked at her incredulously.

"Are you saying no to the head of British Intelligence, that isn't very patriotic is it. She stayed silent so he continued, " I can see you aren't in the mood to have a chat. Im here to warn you my brother is here and he is on his way up to the room. I was trying to be on your side but its too late now." Mycroft stood up and buttoned up his suit jacket

"Why did you tell him where I was? You had no right. This has nothing to do with British Intelligence. This is a private matter." Molly was absolutely livid.

"Nothing concerning my baby brother is private. If you wish to engage in a relationship him you'll have to learn that. Also, Mama Maria, is it, is very friendly and quite chatty. I can only guess that's where Sherlock got his information."

Molly blushed and put her head in her hands.

Suddenly there was a loud knock on the door. Mycroft opened it and there stood Sherlock slightly out of breath.

"Miss Hooper, it has been a pleasure. Im sure I'll be seeing you around. Brother, I like her, don't be stupid."

"Since when are you one for sentimentality Mycroft?" Sherlock sneered while trying to push him out the door.

"Normally Im not, you know this, but there is something about this one." Mycroft pointed his chin at Molly, then turned around and slowly walked towards the elevator.

Sherlock shut the door, locked it and turned around to look at Molly. He stepped towards her and slipped his arms around Molly's shoulders and pulled her close. He planted a hard blistering kiss on her lips.

He pulled away and he whispered urgently, "Don't ever disappear like that again. Please."

Molly could see the anguish in his eyes and she she look down at the floor as she stepped away from him. She gathered her thoughts and stated.

You have no right to say that to me. How many times have you've been careless and rash? We aren't together Sherlock. I can go where I please without letting you know my every move. Do you not remember how we parted yesterday? Im not exactly thrilled to see you right now to be honest."

The normally stoic and calm Sherlock stuttered and apologised.

"I-Im sorry. I want to explain to you why Irene was in my flat."

Was? As in past tense?" Molly sighed.

"Yes, Mycroft has taken over her security detail. He should have in the first place."

"I guess we should sit. Let me just call room service."

"Im not hungry." Sherlock replied. Molly ignored him if she knew Sherlock as well as she thought she did, she could guarantee he hadn't eaten anything today and possibly yesterday.

"Hi yes, this is Molly Hooper in the Park Suite. I'd like to order room service please?" She looked over at Sherlock and saw that he was staring at her intently. Momentarily distracted by their gazing at one another she asked for the person on the other end of the line to repeat what they said. "Id like tea for two and four scones please. Clotted cream and jam, yes. Ok thank you."

Molly hung up, walked to the sofa, and sat down next to Sherlock. As they waited for the tea they small talked which was clearly very painful for Sherlock. After they had both eaten a scone and were sipping their tea Molly said.

"Go on then."

"Irene is pregnant." Sherlock stated.

Molly chocked on her tea and almost dropped her cup. The saucer and cup clacked together causing the two to almost shatter. Sherlock seeing her face and the implication that was made he clarified.

"Oh god no, the child isn't mine."

Molly coughed to clear her throat and banged on her chest.

"You are such an idiot Sherlock Holmes, now why would you say it like that?"

"I guess I could have said it better but she is and the father of the child is of great importance who wants nothing more than to see the child and her dead."

"Oh god it's not Mycroft's is it?"

"That would have been hilarious but no, the father is the Prime Minister of England, the married Prime Minister of England."

"Oh my goodness!"

"Because of this she a wanted woman. They hope to eradicate her and the child. I was offering my protection but after talking over everything with John I can understand why you would be upset."

"That's simply awful. How could they kill a child, like it means nothing?"

"She's not exactly innocent. She does has leverage in all this. She intends to use the child as a bartering chip for state secrets she gain while entangled with the Prime Minister." Sherlock informed her as he finished his tea and placed it on the table next to him.

"What do you mean by a bartering chip?" Molly sat there horrified.

"Well she intends to carry the baby to term and sell the baby to whoever wants secrets she had collected that can be used against England. So, Mycroft will keep her in an undetermined location until the time she is to give birth. She thought if she came to her I would help. I did have plans to turn her over to British Intelligence but I was trying to lull her to a false sense of security… then you showed up."

Molly was stunned into silence. Sherlock grabbed her hands and implored, "I should have told you. If we are to be in a relationship Im going to have to learn to trust you with everything."

Molly's head shot up. "Wait so does that mean…"

"It's a yes from me. Let's give it a go." Sherlock smiled boyishly.

Molly leapt into his arms then pulled away.

"Wait are you sure?"

"Yes Molly." Sherlock playfully said and rolled his eyes.

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