A/N: Sorry for taking so long with this chapter. This year has been kicking my butt! I'm starting on electives soon though. Fingers crossed I get hassled less these next few months! Boards are also coming up soon...
The light streaming in through the cream gauze curtains woke Jim up. As he became more aware he was pleasantly surprised with Molly snuggled against his chest. Although his arm was trapped under her head and slowly becoming numb, he held her tightly before she stirred against him. He let his grip ease on her as he let himself smile earnestly. It was much more difficult for him to maintain his distant and aloof persona around her. He didn't want to give her any inkling of how much he cared about her, at least not yet.
"Up already, Molls?" he asked lightly kissing her forehead. Molly yawned and looked up at him, groggily responding, "Mmm, yes I guess so." His facial expression had already steeled itself towards her.
Molly watched as Moriarty changed into a smart blue sweater with a light orange button-up. "You look quite adorable for the conference this morning," Molly remarked with pleasure giving him a quick peck on his cheek. "Well, you told me how ridiculous I looked at the conference yesterday. I can't embarrass you today, after all," he responded with a smirk.
Jim held Molly close as they went to the local coffee shop. The wind pierced through her jacket, but his warmth made all the difference as they made their way past a couple of blocks. Jim ordered his usual espresso and Molly ordered a vanilla latte and oatmeal. The feeling of routine made her feel like they could almost be a couple, but something held her back. Perhaps Jim could change she thought to herself, but she doubted it and the doubt gnawed a pit in her stomach.
When they arrived at the conference, they made their way to the exhibit hall where the GI conference was going to be held. They found seats near the front and Molly whispered sharply to Jim, "Don't screw anything up! I want to pay attention during the lecture!" Jim scowled a bit and adjusted his sweater, "Of course I'll behave myself, my dear Molly" The lecturer began with her talk and Molly became engrossed by the subject. She always had an interest in GI, but forensics was her true passion. Halfway through the lecture, the man in front of Molly began taking pictures with his tablet. At first, it was a mere annoyance but then it became troubling to Molly because she couldn't see past the tablet. She leaned over to Jim and whispered, "Can you believe how rude this man is?! I can't believe he's taking pictures with his tablet!" Jim leaned close to her so she could feel his breath on her neck and said coolly, "Don't worry my dear, if he continues he will regret it."
"No one will disrupt my Molly's conference time, especially if I am spending time enduring someone obsessing about the differential diagnosis for IBD," Jim thought to himself as he calculated what measure he would take. After the fifth time of the man obstructing Molly's view with his tablet, Jim calmly placed the silencer on his handgun and aimed it at his head. He steadied his hand before unloading the bullets into the man's tablet and skull. Jim carefully tucked the weapon into a plastic bag and grinned at Molly. "No one will disturb you again, Molls" he whispered to her. Molly sat in horror as the man's brains had splattered on the seat in front of her. "Um…. I'm not quite sure I appreciate it, but could we leave please quickly?" Molly said tugging at Jim's sweater. Jim smiled at her, "Of course my dear, let me tweet this first." As he took a picture of the man and quickly tweeted it with the hashtags, "#conference-etiquette #raisedright". Molly sighed, "Well at least we can go eat sandwiches…" as she dragged him out of the convention center.