Author's Note: Thank you for your reviews! I love hearing back from you. Sorry this chapter took a while. We had a power outage that has lasted for three days.

Chapter 10~ Loving Molly Hooper

Molly swam to the surface. Her bulky hiking gear was rapidly soaking up the freezing water and weighing her down but she finally broke though. "AHHHHHH!" Molly screamed. "AHHHHHH!" The water was so cold it felt like a thousand knives penetrating her skin. "Oh god, Sherlock!" she cried.

Sherlock rushed to where he saw Molly disappear. Thank god she shot back up but she was now neck deep in a freezing bog. "Molly!" he shouted. John was right on his heels, as was Duncan.

Sherlock threw himself down on the ground and spread himself out flat and crawled the last few feet towards Molly. "Molly, grab my hand," he ordered. John quickly put himself down on the ground next to Sherlock. He grabbed hold of Sherlock's coat to give him some leverage to help pull Molly out of the bog.

Molly was terrified but Sherlock was there. He would get her out. Molly reached out her hand and Sherlock stretched long to grab it.

"I got you," he said. He carefully began to pull her closer to him. He reached out his other hand and soon he had her by both arms and was pulling her out while John was pulling him back as well.

Finally, he had Molly back on firmer ground. He quickly enveloped her in his arms and held her as she cried. "I've got you," Sherlock told her. "I've got you." Molly held him tightly. "Molly, I'm so sorry."

Molly clung to Sherlock like a lifeline. She was so relieved to be safe in his arms but her relief was short lived when a large gust of wind raced across the moor and the bitter cold cut through her now soaked and useless clothes.

"We have to get her back to the cottage," John said. "We need to hurry."

Sherlock realized that Molly might be safe from drowning but now they had to worry about hypothermia. Molly was soaked and her chattering teeth was all Sherlock needed to hear to know that her body temperature was already dropping.

"Molly, can you walk?" Sherlock asked. "We need to get you warm?"

"Yes," Molly sniffed. Sherlock and John got on either side of Molly and helped her up.

"Duncan, lead the way," Sherlock ordered. "Now!"

Duncan quickly turned around and started moving in the direction of the cottage. Sherlock and John had to put their faith in Duncan. Between the fog and the pouring rain they couldn't see much of anything. Fifteen minutes passed and Molly's shivers were becoming more pronounced.

"How much father?" Sherlock asked Duncan.

"About another twenty minutes at this pace," Duncan said.

"Damn," John complained. "That's too long." John was also freezing but like Sherlock his main concern was getting Molly back to the house and getting her warm. It was a miracle she was still able to walk at all. She was so small and petite her core body temperature would drop quickly the longer they were out here.

Molly had stopped talking. Her every thought was on putting one foot in front of the other. She was so cold. She couldn't remember ever being this cold. She was already losing feeling in her hands and feet and her teeth were chattering so hard that she half expected her teeth to shatter from the repeated impacts.

Sherlock was very much aware of Molly's distress. He also noticed that she was slowing down and having difficulty walking. John had positioned himself on her other side and they were both pretty much carrying her at this point.

"Molly, come on, you need to keep moving," Sherlock said softly to her.

"S-so c-cold," Molly stuttered.

"I know. We just need to get you back. We'll get you warmed up in no time." Sherlock tried to sound positive, encouraging, desperate to hide the fear he was feeling from his voice. They managed to keep her on her feet for another ten minutes or so but then without warning Molly's head fell forward and Sherlock and John had to both tighten their grip on her to keep her from falling.

"Molly," Sherlock called, giving her a shake. "Molly!" he yelled more urgently. It was no use. Molly had lost consciousness.

"We have to get her back now!" John said.

Sherlock lifted Molly up and began to carry her. Even with the added burden of carrying Molly he still moved as quick as his legs could, careful to step exactly where Duncan stepped. He couldn't risk Molly plunging into the freezing water once more. Sherlock lost track of time. His only concern was forward momentum. His only desire was to get Molly warm.

Finally, after what seemed an eternity but was really probably ten minutes or so, the cottages came into view. John and Duncan raced ahead to make way for Sherlock. John got the door open.

"Take her straight to the bathroom," he ordered.

Sherlock carried Molly's unconscious form to the bathroom in the master bedroom. John followed Sherlock into the bathroom.

"Get those wet clothes off her," John ordered as he started to fill the tub with warm water.

