I'm so glad you all didn't shout at me for the last chapter but there always has to be a little bit of angst before the hopefully happy ending. Shall we see if they do make it through...

Chapter 8

It took Molly far too long to decide what to change into when she got home. In the end she opted for comfort over style and wore a comfy pair of pyjama bottoms topped with a fleecy, hooded top. She felt like she was wrapped up in a hug and given how she strongly suspected the evening would go she knew a hug was just what she'd be needing.

Even though she was expecting him she still started in shock when the door buzzer sounded. He had a key from the days when he'd used her place as a bolt hole but she appreciated him not using it.

She released the front door lock remotely and left her own door on the catch and then she went to sit back down, nervously awaiting his arrival.

By the time she heard him push open her front door and then lock it behind him her heart was in her throat and she wondered if she'd even be able to speak.

'Molly.'

She glanced up to find him looking down at her with a serious expression on his face. He wasn't wearing his Belstaff and she wondered if he'd hung it up on the hooks near the front door.

'Wine?'

He held up the bottle of red and she smiled and nodded her head. At least he'd come bearing a peace offering even if he couldn't offer her himself.

She stood and followed him through to the kitchen and watched as he took two glasses down from the cupboard and then expertly uncorked it before pouring it out. Throughout all this time neither of them spoke.

'Shall we?' He gestured to the front room and when she sat back down on the settee he sat next to her, leaning forwards, looking thoughtful and holding the glass between his knees.

'I...I want to apologise for last night.'

She looked up at him in surprise. This was not the line she was expecting him to open with.

'What? Why?'

He glanced at her. 'Well...we'd just finished making love and I...' he waved one hand in a confused kind of gesture and she found herself wanting to reaching out to catch it, to hold it in her own for a moment...but she didn't.

'That's OK...I mean, it's not OK but it wasn't your fault. I should never have allowed it to happen. I mean, I knew how you really felt about me. I just...I'm so sorry, I got caught up in the idea...the fantasy of you having feelings for me...and you were so nice, so different...'

He took a deep breath and Molly waited for the axe to fall, the moment where he'd tell her that it was him and not her...that he was sorry that he couldn't love her, and hopefully that he'd want them to still be friends. She took a shaky sip of her wine for Dutch courage.

'I am still him you know, I remember who I was when I was with you and how I felt. It's as though he was me without the bad parts...without all the damage and years of emotional baggage and hurt. He was a much better version of me and I'm sorry Molly...I can't be him for you. I wish I could but I can't.'

Molly took a juddering breath and felt her heart split into two at his words. She'd known they were coming but hearing them was so much worse than she would have ever thought possible. She could feel tears starting to leak out of her eyes and trickle down her face.

Sherlock glanced at her and she saw pain flit across his features, he knew he was hurting her.

'That being said I...I would like for us...for you to think about whether you could give me a chance. I buried my feelings for you so deep that I thought I could ignore them forever but now I know...God, Molly, now I know what it's like to kiss you...to feel your skin against my own...to feel myself so intimately connected to you that I didn't know where you ended and I began and I want it...I want it all.' He paused and took a breath. 'Could you...would you ever be able to consider loving me the way you loved him?'

Molly sat in stunned silence. It was as though all the air had left the room. Had she really heard him correctly?

'You...you want us to be together? To have a relationship?'

Mutely he nodded his head and when his eyes locked with hers she saw fear in them; fear that she might reject the real him.

'But I've always loved you...you know that...how can you think that I wouldn't still love you now?'

He shrugged. 'Because he was better, kinder, more open...that isn't who I really am...not now.'

She put down her glass and quickly wiped away her tears. 'But who you really are is who I fell in love with. I've never stopped loving you...the real you...the you with memories and history and damage...after all aren't we all damaged in some way?'

There was silence and Molly could feel her heart beating in her chest, she could feel herself magnetically drawn for him, the tension in the air so thick you could almost slice it.

It was Sherlock who broke it, standing suddenly, making Molly jump a little.

'Maybe I should go.'

Molly stood, feeling confused. 'Really?'

He glanced at her briefly and brushed a hand over his face. 'I don't want to pressure you.'

She saw his uncertainty, his confusion and she understood it. All his adult life he had eschewed romance, relationships...even sex and now here he was going back on all of that...for her.

She caught his hand and he turned to her, still not fully meeting her eye.

'We can go as slow as you need to Sherlock, I just need to know that we have a chance.'

