Apologies for the delay in getting this chapter up. I made the mistake of assuming I'd have time mid-week and it turns out I don't really. Anyway, I've given this a quick edit in order to get it up but apologies if there are any typos.

Chapter 7

Sherlock turned to face Molly as she walked back into the flat and for a moment they stood at opposite ends of the room facing each other. As they did Sherlock cocked his head to one side questioningly and Molly smiled and nodded. She knew without words what he was thinking.

'Yes, we were stood like this the day you invited me to go and solve crimes with you.'

He smiled. 'You thought I was going to ask you to dinner.'

Molly blushed and ducked her head. 'Yes...stupid I know.'

'It wasn't. I should have done. More fool me. I won't make that mistake again. Molly Hooper, will you have dinner with me?'

She looked up at him and raised her eyebrows. 'Is that a literal question or a euphemism?'

By now he was grinning in response. 'Oh a euphemism, definitely a euphemism. Now come here and kiss me.'

They met in the middle for what Molly could only describe as being a life altering kiss. It felt as if all of Molly's feelings for Sherlock came pouring out of her and he took them all and repaid them ten fold.

He picked her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried them through to the bedroom and it was only as he put her back down on the floor that they broke apart, both breathing heavily.

'Wait, before we do this...one question. Are you a virgin?'

At this Sherlock frowned. 'I...I don't know, I don't think I am. I feel like I know what to do. Does it matter?'

Molly shrugged. 'I suppose not. I'd just feel weird taking your virginity.'

'As I can't remember my first time I suppose you are in a way, but I can't think of anyone better to give it to. Now stop talking.'

She chuckled as he moved his lips to her throat at the same time as his hands deftly started to undo the buttons of her blouse. She tried to make progress with his shirt but it felt like she was all thumbs.

Once her shirt was gone she shimmied out of her skirt and he indicated to her to lay back on the bed so he could spend his time touching and kissing and biting his way down her neck and to her breasts. His hands felt large on her skin, covering her breasts completely. She felt her hardened nipples rubbing against the palms of his hand and she wanted so much more from him.

As he took each breast in turn with his mouth she knew that somewhere in his past he had experience. His tongue was wickedly talented and she wondered just how good he might be at oral sex...but now wasn't the time. This time she just wanted to feel connected to him as intimately as possible.

He must have sensed how she felt because he stood back up and quickly divested himself of the rest of his clothing and Molly removed her pants until they were both completely naked. His body was gorgeous and she simply couldn't wait to get her hands and mouth on it. She gestured to him to lie down and then she straddled his hips before spending her time kissing his mouth and throat. She'd always wanted to kiss his neck...all those times in the lab of watching him at his microscope and dreaming of what she could do to him were finally a reality.

She told him as much and felt his chuckle as she kissed the moles and freckles down his neck.

'Next time maybe you can kiss me like this whilst I'm still sat on the stool in the lab. I bet I've had fantasies myself about you doing that.'

Molly wished she could believe that but this Sherlock seemed so different to the old Sherlock, so much more affectionate and open.

She could feel him hard and ready for her between her legs; rubbing against her centre in a way that had her moaning for more and she knew that this time they were more than ready; no need for more foreplay. Hopefully there would be time again later for them to be more leisurely, to explore each other more fully, but for now she just wanted him inside her.

She took her time sliding down onto him, watching the way his eyes rolled back in his head and his breathing shallowed out until they were fully connected. It was the most amazing feeling in the world and Molly had to take a moment before she felt able to start moving against him, rocking her hips and feeling his body starting to bring her to her climax.

He soon started to actively participate, his hands and mouth moving back to her breasts, urging her on and telling her how good she felt. She could feel herself getting closer and closer until he was the only thing in her world. She could feel everything, hear everything and she knew he was as close as she was. Just as she thought she couldn't take anymore he bit down on her nipple in just the right way and it tipped her over the edge into one of the most powerful orgasms she could ever remember.

She took him with her and felt him come, his body taut and rigid underneath her before they both collapsed back down onto the mattress breathing heavily.

She slid her hand around his neck and kissed his throat before moving back to kiss him once more but as she did she felt something between them shift imperceptibly. He tensed up ever so slightly and as she pressed her lips against his he didn't fully respond. She opened her eyes to find him looking past her towards the ceiling in a slightly puzzled, unfocused way and she felt her heart thud painfully in her chest.

She started to sit up and even as she did she reached for the sheet pulling it around her to cover herself up.

'Oh God...you remember don't you? Everything?'

