Molly woke up the next morning and sighed. Today, she had to work with her clients.
"I didn't sign up for this," she muttered under her breath before getting out of bed and walking to the lounge room. When she walked in, she found Irene still asleep, her limbs splayed across the couch. Molly walked over and nudged the sleeping woman. "Wake up. Today's the day," Molly sung before going to make some tea.
"Jesus," Irene groaned from the couch. "I don't think I'm ready for this."
Molly laughed as she filled the kettle. "You're not ready?! I have to be a dominatrix!"
"I can't even help you while you're doing it, though, and I certainly can't turn around and fix any and all mistakes. I don't want to compromise your safety by doing something in your body."
The flat was filled with silence, the only noise being the kettle boiling.
"Thanks, I suppose," Molly muttered after a short pause.
Sherlock didn't go to sleep that night. Even though there was no client, Sherlock's case was 'what is Molly and Irene doing?' He was pacing around the lounge room when John walked in.
"What are you doing up so early?" John asked, rubbing his eyes while walking to the kitchen.
"I didn't sleep," Sherlock said, "I'm on a case."
John frowned. "Case? What case?"
"Irene and Molly. What are they doing? What are they planning? What's happening? I might have to follow them…"
"For Christ's sake, Sherlock," John said, grabbing a mug from a cupboard. "Don't you dare follow them! Now, I'm going to spell this out for you because you'll twist it later. Don't follow Molly. Don't follow Irene. Don't follow either of them. If they happen to be together, do not follow both of them. And if you decide to, I'm texting Molly and let her know what you're doing."
Sherlock groaned. "But if I don't follow them, I won't know what's going on."
"Tough," John grumbled before putting the kettle on.
The detective clicked his fingers. "I got it! I'll turn up, ask what the devil is going on, offer her support and protection, and then get in that way!"
John sighed and looked at Sherlock, exasperated. "Leave them alone."
Molly peeked through the curtain to see her last client walking out of the building (somehow) and Irene approaching. The dominatrix nee pathologist stood staring out as she tried to calm her racing mind. She had just done something she had never thought she'd do and never hoped she'd do.
There was a knock at the door and Molly turned around to see Kate poking her head in.
"That Molly Hooper's here to see you. Should I send her up?" the intruder asked, her eyes flitting around the room.
Molly nodded, biting her lip as she did so.
The two women looked around the room and sighed.
"I don't think I want to do this anymore. It's not fun," Molly sighed.
Irene rolled her eyes. "Well, suck it up, Hooper. You did well. I could see his gratitude as he walked out. He's always been one to keep things to himself when he leaves the room. I'd tell you I'm proud of you, but I'm not, really. It was all me, in the end."
"I-I suppose. Should we get ready for the next one?" Molly asked and Irene nodded.
"This one is Sarah…"
It had been a week since her first client and so far, Molly had been almost as good as Irene. A little sloppy in places, but it was alright. Irene had gone out and bought Molly a new wardrobe so that when they switched back, Molly wouldn't look like a twelve year old anymore.
"Now." Irene stood in the lounge room with Molly. "This week, you are going to loosen up and have fun. You've got the basics. We've done practice last week, practiced in between clients, and now, you have some fun, alright? There's no point in going to see a tense, nervous, anxious dominatrix when you want to loosen up. Think about this, not as work, but as a hobby. Like, I don't know, watching Glee or, Jesus, I don't know, knitting. Stuff you enjoy. Just get out of your comfort zone and have fun."
Molly nodded with a smile. "I'll do my best. What are you going to do?"
"I am going to redecorate your flat so you won't feel embarrassed having people over." Irene rolled her eyes as Molly started to look alarmed. "No, don't worry. If you need help between clients, get Kate. I've got some palm cards for you to give her. You tell her to bring them to you in between clients so you can think over. I want you to remember and think. Then have at Kate for practice."
"That's not my main fear," Molly confessed. "I'm worried you'll ruin my flat."
Irene rolled her eyes again. "Molly, Molly, Molly. Puh-leese. Do I look like someone who can ruin a flat? No. I'll make it more classy and stylish. Don't worry, Doctor Molly."
With a nod, Molly made her way to the door. "I've got to get ready for my first client. Have fun, today."
"You too," Irene said and followed Molly out of the room.