Slowly, nervously she placed her hand on his cheek, letting her thumb slide across his cheekbone and finally he looked at her and his gaze sent a drizzle of lust sliding down through her body. She stood on her tiptoes and pulled him too her for a kiss. Strangely, somehow, it felt as if this was their first kiss. It was tentative and exploring, but so damned sexy.

As it progressed she was grateful for Sherlock wrapping his arms around her body and holding her close to him because she started to feel as though her legs wouldn't hold her up. It might have all started out fairly chastely but this kiss was rapidly consuming her, making her want more of him...more than he might want to give.

Finally they broke apart breathing heavily and Sherlock rested his forehead against Molly's.

'God, Molly, I want you so much. It's like a locked room has been opened inside me and all these feelings have flooded out, my need for you is overwhelming me.'

She was still wrapped up in his embrace and she kissed the base of his neck before letting her tongue slowly slide up his throat.

He groaned and his reaction gave her a bit more confidence and she moved her hands to his shirt. She let her finger move in a circle around the top button and she looked up at him, finding him gazing down at her with eyes filled with desire.

'We can go as slow as you like...or...'

She saw him swallow heavily before he spoke. 'Or what?'

'Or we can pick up where we left off...'

She undid the button and then leant forward to kiss the patch of skin that had been revealed and she felt his hands thread through her hair. She opened another button and let her mouth move downwards. She could smell light traces of his expensive cologne and his skin tasted clean and fresh. It made her mouth water...she wanted to kiss every inch of him.

She pulled the material out from his trousers and undid the last few buttons and then she let her hands splay out on his stomach feeling his muscles taut and hard just under his skin. There was no part of him that didn't turn her on.

'Are you sure you want to do this?' His voice was low and husky and it sent shivers down her spine.

She looked up and nodded her head. 'Are you?'

He smiled and in one swift move he picked her up. She squealed a little but automatically wrapped her legs around his waist, feeling his hands on her backside holding her securely to him. They took a moment to kiss once more and this time his tongue snaked into her mouth and she let her hands weave into his hair until she could lightly tug on his curls. He let out a delicious growl and started to carry her through to her bedroom.

'And just so you know Molly I wasn't a virgin. My experience might be quite old but it isn't forgotten and I plan to show you just what I do remember and, let's just say I don't plan on you being disappointed.'

She chuckled and shook her head at his confidence. It seemed his ego was back in full force and she loved it. She liked the fact that he could be dominant and demanding and intensely focussed and carrying that through to the bedroom was making her body physically react, her muscles clenching and unclenching and wetness pooling between her legs.

He kicked open the bedroom door making Toby, who had been sleeping on the bed, jump in shock and slope away into a different room. Lightly he dropped Molly down onto the bed and then he shucked off his jacket and shirt before sitting on the chair at the side of the bed so he could remove his shoes and socks.

Molly moved to take her top off but he wagged a finger at her. 'No you don't, that's my job.'

She grinned and instead watched as he slid his trousers and pants off leaving him naked, his erection jutting out in front of him.

It was the work of a moment for her to scoot forwards and wrap her hand around it. She had no intention of this night being all about her...she wanted to turn him on as much as he was her.

He placed his hands on her shoulders, obviously working out what she intended. 'Molly, you don't have to...'

She smiled as she looked up at him. 'I know, but I want to.'

Slowly she let her tongue swirl around the head of his penis, loving the noises it pulled from Sherlock's throat. She took her time, ghosting her mouth around his cock a couple of times feeling his hips jerk forwards even as he fought to control his reactions.

Finally she took him fully into her mouth, taking him deeper with each pass until he was almost hitting the back of her throat. She knew she wouldn't be able to do this for long...she didn't actually want him to come...that would just cut the fun short.

A moment later and he pulled back, breathing heavily. 'God, you need to stop.'

She smirked, loving how undone he already looked and that it was her that was causing it.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath and when he opened them and looked at her her mouth ran dry at the look of pure animalistic hunger in his eyes.

He moved forwards and took hold of the hem of her top. 'It was like making out with a teddy bear...this...needs to go...' Then he pulled it over her head and threw it to one side. His faux anger made her giggle as she lay back on the bed watching him climb over her. She wasn't sure she'd ever seen him look more gorgeous than in this moment as he held himself above her. Her hands automatically went to his shoulders, her legs opening to accommodate him.