Sherlock spared only a second to rip off his own coat before concentrating on getting the now useless bulky items off of Molly. Coat, hiking boots, hat, socks, jumper, and even pants were all stripped off of her. By the time Sherlock lifted her to place her in the tub all she had left were her undergarments. John quickly laid a towel over her to afford her a little privacy.

Sherlock began to rub vigorously at Molly's limbs, trying to speed up the warming process.

"Is there anything I can do?" Duncan asked, looking intently at a half naked Molly in the tub.

"Yes, get out," Sherlock demanded.

"This isn't my fault," Duncan said. "I told you all to not wander off."

"No one is blaming you," John said. "But you need to leave. We can take it from here." John just wanted the man to leave before Sherlock came undone.

"Are you sure? Should I call 999?" Duncan asked.

"I'm a doctor," John said. "I'm sure, now go!"

Sherlock paid no mind to Duncan and John's bantering. He concentrated on Molly. She was so pale and her lips were tinged blue.

"We need to warm her up from the inside out," John said. "I'm going to go make some hot tea. You stay with her and keep her head above water."

"I'm not going anywhere," Sherlock said. The devil himself couldn't have made him leave Molly's side. How could he have been so negligent of her safety? She was in this mess because he had failed her like he had Mary. He felt the bile rise up in his throat but he forced it back down. "Molly, I can't lose you. I can't."

He was careful to hold her tight as the hot water in the tub climbed higher and higher. He could hear John moving about the kitchen quickly, searching cabinets, opening and shutting doors.

"Molly," Sherlock said. "Molly, can you hear me?" He waited for her to open her eyes, move a hand, do something but there was nothing at all. He stared into her face and was at least relived to see that the blue tinge to her lips was fading, ever so slightly, but fading nonetheless. The warm water was bringing back some of her color. Sherlock picked up a washcloth with his free hand and dipped it into the water. He gently wiped the mud and moss from Molly's face. He repeated the action several times until her face was clean, but he noticed her hair was full of muck. He gently lowered her down into the water, careful to keep her face above the surface, but down enough so that soon her long hair was fanning out around her head. He gently used his long fingers to free the dirt and debris from her long tresses. His ministrations were rewarded with Molly's eyes slowly fluttering open. She looked very confused.

"Sherlock?" she whispered.

"You're safe now," Sherlock told her. "Just stay still. You need to warm up."

"What…how?"

"You fainted. We brought you back as fast as possible," Sherlock explained.

John entered with a cup of tea. Molly should have felt embarrassment, being half naked in front of John, but her mind was still a bit foggy, and she felt confused.

"Thank god, you're awake," John said, seeing Molly's eyes open. He handed Sherlock the cup. "I'll just give you two a bit of privacy then. Call me if you need me." He pulled the door closed behind him as he left.

Sherlock pulled Molly up some in the tub and with his free hand he held the cup up to her lips. Molly drank deeply from the warm drink. It felt so good as it moved down her throat. She could feel the warmth spreading inside her as she swallowed down even more.

"Why did you wander off?" Sherlock asked, fear and anger creeping into his voice.

"I...I didn't. I was following behind, but…but I couldn't keep up. Duncan was going so fast because he was mad at John and me." Molly suddenly began to cry. "I'm sorry. I really tried. Please don't be angry."

Sherlock looked intensely into Molly's eyes and used his thumbs to wipe away her tears. "I'm not angry with you, but why didn't you say something? We could have slowed down." The anger was gone but not the fear of what could have happened.

"I didn't want you to regret bringing me. I don't want to be a hindrance."

"Don't you realize, case or no case, your safety means the world to me. You could have died out there. I could have lost you. I…I can't lose you." Molly was such a part of Sherlock's life now he honestly couldn't imagine a world without her in it. John may be what kept Sherlock grounded, but Molly, dear, sweet Molly, she was the only person who made Sherlock human.

"I'm sorry," Molly said.

Sherlock raised her up so he could embrace her. Molly laid her cheek against his.

"Your freezing cold too," Molly said.

"I'm fine," Sherlock replied, dismissing her concerns about him. "Why did you say Duncan was angry at you and John?"

Molly looked at Sherlock nervously. She was afraid of how he might react.

"Molly, please. I need to know what happened out there," Sherlock insisted.

"Duncan was being very flirtatious," Molly said. "He was making me feel uncomfortable. John saw what was happening. John made him stop."

"I failed you. Please forgive me. I was so obsessed with hunting down the facts of the case that I neglected to keep you safe."

"Don't be an idiot. You rescued me from the bog. You carried me in your arms to bring me home. You and John prevented me from developing hypothermia."

"You never should have been in danger in the first place."