He finally looked at her and it was only now that she really saw the difference between this Sherlock and the one she had just made love to. His eyes were ever so slightly colder and more calculating.

He swallowed and nodded.

Molly couldn't believe this was happening. She could still feel him softening inside her and yet it was like he was a stranger. All she wanted to do was to get out of there.

'I...I should go. Just...umm...can you...can you look the other way...please?'

He looked at her for a split second longer and then he turned his head and closed his eyes. Molly slid off him and hurriedly picked up her clothes before fleeing to the bathroom.

When she'd closed the door she squeezed her eyes shut and willed herself not to cry. How could this have all gone so terribly wrong? John had warned her not to do this and she hadn't listened; she'd been a fool...a stupid, lovesick fool.

She cleaned herself up and got dressed but when it came to saying goodbye she just couldn't face him. Instead she used the door to the kitchen and left that way. She retrieved her coat and bag and then she ran down the stairs wanting to be out of there before he even realised she was gone. Thankfully as she left the front door there was an empty cab making its way down the street and she hailed it.

As she sat and gave her address she looked up at his windows and saw him staring down at her, his body wrapped in the sheet she'd recently abandoned. His expression was unreadable, unlike her own emotions.

The cab driver must have sensed her distress because apart from asking if she was alright he left her to her own thoughts, only interrupting them once they'd arrived at her flat. She tapped her debit card onto the payment machine to cover the fare and then she made her way back up to her flat thinking how little she had expected to return in this way when she'd left happy and excited just a few hours before.

Toby lifted his head from his resting spot as she made her way in. She dumped her bags on the floor and went straight to her wine rack. A minute later and she almost collapsed onto her settee, already crying as she gulped down a mouthful of wine.

How was she ever going to face him again? What must he even think of her...would he deem that she had taken advantage of him when he'd been in a vulnerable state?

She heard her phone buzz in her bag with an incoming text but it was a while later before she finally got around to checking it.

Let me know that you're home safe SH

She frowned and stared at the text for a few seconds before pouring herself another wine. It was very unlike him to check up on her in this way. It didn't give anything away by way of feelings but it felt as if he was holding out an olive branch of sorts and for that she was grateful.

She replied to say that she had but she heard nothing back and in the end she fell into bed for a fairly sleepless night.

The next day she was in work and she was glad to be. She needed something to distract her from dwelling on the previous evening and how badly wrong it had gone.

She was wrist deep in the chest cavity of a Mr Simon Bidwell, aged 73, when the doors to the morgue swung open and John and Sherlock made their way in.

It was John who made his way over and spoke. 'Hey Molly, just wanted you to know the good news. Sherlock mentioned that you hadn't stayed over last night but it turns out that when he woke up this morning he had all his memories back. It's great isn't it.'

He grinned at her excitedly and she tried to muster up a smile as she replied that it was indeed good news.

Her eyes flicked to Sherlock who had been spending most of the time tapping away on his phone but their eyes met for only a moment before he looked back at his phone. She could see a blush high on his cheekbones that she wasn't sure she'd ever seen before but she knew she must be bright red herself with embarrassment.

John carried on. 'Listen, apparently there's been an attempted murder down near Twickenham so there might be some tests that we need running. They should come through in a couple of hours. Anyway, we'd best be off.'

Molly bid them both goodbye but a moment after they'd both left John hurried back in and made his way over.

'Hey, are you OK? Sherlock hasn't said much about you and I'm not sure whether he remembers saying he had feelings for you and...well, I'm worried. Are you gonna be OK? Do you need me to talk to him for you?'

Molly shook her head. 'No, it's alright. We knew this might happen...it's a good job I decided not to stay last night.'

John nodded. 'Yes, I suppose it is. Anyway, I'll catch up with you properly another time.'

He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and then left her to carry in her autopsy.

It was two hours later, when she checked her phone, that she saw there was another text from Sherlock. Looking at the time he must have sent it when he and John had been visiting earlier.

We need to talk. I'll come to yours for 8.00 SH

She felt her stomach drop. This could only be bad news for her heart and much as she didn't want to hear it she knew he was right. They had to sort this whole sorry mess out if they were to ever get their friendship back...if they ever could.

Should I start with an apology or end with it because I get the feeling you're not going to be happy with how this situation has turned out so far. Poor Molly...but I have to admit that scene, of him getting his memories back after sex, was one of the first in my head when I came up with this fic idea.

Anyway, only one more chapter to go so here's hoping they can sort it all out. So...I'm sorry xx