As he kissed her once more she could feel the full length of him pressing her into the mattress. His chest was crushed against her breasts and his erection nudging at her core through her pyjamas and she wished she was naked herself.

She let her hands move over his back, feeling small scars down the length of his spine and promising to herself that she would soon kiss each and every one. She hated how he put himself in danger but she also knew she could and would never expect him to change that part of him.

His kiss made her dizzy, sucking the air from her lungs and leaving her desperate for more. He definitely kissed more confidently and more expertly than he had without his memories. If she'd thought he was a good kisser then he was breathtaking now. She already knew that she would never kiss another...even if her and Sherlock were to part she was ruined for other men.

Slowly he kissed down her neck before sucking the skin at its base marking her. As he kissed his way down to her breasts she ran her hands through his hair once more, loving how silky it felt. She'd always loved his curls and now she couldn't get enough of feeling them.

As his mouth closed over her nipple she arched her back and moaned at the feeling of him sucking and biting in such a way it seemed to awaken nerve endings in her core that she hadn't known existed. It had her squirming and pressing herself against his cock, trying to seek out some satisfaction.

A moment later and he sat up making her mewl and pout, wanting to feel him against her once more.

This time it was his turn to smirk as he hooked his fingers around the waist band of her pyjamas and slowly pulled them down her legs until she was bare.

She reached her arms out to him but he shook his head and instead picked up her left leg and placed a kiss at the side of her knee, his eyes never leaving hers as he gradually kissed his way along the inside of her thigh.

Molly couldn't believe that he was doing this, she had never truly believed that he'd be the kind of guy to do oral let alone tease her in this way.

By the time he had finished kissing his way down her other thigh her body was almost shaking with need. Seeing his head between her thighs as he finally put his mouth on her had her loudly moaning before biting the back of her hand to try to silence herself.

Sherlock lifted his head and smiled. 'Don't worry about me Molly I like you vocal. Tell me what you like.'

He varied his style a little at first learning from her reactions what she liked and within a couple of minutes she was crying out his name as she came.

It left her boneless on the bed but as he moved back up and over her she couldn't help but smile and pull him to her for a deep, passionate kiss that left them both wanting more. They seemed to move as one as she lifted her legs to cradle his hips and he positioned himself at her entrance and then he gradually filled her, pushing into her until there was no more left of him to give. For a moment he held himself still. His hand moved to brush a tendril of hair from her face as he gazed at her and his expression was so soft and loving that it almost brought tears to her eyes. She could still barely believe this was happening.

He bent his head and lightly kissed her before kissing her cheek and her jaw and as he did he withdrew ever so slightly and then pushed back in. His movements were gradual but each one sent shockwaves of pleasure coursing through her body, building her back up towards another climax. Bit by bit, moment by moment he increased the intensity and power of his movements until he was thrusting inside her.

Her hands moved to his backside encouraging him on, feeling herself getting closer and closer but it was only when he begged her to come for him that she finally tipped over the edge. As she did she knew she was taking him with her. She felt his body tense under her hands, he slammed into her and held himself as he cried out her name and she could feel his cock pulsing deep inside her. For the first time in her life she wished she wasn't on the pill and that this coupling could have ended with her pregnant. She wanted him, wanted his child, but that was too much...she already had so much more than she had ever expected.

He gave her one last kiss and then moved to one side watching as she shimmied off the bed to go and clean up.

Before she left the bathroom she took a moment to look at her reflection in the bathroom mirror, letting her fingertips slide over the slight mark that he'd left on her neck. She smiled a little and then took a deep breath. She wondered which Sherlock she would see when she went back into her bedroom...she also wondered whether she'd have any chance of getting him to spend the night. She suspected not and it was that nervousness that had her slipping on a thin dressing gown before going back in.

When she got there he was reclining in her bed, covers pooled at his naked waist with his eyes closed and his hands steepled beneath his chin; seemingly deep in thought.

She paused for a moment at the door and wondered whether she should disturb him.

He opened one eye and frowned. 'Come on in Molly, why are you hanging about in the doorway?'

'Oh umm...sorry.'

'No need to be sorry, it's your bedroom. I'm the one intruding.'

She went round to her side of the bed and sat up next to him with her feet tucked underneath her.

At this he opened his eyes fully and leant up on his elbow. 'You're nervous. Why?'

At this she shrugged. 'I don't know. This...us...I'm not sure how it works.'