"Stop," Molly said. "I'm okay. We are all okay, and honestly, there is no place in the world that I would rather be than right here with you, right now. Yes, I had a scare earlier, but I have also felt more alive these past couple of days than I have in years. Please…please don't send me away."

"Molly…"

"No, I know you. I know you are thinking about it. You want to protect me and for you the easiest way to do that would be to pack me up and ship me back off to London. I won't go! I'm not leaving. I'm not a child, Sherlock. I'm not made of glass!" Molly was becoming slightly frantic in her argument, her voice rising with every passing word. Sherlock had seen this Molly before and knew the best and fastest way to calm her down.

With his hands still in her hair he pulled her up and kissed her. She fought it for just a moment, still wanting her voice to be heard, but finally she succumbed to his advances and returned the kiss, both of them only parting when the need for air arose.

"Are you finished?" Sherlock asked with a smirk on his face. Molly simply nodded her head up and down. "Good. I am not going to send you away. I won't lie. I did think about it, but I am selfish man, always have been, and I want you here with me.

Still clutching Molly to his chest he used one arm to open the drain to let the now cooling water drain and then he turned on the warm water to refill the tub. Next, he reached over and grabbed the bottle of shampoo.

"What are you doing?" Molly asked.

Sherlock gave her a crooked smile. "I'm taking care of you, Molly Hooper." Molly laid back and closed her eyes, grateful for the warmth of the water. Sherlock slowly rubbed the shampoo into her hair, making a thick lather. His long fingers messaged her scalp and the base of her neck. She sat up so he could use the sprayer to rinse the soap out. Then he repeated the entire process with the conditioner. Suddenly Sherlock realized why Molly always smelled like strawberries. He inhaled deeply, breathing in the scent he knew so well.

Since her skin no longer burned from the cold Molly allowed herself to relax and just enjoy the feeling of Sherlock's hands in her hair. She honestly couldn't remember a time when she had felt more relaxed, more loved. Once again Sherlock ran the warm water from the nozzle over her hair, rinsing out all the conditioner. Molly lay in the large claw foot tub for another five minutes, feeling so relaxed she was starting to doze off.

"Are you warm now?" Sherlock asked.

"Mmm hmm," Molly sighed sleepily. Now that she was safe and clean she suddenly felt incredibly tired.

Sherlock pulled the plug for the tub a second time and let the water start to drain. He grabbed a dry towel to wrap around Molly's long hair. He removed the wet towel off of her that John had tossed over her for modesty. He helped her to stand up in the tub and she unclasped her wet bra and dropped it to the floor. Sherlock then took one of the large bath sheets and draped it over her shoulders so she could pull it around herself.

Molly had a seat on the closed toilet. Her limbs felt heavy.

"How do you feel?" Sherlock asked her.

"Exhausted," Molly said truthfully.

"Go ahead and dry yourself. I'll grab you some clothes," he told her. "Just stay here though. I'll be right back."

Molly rubbed at her skin with the bath sheet. She also secured the towel around her hair a little better. Sherlock returned to her with a pretty yellow nightgown made of brushed cotton. He pulled it over her head. Molly slipped her arms through the sleeves. She stood up and let Sherlock wrap her in the matching robe. Finally she removed her wet underpants and pulled on a dry pair.

Sherlock walked her out of the bathroom and straight to the bed. He pulled back the covers and Molly gratefully climbed in. He pulled the blankets up to her chin and tucked her in. Then he had a seat on the side of the bed.

"Where did you learn to do this?" Molly asked.

Sherlock smiled. "You and John. You both have taken care of me on a number of occasions. Today was my turn to take care of you." Sherlock caressed Molly's cheek. "Do you need anything?"

"No," Molly said. "I'm good now. I think I'll just have a little sleep."

"All right. Close your eyes. I'll be right here."

"No," Molly said. "You need to go question Father Clark."

"Are you sure?" Sherlock asked. He was surprised that she would suggest it after the scare she had had. "I don't mind waiting for you to be up on your feet again."

"I'll be fine," Molly said. "You and John go do what you need to do. I'll be here when you get back and you can tell me what you learn."

"I don't know," Sherlock said. For the first time in his life the work didn't seem to be the most important thing anymore. For the first time ever there was something, no, someone, more important than the work.

Molly took Sherlock's hand in hers and gave him a comforting smile. "Really, go on ahead. There is no reason for you to sit here and watch me sleep. I'll be fine, I promise." Sherlock leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Sleep well, darling."

Hope you enjoyed the new chapter!