prompted by writingwife-83!

#15 things you said with too many miles between us.

"Do you know when you're going to be back?" Molly asked as Sherlock embraced her.

"Two weeks at least; could be longer," he replied, kissing the top of her head. She pulled back slightly to look up at him. Taking his face in her hands, she rose up on her toes to press a kiss to his lips.

"Be safe," she whispered.

"Promise," Sherlock assured her before heading out the door. He was going on a case that Mycroft had assigned him. John stayed back as he refused to be away from Rosie for that long period of time. Of course Molly was worried about him; she always did when he was sent away for top priority cases such as this.

Molly lay in bed, completely exhausted, unable to sleep. She hated feeling like this but the simple truth was that she had just grown used to falling asleep with his arms around her. Her phone pinged, lighting up the nightstand. She reached for her phone to check her messages.

I know you're awake. Can't sleep? SH

Who are you, Santa Clause? Lol and yes I can't seem to rest. MH

Yes, very funny, Molly. Give me a moment. SH

It was then her phone began ringing, his name displayed on the screen.

"Hey you," she answered.

"Hello," he replied. Molly could practically hear the smile in his voice.

"All settled for the next two weeks?" she asked him.

"Mm, for the most part. You're lying on my side of the bed," he stated. He was right, of course. It helped to be surrounded by his scent as it still lingered in his pillowcases.

"Good job. What else can you deduce, Mr. Holmes?" Molly smiled.

"You're wearing one of my shirts as a nightdress," he replied cheekily. "I do love seeing you in them."

"Right again. I don't know how I'm going to sleep tonight," Molly sighed.

"I'll stay on the phone with you until you fall asleep," Sherlock offered.

"I'd like that," she told him. They had talked about any and everything until Sherlock heard her sleeping breaths through the speaker.

"I love you," he whispered before ending the call.

A week went by and it felt agonizingly slow for Molly. It was the weekend once again and the work week had exhausted her in every way imaginable. She felt physically drained by the time she settled on her sofa even after the hearty dinner she ate. Her phone pinged with a text.

How is my beautiful girlfriend this evening? SH

Molly smiled at the sweet message.

Exhausted lol. I am glad it's the weekend. How's the case going? MH

Fine, I suppose. Though it is interesting, I do not like being away from London so long. SH

She was typing out her next message when he sent her another one.

I don't like being away from you. SH

She erased her previous draft and typed again.

I'm sure you'll solve it in no time. I miss you too. MH

I'll take you out whenever I get back. Anything you want to do, we'll do it. SH

I would love that. Thank you. MH

Would you do me a favour? SH

Anything. MH

Try to relax this weekend. Don't worry so much, I'll be fine. Have fun with John and Rosie or Meena. I know how you allow your overthinking to leave you drained emotionally and mentally. SH

I'll try, I promise. I always worry about you though. MH

I know. SH

I'm gonna try and get some much needed sleep. I love you. Stay safe. MH

Goodnight, darling. I will. I love you too. Very much. SH

They both slept well that night, comforted by the thought they were both dreaming under the same moon.

Molly spent Saturday with Meena. They met up for brunch where she tried to pry any relationship details out of the pathologist. Though the questions were met with some resistance, Molly couldn't help but think about how much she missed having girl talk. They finished up their coffees and hailed a cab. Meena spoke quietly to the driver, telling him their next destination.

"Okay, what did you tell him and where are we going?" Molly asked.

"We're going shopping," Meena beamed.

"I really shouldn't," Molly insisted.

"Oh, but you should. You've got yourself a hot date when Mr. Tall, Dark and Brooding comes back," Meena laughed. "It's an occasion to get a new outfit for." Molly laughed with her and agreed, remembering what Sherlock told her the night before about having fun this weekend.

On Sunday, Molly visited John and Rosie and they took a stroll through the park before stopping to purchase some ice lollies. It was a lovely day and Molly always enjoyed spending time with her goddaughter.

"Any idea when he's going to be back?" John asked.

"One more week at the very least," Molly replied. "He was a bit put off about being out of the city for this long."

"Same old Sherlock," John chuckled.

"Mowwy," Rosie called out.

"Hey Rosie! Is that a good ice lolly?" Molly smiled.

"Mmmmm," Rosie replied, sticking it in her mouth, causing John and Molly to laugh.

By Wednesday, Molly was back to full worry mode. Sherlock hadn't been in touch and though she knew he couldn't on some days, it still bothered her. She walked into the morgue where a new corpse had been covered up on the slab. She tugged on her rubber gloves and began to pull back the sheet, revealing dark curly hair. Panic seized her as she ripped the sheet away, tears falling freely from her eyes. A sigh of relief escaped her lips when she discovered it wasn't who she thought it was.

Shutting her eyes tightly, she released a strangled sob. Molly was thanking God that it wasn't Sherlock; that he was still alive out there and he would come home to her this weekend. She quickly pulled herself together to perform the autopsy and clock out. It was her last one before her shift would be up.

Molly was still visibly shaken when she got home. A clatter in her kitchen put her on high alert as she walked slowly through the room. She silently peered around the corner to find Sherlock. He was home two days early and was cooking; actually cooking. Dropping her bag to the floor, he turned at the sound as she threw her arms around him in a tight embrace.

"I missed you," she cried.

"I missed you too," Sherlock replied, stroking her hair and pulling her closer still. "Molly, what's wrong?" She smiled to herself, knowing that she couldn't keep it from him for long.

"I had a particularly traumatizing autopsy today," she replied, taking a deep breath. The tears started to fall again. "I thought it was you." Molly was sobbing against his chest.

"Shhh, it's okay. I'm here," Sherlock murmured into her hair before pressing a kiss to her head. "I'm here." Molly lifted her head to capture his lips with hers firmly. They touched their foreheads together, small smiles on their faces.

"Thank you for coming home to me," Molly told him, looking into his eyes.

"I will always come home to you," Sherlock replied softly. The timer on the oven went off, startling Molly. "I should probably get that, unless you like your chips extra crispy."

"Best get that now," Molly laughed. Sherlock smiled. He had missed hearing her laugh.

They ate the fish and chips that Sherlock made them before turning in for the night. It felt nice to be in each other's arms again, comforted by the sound of their steady heartbeats; a strong indicator that they were both very much alive and in love.