He tilted his head slightly and gave her a slow smile. 'You're the relationship expert. How would you like it to work?'

'So it is a relationship then? Not just sex?'

'No Molly, not just sex.'

'Would you...umm...stay over?'

'You mean spend the night?' He flopped back down onto the bed and closed his eyes again. 'I thought that was a given...now if you don't mind I need to file what I've learnt into your room in my mind palace. I'm assuming you want me to remember how to bring you to orgasm.'

He smirked as he said the last few words and it made her giggle. She took off her dressing gown and threw it on the floor and then she snuggled down under the covers and turned out the light. She lay there for a moment staring up at the ceiling and thinking through what he had said and then she nodded her head to herself before rolling next to him and moving his arm so she could rest her head against his chest. She felt him tense for a moment but then he relaxed and she felt his hand move to her waist and he pulled her closer. A few minutes later and she was fast asleep.

Sherlock lay in the dark listening to her breathing and wondering at how much his world view had changed in the last week. It seemed that the very act of forgetting had made him remember just how much he loved her and he wouldn't change that now for anything. He was hers, wholly and completely, forever, til death do them part.

Epilogue

It was two days later before John finally tracked Sherlock down. Sherlock had made his way back to Baker St when Molly had made it clear that she had to go back to work and taking a 'sickie' was not going to happen...much to his disgruntlement.

As he climbed the stairs an exasperated looking John appeared in the doorway to his flat.

'Thank God, I was contemplating calling Lestrade and reporting you missing. Where the fuck have you been?'

Sherlock rolled his eyes and made his way past his friend.

'You know you're not my mother don't you John? I seem to remember I'm a grown man and therefore able to stay out if I want to.'

'So shoot me, l was worried about you. Let's not forget that you've only just got over a head injury.'

Sherlock ran a hand through his hair. 'Pfft, it wasn't that bad.'

He heard John snort. 'Not that bad. You were unconscious for almost 48 hours and it majorly messed with your personality...'

Sherlock took a step back and swivelled round to face his friend.

'Hang on, can we just sort something out...I may have been a little different but I was still me with that head injury...granted I had forgotten a lot of my past but I was fundamentally the man I always have been.'

John coughed out a laugh and folded his arms across his chest. 'Oh really, so that's why you were mooning after Molly Hooper for the best part of a week or have you forgotten? I didn't mention it before because I'm sure you're embarrassed but let's not pretend you were "the same man you've always been"'. He used his fingers to air quote and Sherlock felt his anger rise up inside himself.

He took another step closer and narrowed his eyes. He was tempted to just punch John but he knew that, with John, violence shouldn't be the answer. That's was his friend's problem not his own.

'For your information John, not that you deserve it, but I have just spent the last two days in Molly's bed...and it was quite easily the best two days of my life. I intend for her to move in with me here as soon as I can persuade her and in time make her my wife. If you, or anyone else for that matter, has a problem with that then I am more than happy to cut you or them out of my life for good.'

'You...you were with Molly?'

'Yes. Losing my memories just made me realise who was really important in my life. And whilst we're talking of that time can I just say that the way you treated Molly was appalling...you were smug and patronising and I expect you to make an apology. Do we understand each other?'

John stood for a moment with his mouth open as he took in the force of Sherlock's anger. The detective wondered if his friend wasn't just going to turn on his heel and walk out but at the last minute he saw him deflate somewhat and nod his head.

'OK, you're probably right. I was just trying to protect you but I agree that I went to far and I will tell her that I'm sorry.' There was a best of silence and then all of a sudden John smiled. 'So, you and Molly then...you finally got yourself a real girlfriend? How does it feel? I'd say I can't imagine you in a relationship but with Molly I suppose I can. I...I'm happy for you, for both of you Sherlock.'

Sherlock returned his smile feeling a weight lifting from him. He really hadn't wanted to fall out with John and it was good to have him fully on side. 'Honestly, it feels amazing and I never want to forget just how good it feels to love her.'

I know a few of you were unhappy about how John acted in this story and many of you want Sherlock to punch him and I hope the epilogue helps just a little bit. I contemplated the punch but in the end I didn't want to make Sherlock as bad as John when it comes to reacting with violence, I honestly think that Sherlock is the better man in that regards.

Anyway, there we have it...the end of yet another story. I hope you aren't getting bored with me yet because I still have more to come. Do you want a long fic or a short fic next?