To my guest reviewers, thank you! I'm not sure if I feel super satisfied with how this chapter turned out, but I hope y'all enjoy anyways!
They had been avoiding each other. It had already been two weeks since Molly had last spoken to Sherlock, breaking his heart. She had taken every shift she could get to take her mind off the fact she was an emotional train wreck. For the first couple of days after what was now deemed the 'Sherrinford Incident,' Sherlock had texted and called her numerous times, but Molly couldn't bring herself to answer him. As a last resort, he had even tried to visit at her flat, but instead of welcoming him inside, she remained as quiet as possible until he left. He had given up on contacting her after that.
After what felt like hours spent sorting through the stacks of paperwork in her office, Anderson rushed in. "This has gone on long enough."
Molly's face twisted in confusion. "What has?"
"This!" Anderson gestured to her. "You avoiding Sherlock. What happened? Why did you lie to him?"
With a heavy sigh, Molly replied, "I don't really know. It's rather complicated."
"Well, then un-complicate it," he told her. "I know, you're probably wondering why I even care, but—"
Molly giggled. "This wouldn't have anything to do with your theory on how Sherlock survived, would it?" Anderson made a face at her. "Look, it's sweet that you care, really. It all comes down to the fact that what I once thought would never happen is now happening, and it scares the hell out of me." Molly took a steadying breath. "I just—I'm not ready. I thought I was and I wasn't." She couldn't understand why she was confiding in, of all people, Philip Anderson.
Just then, Stamford poked his head through the doorway. "Molly, could you come take a quick look at something for me?"
She nodded, giving Anderson a sad smile as she left.
"Guess I'll have to do it the hard way, then," he muttered under his breath, spotting Molly's cellphone on her desk. Taking it in his hands, he opened up to the lock screen. A four digit pin was needed to gain access. "It could be her birthday…" he mused. "No, wait…Sherlock's birthday." He typed in 0601 which then unlocked the device. It was time to send a message.
"Wasn't this originally on the mantle?" John asked, prying the knife out of the wall. He studied his friend who had remained in his chair, unmoving. "Sherlock?"
"Hm?" he sounded. Zeroing in on the knife, he realised what John must have asked him. "Oh, it was."
"Right," John replied. "And, uh, maybe I should get Mrs. Hudson to dust in here; I know she'd like to."
"If she'd like," Sherlock sighed.
This had gone on long enough. Sherlock definitely hadn't been himself lately. It was common knowledge that Molly harbored feelings for him, so why did he believe such an obvious lie?
"Alright, Sherlock, talk to me." John pulled up his chair. When Sherlock didn't answer, he attempted a different approach. "Molly does love you."
Sherlock gave in. "You don't think I know that?"
"Then why—"
He ran his hands angrily through his curls. "John, it's obvious she believes me unworthy of her heart. This is a woman that obviously wishes she didn't feel anything for me."
"Don't do that," John warned him. "Do not try to disconnect yourself from Molly by referring to her as 'this woman.'" If Sherlock was going to make any headway, he needed to get out of this state of mind. "For what it's worth, there is no way in hell that Molly finds you unworthy."
Sherlock scoffed. "Yes, well, she—" His mobile rang and he picked it up see who was bothering him now. His eyes lit up. "—She texted."
John's eyebrows shot up.
Sherlock, please come by the lab so we can talk. –Molly
Anderson made sure to delete the text after sending it. Hopefully being in the same room wouldn't kill them. When Molly did return to her office, she asked Anderson if he'd like to help run some tests on the current murder victim in the morgue. He agreed in hopes of seeing what would transpire when Sherlock arrived. They had only been in the lab for fifteen minutes when the detective strolled through the doors, a small paper bag in hand.
"Sherlock," Molly exclaimed with surprise. Her eyes shifted to the bag he carried. "What's that?"
"Cinnamon apple scones; your favourite," he smiled. "I thought you might need some sustenance."
Molly's heart was in a state, beating rapidly in her chest. He seemed cheerful despite everything, which only left her wondering why he suddenly decided to see her at work where she really couldn't run from him. "That's…very thoughtful of you," she smiled. "Thank you."
Sherlock looked at her as if she was his favourite person in the whole world. And truth be told, she was. "You wanted to talk, so here I am. I am here to listen."
She furrowed her brows in confusion. "I never—"
Anderson coughed…loudly. It almost sounded like he said "talk to him."
Sherlock turned toward him, a look of annoyance on his face. Anderson took the cue to leave the lab, but he remained just outside the open door.
"You love me," Sherlock stated simply.
Molly's eyes widened. "What?" He clearly didn't believe the lie that escaped her lips two weeks ago.
Taking her hands in his, Sherlock looked into her warm brown eyes. "I know you lied to me, Molly, but what I don't know is why."
Molly shook her head. "I don't understand. If you knew I lied to you, then why did it hurt you if you knew the truth?"
He sighed. "It wasn't what you lied about, Molly; it was the fact that you lied at all." Sherlock released her hands. "I know I haven't been the easiest person to be friends with; I know I've hurt you in the past, but the one thing I take pride in is that I have never lied to you."
Molly felt tears welling up in her eyes. "I'm sorry that I lied. Sherlock, I just—I love you…but I don't want to."
Her words, though truthful, cut him like a dull knife. Sherlock felt he knew exactly why. "Because I'm unworthy."
"What? No! That's not—" Molly tried to get a grip on the situation. "I'm scared, Sherlock. I was content loving you from afar because I never expected you to return my affections. Now that I have it within my reach, it scares the hell out of me. I trust you with my life, but I can't trust you with my heart."
It all made sense to him. Sherlock had to admit that he had never given her reason to trust him with something as precious as her heart. She knew he would always protect her life…but in what ways could he protect her heart? He knew nothing of romantic entanglements. It was easy to play along with Janine, but this was so much different. This was a love that ran so deep, they could drown in it. The seriousness of the situation dawned on him.
"I understand," he spoke softly.
Molly perked up just a bit. "You do?"
Sherlock nodded. He took one of her hands in both of his, and pressed his lips softly against the back of it. Molly nearly forgot how to breathe. How could such a simple kiss to the hand wreck her like that? Then there was what he told her as he lifted his head to meet her eyes. "I hope I can gain your trust, Molly. I won't be giving up so easily."
Her eyes followed him as he left the room, her jaw dropping ever so slightly.
Anderson was just as shocked as she was. He had successfully cleared the hallway, nearly making a clean getaway until Sherlock's voice halted him. "Not so fast, Philip."
Attempting to play it cool, Anderson smiled. "Sherlock. What can I do for you?"
"You texted me from Molly's phone," he stated. "Why do you feel the need to interfere in our lives?"
Anderson paled. "Despite our differences in the past, I would actually like to see you happy for once." He paused to consider his words. "And I'd like to see Molly happy too. Preferably, I'd like to see the both of you happy…together."
Sherlock looked unamused. "Well, I appreciate your…help. It did get me this far, but for the sake of what's left of my sanity, stay out of it." He breezed right past him, but stopped short, turning to face him once more. "And stop pushing Molly into talking to me; I don't want her to feel obligated to do so. She needs time." As he stalked off, he added, "I think I do too."
Author's Note: Will Sherlock make Anderson stay out of it? Does Anderson have more than a few cards up his sleeve? We'll just have to see...