Sherlock ran like mad through his room in the small boarding house where he had rented himself for the days.
"What was that? What happened there?" he said to himself.
Then he sat down at the desk in the room, opened his laptop and began his research. But he just couldn't concentrate. Why had Molly said that?
Then he remembered what he had actually planned to do about it. He knew that today was John's day off and that he would probably be at home. So he clicked on the icon to start the video call. It didn't take long before another window opened and John was visible. He looked at Sherlock with a slightly astonished look.
"Hello Sherlock. Have you cracked the case yet?"
"Not quite yet, but I'm close."
"Very good. And have you met Molly yet?"
-There was a short break and suddenly it became very quiet-
"Sherlock?" John then asked when he saw his friend across the street trying to avoid his gaze.
"Yes, I met her."
"What happened? What have you done?" asked John then, nervously stroking his hair.
"What makes you think I did something?" Sherlock asked in surprise.
''Sherlock, you don't just turn up like that unless there's something important. Besides, I can see you and your reaction speaks volumes. So what exactly have you done?''
'Oh, John. You just know me. I knew you'd see it right away,' he thought, then told him about the last few days and Molly's real reason for leaving London.
"So John, what am I to do now? You're right. I suppose it has something to do with feelings. And we both know that's more your area."
"Oh, Sherlock. You're quite right. It definitely has something to do with feelings," John began to explain.
"So, if I'm understanding you correctly, Molly went to Ireland because she wanted to forget you. And now you're with her in Ireland. And you slept with Molly in her bed, next to her. And are you going with her today to a party that is supposed to be a trap for Molly and pretend to be her boyfriend?!" John repeated once more and sighed heavily.
"I just said that," Sherlock replied, annoyed. But the more he thought about it the more it sounded crazy. No wonder Molly thought it was a stupid idea.
"Oh, boy, buddy. You really screwed up. No wonder Molly didn't think it was a good idea," John now confirmed to his friend.
"I know John but what am I going to do? I can't let Molly go to the party alone. And I thought that was the most obvious solution."
"But you haven't thought about her or her feelings, have you? Whatever, you're Sherlock Holmes." That last bit was John talking to himself.
"Aaargh John, this isn't helping!"
"OK, OK. So I'll tell you what you should do now. You're going to apologise to Molly for all the inconvenience. Then you're gonna take her to that party tonight. You're gonna be a gentleman and treat Molly like she deserves. And then you're gonna solve this fucking case!"
"Okay, and what am I gonna do about Molly?" Sherlock then asked.
"Try not to break her heart any more than you already have."
"Yeah, but..."
"Wait, you still love her, don't you?" John then asked, amazed. He wouldn't have thought that after all this time Sherlock still seemed to have feelings for Molly. After all, he had not said a word about her in all that time.
Sherlock did not answer. Instead, he looked around the room searching.
"Sherlock. Again, this is a video chat. I can see you! So is it true? Do you still love Molly?"
"Oh, man John! Yes, damn it, I still love Molly. I never stopped loving her. Ever since that night, I just can't forget her!"
"And did you tell her that?"
"Would I be here talking to you about it then?" Sherlock asked, slightly annoyed and rolled his eyes.
"You should tell her, I think," sighed John again. The reaction of his friend already astounded him.
"But how? Hasn't Molly come here to forget me? If I told her that now, I would destroy her life here, wouldn't I?" Sherlock concluded questioningly.
"Yes, you're probably right, but Sherlock, you have changed. You just paid attention to the feelings of others, especially Molly. But, to be honest, I don't really believe that I can make that decision for you. As stupid as it sounds, you're going to have to rely on your feelings.
'Great, then I'm abandoned' thought Sherlock and grabbed his forehead in desperation.
But John was right. Sherlock had changed. Shortly after Mary died, he felt these feelings for the first time. He felt guilt. Even though John finally didn't blame him for his wife's death, he felt guilty. He showed compassion when John collapsed crying in front of him and fear when his sister Eurus "experimented" with him. He felt this fear especially during this call. Fear for Molly. He had been downright panicked when Molly did not answer immediately. Yes and then there was this strange warm feeling in his heart and all over his body when he said these words to Molly.
Even though his sister had lured him into a trap at the time and, as he put it, had vivisected with him, she had somehow managed to bring down the wall around him and open the door to his feelings.
"Sherlock? You OK, mate?" it now asked from the other side.
"What? Yeah, right. Sorry, John. I've got to go. See you, bye.
And then he shut his laptop and thought about what John had said.
Maybe he should just go for it. After all, everyone deserves a second chance in life, don't they? And judging by her reaction, she feels the same way about Sherlock.
But first of all, he had to solve this case by talking to this cop Molly had told me about. So he grabbed his jacket and went on his way.